A Few Easy Tips for Motorcycle Theft Prevention
Everyone loves a great motorcycle, but some people aren’t willing to scrimp and save up for one like the rest of us. Our bikes are our pride and joy, and they’re also a ripe target for thieves. But most criminals are no match for riders who are ready. Here are a few tips to help you keep your bike safe. To learn more, visit Sky Powersports Sanford in Sanford, Florida, serving Daytona Beach and Deltona, Florida.
Buy a Cheap Cover
Even though you’re proud of your brand-name bike, an unbranded cover is a good first line of defense. It doesn’t take a would-be thief long to peek under the cover, but time lost is an opportunity lost for criminals.
Use Redundant Locks
Your bike's steering lock is child’s play for a thief, but the seconds it takes to disable it are in your favor. If your ignition and steering locks are separate, that’s more time. Invest in quality locks, such as alarmed disc locks, U-locks and asymmetrical chains. Don’t attach locks on the ground, because that gives a thief leverage to pry it off. Attach locks through the frame, fork or wheels.
Anchor Your Bike to Something Sturdy
One of the most common tactics that teams of motorcycle thieves use is hoisting a bike into a truck so they can take their time and disable any locking mechanisms in their chop shops. Some crews have been known to cut down lamp posts to get to bikes, but they’re usually more than your typical thief can handle.
Park Your Bike Wisely
It’s not paranoia if they’re really after you! Be sure to look in your rear-view mirror as you approach your destination and observe any large vehicles that seem to make the same turns. If you suspect you’re being followed, keep moving until you feel safe.
Park your bike in a well-lit area where it can be regularly observed. Alarms don’t do much good in the urban environment, so spend the money you would've spent on an alarm on a better lock. Always lock up your bike when you’re not riding it. Thieves work fast, and the inconvenience of removing locks is drastically lower than replacing your favorite bike.
Some bikes might have a built-in kill switch, or you can install one. One of the great things about using a kill switch is that it becomes one of those parts of your startup procedure that only you know about. Some riders also like to disconnect a couple of fuses and carry them in their pocket when they make a short trip inside.
To see our current inventory of new and pre-owned motorcycles for sale, visit Sky Powersports Sanford in Sanford, Florida, serving Daytona Beach and Deltona, Florida.