Motorcycle theft has always been a problem in the UK, but in recent years the increase of motorbikes being stolen has risen at an alarming rate. Anyone who has suffered the theft of a motorbike will know just what a huge hole it leaves in your live, not to mention the inconvenience.
It can be a lengthy process from making the initial theft report to the police to actually claiming on your insurance, and many bikes are simply never recovered. Recent research has shown that the value of motorbikes stolen on the streets of the UK adds up to about £3m every month but thankfully MotorCycle Direct has stepped in to give bikers tips on how to keep their treasured vehicles safe.
• 80% of bikes are stolen from rider’s homes, so if you have a garage, lock your bike away. Not only will it reduce your Motorbike insurance premiums but your bike will also be hidden from view.
• Make sure you use a good quality lock and chain to secure your bike to a ground anchor. When you are parking at your house you could take extra precaution of parking a car in front of your bike so thieves find it difficult to access and remove.
• If you have to park on your drive, again, secure your bike to a ground anchor and consider fitting CCTV. If you can’t afford real CCTV, a false camera can be a handy deterrent.
• If you are parking on the road, try to use a designated motorcycle parking space where ground anchors are found and take your helmet and other possessions with you.
• Wherever you park, it’s worth investing in a bike alarm and immobiliser and having these fitted by a trained technician. Most insurers will offer you a cheaper premium if you have a Thatcham-approved category one or two immobiliser and alarm system.
• Security marking your bike will make it harder for thieves to break up your bike and sell it as parts, so try and do this in as many places as possible. It also means it has more chance of being recovered if it were stolen. The Alpha Dot can be painted on or you can use a UV marker to mark your bike with its VIN (Vehicle Identification Number).
• Never leave your keys in your bike and always keep them safe and out of view when you’re out and about or at home.
• If you need a cheap and easy way to deter ‘ride away’ thieves, simply remove the spark plug or the HT cap.
Follow these tips from MotorCycle Direct, and although they do not guarantee your bike to be safe, it will make it that much harder for a thief to be able to get their hands on your bike.
