Keeping Your Motorcycle Secure
Your motorcycle is valuable, meaning there are plenty of people out there who’d like to take it and sell it or keep it for themselves. Thieves have many weapons in their arsenal for stealing your bike, but not to fear. There are plenty of security devices and countermeasures you can employ to make sure no thief is successful in stealing your ride. Read on to learn how to protect your bike using smart planning, locks, alarms, and other tools. If you’re in the market for a new bike, or you need further advice, don’t hesitate to stop by Indian Motorcycles of Orange County. We proudly serve the areas of Santa Ana, Long Beach, and Los Angeles, California.
Know Your Neighborhood
Motorcycle security measures will vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. If you live on a sleepy residential cul de sac, you might be inclined to think your house is safe from thieves. Unfortunately, you’d be mistaken. Thieves often cruise quiet neighborhoods where residents might lower their guard and be less likely to use smart safety measures. Your local neighborhood watch won’t be able to catch every uninvited guest, so don’t let your guard down. If you live in an apartment, you probably are aware of the fact that your building basically provides a smorgasbord of potential targets for thieves, and don’t think they won’t go for a bike just because there are a lot of people around.
Keep it Out of Sight
Whether in a residential neighborhood or an apartment complex, keeping your bike out of sight is a great way to keep it out of thieves mind’s. If you live in a house with a garage, try parking your bike in there. Other smart places to park include in a fenced backyard or side yard, or even a detached shed. Just make sure wherever you park it, you still remember to lock up both the bike and the area. If you live in an apartment, you’ll have fewer options for parking. Indoor parking lots or guarded lots are a great place to start. If you don’t have access to one, use a motorcycle cover to keep thieves from seeing what type of bike you have. They might not be willing to get out and lift the cover, which will force them to move on to the next target. Some serious riders even choose to park their bikes in the dining room or entryway of their house. This isn’t recommended, as the danger of trying to push a motorcycle up stairs or through a doorway can outweigh the security advantages.
Locks
Locks are the trusted security measure for most riders. There are many types of lock you can employ to keep your bike secure. Up top, you’ll find a steering lock which will keep a thief from turning your handlebars, making a drive-away theft impossible. Disc locks work by clamping onto a disc brake, which also helps to prevent drive-away theft. Because of their sensitive location, disc locks are quite difficult to remove without the original key. A U-lock or chain can help you keep your bike in place. Many U-locks are extremely difficult to cut through, especially those made with hardened steel. Chains are often easier to disarm, so you should use a chain in conjunction with other types of security.
Modern Security Measures
Modern security measures include motorcycle alarms and tracking devices. An alarm is an effective tool for deterring thieves, and many current alarm models are sensitive enough to be set off by even minor tampering. A tracking system becomes helpful if your bike is actually stolen as it shows you where your bike ends up after it’s been stolen. Just make sure to not enact some vigilante justice to get your bike back. Turn the information over to the police and let them recover it from the thieves.
In the grand scheme of things, security measures generally involve minor investments of time and money but protect your prized possession: your motorcycle. If you want more security tips or are in the market for security devices, stop by Indian Motorcycles of Orange County and talk to our team of knowledgeable motorcycle enthusiasts. Located in Orange County near Santa Ana, Long Beach, and Los Angeles, we’ll do our best to help you keep thieves away from your bike!