How Are You Protecting Your Bike from Motorcycle Thieves?
Did you know that summer is usually when the majority of motorcycle thefts happen in Colorado? This is probably due to more motorcycles being out on the road as riders enjoy the great cruising weather. Now, law enforcement officials are warning bikers to be extra vigilant. A spike in auto and motorcycle thefts is rolling through our state. So, if you’re not taking extra measures to keep your ride safe, you may become an easy target for motorcycle thieves.
How Active Are Motorcycle Thieves Right Now?
When a Colorado Springs man checked his driveway on the morning of July 16th, he made a shocking discovery. His Kawasaki motorcycle was gone! After checking his security camera, he learned that the theft had just happened, and after searching down the street, he was able to find his bike after the thief abandoned it. Though his story had a happy ending, not all bike owners who fall victim to motorcycle theft recover their motorcycles.
Just a few days later, an 18-year-old stepped out of his house to ride his scooter to work and found it missing. Security footage revealed that a man wearing a bandana walked up and rolled the scooter away. What was even more disturbing was the fact that the young man had locked the bike, but the thief managed to break the lock before rolling the scooter away.
In 2017, the number of motorcycle thefts in Colorado dropped by 6 percent. Despite that drop, 937 motorcycles were stolen in our state last year. Authorities are beginning to worry that these numbers could be climbing in 2018, and they are recommending that motorcyclists take measures to protect their rides.
How Can I Protect My Motorcycle?
In addition to locking your bike, you should also consider locking the bike to a stationary object. Using disc locks, cable locks and U-bolts are also recommended. Remember that thieves are less likely to take a motorcycle if they can’t easily tell what the bike is, so covering your bike when it is outside is a good precaution. An audible alarm or a Lojack system can also help protect your bike and improve your chances of recovery if someone does try to take it.
If you’ve been watching the news lately, you may have noticed more news reports about motorcycles getting stolen. Colorado police have also noticed. Motorcycle thefts may be increasing in certain areas of the state, and that means as motorcyclists, our theft prevention measures must increase as well. Here are a few ways you can do that.
7 Ways to Prevent Motorcycle Theft!
- Choose a Good Parking Spot – Don’t have a garage? Parking behind a fence that can be locked is a good strategy. If these options are not available, parking in a well-lit area with security cameras is the next best recommendation.
- Where Are Your Keys – Don’t store your keys on or near your motorcycle. That’s just making it really easy for a thief to ride off on your bike. Always take your keys with you.
- Lock Your Bike – We’re not talking about simply locking your ignition and forks. Get a disc lock to put on your brakes, get a chain or cable lock to secure your bike to a stationary object, and don’t be afraid to use multiple locks.
- Cover It Up – Hondas, Yamahas, Suzukis, Harleys, and Kawasakis are the most frequently stolen motorcycles. However, if a thief can’t tell what the bike is at a glance, they are less likely to take it. Cover your bike to make it harder for thieves.
- Block It In – If you have a car or an SUV or other heavy objects, park them in a way that makes moving your motorcycle difficult. The harder it is to make a quick getaway, the more likely it is that your motorcycle will be safe.
- Disable It – If a thief can’t get your motorcycle running, then it is going to be harder to steal. This is why some experts recommend installing a kill switch. Even taking your bike’s main fuse with you will help secure it against theft.
- Install an Alarm – An alarm is a classic way to protect your bike. New technology has even made alarms a better option for bikes. Motion sensors, hot wire detection, GPS tracking and cellphone-linked tamper monitors are all helping to improve how alarms work. Make sure the alarm is really loud too.
Keeping your motorcycle secure will help ensure that you get to enjoy riding it all season long. To learn more about protecting your bike from motorcycle theft, keep following the attorneys who ride at Metier Law Firm. We know how to help riders because we ride too!