How to Secure a Motorbike Against Theft

PetPenguin on 10/04/2016 - 18:12
Last edited 18/04/2016 - 20:22

Hey guys, I am about to buy a motorbike and I am looking at cheap and easy ways to protect it against theft. The bike will be parked under a carport and passersby will be able to see it (quiet residential area).

I looked into GPS tracking devices, but they look expensive or hard to put into place. Also looked into alarmed disk locks but I am afraid that it will go off at random times for no reasons.

If you have some ideas or experience with motorbike security devices that you find useful, please share them with me.
Thank you very much.

EDIT: Thank you very much everyone for all your comments, I read everything with a lot of interest. I ended up getting:
- a Xena XX6 alarmed disk lock so I can also use it when I am on the move (about a $110 delivered)
- a third party insurance (+fire theft) with AAMI, which is very reasonable (around $200, didn't look at other insurance)
- I am looking into getting a thick chain to attach the bike to the carport
- get a car to park me in during the night when possible
- put the bike with steering lock in a way that it would have to be lifted to be moved

Really appreciate that so many people took the time to reply. Cheers!

Automotive

Comments

  • airzone on 10/04/2016 - 18:52
    +21

    Buy a second nicer bike to park it next to.. That way the thief will leave your every day ride alone. Otherwise disk locks and a chain?

    • PetPenguin on 10/04/2016 - 20:32
      +3

      Or get my neighbor to buy a really expensive one so I don't have to fork out the money myself!

      • alikazi on 13/04/2016 - 08:54
        +8

        I will tell you the cheapest way I added GPS tracker to my car.
        Buy a cheap Android smartphone running Android 5.1 with a small screen
        - add a sim card with cheap data plan and long term credit
        - set up the phone with a Gmail account make sure everything is synced
        - go to location settings and turn on location history
        - Turn down the brightness level to minimum, ringers off, obviously make sure Location is set to High Accuracy in the phone
        - search "manage my device google". Sign in to the account of the phone and "Locate" the phone. See if it works fairly well on the phone's data plan.
        - buy a car charger
        - cut off the adapter to expose wires
        - place the 2 exposed wires to the 12 volt battery of your vehicle. Follow instructions for this online. Quiet a simple task.
        - plug in the attached cable to your smartphone
        - hide the smartphone with tape or tuck it in somewhere normally invisible specially at night.
        - when your bike gets stolen, locate the phone ASAP. Hopefully they haven't split your bike in parts already and found the phone.
        - if the GPS isn't working give the police the phone number and they can track the location fairly well I think.
        - Do all of this at your own risk and I am not responsible for any damages or inconvenience whatsoever :)

        • Draco on 13/04/2016 - 09:17
          -1

          could even put in the boot and charge it periodically

        • alikazi on 13/04/2016 - 20:47
          +1

          @Draco: Best not to rely on a added responsibility. Imagine how you will feel if you did all this and forgot to charge the phone at the right time.

        • pastapins on 14/04/2016 - 08:42
          +1

          Wish I knew this before some f##kers took my 2 month old GSXR 1000 frm an undercover car park!

        • phocus on 14/04/2016 - 10:57

          You can also do this with the supplementary data sim cards that most carriers give to you with your post paid phone. That eliminates ever having to top up the phone.

        • [Deactivated] on 15/04/2016 - 13:00

          a little bit risky because sometimes phones can catch fire. ]

          A reasonably practical idea though.

        • [Deactivated] on 12/07/2016 - 10:36

          How about an eBay GPS tracking device?

          http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/GPS-motorcycle-motorbike-tracker-…

          http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/GT06-GPS-Anti-theft-device-Tracke…

          http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/GPS-GPRS-Mini-GSM-Tracker-SMS-Net…

          And to the OP, I purchased a ground achor of ebay which I'll bolt into the concrete and loop a heavy chain into, I also ordered a basic $20 disc lock.

  • [Deactivated] on 10/04/2016 - 18:59
    +5

    Heavy chain that would be very difficult to get through.

    • PetPenguin on 10/04/2016 - 20:33

      Are chains any good though? Wouldn't a good pair of pliers cut it easily?

