How safe is your bike against theft

Posted by pooja late on December 14th, 2018

With many bikes stolen, motorbike security should be top of the list for any rider.

Bikes are stolen by joyriders, stolen to order, or stolen to be broken down as parts, and can often be out of the country before you know they're gone. Nevertheless, despite this, less than half of all bikes are protected by bike locks or any other security devices. An unsecured bike is an easy target for thieves as it can be wheeled away, lifted or bundled into a van. The more security measures you make, the less attractive your bike will be to thieves. By doing this you will greatly reduce your risk of becoming a victim.

By adding approved security devices to prevent theft, you could reduce your insurance premium and get a cheaper quote. Here are a few tips on how you can keep your bike safe.

Motorbike Alarms and Immobilizers

Does your biking tips have either of these? By having an insurance approved combined alarm and immobilizer this would deter most thieves.

A quality approved, professionally fitted alarm system will not only put off even the most determined thief but could also reduce your insurance premiums. It's always worth paying the extra for a manufacturer-fitted motorcycle alarm, or motorbike alarms fitted by a factory trained technician. The complex electrics on modern bikes can often respond badly to a DIY or poorly fitted bike alarm.

Motorbike Locks

Perhaps the simplest and most visible deterrent, are large motorcycle chain locks or motorcycle cable locks. These should always be secured to an immovable object, such as a ground anchor, a lamppost, or another bike. Always try to thread the chain or cable through your frame if possible, as many bikes are stolen for parts and one wheel, either way, won't stop some thieves from taking your bike.

 Motorbike disc locks can be a deterrent to the casual thief, but they will only slow down a professional by a few seconds. Professional thieves will often simply lift your biking tips into a van and drive away, unhindered by any lock attached to the bike itself. So you should never rely on these alone. That's why most bikers will own a disk lock as well as have an alarm immobilizer.

For safety, you should never ride with your motorbike chain locks around your shoulders or with your motorbike disc locks in your pocket. These can cause serious injury if you're involved in an accident.

Mark Your Motorcycle

Try to mark parts of your motorcycle with your VIN (vehicle identification number), vehicle registration, and postcode. The rest is broken down for parts and sold on the black market. By marking all parts of your bike, it makes it more difficult to sell them.

That is why it is worth marking as much of your bike as possible to identify you as the owner. This can be done with a simple UV pen from your local DIY store. Alternatively, you can use one of the more sophisticated systems such as Datatag, Alpha Dot or Smartwater, which will also put off thieves and help trace your motorcycle or scooter if it is stolen.

Author’s Bio

Harris Young enlightens his audience on securing their biking tips against theft. He gave important tips to protect your bike.