No one likes the thought of a thief riding off with his or her baby. Experts at Geico, NICB, and the Illinois State Police give cycle owners advice on how to reduce that risk and protect their prized rides.
Simple Ways to Prevent Motorcycle Theft
Preventing bike theft doesn’t have to cost a lot. Here are some inexpensive ways to keep a ride out of the hands of thieves.
- Park inside a garage if possible.
- Park in well-lit areas.
- Keep bikes covered.
- Take the key.
- Vary the routine and the route home.
- Keep an eye on the bike.
Parking in well-lighted areas may reduce the chance of theft, although some thieves do steal bikes under streetlights, or even in broad daylight. They nonchalantly go about their business and are rarely noticed or confronted.
Anti-theft devices can greatly reduce the risk that a motorcycle will be stolen. Passive and active anti-theft devices should be used no matter where a bike is parked. Using more than one device increases the “hassle factor” for thieves, and makes a motorcycle less likely to be stolen.
For Bikers who are Serious About Keeping Their Bikes From Thieves
An owner who is serious about protecting a motorcycle can take an extra measure: a surveillance camera trained on the bike. This can be an excellent deterrent, especially if the camera is inaccessible to thieves. Spotting the camera would be enough to deter all but the most determined or desperate motorcycle thieves. If a thief doesn’t notice the camera, then the footage might help authorities to recover the bike through identifying the thief or thieves and the license plate of the truck or van, if one is used in the theft.
Ideally, a motorcycle owner will make it hard to steal a bike. Being more determined to keep a bike than thieves are to take it increases the chances that thieves will look for an easier prize. Adequate insurance coverage will protect motorcycle owners, and should be something bikers consider carefully before purchasing. Insurance quotes can be obtained in minutes online.
Motorcycle riders who have a lot of themselves invested in their bikes will want to make sure they get to keep their rides, that the cycles remain in their possession and don’t end up being destroyed by a youth on a joyride, or pieced out through chop shops. Using anti-theft devices and preventive measures will reduce the chance that a thief will take a biker’s baby. In the event that a motorcycle is stolen and not recovered, if it is properly insured, at least a biker can use the insurance money to start working on another bike.
For information on insuring motorcycles and obtaining insurance quotes for motorcycles, see “Protecting Motorcycles With Insurance Coverage” and "Getting the Right Motorcycle Insurance Coverage"