      • [Deactivated] on 10/04/2016 - 20:50
        +4

        My understanding you can get very tough chains that are difficult to get through. Other thing if you use a disc lock is that if someone moves your bike, they will damage your disc, which is a few hundred dollars to replace (has happened to me).

        • PetPenguin on 10/04/2016 - 22:56

          Thank you, will take that into account.

      • Seven8Nine on 10/04/2016 - 21:11
        +1

        Get one from bcf store, quality will b better

        • PetPenguin on 10/04/2016 - 22:58
          +1

          I am not sure they have motorbike locks there.

        • StewBalls on 12/04/2016 - 20:05
          +1

          @PetPenguin: You'd be surprised at the random stuff BCF has in store!

      • macrocephalic on 13/04/2016 - 09:22

        A decent chain will require a very large set of bolt cutters to get through. You have to accept that nothing is 100%. Even a car can be stolen quite easily with a the right equipment (a suitable truck).

      • knk on 13/04/2016 - 10:57
        +1

        Just get something thick from bunnings, when I put up my shade sail I used some chain which was definitely overkill. Couldn't get through it with anything but an angle grinder.

        Also on the GPS tracking front, you could just wire a cheap phone in and get a yearly data plan. Run it directly off the battery, fused of course and wire in a cigarette lighter socket and just use a car charger. Leave phone under seat / in luggage depending on the bike.

      • aoeueoa on 13/04/2016 - 12:32

        http://goo.gl/yMizZn

      • crfnx on 13/04/2016 - 13:25

        The trick is to put the chain on the bike so you can't use the ground as leverage to help cut it.

        • BartholemewH on 14/04/2016 - 18:53

          Don't buy chain from bunnings. Buy boron hardened hexagonal chain. Chain the bike through the frame to something immovable and hard to cut.

          Edit: Get one with a cut deterring sheath and ensure your locks are shrouded and fit exactly onto the interlocking chain ends.

  • the-mal on 10/04/2016 - 19:03
    +12

    Alarmed disc locks don't go off at random times. I've had cheap ones (Aldi) and proper brands, all were fine and are a great theft deterrent.

    That and make sure you put steering lock on and park it turned into a wall/gutter so it can't be wheeled away.

    • PetPenguin on 10/04/2016 - 20:29

      Nice, that's good to know. Would you have any brands in mind ? I saw some pretty bad reviews of the brand Xena and wonder if there is one that is notorious for it's quality.
      I will follow your advice on the steering lock.

    • macrocephalic on 13/04/2016 - 09:23

      Not as bad as poorly configured car alarms, but I have known them to go off randomly.

  • [Deactivated] on 10/04/2016 - 19:19
    -5

    How to Secure a Motorbike Against Theft

    Buy a car.

    • Jackson on 12/04/2016 - 21:03
      +1

      On a serious note, it's very effective if you have a house mate with a car to get them to park you in

  • miarn on 10/04/2016 - 19:48
    +16

    Buy a Harley and make friends with some burly men with plenty tattoos.

    Make sure said burly men are frequently seen around your house.

    Problem solved.

    • [Deactivated] on 10/04/2016 - 19:53
      +2

      Or… Park your bike at a strip club.

      • skyva on 11/04/2016 - 10:01
        +4

        Ha, I know a burly Harley rider who had is bike stolen from such a club. It takes about 1 minute: car with bike trailer, walk up, wheel bike up trailer, drive off. Even in broad daylight no-one will say anything. It will go for parts and you will never see it again.

        The simple truth is if someone wants it, it will go. Sounds like the OP is not buying an expensive Harley/Ducati though.

        Get a good chain and lock. I had a disc lock for when I was parking away from home, you don't want to be carrying 5kg of chain and lock on the road.

        Make sure your bike is properly insured.

    • PetPenguin on 10/04/2016 - 20:34
      +1

      Well I am a pretty intimidating Penguin myself, so that should deter a few!

  • altomic on 10/04/2016 - 21:08

    a friend bought a couple of these disc locks.

    he got 2 different colours and used some nail polish on the keys so he knew which key was which lock. so far his bike hasn't been stolen.

    • PetPenguin on 10/04/2016 - 22:59

      Thank you for the link :) Nail polish is a good hack.

