Unlike larger vehicles, unfortunately, motorcycles can be more vulnerable to theft or being tampered with. And with a rise in thefts it’s important to know that motorcycles have become an easy target for thieves as they can be broken down and sold as parts making it even more difficult to track down.
Thankfully there are a number of ways you can protect yourself from losing a valuable investment and keep your favorite ride safe.
Parking
The first and most obvious tip is to think carefully before parking your motorcycle. Parking in a garage is ideal, especially if you can lock the doors. You may want to put up a camera as well to keep an extra eye out and an alarm system in your garage is even better. However, if you can’t park in a garage but must park on the street, you’ll want to find a well-lit spot like under a lamp post where potential thieves will think twice before trying anything as they will be left exposed.
Alarms
Speaking of alarms, you may want to consider a Disc lock security system, such as one made by YOHOOLYO, as reviewed by Motorcycle Larry recently among other motorcycle necessities. The Disc lock is attached to your front brake and keeps your bike from going anywhere, though if a very determined thief hoists your motorcycle onto a trailer or truck, well, then you might still be out of luck.
However, an alarm will still be an effective deterrent. The sturdy YOHOOLYO metal system is durable and is considered one of the loudest alarms on the market reaching above 100dB. And it’s seven millimeter locking pin will allow you to set it at 360-degrees. It includes two keys and can also be used for a bicycle. The alarm works by using motion sensors to detect someone attempting to tamper with your property and sets off within five seconds of someone trying to mess with it.
A chain lock will also go a long way in deterring thieves as you can attach your bike to a tree or railing by threading it through your bike frame or wheel.
Outfitting your bike with a GPS tracker is another effective way to recover your stolen property if it does, Heaven forbid, get swiped.
Insurance
It also doesn’t hurt to have a plan in place in case you are the victim of a theft. Make sure to have your registration papers at home and a copy with you in case you need to make a report. Motorcycle insurance is not a bad thing to have if you want peace of mind, and can help you save money in the event of a theft.
Take The Keys
Thieves are always on the lookout for an easy score. Don’t make things any easier for them if you can help it. Instead, take your keys with you, if you don’t, it may be too tempting for a dastardly thief. Even if you’re just jumping into a store to use the bathroom or quickly grab a coffee, still take the time to take your keys. And even though it’s convenient, consider ditching having a spare key somewhere on your bike. Again, you don’t want to make it easy for thieves to take off with your prized possession.
Popular Brands
As disappointing as it sounds, there are definitely models and makes that are more of a target for thieves than others. Newer motorcycles and Harleys, for example, are prime targets, whereas older motorcycles, seven years and older, are safer. So if you’re in the market for a bike and are wondering if you should splurge and go for a newer model, consider that there are benefits to not rocking the latest and greatest, especially if it pushes your budget to the limit.
Cover Your Bike
If you can’t find a good parking space or a garage for an overnight park job, consider throwing a cover over your motorcycle. It’s a relatively cheap and effective way at deterring potential thieves by simply hiding in plain sight. If a thief doesn’t see your bike, they won’t think of stealing it. And if they do see there is a vehicle under a cover, they won’t be able to plan their theft as well because they can’t see what kind of anti-theft measures you have taken like disc or chain locks, alarms etc.
In the end, while motorcycles are more favored by crooks because they are so much easier to steal than a larger car, van or truck, and their individual parts are easier to pull apart and sell, there are still many ways in which you can protect yourself and your property.