With the first warm days of the year, the first motorcycles are back on the road. How do you protect your motorcycle against theft outside a block of flats or from a garage? Here are 6 valuable tips and pieces of advice.
1. Keys
Keep your keys safe. It may sound obvious, but think about how many times you’ve frantically searched every corner of the house to find them. This is where a notiOne tracker comes to the rescue – attached to your keys, it not only helps you find them, it also protects them should they fall into the wrong hands.
Remember that your keys also let you lock the steering and (depending on the model) activate the immobiliser, which cuts the ignition. Unfortunately, basic protection like this isn’t much of an obstacle for professional thieves, but it can effectively deter amateurs.
2. Disc locks
A disc lock slides through the brake disc, immobilising the front wheel. Without tools, a thief can’t remove it. More expensive models come with alarms that wail loudly when they detect a shock (such as a hammer blow) or movement (unfortunately, a lock like this won’t stop a bike being wheeled away from its owner), alerting everyone nearby that something is wrong.
Disc locks are generally small, so they’re easy to stow away while you’re travelling – just remember to remove the lock before starting the engine.
3. U-locks
U-locks are a form of protection that can successfully replace disc locks. They not only lock the wheels but also let you secure the bike to a lamp post, for example, so thieves can’t wheel it away. They are big, though – make sure you have somewhere to store one while riding!
4. Cables and chains
Mechanical security demands more determination and effort from a thief. Getting through a chain or steel cable wrapped around your motorcycle’s wheels requires sharp tools and a lot of force. It’s certainly great protection for a long stop, but on the road it can be a nuisance: chains are heavy and unwieldy. If you don’t have room in your luggage, taking them with you can be a problem.
5. A tracker
Trackers are clever devices that, hidden in the vehicle, help locate stolen motorcycles. A GPS tracker costs around PLN 200. Bear in mind, though, that a device like this needs frequent battery charging and a paid SIM card.
A great alternative to GPS trackers is the mini notiOne tracker. Although it’s based on Bluetooth technology, it can locate a stolen vehicle even at the other end of Poland. This is possible thanks to its integration with one of the most popular driver apps in the country. It has plenty of advantages: it costs far less than GPS, the app is completely free, it’s easy to hide, and the battery is replaceable and lasts several months of continuous use. Curious how it works? HERE you can read a post explaining how notiOne works, and HERE you can see it in action.
6. A cover
A motorcycle cover isn’t just protection from the rain – it’s also an obstacle for thieves. Firstly, a covered bike blends into the crowd and doesn’t attract attention, unlike an exposed, gleaming motorcycle. Secondly, any stranger fiddling with the cover is likely to arouse suspicion – a good argument for those on good terms with their watchful neighbours 😉 Thirdly, a thief can’t check whether the bike has any additional security like the measures listed above. It may not seem like much, but it makes a difference.
Also check out our discussion about motorcycle security with the editor-in-chief of the National Database of Stolen Motorcycles. A handful of inspiration, interesting facts and useful information guaranteed!
What about other vehicles?
Check out our ways to protect your bike and what a tracker in your car is useful for.
