Motorcycle theft is a common problem in many countries, primarily due to the ease with which they can be hidden, subsequently disassembled, and sold on the informal spare parts market. Another common cause is the use of motorcycles in crime, primarily due to the ease with which they can flee after the crime.
How to prevent theft?
1. Park in a safe place
If you use your motorcycle to commute to work or run errands, try to park it in a secured area or, if it’s on a public road, in a busy, well-lit area that’s covered by a surveillance camera.
2. Avoid leaving it in visible places
If you have the option of parking it inside an enclosed area or in your backyard, make sure the motorcycle is not visible from the outside as much as possible. Even if it is, using a motorcycle cover or mesh netting to block visibility from the outside can be a good idea.
3. Keep keys safe
Leave the keys in an accessible place, but make sure that people you don’t trust can’t find out where you keep your motorcycle keys.
4. Park your motorcycle securely
Don’t forget to leave the motorcycle with the steering handlebar locked with the key, which prevents the front wheel from being straightened. Also, if your motorcycle has a protection system that covers the ignition plate, leave it closed to prevent someone from using a lockpick to break the cylinder.
5. Use a disc lock or an alarmed chain
There are locks that block the front brake disc, as well as chains that serve the same purpose: this prevents the wheel from turning, as the wheel is blocked by the fork. Additionally, with an alarm, if your motorcycle is being tampered with, an audible alarm will sound as a deterrent.
6. Install an alarm system with engine lock
There are alarm systems that are connected to your motorcycle’s battery. Some also have electrical engine locking systems. When activated, in addition to emitting an audible alert, the engine will have its starting system de-energized, making it much more difficult to steal your motorcycle.
7. Install a GPS tracker or GPS tracker
A GPS tracker is a good alternative to monitor the activity of your motorcycle. Many of these GPS trackers send alerts to your cell phone via SMS messages or sound alerts through an application on the GPS tracker itself. The most sophisticated trackers even have a built-in immobilizer system with presence cards. This is especially useful in case your motorcycle is stolen while you are traveling.
8. Be careful what you post on social media.
Many people like to show off or share their daily routines and sometimes post photos that, for example, may implicitly indicate that you’re not at home, or a photo that shows what model of motorcycle you own or where you park it. That’s why it’s always advisable to keep a low profile on social media, keep them private, and avoid adding people you don’t know.
