Is Motorcycle theft a big problem?

mathepac

Is Motorcycle theft a big problem?

If it is, is theft from home or public places the bigger problem?

A friend and I discussed this last night and he said this was his biggest fear, the constant worry about having his bike stolen from home, from work or a public parking space.

After a while we came up with an idea for a portable anti-theft device we will prototype.

What would you pay for such a device and would you expect your insurance premium to come down if you used one?

colm_c

I already have one, it's called an immobiliser. Saved two bikes from being stolen. One at home, one in a public spot.

Now I also have:
- big almax **** off chain and ground anchor for home
- alarmed disk lock with cable for out and about

I currently get a discount for having my alarm/immobiliser installed.

What's your anti-theft idea?

If it adds additional security, costs < 250 euro and is transferrable between bikes, I'd buy it without any discount from the insurance companies.

mathepac

Is integration of new / old security measures important to you?

colm_c wrote: »

... If it adds additional security, costs < 250 euro and is transferrable between bikes, I'd buy it without any discount from the insurance companies.

Thanks for that. The current projected retail price is between 280/300 inc VAT, the device is transferrable between bikes and can use an existing ground anchor for added security (longer-term parking indoors or out) but will work without one.

At this stage we cannot say more than that.

BlackWizard

Can I put it in my topbox or backpack?

mathepac

Is integration of new / old security measures important to you?

Yes - portability and transferability are amonst the deign criteria. Top-box, existing back-packs, panniers all figure in the plans.

Cienciano

It all depends on what it is. There's plenty of options out there, if yours looks like it would work, then I'd pay the money. If I think my chain is just as good, then no.

have2flushtwice

Is integration of new / old security measures important to you?

When u guys lock ur bikes, with a disc lock, or a wheel chain, do u use ground anchors for ur chain?

AgileMyth

I left my keys in the ignition on my driveway for two days once by accident. I'm not the most security conscious.

Cienciano

AgileMyth wrote: »

I left my keys in the ignition on my driveway for two days once by accident. I'm not the most security conscious.

We've all done it. Well, I've done it anyway, about 5 times.

mathepac

Is integration of new / old security measures important to you?

Cienciano wrote: »

We've all done it. Well, I've done it anyway, about 5 times.

I don't think we can help you there - yet!

robinwing

Is integration of new / old security measures important to you?

Can your device stop a pair of fu**ers in a van come and load the bike and take it away ? , incidentally they come equipped with high powered metal cutting devices

colm_c

Need to make the poll multi-choice as you can only select one option at the moment.

Ayrtonf7

Hard to say if youd commit money to it without knowing what it is.

But as the above mentioned, if it works and adds security that a lock and chain wont, then why not.

robinwing

Is integration of new / old security measures important to you?

colm_c wrote: »

Need to make the poll multi-choice as you can only select one option at the moment.

agree with Colm C , Most would pay > 275 BUT must be highly visible also .

Suasdaguna1

Would it matter if your insurance premium didn't reduce?

The heavier the bike the less the opportunists will nab it. Scooters and 125s are a sinch to throw into the back of a hi ace. An R1200 GS is a different proposition and will be a pro job.

I have a big f off chain, i park my GS in visible places in day light......and its in a lock up by night. I would sh!t myself leaving a bike out at night.

Cuddlesworth

have2flushtwice wrote: »

When u guys lock ur bikes, with a disc lock, or a wheel chain, do u use ground anchors for ur chain?

Ground anchor when at home currently but have preferred large steel objects like lampposts in the past. I'm pretty sure from my past work that it would take a minute to pop most ground anchors out.

I don't lock the bike when I'm out and about, mainly because I rarely use it out and about. Chains are too bulky and disc locks don't stop it going into the back of a van.

CBRLizzie

I have mine locked in an alarmed garage at night, and I have a german shepherd who goes ape **** every time someone opens the gate - pizza delivery fellas ring the doorbell & then wait at the gate til they're sure he's gone If anyone gets it past that, they can have it

In work they've popped the ignition out a couple of times, they keep their hoods up coz its under a camera, but thank God they've never got it there - a van doesn't fit where its parked. I do tend not to go anywhere where it might be at risk though..

Wossack

claymore mine under the seat, pointed skywards

dont get an insurance discount with them though unfort

MonstaMash

^ true that...a 'Bouncing Betty' would sort the wannabe thief out alright :pac:

BrokenArrows

Mines got an immobiliser & a really loud an annoying alarm.
Disk lock on the front wheel.
One chain around the back wheel and a second chain through the back wheel and around a light post.

