Preventing Motorcycle Theft

Theft happens. There’s certainly no sure way to avoid becoming a victim of theft, but there are plenty of ways to keep you and your property away from thirsty thief eyes. It takes a bit of thinking and planning, but preventing motorcycle theft can be as easy as adjusting where and how you park.

Here at Cross Country Cycle, we understand the need to protect your motorcycle from theft. It’s important to keep your investment safe, and the best way to do that is through a few preventative measures. In that spirit, we’ve written this short guide with some tips and tricks to prevent your motorcycle from being stolen. Read on for more information or give us a call at Cross Country Cycle in Metuchen and Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, near Staten Island and Manhattan, New York.

Neighborhood vs. Apartment

When it comes to keeping your motorcycle safe, it really does start with location. Most people live in residential neighborhoods or apartments. Each of these housing types offer different threats for property owners. Apartment complexes have a lot of common areas where people can and do gather, and they’re a popular place for thieves to scope out potential targets due to the high concentration of people and vehicles. Residential neighborhoods have their own problems. In quieter, wealthier neighborhoods, people can grow complacent and believe their area is free of crime. In reality, their neighborhood is inviting to criminals, as quiet, wealthy neighborhoods often have expensive motorcycles and lax security.

Best Parking

After you’ve determined what kind of threats your property faces, you can make a plan about how to store your bike to prevent theft. A bike sitting in the driveway is easy for thieves to pick off in a hurry. A garage is your best option to keep a thief from peeping the status of your bike. A fenced-in yard can provide good protection, too.

Apartment complexes can make things more difficult. If you can manage it, park in full view of any security cameras nearby and find something solid you can chain your bike to just like you would with a bicycle. A cover can be useful too. Obviously a thin sheet of cloth won’t keep a thief at bay, but it will keep a thief from casing your bike without arousing suspicion. When you’re out on the town, avoid parking your bike in a place that will provide cover for anyone who wants to steal it. Don’t leave your bike out overnight in a strange neighborhood.

Physical Security

High quality locks and chains are a good first defense for deterring a potential thief. When thieves see multiple locks and thick chains, they quickly realize that this bike might be more effort and risk than it’s worth. Disc locks are extremely effective locks that clamp to your disc brakes to keep your wheel from being able to spin. Steering locks do just what they sound like they would do: they lock your steering column. Locks on your saddlebags will prevent theft from your bike. Finally, if you plan on using a chain, make sure to chain it to a non-removable part of your bike such as the chassis, and attach that to an immovable object.

Electronic Security

If you want security features that are a bit more modern, electronic security measures are better than they’ve ever been. Alarms work great and are very sensitive to any tampering. Nothing makes a thief’s job harder than an alarm blaring in their ear and drawing attention to their position. If your bike does get stolen, a tracking system can help you recover it. Tracking systems send GPS data to your phone or computer. This information can be used by local law enforcement to retrieve your bike. It’s best to not confront thieves yourself, however, as they may be armed or dangerous. With all electronic security measures, make sure to mount them in a discreet location that can’t be immediately spotted. If a thief sees your security measure, they might be able to disable it.

Keeping your motorcycle safe can be as easy as a few of these tips and tricks. If you have more questions about how to protect your investment, or you’re just after some of the best new and used motorcycles around, head into Cross Country Cycle in Metuchen and Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, near Staten Island and Manhattan, New York. Our team of knowledgeable and courteous professionals are here to answer your questions and help you find the motorcycle of your dreams. Come in today and learn the true meaning of customer satisfaction.