Motorcycles - keep them safe

A few anti theft tips

Lucy England

• anti motorcycle theft strategies

It only takes a second to steal a motorbike, but, although thefts are on the rise, there are a few simple steps you can take to help protect your machine. The Met police in London has launched a campaign to help Londoners safeguard their machines, with the moniker: Lock, Chain, Cover, but their tips are useful for motorcyclists across the whole country. 

Thousands of motorcycles and mopeds were stolen in London and countrywide last year. The police are trying to attack this problem on several fronts by employing faster motorcycles to catch criminals on the rob, having stinger devices to deflate tyres and using a forensic spray to mark individuals committing offenses. These initiatives as well as the Lock, Chain, Cover campaign are all designed to put thieves off and make them face the consequences of their actions and hopefully cramp their style.

LOCK
Use a strong disc or U lock to secure the front brake disc or a grip lock to secure the brake and throttle controls . A D  lock on the front wheels will also prevent it from being wheeled away. If you have a road anchor to chain it to, that's even better. 

CHAIN
A motorcycle can often be stolen by breaking the steering lock and then it can be wheeled away easily by the thief. One thing to help with this is a chain lock through the back wheel. Preferably attach the lock to an immovable object like a ground anchor or some street furniture, or if this isn't possible, thread your chain through the bike frame and back wheel.

COVER
Bikes are sadly often stolen to order, and particular bike models are in the frame sometimes. To help combat this it is always wise to use a bike cover and cover your bike so that it isn't visible to anyone who might be passing. This way a thief cannot see what is under the cover, it could be any make or model, which might make them pass it by for one which is obvious and clearly visible. It also creates another obstacle for a thief to get through if they are after the bike and is an extra delaying tactic which might slow them down or just outright put them off.

KEY POINTS
Obviously, always remove the keys and deploy the steering lock when you leave the bike, even if you are only going to pop into a shop for 5 minutes. 
An alarm fitted to your bike can be helpful too, and can act as a deterrent. Also property marking your motorcycle parts, makes it more difficult for the parts to be sold on, and easier for it to be traced.
No security is foolproof of course, but there are things which will deter thieves and put opportunistic ones off, so it is wise to do what you can to help keep your precious steed as safe as possible.

STABLE IT
If you are at home then of course the best place to keep your bike is safely in your shed or garage. Ideally lock and alarm your garage, and use low level dusk to dawn lighting, as long as it won't be a problem for your neighbours. A ground anchor in your garage is also a good extra level of security, so that even if they get in they will still have a problem taking your bike.
If you don't have a garage then park as close to your house as you can, in an area with good lighting, cover your machine and chain it, preferably to a good solid ground anchor.

DON'T BE A HERO
If the worst happens and you do see your bike being stolen, don't put yourself at risk by tackling the thieves yourself however tempting this feels, just call the police immediately and try and get any details you can of the villains.
Keep on it and you will give your motorcycle or scooter its best chance of a nice safe life with you with less likelihood of it being stolen.
Wemoto sells locks, anchors and covers to help with your motorcycle security, check out the links in this article to be directed to the right pages.

What is your personal bike security like - anchor it down, or just hope for the best? Let us know at [email protected] or on Facebook.