Motorbike Security
No rider wants to stare at the empty space where their pride and joy once stood. Motorbike security is a necessity if you value your bike at all. Let me put it this way - more motorcycles and scooters are stolen than cars and even less are recovered.
In any case bike security generally ends up paying for itself. The better your bike security the cheaper your motorcycle insurance premium (this is why it is important to always buy motorcycle security that has been approved by the insurance companies, like the Vehicle Security Installation Board which lists fully accredited installation companies.) Also, if you have good motorbike security there is less chance of having your bike stolen and hence having to make a claim. This way you will be able to benefit from your no claims bonus without having to fork out for higher premiums and unnecessary excesses
Types of Motorbike Security
The more diverse the security on your bike, the less likely the thief is to try and steal it.
Mechanical Motorbike Security
There is a wide variety of mechanical security that you can choose from whether it be disc locks, chains, padlocks or U bolts. Whatever you do decide to buy - make the effort to always take them with you otherwise there is no point in having them at all. Doing that can be compared to only wearing your helmet on occasion. In any case, the best quality mechanical security comes with carriers that can be clipped to the pillion seat or a tank bag base.
The following three suppliers offer a wide range of locks, anchors, clamps and posts:
I would advise that you don't use a disc lock alone as this can easily be removed. Coupled with a few other security devices however, it will make the prospect of stealing your bike less attractive. U locks are better than disc locks, but they need to be long enough to secure the bike to something immovable.
Furthermore, keep the lock off the ground as this make it harder to smash and never put your chain through your wheel as thieves are often just as interested in the bike parts as they are the bike!
To avoid having your bike transported to another vehicle and towed away, always secure it to something that can not be moved - at all!
Electronic Motorbike Security
A combination of an alarm and an immobiliser is a good idea, especially if they are professionally fitted. It may be worth considering those with some sort of a pager or text message sending ability
Look for the devices that offer a low current drain as well as a comprehensive warranty support. Some electronic motorbike security devices even offer roadside protection.
NOTE:The DIY systems are cheaper for a reason and they often don't affect your insurance policies
Motorbike Security At Home
80% of motorcycles are stolen from owners homes and garages. With this is mind it is important to not only ensure that your bike is secured in the garage with a ground anchor but also that your garage is well secured. You can pick up ground anchors that are so solid that Sportbikes Shop go as far as saying that:
"As far as bike thieves are concerned the Ground Hogs are the work of the Devil."
If possible, extend your house alarm to the garage or buy a silent alarm that notifies you if someone enters your garage. A cheap alternative however is a wireless baby alarm.
Trimetals are the original suppliers and designers of the Titan Motorcycle Garages which offer both convenience and maximum motorbike security. The Titan Garage has a distinct advantage over other anti-theft devices as the motorcycle is completely enclosed and out of sight giving greater protection from thieves and the weather. This is really a no-brainer if you don't already have somewhere secure to leave your bike at home. If you are still having second thoughts, at least check out their site to see the photos.
Don't leave your tools visible in the garage as this will only make it easier for the thieves to get at your ground anchor. On that note, never leave your garage keys out in the open where they can be seen from outside either.
Motorbike Marking Systems
Marking your bike parts with an ultra violet pen might deter thieves as marked property is hard evidence that no one wants to be caught with. In reality however, it is not very often that parts are ever checked for markings by the police or anyone for that matter, so don't rely on that method alone!
Tips on Motorbike Security:
- Before anything else you need to get your bike insured so that it is stolen it will not seem as if life as you know it is ending. Check out my motorcycle insurance for all you need to know about buying good insurance and not getting ripped off.
- It is definitely worth checking special Datatag or Alphadot Identification Bike Security which marks your bike with hidden codes that can only be read with special scanners, before doing anything else. Most police forces now have these and so it can make it easier to recover a stolen bike.
- The main thing to remember is that the name of this games is to persuade the thief that there is much easier prey out there than your bike. The more difficult it appears to steal - the less likely the thief will try, and if he does, well of course you make it as tough as possible for him to steal it by having solid motorbike security
- Secure your motorbike with two different types of lock. Professional thieves generally specialise in one type of lock.
- Many a cheap steel gives up the ghost when treated with ice spray. High-quality locks are resistant to ice spray attacks and carry a certification seal to this effect. Abus Security has this kind of certificate to verify that it has been ice-spray tested
- Always try and cover your motorcycle as this is one additional thing the thieves have to get through to steal your bike.
- Make sure that all the motorbike security that you buy is either Thatcham or Sold Secure approved, as these met the highest standards in the industry. Thatcham is an approved testing agency and so even though it will be more expensive it will be near impossible for a thief to get through it.
- Another certification stamp that is recognised by the international test institutes’ labels is the VdS certificate. This certificate is given to top-security products that are distinguished by the solid use of hi-tech materials and high-quality locking systems. Again, Abus Security stocked by Sport Bikes Shop Security has this certificate amongst many others
- Avoid locks that feature tubular cylinders (the ones with the round key) as these particular locks are child's play to pick
- Trials, Moto Cross and Enduro bikes are more difficult to trace when stolen, so they attract more interest from the thieves. If you own one of these types of bikes you really need to take your bike security that much more seriously
- Never leave any accessories on your bike
- Always engage your steering lock
- If you are parking your bike in a high crime area it might be worth leaving your seat open so that thieves do not break the seat lock when searching for items to steal
- Think twice about having expensive logo stickers plastered all over your bike as this is a great way to market the expense of your bike to thieves
- You can register your bike with the DVLA so that the police will have records of your engine and frame numbers. If you have an off-road bike then you can register it with a private agency such as Swagmoto Motorbike Security
In conclusion remember that what you pay for is what you get and you are the only one that can decide how much you value your machine. Unfortunately motorbike security is often something that us bikers only think about in retrospect - once our beautiful machine is gone.
If you want to find a larger directory of motorbike security suppliers and security resources, then check out my comprehensive motorcycle directory which lists it all in much more detail.