19 replies to this topic

[Guinness]

The more security on your motorbike the better. A combination of mechanical and electronic security measures is a good start, making sure the products have been tested. A good guide is to use items marked Sold Secure. Check the Sold Secure website.

A wide variety of different locks can be used, such as chains or padlocks, disc locks and D-locks. The most important thing is to secure your motorbike to something solid, which can't be moved, and to have a combination of security measures fitted.

Try to make your motorbike less desirable by marking various parts with identification numbers such as the VIN, registration number or your postcode. This also helps with recovery if it is stolen and later found.

Always take your keys with you when you leave your motorbike, even for a short time. If you have security devices fitted, always use them.

If possible, try to leave your motorbike in specifically built parking spaces with stands or loops to secure it to. When not using your motorbike remember to use your security devices and, if possible, use a garage and consider using ground anchors. For more advice see the Home Office publication, ‘Steer clear of bike crime’.

http://www.homeoffic...BIKE-print.html

[SelinaXC]

Scumbag was found on the public highway with my stolen CCM, frame and engine number intact, despite its terrible state these identifying it as my stolen bike, let alone there were only 200 of that model made and half of them are in Germany. All they tried to do him for was 'Handling Stolen Goods' and he was still found not guilty, having said 'some bloke asked him to look at why it wouldn't start'.

The smashed out ignition might have been a good starting point for his diagnostics.

Thrilled with this result after all the poll tax, income tax, road tax, insurance tax, petrol tax, speeding fines etc etc over the years that I've contributed.

SelinaXT

*still a bit bitter about this can you tell*

EDIT: Not knocking the coppers on this one by the way - they were brilliant.

Edited by SelinaXT, 29 January 2010 - 06:47 pm.

[Studley Ramrod]

You wouldn't need all these security measures if the thieves were threatened with having their hands chopped off ! Scumbags !

Bitter ? you bet I am.

There's very little deterrent, legally !

[DeerStalker]

Almax =best chains
Motrax Visha's = best disk lock
Smartwater = best method for proof of identity

[TonyDevil]

i've got a few smart water pens, could bring them to the next meet and mark inside of fairing panels etc if people would like

[ChrisG]

18 year old TDM covered in road grime seems to be a pretty good deterrant to thieves

[tdm850rider]

The fact that Yamaha has not brought a TDM to the US in 16 years is actually a deterrent of sorts...
Excluding joyriders who don't care what they steal, there is no market for TDM's...
too easy to identify and no market for parts.

Sometimes getting screwed has an upside.

[JONNYBRAY]

I have that many flat tyres from nails and such, that my TDM spends most of its the time with no wheels on it. 3 in a year.

It's a good security measure though

[Andy R]

Another vote for SmartWater here

[Gcclinux]

I park in London everyday and touch wood nothing has happened so far.

I do have a S4 Datatool Alarm fitted and a big heavy chain around the front tire when I leave the bike at the road side. Maybe my luck but I have even forgoten to remove the GPS once and when i returned in the evening I was shocked seeing my GPS on the bike. Shocked I forgoten adn shocked no one nicked it.

Anyway lets hope my luck never runs out.

[slartybartfarst]

Having had a well locked up TDM900 stolen in 2008 I gave a lot of thought to security....

There are two sorts of thieves; 1. Joy riders, who have limited means, are opportunists and will nick anything. 2. Pros who go equipped and have a network for disposal of the bike - whole for export or as parts through breakers and Evilbay etc. The first sort are local and often stupidly persistent. The pros are well equipped, well organised and efficient (don't I know it).

Who ever you are up against whatever you do should buy time, preferable away from the bike. We've all heard the horror stories of bikes being vandalised because the thieves failed to bust the locks. One poster on here got his house broken into for the chipped key and they took his lid and leathers into the bargain. So keeping them way is the first best defence. So with all this in mind and my own sorry experience I figured on this:

Keep the scum away from the bike as long as possible. So I really beefed up the shed, with a lining and bracing and built a serious t-bar lock across the doors. I also do without windows, to frustrate nosey scrotes. Yes it could be opened but it will take time, make a deal of noise and they'll be visible while doing it. Thing is once they are in the garage/shed they are out of sight and the noise won't attract attention.

