Five Strategies to Prevent Motorbike Theft
How to prevent bike theft – tips for your bike:
Most riders appreciate the freedom that comes with riding, but the small size and open nature of a bike means it’s much easier for thieves to steal your bike than your car. Preventing bike theft is an unfortunate necessity for bike owners. Any vehicle can be stolen if a thief really wants to, but by adding a few layers of bike security, you can make your bike a less desirable target for a thief. Certain safety measures can also earn you a discount on your motorcycle insurance. Use these five bike theft prevention tips to help keep your bike safe.
How to help prevent bike theft – Tips for your bike
1. Invest in anti-theft equipment
Bike locks, alarms, and chains can all be tampered with, but they also make your bike less easy to steal. A thief often prefers a soft target that they can steal quickly with minimal noise or using obvious tools. There are several different anti-theft devices that can deter a thief.
Motorcycle alarm and security system:
Many newer models of motorcycles, including most Harley-Davidson® models, come equipped with a security system that electronically disables the ignition when the owner’s key fob is removed from the bike. This helps prevent a thief from taking the bike away. In some cases, security systems that disable the ignition may be added to motorcycles that are not so equipped by the manufacturer.
The owner of an antique bike can often add a hidden switch to disable or disconnect the ignition system. A thief may try to activate or hot-wire the central ignition switch to try to start the bike but won’t know how to activate the other switches.
For an added layer of protection, many security systems can include a siren or alarm. These alarms often have a motion detector that activates an armed alarm if the bike is moved, or if the bike is lifted from its sidestand. Harley-Davidson offers a security siren kit that easily plugs into the Harley-Davidson® factory security system on most new model bikes. A loud alarm is not the sound a burglar wants to hear.
Bike locks:
A very clear lock can help keep the bike safe, and also act as a theft deterrent. A thief would love to try to steal an unlocked bike.
Almost every motorcycle is equipped with a fork lock that secures the fork in a bent position so that a stolen bike cannot be driven in a straight line. Always locking the fork when parking a bike is a basic theft prevention practice.
A disc lock is designed to slot through the disc brake holes and make it impossible for a thief to spin or drive the bike without destroying the wheels and braking system. Disc locks are compact and easy to carry while cycling, and some are equipped with motion detectors and a loud alarm. A large U-style lock can also be placed through the brake disc, or sometimes through the rear wheel chain or belt sprocket on older bikes not equipped with disc brakes.
A brake lever lock clamps on the front brake lever and right hand grip, locking the front wheel and making the bike difficult to move. It is also a compact style lock that is very clear and easy to carry.
Heavy-duty security chains and cables are harder to carry than disc or brake locks, but they can be used to secure the bike to an immovable object or ground anchor. A chain or cable can also be used to lock two bikes together, making it very difficult for thieves to lift the bikes and put them in a van or truck. Security chains are made of special metal alloys that are much harder to cut than normal hardware store chains, and often have a soft core that protects the bike’s finish and makes it easier to use some cutting tools. Makes it difficult.
A standard lock will have a high security double deadbolt design and a strong defeat lock cylinder. Some security cables have an integrated locking system and are designed to withstand the challenge of cutting. Cable can be easier to take on the road than in China.
2. If possible, keep the bike inside
Motorcycles kept in garages are stolen at a much lower rate than motorcycles parked on the street or in driveways. You can secure your garage with high-quality locks and window coverings to prevent prying eyes. Consider adding a security device or backup lock to an automatic garage door opener, which can be thwarted by smart and determined thieves. Disconnecting power to the garage door opener will also disable it. A clear security camera will discourage a thief. Do not leave keys or security fobs with the bike.
Consider adding an extra layer of protection by locking the bike inside the garage. A security anchor that is permanently installed into the floor is a great addition to a private garage. Covering the bike in the garage will also make it very difficult to identify it.
If you live in the city, a gated parking garage specializing in bike storage may be an option.
3. Cover your bike
If you don’t have access to a private or locked garage, the next best step is to hide your bike to help prevent bike theft. An inconspicuous bike cover serves as urban camouflage. There’s nothing eye-catching about a black or gray cover, which will hopefully make a would-be thief leave your bike for a more attractive target. Harley-Davidson offers indoor-outdoor motorcycle covers with no obvious branding to help thieves identify the bike.
When the cover hides the bike’s wheels, it is very difficult to identify the make and model of the intended bike, and a thief can be seen lifting the cover. The cover has the added benefit of preventing people from sitting on the bike, their children sitting on the bike or damaging the bike. While keeping the bike safe outside, the cover will also help keep the bike clean and protect the finish from UV damage. Most covers have metal grommets on the bottom edge that can be used to lock the cover or with a cover alarm.
4. Choose a good parking spot
Look for a bike parking space that is very visible, directly under overhead lights, in a high-traffic area and has clear security cameras. The more people around, the less likely your bike will be stolen. When you’re out and about, try to park the bike where you can see it, for example at a restaurant or bar.
5. Secure your gear
If your bike isn’t equipped with a locking device, securing a helmet or jacket when the bike is parked can be a concern if you don’t want to carry these items.
Many motorcycles are equipped with a basic helmet lock, but an additional helmet lock can be added to a bike that is not so equipped, or to secure another helmet. A jacket can be secured by looping a thin security cable through a sleeve and then locking the cable to the bike.
Before leaving the bike, remove an additional bike navigation device or mobile phone holder that can be quickly removed and stolen, and either take it with you or keep it in a locked luggage.