That's the setup outside my front door with on street parking.
I try and put tension on the chain to the light post so if someone starts trying to cut the chain with a bolt cutter they should have to tug on the bike which will set off the alarm.

If I'm just out and about ill put the disk lock in my bag or jacket pocket.

illeagles_mcc

i have an oxford alarmed disc lock i bought in halfords for 40 euro. great job. when u lock it, the alarm arms. runs wee hearin aid batteries, last around 6 months

btw; i didnt answer the poll as it reads like a marketing survey


edit: just seen aldi have alarmed padlocks for €9.99 from sunday march 9th and lots of other security stuff too

scorn

Cuddlesworth wrote: »

I don't lock the bike when I'm out and about, mainly because I rarely use it out and about. Chains are too bulky and disc locks don't stop it going into the back of a van.

My neighbour went in to register his full licence and didn't put the chain (or disk lock) on his Triumph Tiger (2011 model). He did have the alarm and immobiliser on though. While he was in the queue someone came in and asked if it was his bike outside as someone was messing with it.

By the time he was outside he saw the bike being ridden, U-turned in the street, then gone.

Luckilly there was CCTV footage and the police were quick on the scene - they knew the perp (he was only just out of the clink) and they had a good idea where he was going to offload the bike. They got there and found the bike parked up - a car with some other folk arrived shortly after (helmets and all) but disappeared when they saw the guards.

Anyway - upshot of this story (even though it had a happy ending) is that an extra minute or two to put a disk lock or chain on the back wheel would definitely have stopped this from happening.

AgileMyth

Wossack wrote: »

claymore mine under the seat, pointed skywards

dont get an insurance discount with them though unfort

I know a lot of lads that have forgotten to take their disk lock off before driving off. Don't think we should be trusted with mines!!

KTRIC

My bike is secured to a large immovable object.....


Itself :pac:

Zascar

AgileMyth wrote: »

I know a lot of lads that have forgotten to take their disk lock off before driving off. Don't think we should be trusted with mines!!

Thats what i'd be scared of. I know I'd mangle the disc

aaakev

Is integration of new / old security measures important to you?

Zascar wrote: »

Thats what i'd be scared of. I know I'd mangle the disc

I always put the disk lock atbthe top of the rear disk toughint the brake caliper so if I forget ill find out very quick. I put it on every time I park and wont be able to see the bike

BrokenArrows

That's what the bright cable you wrap around the handlebar is for.

aaakev

Is integration of new / old security measures important to you?

Yeah I just have my keys on that! Haha

Muahahaha

I like the sound of an anti theft device being lightweight and portable enough to fit in a backpack. But that means it's not a chain and therefore it won't solve the problem of pro thieves arriving with a van and lifting it into the back.

I think you've got to look at bike theft from a thieves perspective. All they want is an easy task so the more daunting the security device the more chance that they'll move on to a bike with a device they know they can bypass.

That in a nutshell is probably why heavy duty chains like Almax are popular. I use one wrapped around a tree and my front wheel, combined with a disc lock and alarm & immobiliser. In order to lift the bike they'd have to either cut the tree down or cut the chain. Either option would be a noisy job, therefore they'll leave it and go find a bike that doesn't give them a ton of hassle and an increased chance of getting caught.

Wonda-Boy

Is integration of new / old security measures important to you?

There is nothing really to stop pro thieves arriving and lifting a bike....they would prolly do it with you sitting on the fookin bike its getting that bad.

Riva10

If your motorcycle is targeted by professional bike thieves, there is very little to stop them. Two guys and a van will lift most motorcycles, even the heaviest of them. Harleys etc are the exeption. Often thought that if you could lock your centre stand (if your motorcycle had one) in the down position that it would make it very difficult for the opportunist thieve to stela.

Wossack

a hidden switch, that unless pressed, does the following:

a) once the bike hits 60kmph, the throttle locks open
b) once (if) the bike hits 100kmph, the front brake engages fully

if I was rich enough, I'd be very tempted to set a few bait bikes up like the above...

szatan84

Wossack wrote: »

a hidden switch, that unless pressed, does the following:

a) once the bike hits 60kmph, the throttle locks open
b) once (if) the bike hits 100kmph, the front brake engages fully

if I was rich enough, I'd be very tempted to set a few bait bikes up like the above...

godd idea but it eould damage the bike. I was thinking of a hidden siwtch with a pressure plate under the seat. you dont press thr button, sit on bike, activate the pressure plate and a ejection mechanism catapults you 50ft into the air.

minidazzler

szatan84 wrote: »

godd idea but it eould damage the bike. I was thinking of a hidden siwtch with a pressure plate under the seat. you dont press thr button, sit on bike, activate the pressure plate and a ejection mechanism catapults you 50ft into the air.