  • StewBalls on 10/04/2016 - 21:54
    +22

    Insurance.

    Wrap it up folks, that's it, we're done here! ;)

    • JMERC on 12/04/2016 - 17:19
      +3

      This.

      I was pretty surprised how cheap adding fire/theft cover on top of 3rd party was for a P-Plater on a Ninja 250 when I started riding a few years ago. I think it was with InsureMyRide or AAMI and was capped to a max $5K bike cover, but the bike wasn't worth more than that anyway. I think it was a few hundred dollars a year.

      When I got my CBR600RR after that, which is a few years ago now, jumped on a similar deal with AAMI. 3rd Party/Fire/Theft up to $7.5K for $400 odd a year. Full Comp is just not feasible at my age on a super sport, but you'd be stupid not to at least get on this deal for peace of mind.

      • StewBalls on 12/04/2016 - 17:23
        +1

        Agreed, absolutely a worthwhile minimum investment for any rider.

        • Jackson on 12/04/2016 - 21:05
          +4

          Insurance? I have to pay rego to get that!

        • StewBalls on 12/04/2016 - 21:08
          +1

          @Jackson: LOL.

          To be honest though, I don't think you do…quite a few of my unregistered dirt bikes over the years have had third party, theft & fire insurance. You might be in the clear on this one!

        • Jackson on 12/04/2016 - 21:20
          +1

          @StewBalls: my bikes are all garaged at the moment and two aren't roadworthy, and I will probably sell the one that is as I do t get to ride anymore. My garage is insured, but not sure if my bikes are covered (I doubt it)

    • knk on 13/04/2016 - 10:58

      Didn't think that needed to be said, should be a given….

  • Euphemistic on 10/04/2016 - 22:38
    +2

    I used a disc lock when I had a moto. I was told before I used it was that sometimes people forget they are on and wreck things when they go to ride off. Tip was to get hold of a cheap, brightly coloured dog leash, or similar, then loop it through the lock and every time you use it hook it up over the clutch lever so you can't forget it's there and hopefully a thief might see it too before stuffing your bike.

    • PetPenguin on 10/04/2016 - 22:55

      Cheers for the tip!

    • macrocephalic on 13/04/2016 - 09:25

      Many of them come with a brightly coloured coil of thin cable for this purpose. The cable is also handy for looping through the sleeve of your jacket so you can leave it on the bike when you go to the shop.

  • Mumbles on 11/04/2016 - 02:16
    +8

    Welcome to the riding club!

    I use a $70 bike cover and 1-inch super thick bike lock that's fed through the rear swing arm.

    Though my best security are the neighbours. I'm friends with all of my neighbours and we alert each other when there's suspicious people. Have seen a neighbour follow a stranger to a block over the fence to ask them what they were doing at our units.

    I don't believe lengths of chains to be much use. Chains sit on the ground making them easy to cut with bolt cutters. Below are some helpful YouTube videos which demonstrate how to use locks and chains:
    How to protect your motorbike from thieves
    Best Strongest Security Chain Bolt Cutter Cropper Proof Chain

    I'm into statistics, I worked out its 1% of registered motorcycles that get stolen. Below are some useful Australian statistics information:
    Map of Motorcycle thefts
    National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council 2014 report

    My theory is that almost all of the stolen motorcycles are from absent minded riders who forget to take their keys out of the ignition. Its really easy to be distracted. Eg. answering the mobile phone, fatigued from riding, poor sleep, rushing to a meeting… I could go on forever with advice and probabilities.

    • Benicio on 12/04/2016 - 21:40
      +3

      Highly recommend the bike cover as stated here - They are less likely to be interested in something they cant see.
      Great advice all round by Mumbles

    • ankor on 13/04/2016 - 08:25
      +1

      Left my keys in the ignition for about 5 hours in th the brisbane cbd on Charlotte St. But who's going to steal a scooter 20m away from the copshop lol. Everything was there when I got back luckily.

  • BobD on 11/04/2016 - 07:42
    +1

    Chain it down to the concrete. However, You can buy cheap (compared to motorbikes) battery powered grinders from Bunnings and others. Put a cutting wheel on and a chain won't stop them.
    As for just locking it, I witnessed, through a window, a bike theft from the work car park one day. Several men came and just picked it up and put it on a truck.

