Motorcycle Security Tips
Motorcycles are big investments, both in money and emotion. It’s easy to become attached to a vehicle when we spend so much time with them, whether it’s just a useful mode of transport, a weekend diversion, or the hard work of working in the garage. Many riders have been putting together their dream bike for years, and when they finally get it the worry of theft can be quite strong. But taking a few precautions to protect your investment can go a long way to easing your worry and ensuring a secure bike.
At BMW Motorcycles of Burbank, we understand how important a motorcycle can be. They’re often more than just vehicles.
That’s what we’ve put together this short article with some tips on keeping your motorcycle safe and secure. The less you worry about security, the more pleased we are! Read on for more information or head into our showroom in Burbank, California for a look at some great new and used BMW motorcycles. We’re proud to serve Los Angeles, Orange County, and the San Fernando Valley.
Security Risks Based on Location
The available options to protect your motorcycle from potential theft start with the kind of area you live in. City streets tend to be more crowded with a lot going on that could obscure shady activity, while suburban and rural areas won’t have as much population density to ward off clear and present danger.
Apartment complexes are a particularly common place for motorcycle theft, as thieves can scope out potential targets while blending in to densely populated areas. There are simply more targets for theft in the city — and more thieves! The noise and business of a city can be all the cover a clever thief needs.
More residential neighborhoods have their own issues. Residents of sparsely populated areas and especially those in wealthier neighborhoods tend to become complacent and think crime can’t possibly reach them and their property. But these areas tend to have low levels of security in place, and more expensive bikes make these effective targets for thieves.
Secure Parking
Now that we’ve identified some of the unique threats facing motorcycle owners in various areas, we can start to look for solutions and precautions to curb these threats. Start by thinking about how you can make your parked bike less appealing to a potential thief.
A motorcycle parked in a driveway in a quiet neighborhood is an alluring target. The garage is a better place to park your bike, since it obscures sight. A thief can’t steal what they don’t know is there! If you don’t have a garage or don’t have room for your motorcycle inside your garage, consider a bike cover. While no, bike covers don’t provide any physical security, they do prevent thieves from scouting out your bike as a potential target. It’s a bigger risk for a thief if they don’t know the quality of your bike or even the make and model.
For those living in apartments, you should always try to park your motorcycle in full view of a security camera or station where available. Chain the motorcycle as you would a bicycle to add some extra protection. Covers are also useful in the city, as they still prevent thieves from scouting accurately. If you’re forced to park on the street or away from a security apparatus, find somewhere without much cover and with good lighting to keep potential thieves from having cover for their dark deeds.
Physical Security
Keeping your bike hidden from thieves is a start, but sometimes you just need a physical barrier to keep them at bay. High-quality locks and chains are good at deterring potential thieves, even if some locks are easily overcome. Multiple levels of clear security might frustrate or convince them the effort isn’t worth the risk. Steering locks are another option. They secure the steering column, which prevents effectively moving the bike, while disc locks clamp to the disc brakes to keep the wheels from being able to spin. You can also get saddlebags with locks to protect your biking gear. If you choose to use chains, make sure to hook it to a non-removable part of the bike.
Electronic Security
When physical deterrents fail, electric technology steps in. There are tons of passive and active modern security methods available for motorcycle security. Alarms can bring attention to the theft and possibly scare them off before they even get started, but these are the easiest electronic security systems to disable.
A tracking system installed ahead of theft can be used by local law enforcement to retrieve your bike. If you do use tracking, don’t be tempted to confront the thief yourself! Go straight to the police. For all electronic security systems, use discretion when installing and hide them out of sight so a thief can’t easily spot and disable them.
Deterring potential thieves with a few security precautions can make a big difference in the likelihood your bike will be targeted for theft, so take a few of these steps to protect your investment. For more security tips as well as a great selection of new and used BMW motorcycles, head into our showroom in Burbank, California, where we’re proud to serve Los Angeles, Orange County, and the San Fernando Valley. Come in today and let our team of experts answer your questions and help you find what you’re looking for.