2nd line of defence are the ground anchors and three Almax chains with quality padlocks as well as disc locks. I also take the seats off the bikes and keep them in the house. So even if they get the bikes, riding them won't be comfortable. All chain manufacturers make lots of claims but after a look at Almax's website I went for them. They can all be cut..... eventually but if you watch the Almax video some are clearly made of cheese.

Alarms are great as long as YOU are within earshot - you can't count on anyone else taking any notice - even friendly neighbours might not twig its yours, especially if you live somewhere like me where car and house alarms go off all the time. I have an alarm and for me its primary function is to deafen intruders, if it attracts the neighbours attention that's a bonus.

Trackers/immobilisers are all well and good but the bike has already gone, similarly datatag and smartwater - unless you'd really like to count on the thieves leaving your bike because it has smartwater etc. CCTV is useful - it may alert you to someone checking the lie of the land - but ultimately all only come into play once the bike has gone.

And my keys and the spares and bike paperwork are kept in a small safe that will take some finding, and looking for that means getting into the house - more time and more noise. And of course they don't know they looking for a safe.

Sure it's a bit of a pain to get a bike out - I don't commute on mine so it's not the end of the world and any security only works if you always use it, so always always always lock it up.

It's also worth bearing in mind if the scum really want it they will take it - the best you can do is try make it not worth the effort. I think I was unlucky with the TDM - it was a pro job but I have a suspicion they were anticipating something more tasty to be away with - not that they'd leave it having gone to the trouble of breaking in.

Be Lucky
Slarty

[dapleb]

Ouch thats a whole lot of hassle to stop the oiks. Horrible that this happens.

If you can make your stuff look like complete scrat that can also help. I leaf me boots, helmet, socks, pants, clock, sheeps, sat nav and even yellow tang on me boike at Paignton boike night and unfortunately its all still there whenst I return.

[dablik]

Slarty, i to have an Almax chain which i use with a ground anchor, bike is kept outside on a council estate, but the locals know to leave well alone so dont anticipate any problems but ya never know, but having read this reminds me of a suggestion the fella at almax made when i called about buying the chain, he suggested a bird scarer using a blank shotgun cartridge, if your really concerened it could be a bonus as it can be connected to the bike quite discreetly, would give the buggers robbing ya bike a heart attack and a very good possibility somebody would call plod sharpish stating they heard gunshots

Food for thought, but as you say if they want it they will get it.

[danceswithmopeds]

http://www.henrykran...alarm_mine.html

You're looking for something like this?

[slartybartfarst]

I when to all this trouble because as well as not wanting another bike nicked the insurance company strongly hinted that if another one went I wouldn't get insurance at the address. Kind of concentrates the mind. It didn't actually cost that much - especially as Almax sent one wrong chain and didn't ask for it back when they sent the right one, And the locks came through a friend on a construction site job that was packing up- all top kit and keyed alike. The t-bar on the shed cost £50 worth of stainless steel and a few hours workshop time.

I did look at a blank firing device but I really liked the look of this: Bang!

Cleaning up would be a real pain but worth it as even the cops round here might find the multicoloured culprits

With anything like this you really need to be on the ball every time you open the shed mind.

Slarty

[danceswithmopeds]

If I had one of those alarm mines, I think I'd pack the blank cartridge with something like chili powder. Make their eyes water a bit.

[TonyDevil]

If I had one of those alarm mines, I think I'd pack the blank cartridge with something like chili powder. Make their eyes water a bit.

i like your thinking

[harvey krumpet]

Puppy sleeps in the garage...


I recently read over here that the theft of new Subaru's has plummeted due to them all being data dotted. I was considering this option if I ever end up with a more main stream bike. Most of them are pinched for parts over here.

Edited by harvey krumpet, 03 July 2010 - 10:18 pm.