Motorcycle Theft :

How to Protect your Motorcycle from Theft

By Joe Ikahn

There are a lot of advantages to owning a motorcycle. Its a lot nicer having two wheels to weave in and out of traffic when a freeway turns into a parking lot, for instance. Motorcycles are also a lot more fuel-efficient and green than their 4-wheel counterparts.

But with such advantages, also come some costs. Motorcycles are particularly vulnerable to thieves. Because they are small, thieves would rather steal a motorcycle than steal a car. This is born out in the statistical evidence which shows motorcycle theft increasing every year. The lesson being: just because it hasn't occurred to you yet, doesn't mean that it won't.

You can take steps to protect your motorcycle from being stolen by following these precautionary measures.

There are a lot of ways to protect your motorcycle from being robbed. Although these methods do not guarantee a 100 percent theft-free motorcycle, it may reduce the risk of your bike from being stolen. Remember that a motorcycle is an open vehicle. It is not like a car that has locked doors and glassed windows to get through before one can actually set the ignition.

1. Your first defense against motorcycle theft is your bike's steering lock. Steering locks prevent effortless maneuvering of your motorcycle and would discourage the thieves from robbing your bike. It is advisable that you use separate locks for your steering locks and ignition locks, so that the bandit has to overcome two locks before running away with your bike.

2. Do not tempt anyone to steal your bike. If you do not have a garage, protect your motorcycle against theft by covering it. You can do the same if you keep your bike in a garage as well. Making your bike inconspicuous discourages the thieves from letting them know what you have. By using a plain cover to hide your bike, you are protecting it by not promoting the brand and not advertising how expensive your bike is.

3. If you have to bring your bike outside, make sure that you park it in a safe place and the bike should be within sight. It is not advisable to park your motorcycle beside a van, truck or any kind of big vehicle that would hide thieves at work. If possible, pick a parking spot just right outside the establishment door. Protect your motorcycle by choosing a well-lit and conspicuous area to park.

4. Although you placed your motorcycle on a noticeable spot, don't get confident that thieves will not at least try to steal it. Anchor your motorcycle onto something immovable and solid such as strong poles. If there are no sturdy structures available to secure your bike, try locking your bike with another one especially if you have an acquaintance riding the same type of vehicle.

5. Don't forget your keys. Even if you know that you will only leave your bike for a second or two, do not leave the keys inserted in your motorcycle. It is an easy way for thieves to steal your bike in an instant. Recording your key number would also protect your motorcycle from theft. Most key numbers are stamped on a lock. File them until they are hardly visible. Anyone who has a key number can effortless have a perfectly fit key cut from a key maker. In case you lose your keys, it will also be less expensive if you remember your key number and have a new key lock made rather than purchase all new locks.

Protecting your motorcycle from theft is more of relying on your common sense rather than depending on alarms and other anti-theft equipments. These tools would only assist in defending your bike from burglary. Using a technique or two to protect your bike could give you a pretty good chance in safely keeping your bike, indoors or outdoors.

About the author: Joe Ikahn writes for Motorcycle Part sand Apparel -- For more Motorcycle Tips, Please visit him at his website at: http://www.motorcyclepartsandapparel.com/