    • StewBalls on 11/04/2016 - 07:56

      Yep, if they're determined they'll take it regardless of security measures…especially if it's being advertised in an open carport.

      All of my Harley owning mates & acquaintances have lost theirs at least once, some of whom are big guys wearing colours, so perceived intimidation is apparently no deterrent either. They also had things like disc locks, shackles dynabolted to the ground, case hardened chains & locks etc, etc…

      I wasn't being in the slightest bit facetious when I suggested insurance OP; by all means whack on a visible deterrent for the 'honest thieves'; but make sure you have a good comprehensive/theft policy coz you're most likely gonna need it! ;)

      • Jackson on 12/04/2016 - 21:12

        Agreed, however I think a lot has to do with the fact that they are Harley riders, most Japanese bikes aren't really in the same league when it comes to second hand parts market, Harleys are definitely a bigger target. He hasn't mentioned the bike he is getting but I think between a nice chain and maybe parking it in, and with his Neighbourhood watch group he should be fine.

        • StewBalls on 12/04/2016 - 21:13
          +5

          After I posted that I realised that the OP is in Tassie…as someone else mentioned, he may not even need to lock it…and indeed could damn near leave the keys in it down there! ;)

        • Jackson on 12/04/2016 - 21:23
          +1

          @StewBalls: I have left my keys in the bike quite a few times, only once have I come back and it wasn't where it should have been and I hadn't left the keys in it that day. I parked at a uni and at the end of the day someone had carried my bike around the corner and put it in the driveway of a block on units. A 250kg GSX750 from 1980. I do t know why thy picked my bike but those kids had too much time on their hands. Took me an hour at least to find it

        • StewBalls on 12/04/2016 - 21:25
          +3

          @Jackson: If you'd said anywhere other than a university I might have had trouble believing your story, but it actually sounds pretty 'normal' by uni standards! :)

        • Jackson on 12/04/2016 - 21:35

          [@StewBalls(/comment/3610996/redir): was very strange, and unfortunately I parked on a hill, I walked up and down about 5 times and it was summer before I started off in a side street, I had basically given up when I saw it, I was in the middle of this driveway like it was on display, maybe to bugger the people coming out (the steering was locked and you couldn't move it yourself). I figure they mistook my bike for someone else's or they wanted to block someone from using the driveway and mine was the closest

        • StewBalls on 12/04/2016 - 21:38
          +1

          @Jackson: I wouldn't look for logic in it with uni students…could be any combo of drunk, stoned, or even as you said, too much time on their hands!

          Gotta love our future professionals… ;)

    • Speckled Jim on 11/04/2016 - 10:38

      battery powered grinders

      Bolt cutters are quieter!

      • liquid metal on 12/04/2016 - 19:27
        +1

        1cm hardened steel and the biggest bolt cutter only works if the chain is on the ground and you can use your whole body weight.

        • StewBalls on 12/04/2016 - 21:28
          +1

          When I was working security many years ago in Sydney, we would routinely find locks shattered into small pieces…with an empty can of A/C Freon nearby.

          The scary part, you could literally buy the Freon at Kmart in those days…

        • liquid metal on 13/04/2016 - 07:08

          @StewBalls: Okay, that's new for me

        • StewBalls on 13/04/2016 - 08:34

          @liquid metal: Yep, a quick freeze & whack with a hammer, then you've quietly bypassed the best of padlocks. Goodness only knows what the Freon was doing to the Ozone layer though.

          Nowadays, environmentally conscious thieves would probably be using liquid nitrogen, which would actually be more efficient & far easier to get than A/C refrigerant given the recent rise in popularity of TV-molecular-gastro-wankerism! ;)

        • Speckled Jim on 13/04/2016 - 11:08
          +4

          Won't be seeing you at Dat Fu Fat Duck then?

        • StewBalls on 13/04/2016 - 12:48

          @mcmonte: Correct. This could be one of those rare moments in mathematical/statistical history that a probability of a given event could just be less than zero! ;)

        • liquid metal on 13/04/2016 - 21:11

          @StewBalls:

          I have this one for my bicycle: http://www.abus.com/eng/Mobile-Security/Bike-Safety-and-Secu…

          Wonder how difficult is it to freeze and shatter it.

