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23/10/2013
However, it’s a sad and unavoidable fact that owning a bike does make you susceptible to being a victim of vehicle crime. After all, motorbikes are expensive and eye-catching status symbols, and there are plenty of unscrupulous people around who are willing to take what isn’t theirs – particularly in the current economic climate.
Figures from the Motorcycle Crime Reduction Group shed light on the full extent of this problem. It is estimated that in 2009, the total number of bikes stolen across the country came to 25,960, which was roughly level with the previous year, despite the number of bikes being sold having fallen in the three or four years prior to this.
This is the equivalent of 71 bikes being stolen each and every day, or almost 500 machines per week, creating costs of between £77 million and £155 million on an annual basis.
Though anyone who owns an expensive vehicle is at risk of becoming a victim of crime, there are a number of reasons why motorbike owners are in particular danger. Motorcycles are known to be several times more likely to be stolen than cars, due in part to the fact that it can often take an accomplished thief no more than 20 seconds to make off with a bike – even it’s right outside the owner’s home.
Of even greater concern is the fact that only around 40 per cent of stolen bikes tend to be recovered by police, far less than is the case with cars, meaning many criminals are getting away scot-free and often selling the parts on the black market.
These figures may make for discouraging reading for motorcycle owners, but despite the very real risk of theft, there’s no reason to believe that it’s an inevitability. In fact, there are a number of very simple and affordable measures that riders can take to make sure their pride and joy isn’t targeted by thieves – five of which are listed here.
Motorbike locks – a simple solution
One of the most straightforward ways of providing your bike with an added layer of security is to purchase a simple – but often effective – chain or cable lock, which can be used to firmly anchor the vehicle to an immobile object to make them more difficult to move. By attaching these locks to the frame of the motorbike, owners will be providing an immediately visible deterrent to thieves, which could make them think twice about targeting your machine.
Many users also favour disc locks, which are used to secure the wheels of the bike, and these can indeed help to make life more difficult for thieves, but be warned: professional crooks will often have the means to simply lift the whole bike and drive it away in a van or lorry, so disc locks are best employed in conjunction with other security measures.
Use an alarm or immobiliser
Motorbike alarms and immobilisers are often built into vehicles by manufacturers either as standard or as optional extras, and can be indispensable tools for providing peace of mind to bike owners. By triggering a loud alarm or putting the bike into lockdown, these devices can make it very difficult for thieves to make off with the machine without being noticed.
Park your bike in a secure area
This sounds like an obvious precaution, but it could make all the difference. When at home, it’s important to park the bike inside a garage if one is available, especially if said garage has its own alarm system and secure locks. Meanwhile, when out and about, it’s a good idea to ensure the bike is parked in a highly visible location where passersby will be able to see it at all times, before attaching it to something that is fixed to the ground, such as a lamp post, street sign or security loop.
Mark your vehicle
This step can greatly increase the likelihood of retrieving a bike if it does go missing. By purchasing an ultraviolet pen from a DIY store and marking as many parts of the bike as possible with your vehicle identification number, registration details and postcode, it becomes very difficult for thieves to break down the vehicle and sell the parts for scrap.
Remove extra equipment
Finally, it’s always a good idea to make sure any personal effects are removed from your bike before you leave it unattended, in order to make it less attractive to thieves. It could also be advisable to remove its spark plug or HT cap, a simple step that hinders potential criminals that little bit more.
Simple tips to make your motorbike more secure
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