We know how important your motorcycle is to you and we want to highlight some key points for you to help keep your motorcycle as safe as possible. With some handy theft prevention tips.
There are a few different ways to protect your motorcycle from theft, and any one of them is better than leaving your bike unprotected. Plus many measures won’t cost you a thing.
The majority of motorcycle theft claims that Protecta deals with are where the motorcycle has been taken from public places of carparks or on the street.
If you park outside, choose a well-lit, high-traffic, conspicuous area. Try and lock your bike to immovable objects like lamp posts and bespoke bike rails. Or even to another bike (not a strangers bike though). Having a few "Alarm Installed" stickers could discourage thieves too. Plus do what you can to park where there are security cameras in place or you have a nice line of sight to wherever you’ll be.
Remember a so-called secure car park is often not secure at all – more like a shopping centre for thieves. So review the surroundings before you leave your bike.
Of course if you have access to a locked garage to park your bike in then make sure it stays that way (locked). Check all the garage locks and consider adding further security, like an alarm; security lights; and cameras, where possible.
And it goes without saying that no keys (spare or otherwise) are left on the bike or in the ignition at any time.
Remember to always lock your bike up, no matter the time in between your rides. It’s better to take the extra five minutes to take some locks off, than to call the police and wait for them to get there.
Steering locks make it difficult for your bike to be easily maneuvered, reducing the chances of it being pushed out of sight where a thief can operate undetected. Nearly every road bike has a steering lock built into it, making this an easy, free way of making your bike more secure, and this should be considered a minimum step for security.
There are a great range of other locks available on the market. A brake lever lock (also called a grip lock) can be attached to your bike’s front brake lever, clamping the front brake and preventing the bike from being rolled
Or a step up is the disc lock. These devices pass through your brake disc so that the disc can’t spin around without the lock hitting the caliper. They fit most modern bikes with disc brakes. If you have an older bike then a U-style lock through the disc serves the same basic function. U-locks can also pass through the rear sprocket to immobilise your bike.
These locking devices can be locked with a key and they can further prevent your bike from being rolled around. They are also compact and light. Most disc locks also include a tether for your handlebars that acts as a reminder to remove the lock before you ride away – it’s very important to make sure you remove the lock before riding off! Some feature alarms too being another nice deterrent.
You should consider spending a little extra on locks that are made from hardened steel and are approved to recognised security standards.
Having an alarm/immobiliser professionally fitted to your bike can be a very worthwhile investment. Many bikes now include a factory fitted immobiliser, typically you’ll see a flashing light on your dash after you turn off the ignition and remove the key. Check your owner’s manual to see if your bike has one fitted. Despite the name, these only prevent your bike’s engine from being started, so it’s worthwhile performing extra steps to prevent the bike from being wheeled away.
If you did have a bike stolen, a GPS tracker may lead to your bike being recovered and you getting it back more quickly. Meaning a lesser insurance claim (if it was damaged) or no need for a claim at all. Some trackers feature a movement/shock sensor; switched ignition operating alarm and precise location detection. With the ability to be able to view the bike’s location on a smartphone or PC
An easy security method is a bike cover. In addition to keeping your motorcycle dry and clean, a good bike cover obscures your motorcycle from view. The casual bike thief doesn’t know what’s under there, especially if the cover is long enough to hide the wheels. Plus a plain cover suggests a plain motorcycle and not advertising what sort of bike it is, that a branded cover would.
Heavy duty hardened chains and ground anchors are a formidable combo when it comes to bike security. Either cemented into the ground itself or securely fixed using bolts that cannot be easily removed. Ground anchors are the last thing a bike thief wants to see.
When securing your bike with a chain to a ground anchor always make sure you go through the actual frame and not just a wheel.
Remember to keep your chain/lock off the ground, so that tools can’t be leveraged against the hard floor to break them.
Thieves often have a “shopping list” quota they need to fulfil. Keep your eyes peeled for any unusual activity or people you don’t recognise near your home or normal place of parking. Bike thieves are likely to scope out a potential target before they strike, however this means they have to do their homework. If you see something suspicious around your bike, consider moving it to an alternative secure location just in case the thieves are planning to come back later to steal your bike.
Being vigilant when buying or selling your bike is also key, especially through the likes of Facebook Marketplace. There are a number of scammers out there attempting to sell stolen items in the first place. Or they may take an interest in a bike you are selling. Be wary of people that turn up on foot to view your bike or are not prepared to share any identification with you of who they actually are. We have even had an instance where the prospective purchaser wasn’t supposed to test ride at all, he asked to hear the bike running and when the seller started it, the thief simply hopped on the bike and rode away.
Whilst each of the steps outlined above alone may not be enough to save your bike from being stolen, utilising several of them together could significantly reduce the risk and possibly the need to claim on insurance.
Plus your bike isn’t the only thing that can be stolen. Be careful with easily removable accessories too.
Essentially don’t make a thief’s job any easier for them. The more problematic you make it for them the more likely they are to simply move on.
Finally here are some points to remember in association with your motorcycle policy:
- It’s safest to keep a bike in a locked building where possible
- Use the steering lock as a minimum measure
- Enable the immobiliser if your bike has one fitted
- Secure the bike if it is being transported
- Refer to your policy wording for full terms of your cover with us
- If your security arrangements including where you keep your bike overnight changes, please let us know
Should you have any questions then do feel free to reach out to our Protecta team on 0800 776 832