        • StewBalls on 13/04/2016 - 21:26

          @liquid metal: Dunno, give it a go & get back to us! ;)

  • Big Trev on 11/04/2016 - 07:51
    +1

    Insure it.

    A large, heavy duty chain with a large heavy duty loop fixed to the ground is about the only thing that is going to slow someone up if they're determined to take your bike. They are expensive and a hassle though.

    GPS trackers will let you know where your bike is after it's gone. I had one installed on a previous bike, haven't done it again.

    Disk locks are great at bending disks if you forget them. I know from experience, expensive lesson. If you buy one, get one of those coil things to string up to your handlebar to remind you to take it off.

    Personally, my bike is parked in a locked garage at home and out the front of work (on the street, office building) and I don't use any additional security.

  • kanter on 11/04/2016 - 07:55

    Yep disks locks are OK for a quick stop but to secure your bike at home, D-Lock + good chain around your carport pillar. It's very easy to lift a bike and put it in a van

  • WT on 11/04/2016 - 10:27
    +2

    Depends on bike. If its like a cheap vt250 just a disc lock and insurance.

    Some areas i wouldnt park it if you only have a car port no matter what security you have.

    Largely it depends on bike, location and convenience

    Oh youre in tas, you prob wont even need a disc lock lol

  • simmos on 11/04/2016 - 10:32
    +2

    There are a few fairly bullet proof ways. My strategy would be to have two methods.
    Firstly bolting to the concrete stops a number of theives bundling it into the back of a truck or ute with ease. A good chain that can only be ground off with an angle grinder means there will be noise if they go to the extent of attempting grinding.

    Secondly the OP mentioned "GPS trackers are not cheap". That's not correct: the TK102 is the way to go, see it here as an example.
    https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/331580016533
    There are a few different types some with geo-fencing (goes off when removed from a specific location). They do use a SIM card but I use a shared data plan on my Optus mobile account and it cost a once-off $5.
    Finally if you want to watch for human activity near the bike there are a number of solutions using cameras or proximity/heat sensors that set off either a siren or radio beacon to hand held/phone.

    These days there are plenty of cheap solutions to protect your bike from theft.

    • chiefbodge on 13/04/2016 - 09:51

      That tracker is 2G. 2G networks are being discontinued very soon (telstra in 2017 and optus in 2018).

      The 3G GPS trackers are very expensive. Cheapest way for GPS tracking is to use an old iPhone or android phone and hide it somewhere on the bike.

      I use an old iPhone 4 with a smashed screen on my bike with icloud/findmyiphone and it works a treat - very good on power too. Use the aldi 365 day pay as you go sim.

    • coolhand on 14/04/2016 - 11:25

      https://www.thetrackr.com/
      this could be a cheap solution? mainly intrigued by the 1 year battery, the 150 hour battery of the TK102 makes it too much of an inconvienience

  • R081N on 11/04/2016 - 23:27
    +3

    I have an expensive bike parked in a carport. Here's what I do. Firstly I have insurance & use my steering lock. I then have a cover to go over it. I then have a 14mm chain (bought from a bike shop) that goes around a post and is locked to a disc lock that goes through the rear disc. I also have a 16mm chain (bought from fc moto online) that goes around a post and is locked to a disc lock through the front disc. I also have a Scorpio alarm that has a proximity sensor. Overkill? Maybe. I haven't bothered with gps trackers because I heard they're unreliable & can be negated by an rf blanket? It's a lot of trouble to secure it when I get home but I love my bike & have no garage. Still, if they want it they can get it, but it'll be a lot of noise & a lot of effort involved. That's the key basically. Make it so hard that they'll find an easier target. Good luck!

    • Providence on 13/04/2016 - 02:19
      +2

      If they really, really want yours specifically then there is nothing you can do to stop them. But you are absolutely right, just by not being the low hanging fruit means everyone else moves on to something easier.

  • Speckled Jim on 12/04/2016 - 09:46
    +2

    In addition to the excellent tips above, install a solar-powered motion-detecting light. A well-lit area is often a good deterrent. So too CCTV cameras, just a question of whether you want a cheap fake or real system.

