So you just bought the new hog of your dreams, and you’re more than just a little bit excited to get out there on the open road. Have you considered your motorcycle security system first? Before you light up the road with your new bike, it’s imperative to get your security system in check.
In this article, you’ll learn some motorcycle security tips for new owners and veteran owners alike. By the time you wrap up here, you’ll be well on your way to taking your bike out daily with the confidence that it won’t be going anywhere without you. You may have thought about motorcycle insurance but have you considered your motorcycle security system first?
1. Don’t Skimp on Your Chain Lock
Your chain lock is the first line of defense between you and the enemy. In this case, the enemy is a potential robber who preys on bikes for a living. By investing in a solid chain lock, you not only give your bike better security, but you make thieves think twice before they mess with your bike.
The bottom line is that you should invest in a beefy chain lock that can’t be cut with bolt cutters. If thieves require power tools to get the job done, they’re a lot less likely to tamper with your chain lock.
2. Consider Adding a GPS Tracker
Have you ever checked out the Find My iPhone app? Well, there are motorcycle GPS trackers that do the same thing for your motorcycle. These small, sleek devices get hidden somewhere inside your bike where thieves won’t look.
Once a thief thinks they’re in the clear, you’ll receive an alert directly on your phone that pinpoints your bike’s location. After you get their location, it’s time to alert the police, so they can recover your bike and nail the thief in the act.
3. Always Be Careful Where You Park
When parking your bike – especially in the city – it’s always wise to park in a well-lit public area. While this may seem like common sense, as your levels of comfort rise, you may start to take more chances when parking your bike.
Since it only takes one slip-up to get robbed and lose your bike forever, it’s important not to fall asleep behind the wheel so to speak. When parking outside of the city, it might be possible to get away with parking in a less transited area, but it’s still just as important to use common sense every time you park your bike.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Double Up Your Locks
There’s no rule that says a chain lock should be your only lock. There are additional options, including good ol’ U-locks and disc brake locks. By combining one or more of these types of locks with your chain lock, a thief must make multiple cuts to gain access to your bike.
When a thief sees multiple locks, and your bike is parked in a public area, the thief will be a lot less likely to try and steal your bike because they’ll know that there won’t be enough time.
Remember, time is of the utmost importance when securing your motorcycle, so the more time it takes a thief to crack your locks, the better the chance you have of hanging onto your bike.
5. Always Consider an Alarm
One of the advantages of combining a disc brake lock with your chain lock is that most of the good disc locks on the market feature high-decibel alarms. Once engaged, most thieves will have no chance of tampering with your bike without setting off the alarm. And since you parked in a public, well-lit area, the thief is going to be immediately exposed once the alarm sounds.
In addition to disc brake lock alarms, there are also padlock alarms that can pair with your chain or more sophisticated alarm systems that are similar to car alarms in that they can detect motion. Regardless of which route you take, it’s always wise to consider adding an alarm to your motorcycle security arsenal to thwart even the most persistent thieves.
Final Tips
If you live in a busy city, you’ll also want to consider your security when parking your bike, particularly if you’re not parking it inside. One solution is to invest in a heavy-duty ground anchor that allows you to secure your bike to a fixed object when not in use.
For those of you who live outside of the city where theft is less common, it’s still wise to carefully consider your motorcycle security system, especially if you plan to take any road trips that include city stops. All in all, the primary point is to build a security system that tells thieves not to mess with your bike because it’s not an easy target.