Ah, Wile e Coyote? Is it yourself, still being a crazy son of a bitch I see :pac: I like the idea as a general rule, but... I feel like losing the seat would suck.

szatan84

minidazzler wrote: »

Ah, Wile e Coyote? Is it yourself, still being a crazy son of a bitch I see :pac: I like the idea as a general rule, but... I feel like losing the seat would suck.

well you could use a spring as an ejector, and attach it to the seat. that way you would only have to push the seat in once the unfortunate individual removes himself from the bike. hate to forget pressing the button when im gettin on it...

rat_race

scorn wrote: »

My neighbour went in to register his full licence and didn't put the chain (or disk lock) on his Triumph Tiger (2011 model). He did have the alarm and immobiliser on though. While he was in the queue someone came in and asked if it was his bike outside as someone was messing with it.

By the time he was outside he saw the bike being ridden, U-turned in the street, then gone.

How did they start it so easily/quickly if he had an immobilizer?

Cienciano

szatan84 wrote: »

godd idea but it eould damage the bike. I was thinking of a hidden siwtch with a pressure plate under the seat. you dont press thr button, sit on bike, activate the pressure plate and a ejection mechanism catapults you 50ft into the air.

Wouldn't be too hard, put an old airbag under the seat.
But I wouldn't fancy driving around knowing it's there.

Ironman76

Thankfully nobody's ever had a go at taking my bike (Honda Shadow). I use a real heavy duty chain. The Hulk wouldn't get this bad boy off.

I'd be open to better security if I got a new bike.

aaakev

Is integration of new / old security measures important to you?

Ironman76 wrote: »

Thankfully nobody's ever had a go at taking my bike (Honda Shadow). I use a real heavy duty chain. The Hulk wouldn't get this bad boy off.

I'd be open to better security if I got a new bike.

What chain ya got? If ots not an almax id check out some videos and see how tough your chain actually is!

Someone put up videos a few weeks ago of some of the top chaims on the market for bikes, most of them failed in well under 1 minute and a fair few in under 20 seconds!!

dunner515

Ironman76 wrote: »

Thankfully nobody's ever had a go at taking my bike (Honda Shadow). I use a real heavy duty chain. The Hulk wouldn't get this bad boy off.

I'd be open to better security if I got a new bike.

aaakev wrote: »

What chain ya got? If ots not an almax id check out some videos and see how tough your chain actually is!

Someone put up videos a few weeks ago of some of the top chaims on the market for bikes, most of them failed in well under 1 minute and a fair few in under 20 seconds!!

Z CAR M

Would it matter if your insurance premium didn't reduce?

My motorbike Yahama Virago 1998, 125cc was stolen in front of our house. The answer to mathepac´s question is - All biker (including myself) should get a GPS Tracker which you can purchase to good prices on eBay...so, this will not happen again with my next bike for sure and if, I will find it with the Garda

Cuddlesworth

scorn wrote: »

My neighbour went in to register his full licence and didn't put the chain (or disk lock) on his Triumph Tiger (2011 model). He did have the alarm and immobiliser on though. While he was in the queue someone came in and asked if it was his bike outside as someone was messing with it.

By the time he was outside he saw the bike being ridden, U-turned in the street, then gone.

Luckilly there was CCTV footage and the police were quick on the scene - they knew the perp (he was only just out of the clink) and they had a good idea where he was going to offload the bike. They got there and found the bike parked up - a car with some other folk arrived shortly after (helmets and all) but disappeared when they saw the guards.

Anyway - upshot of this story (even though it had a happy ending) is that an extra minute or two to put a disk lock or chain on the back wheel would definitely have stopped this from happening.

Honest answer. Theft would have delayed by about 10-20 seconds more, the guy obviously had tools on him and would have cropped any small disk lock in seconds.

rat_race

Cuddlesworth wrote: »

Honest answer. Theft would have delayed by about 10-20 seconds more, the guy obviously had tools on him and would have cropped any small disk lock in seconds.

I still don't see how he could get around the immobilizer that quick...it's hooked up to the ECU right? Which controls the ignition system...No matching key, no fuel...

Or so I thought. Open to being corrected!

Zascar

Yeah I call BS on that story too. You can't hot wire most modern bikes at all - wont start without the key. Honda have the HISS and you need to replace the ECU to make it work again. Scumbags tried to nick my old bike, ripped out the ignition but could not start it

Max Headroom

This is the type of "security" i want............:D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju7Vu4Oa4zE