Keeping Your Motorcycle Safe From Thieves
The news is ripe with statistics showing auto theft and carjackings are rising at an alarming rate. But it’s not just cars, it’s motorcycles too. Motorcycle theft is a growing problem here in the United States. In 2020, there was a thirty percent increase in stolen motorcycles, from 40,830 in 2019 to 53,111 in 2020*. Less than 50 percent were recovered.*
Imagine going outside to go to work, or on a ride, and you find that your motorcycle has been stolen. The best way to prevent your ride from becoming a statistic is to be proactive.
Protecting Your Motorcycle From Theft
Let’s start with protecting your motorcycle by choosing where you park. If your motorcycle is parked overnight, try to park in a well lit location. Parking garages may sound like a good location, but thieves are shielded by the parking structure and are less likely to be seen. This holds true whether your bike is parked overnight or when you are out on the town, at a rally or just leaving your motorcycle for a few hours. The more people around and the higher visibility of your bike, the better. Never leave your keys in your saddlebags, and keep your registration on your person.
One of the safest ways to protect your motorcycle would be in a locked garage, if available. Otherwise, you should be using a physical deterrent device and or electronic one. Both would be best.
Anti Theft Options
Physical deterrent devices are the most popular type of motorcycle anti theft option used. They tend to be the least expensive, simple to use and there are several types. Disk locks, chain with lock, brake/grip lock and ignition lock/disabler are the most common.
In urban areas you may see more chains with locks used. They may be heavy gauge chains and locks as even their greater physical size can be a deterrent in itself. These chains need to go around the swing arm not just through a wheel. Wheels are fairly simple to remove. The chain or cable must be anchored to a substantial anchor point close to the bike. The chain and locks need to be hardened steel to deter the thief looking to use a bolt cutter to cut through the chain or lock. PROS- Affordable, easily installed. CONS – Minimal protection, cumbersome to travel with.
Disk locks are a simple anti theft device that are also affordable. Choosing a disc lock that has a self-contained alarm that is motion activated with blue tooth capability increases the cost substantially over a basic disc lock, but you will have a higher level of protection. The lock clamps onto the wheel disc preventing the wheel from rotating very far before stopping. Many disc locks come with a brightly colored cord that can attach to the handlebar to remind the rider to remove the lock. Not removing the lock can cause the rider to lose their balance and possibly drop the motorcycle causing damage, if not embarrassment alone. PROS – Easy to install, affordable as a basic lock (disc locks with a built in alarm and blue tooth ability to notify you if tampered with will come with a higher price tag) CONS – Basic disc lock could be picked, bolt cut or bike picked up.
Brake grip locks are an effective device to prevent your motorcycle from being driven off or rolled away. They come in highly visible colors to act as a visual deterrent to motorcycle thieves. The locks are in the same price range as basic disc locks. The device clamps around the throttle grip and the engaged brake lever. PROS – Visible positive deterrent, affordable CONS – Can be cut with enough time, motorcycle can still be picked up.
Alarms, wireless and hardwired, offer a higher level of security. Alarms can be triggered by motion or vibration if someone tries to move or pick up your motorcycle. A loud piercing alarm will sound, usually between 110 and 150 decibels. Some alarms come with the ability to notify your cell phone when it is triggered. It is important to know what the range is for these devices. Some of these alarms will also have remote on/off using a cell phone or key fob.
Alarms that do not have to be hardwired to your motorcycle are simple to install and most are self-contained with the annunciator in the alarm device. PROS – Broad price range offering many inexpensive models. Simple installation if not hard-wired. A loud alarm will stop most thieves immediately. Wireless cell phone options such as remote on/off and low alarm battery notification. CONS – Some with more options and ignition block are expensive. Water! Alarms rated as waterproof, need to have an IP rating of 65, 66 or 67. Water resistant alarms may not hold up well. Many models can be oversensitive or hard to adjust leading to false alarms. Non wired alarms can be removed and tossed away if not carefully hidden. Battery life is somewhat limited. Hardwired alarms can be a challenge for the most people.
Motorcycle anti-theft GPS devices offer the ability to recover your motorcycle if it is stolen. The tracking device is simply hidden/mounted on the bike. Some devices are always on, so battery life is a critical consideration. Other devices use a fob that will turn on the device when you leave the motorcycle and turn it off when you approach it. GPS tracking devices use the available wireless phone networks to notify you on your phone when your motorcycle is stolen and will provide GPS data to track the vehicle with the assistance of the local police. PROS – Reasonably priced, especially when considering the possible loss of your bike. Simple installation and use. If all other theft deterrents you used on your bike failed, this one helps you recover the motorcycle. Your insurance company may offer you a discount depending on which device you use. CONS – Some are not very accurate. Battery life is critical. You may be required to purchase a subscription with the device. Some associated aps do not offer many options and depending on model can be difficult to use.
The Bottom Line – Our Recomendations
Be proactive when it comes to the protection against theft of your motorcycle. Park in the most secure location available, well lit if possible. Layer your theft protection – use more than one type of anti-theft device or alarm. Using a device such as a disc lock, chain lock or grip lock that is brightly colored and visible will deter many would be thieves. Make sure your motorcycle is insured against theft.
If you have invested a lot of money in your ride, especially if it is a show bike, a GPS anti theft tracking device would be in our opinion, a necessity.
Every type of motorcycle security device in this article is available through Amazon. JPCyles, Revzilla, and other motorcycle accessory outlets have security devices, but less of a selection.
Good to great quality, and in the higher price range –
- Abus® – Disc locks, locks and chains $$$-$$$$
- Monimoto® – Smart motorcycle GPS tracker and alarm $$$
- Grip Lock® and Bully® – Grip/Brake locks $-$$
*https://www.statista.com/statistics/519495/us-motorcycle-theft/