  • shazm on 12/04/2016 - 10:32
    +1
    • Fat chain (15mm minimum); ideally from bike to a permanent structure
    • Alarmed disc-lock + visible reminder cord
    • Bike Cover

    Most thefts are opportunistic; rarely are they planned (unless your bike is rare / valuable). The above are mostly deterrents; anyone determined enough will get it - just have a good insurance policy.

    For some more peace of mind, also consider:
    - Motion sensing battery powered hidden camera (check eBay for one that looks like a smoke detector)
    - Motion sensing battery powered light (again, cheap on eBay)

    Good luck! And don't fret too much - enjoy the bike!

  • WT on 12/04/2016 - 11:26
    +6

    There is an AMA on reddit I think, which was done by a pro bike thief. I recommend searching for it. some of it doesn't apply here since we don't have the same demographic.
    Generally:
    -chain it through the frame, not subframe or wheels/fork
    -hide your alarm, under the seat is not good enough. use black shrink wrap/tubing like on the rest of the bike
    -use steering/disc lock on rear, its harder to remove the rear disc
    etc etc

    Basically chains and disc locks discourage junkies, they only slightly slow down pro's. Same with alarms and gps since they can be loaded into a van.

    insurance is the best bet

    • bod311 on 12/04/2016 - 13:41
      +1

      This times 100. All of this added security will only stop an opportunistic theft.

      Third party and fire and theft insurance for me is $200 a year. To me it's great peace of mind to park it anywhere knowing I won't be out of pocket in the unlikely event it gets stolen. I honestly can't be stuffed with screwing around with added security. Although to me a bike or car is a replaceable machine, some do get quite attached though so your mileage my vary.

      • WT on 13/04/2016 - 15:22

        Looks like it

    • [Deactivated] on 12/04/2016 - 12:58

      Trackr doesn't work outside of bluetooth range (100ft)

      • anonymous01 on 12/04/2016 - 14:18

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIMe8cvidGg

        looking at the reviews though, I don't think it will work well for every one. The guy in the video above got extremely lucky.

        "Wait.. this doesn't use true GPS - so is does NOT connect to a satellite. It's just uses bluetooth; so for it to work someone in the "community" would have to be within 100 feet of the bike, AND their phone is on, AND the bluetooth is on (draining you cell battery), AND the app is on, THEN it will register where the bike is? (unless they keep walking, making it out of range). So tens of thousands of people will have to have this product for it to work, thereby creating a web. I live in Ontario, there's no way this would work. Am I wrong on how this works?"

        • [Deactivated] on 12/04/2016 - 14:31

          it would only work where there is sa high concentration of trackr users i.e. California. Even then, motorbikes are more likely to be stripped or exported or at least be taken far away. And their video looks extremely staged.

  • Maz1 on 12/04/2016 - 12:15

    Loop a chain through the back tyre a then around something like a pillar or pole. Anything heavy would do I guess. Then padlock the two ends of chain together.

  • [Deactivated] on 12/04/2016 - 12:23
    +1

    I used to use a disk lock until I forgot about it once and rode off.
    Fortunately no damage as I just rolled the bike.
    The little spring cords should fix that though, but they are tedious.

    Now I use a bright yellow grip lock.
    www.ebay.com.au/itm/Grip-Lock-Motorcycle-Locking-System-Thro…

    • It is easily visible
    • you cant forget it,
    • you cant move the bike with it on.
    • Easy to put on or take off.

    As with all other locks, it keeps honest people honest.

    I also investested in a cover for the bike when I park it in the CBD to keep people off it, and to minimise the risk of opportunistic vandalism.

    Fat chain bolted to the ground is a good idea if its your home.
    I know of cases where excavators have been craned onto the back of a truck at night, and hitch locked caravans winched onto trailers at night.
    Bikes are different machines I know, but it would be relatively easy to lift one onto a trolley or trailer with the right gear.

    • ATangk on 12/04/2016 - 14:30

      Contrary to that point, some video I watched of a prisoner known for breaking locks, he said that locks indicate that there's something of value to someone. Which makes it more likely that 'there's something of value to take from said person'. Also, never buy 'Master' branded locks.

