Sadly, every bike enthusiast out there has to contend with the ongoing risk of motorcycle theft. Regardless of a bike’s value or popularity, all of them are a target for thieves, who may steal them with the intent of stripping them for parts. Riders can keep their bikes safe by following a few easy-to-implement measures. These fall broadly into two categories: anti-theft devices and theft-prevention tactics.

Motorcycle Anti-Theft Devices

Anti-theft devices are physical obstacles that riders can implement to slow down or deter thieves from attempting to steal their bike. They aren’t foolproof, but using multiple security devices can make a criminal’s job that much harder.

Locks

Motorcycle locks come in several varieties, but their purposes are largely the same—to prevent a bike from moving until they are disengaged. Disc locks, for instance, can keep the wheels of a bike from turning. Some chain-style locks can attach simultaneously to a bike’s wheel and an anchor point, which helps keep the bike from being carried off. Bikers can use more than one type of lock to bolster their security efforts.

Advanced Ignition Security

Since clever thieves know how to disengage motorcycle steering locks and can, with enough time, cut through cables and anchors, an additional layer of security that riders can implement is improving their ignition. Bikes with keyless ignition are seen as a deterrent (though some thieves have methods of bypassing these as well). Another method is to install a removable ignition that can be taken out of the bike when it is not in use.

Alarm System/Kill Switch

Alarms use sensors to detect vibrations or tilt, which indicate that a thief may be attempting to tamper with them. Once the alarm is set off, it sounds, alerting people in the vicinity that something is amiss (and, hopefully, scaring off the bike thief). Combined with a remote kill switch, bikers can sever the connection between the battery and the motorcycle’s starter from afar, impeding a criminal even further.

Simple Theft Prevention Techniques

In addition to implementing multiple layers of physical security, bikers can engage in common-sense tactics that will reduce the likelihood of being targeted and increase the likelihood of finding their bike if it is stolen. According to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, these include:

• Parking in low-crime neighborhoods or in a public garage
• Checking on your bike periodically if parked for an extended period
• Parking in visible locations, within view of a camera if possible
• Adding unique identifying markers to the bike

By following these tips and remaining cautious, bikers can limit the possibility of being a victim of theft. The more methods used to discourage thieves, the more likely they will be to target more vulnerable bikes.