More people own motorcycles in the U.S. currently than ever before, with no signs of slowing down. With any sort of ownership, you need to take precautions to protect your bike because more often than not, motorcycle theft is a crime of opportunity. But, there are some steps you can take to make your bike harder to steal and help prevent motorcycle theft, let’s review what those are.
1. Know what’s going on around you
Some thieves will watch your routine to determine the best time to steal your bike. Be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on any potential threats. If you feel someone is watching or following you, make a few random turns to see what they do. If they keep on your tail, go to a public place with witnesses and wait for them to leave.
However, if you feel more threatened call the authorities immediately. Describe the vehicle following you, the occupants, and anything else that may be helpful information for police. In the end, remember your life is not worth risking your bike for so if it escalates don’t engage in a confrontation.
2. Prevent theft from happening while traveling
If you’re parking your motorcycle near a gas station, hotel, or restaurant, be sure to take extra steps to keep your bike from being stolen. Some easy ways to do this are:
- Park in a well-lit location with witnesses and/or security cameras
- Park close to other bikes
- Use good locks, chains, and a motorcycle cover
- Check on your bike at timed intervals
- Secure your bike by locking the ignition and steering head and pocketing the keys before removing your helmet. Even a brake rotor lock is a great idea- regardless of the trip. “Lock it or lose it.”
3. Understand motorcycle theft around you
Knowing the risks of owning your bike where you live can help you stay alert and take the right precautions from becoming a victim of theft. Most thefts occur from May through October with 2019 showing 40,380 thefts according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. If your area experiences a high number of motorcycle thefts, then be more diligent when out riding.
4. Keep your bike safe at home
Your bike will spend more time parked at home than any other place, so take these precautions to keep your bike secure:
- Store your bike in a garage
- Use security cameras and motion-detection lighting
- Use curtains to keep prying eyes from looking inside windows or other openings
- Don’t promote your ride by using a non-branded motorcycle cover
5. Don’t depend on just basic locks
Locking your ignition and using a steering lock are great defenses to bike theft, but what if that’s not enough? Consider additional locks such as:
- Disk locks
- U locks
- Cable locks
- Chain locks
6. Have your motorcycle information handy
Like driving a car, you must have the proper documentation to legally drive. Things like registration and proof of insurance are essential, but it’s always a good idea to have photos of your bike should you need help recovering it if it’s stolen. The one thing you never travel with is your title. Whether that be a car or motorcycle title, never travel with it and always keep it locked somewhere secure.
7. Consider an alarm system
If you’re concerned about not knowing if someone is attempting to steal your motorcycle or the locks won’t be enough, consider purchasing and installing an alarm system. That way, you have an audible warning that someone is messing with your bike.
8. Invest in theft-prevention GPS units
If your bike is stolen, having theft-prevention GPS units on your bike may aid in a faster recovery. Keep in mind, GPS systems have their limitations to research to find the one that best suits your area and your needs.
9. Use a kill switch
Installing a well-hidden kill switch is a smart way to deter ride-off theft. But if you’re going to use one, be sure to put it in a place that you can’t accidentally hit when riding.
10. Talk to experts in the motorcycle community
Talk to other rides or community experts to see what they’re doing to protect their bikes. But it’s important to remember, your bike’s security is only as good as what you use to protect it. If you have lackluster anti-theft precautions, then you may fall victim to motorcycle theft.
Get the Right Motorcycle Coverage with TGS Insurance
At TGS Insurance, we know how important your motorcycle is to you and want to help you protect it. Talk to one of our agents today about a motorcycle insurance policy that is built to provide you with the most coverage for your ride while not breaking the bank.
Source: Dairyland Insurance