  • [Deactivated] on 12/04/2016 - 12:56
    +1

    If you are going to chain it up, make sure it's through the back wheels not the front, front wheels are easy to an experienced bike thief to take off and steal the rest of your bike. Your number #1 defense it to take your bike out of plain sight in the carport - Find another spot. Get insurance.

    • bod311 on 12/04/2016 - 21:46

      Umm a back wheel is not very hard to remove either, sometimes just as easy depending on the bike

  • windrc on 12/04/2016 - 16:25

    a strong room

  • nosey on 12/04/2016 - 20:52

    I found my GPS tracker annoying as it drained the bikes battery within about 4 days of no use (even with it in standby mode). Was glad to get rid of it.

    • [Deactivated] on 13/04/2016 - 06:34

      Cheap android running tasker that sends location details on request of an sms. Shouldnt be all that taxing on a battery.

  • BuyoTheCat on 13/04/2016 - 09:09

    There are no really good way of preventing your bike from being stolen. A ute and 2 strong men, is all it takes. Even There are even ways to get around disc locks.

    Most theft are opportunistic, so keeping it out of sigh from the road is the first easy preventive measure.

  • macrocephalic on 13/04/2016 - 09:33
    +1

    The way some people are going on you'd think we live in some sort of post apocalyptic dystopia where someone will steal the bike the minute you've turned your back.

    If you can take it out of site - do that.
    Put a decent lock on it.
    Insure it.

    Ask yourself this: what's stopping someone from stealing everything else you own? How hard is it to steal your car? Break into your house? Steal your identity?

  • hueylui on 13/04/2016 - 11:20

    I've had a number of motorbikes in an unsecured parking area under my block of units. It's had a number of motor bikes stolen. But not mine - thankfully. Its all about making it as difficult as possible. Like most people who have said, they're opportunists, they'll get it if they want it bad enough. I have a heavy tarp and a Kryptonite New York Chain and Padlock - through the rear wheel and swing arm (or part of the frame) over to a 3t car jack. I would get an anchor point into dyno'd to the ground but then I'll need to get strata involved - thinking of just doing it anyway. Wiggle and torpedo7 has the best prices for a kryptonite stuff. you'll be looking to spend about $300. You can find cheaper ways too eg. hardware/boat store for a 15mm chain about 1.5m of it. big enough padlock. and an anchor like this

    Secondly - always insure it for theft if you value the motorbike. I reckon 90% of stolen bikes don't come back to its owner.

  • [Deactivated] on 13/04/2016 - 13:30
    +1

    Definitely want some kind of alarm. Just chaining it more simply presents a challenge to a determined thief. Having an alarm both secures it and ensures some stupid thief doesn't give stealing it a shot anyway.

  • [Deactivated] on 13/04/2016 - 14:38

    Gaffa tape a severed head to the seat or handle bars at night !

  • [Deactivated] on 13/04/2016 - 14:40
    +1

    Ok seriously, how about a movement sensor Large Light, so if anyone comes close to it at night they get brightly lit up.

  • JepunK on 13/04/2016 - 14:46

    remove the spark plug when you're not using the bike

  • allegiance86 on 13/04/2016 - 15:17
    +1

    Agreed value insurance, say hello to new bike if she gets stolen. Easiest option.

  • Dr Techno on 13/04/2016 - 15:56

    You can get cheap chinese GPS trackers. Slip in a sim card, and I think you can remotely query it for GPS coordinates.

    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Vehicle-GSM-GPRS-GPS-Tracker-Car-…

    Dont know how well they work, but for the price worth a play. I would look out to see if it supports 3G and up.

  • Ace26 on 13/04/2016 - 18:11

    Option 1: I would get insurance to include theft (most comprehensives ones include this)
    Option 2: I would go with a Kryptonite anchor to the ground and a chain over the frame
    Option 3: A good disc lock (not the from aldi)

    Ideally, I would go with Option 1 and 3 combined.

  • lonix on 13/04/2016 - 19:20

    Hire a security guard.

    And put a switch on your fuel cut solenoid.

  • koplik8 on 13/04/2016 - 22:31

    Did you see that guy on Territory Cops??? lol

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join