I got vandalized for the first time.

goldfox · August 17th, 2014, 03:29 PM

It's been just over a year since I got my motorcycle license and my first bike, and things have been great with other people so far. About a week ago, the first act of vandalism against me happened, though.

I always look at everything on my motorcycle in terms of the appearance, check my lights and brakes, etc. before I leave my house, but until now, I never really did this before leaving the store, or wherever I had stopped during my ride.

I had taken a ride from my home to a Taco Bell for lunch, but had to park in a space that was not within view of the dining area, so my bike was out of my view for the 20 minutes or so that I was eating, and after I left, I only saw the front and left sides of my bike, as I hopped on and drove home.

The next time I left the house, I did my rounds looking at the bike, and noticed that my inspection sticker frame and license plate had been bent in half and shoved inward so that the frame was in contact with the top of my wheel as I rode home (About one mile ride from Taco Bell to home). This of course damaged the lower portion of the frame and the inspection sticker itself.

I took some pictures after I bent the license plate back to mostly straight. I've found that I have to pay full price for the replacement inspection sticker (It's not too expensive, but still...), and I believe I will need a new bracket to hold the new sticker, as this one is shredded a little, and has a concave shape where the lower portion of the sticker would sit.

Just wanted to share my plight and the lesson I learned about checking out the bike before every segment of the ride, not just at the beginning. While most people are nice and docile, it seems that there are a few bad eggs out there!

View of the damaged sticker and frame.

Bending the plastic a little to show how it was found (much more bent, though!). You can see how the plate is no longer straight after bending it back.

snot · August 17th, 2014, 04:01 PM

That sucks! If I can't see my bike when I eat I take my food outside and eat next to the bike. I have heard to many stories similar to this.
Did you ever contact Tacobell to see if the cameras caught anything?

CC Cowboy · August 17th, 2014, 04:05 PM

I always have a shity experience when I eat at Taco Bell.

goldfox · August 17th, 2014, 04:10 PM

You know, I never even thought to ask about security cameras! That's a good idea that I'll have to remember for next time. ~crosses fingers that there won't be a next time!~

If it had been a bigger level of damage, I might have thought to do something like that, but I guess just being out $25 or so for the frame and new sticker didn't make me feel that prosecution or something would be warranted.

I know it's the principle of the act that they should be held accountable for, but it still seems like a lot of hassle for the level of damage. I'll definitely look into the camera thing in the future, though. Thanks for the idea!

goldfox · August 17th, 2014, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

I always have a shity experience when I eat at Taco Bell.

Klondike1020 · August 17th, 2014, 04:15 PM

Looks like someone actually hit it with a car bumper or a small pickup tail gate. .

Thats very weird. Was there any other marks on it?

goldfox · August 17th, 2014, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klondike1020

Looks like someone actually hit it with a car bumper or a small pickup tail gate. .

Thats very weird. Was there any other marks on it?

The only (new) marks were the ones that were made by my tire as I drove home and the bottom of the plastic frame rubbed against the tire. It would have had to been something that protruded enough to push the plastic to the top of the tire, but not tall enough to come in contact with any other part of the bike (the bike hadn't been knocked over or moved or anything).

It's definitely something I pondered, but the logistics of what could have done it would have had to be pretty wildly coincidental. Stranger things have happened, though!

capt_bugaloo · August 17th, 2014, 04:37 PM

I've never had a bike vandalized - maybe I am lucky.

Some A hole vandalized my car once, though. I had a little Pontiac Firefly (like a Geo Metro) that I drove for ten years without ever a problem. Then one day someone gave me one of those yellow Walmart happy face balls you stick on the end of your car antenna.
Not two days later some weasel snapped off my car antenna! I guess he couldn't stand seeing a happy face. What a jerk off!
Posted via Mobile Device

shereth · August 17th, 2014, 04:49 PM

I'll never understand why people feel a need to vandalize things that do not belong to them.

Worst I've ever had to deal with is people screwing around with my mirrors. For some reason, I've had multiple times when I hop back on the bike to discover my mirrors have been pushed into odd angles, without any other sign of mischief. Ah well, if that's the worst I have to deal with, I'll take it.

CC Cowboy · August 17th, 2014, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shereth

I'll never understand why people feel a need to vandalize things that do not belong to them.
.

Because it really sucks vandalizing your own stuff!

shereth · August 17th, 2014, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

Because it really sucks vandalizing your own stuff!

Zing!

goldfox · August 17th, 2014, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shereth

For some reason, I've had multiple times when I hop back on the bike to discover my mirrors have been pushed into odd angles, without any other sign of mischief.

You think maybe they are just not watching where they are going as they pass by a little too close to your bike and accidentally push/pull them? I know I do it to my own bike every now and again, lol.

Sirref · August 17th, 2014, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

Because it really sucks vandalizing your own stuff!

unless you purchased it with the sole intent of vandalizing it

but then you have way too much money

ninjakuma · August 17th, 2014, 07:26 PM

I had that happen to me, I thought somebody had done it on purpose but it didn't make sense... Upon further inspection, at the angle I had the plate at combined with the vertical drop in suspension after sitting on it, coupled also with a mysterious black mark on the plate itself led me to believe that it simply caught the rear tire and got bent inward.

misfitsailor · August 17th, 2014, 07:56 PM

It's one of my better habits: I never stop to eat anywhere where I can't keep an eye on my motorcycle. No exceptions.

sumdawgtwigg · August 17th, 2014, 07:59 PM

Wow, that really sucks. People have no respect for other peoples things.

August 17th, 2014, 03:29 PM	#1
goldfox ninjette.org member Name: John Location: Central Texas Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): '06 Ninja 250 Posts: 70	I got vandalized for the first time. It's been just over a year since I got my motorcycle license and my first bike, and things have been great with other people so far. About a week ago, the first act of vandalism against me happened, though. I always look at everything on my motorcycle in terms of the appearance, check my lights and brakes, etc. before I leave my house, but until now, I never really did this before leaving the store, or wherever I had stopped during my ride. I had taken a ride from my home to a Taco Bell for lunch, but had to park in a space that was not within view of the dining area, so my bike was out of my view for the 20 minutes or so that I was eating, and after I left, I only saw the front and left sides of my bike, as I hopped on and drove home. The next time I left the house, I did my rounds looking at the bike, and noticed that my inspection sticker frame and license plate had been bent in half and shoved inward so that the frame was in contact with the top of my wheel as I rode home (About one mile ride from Taco Bell to home). This of course damaged the lower portion of the frame and the inspection sticker itself. I took some pictures after I bent the license plate back to mostly straight. I've found that I have to pay full price for the replacement inspection sticker (It's not too expensive, but still...), and I believe I will need a new bracket to hold the new sticker, as this one is shredded a little, and has a concave shape where the lower portion of the sticker would sit. Just wanted to share my plight and the lesson I learned about checking out the bike before every segment of the ride, not just at the beginning. While most people are nice and docile, it seems that there are a few bad eggs out there! View of the damaged sticker and frame. Bending the plastic a little to show how it was found (much more bent, though!). You can see how the plate is no longer straight after bending it back.

August 17th, 2014, 04:05 PM	#3
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	I always have a shity experience when I eat at Taco Bell. __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!
	2 out of 2 members found this post helpful.

August 17th, 2014, 04:15 PM	#6
Klondike1020 Intrepid Adventurer Name: Josh Location: Rochester/Buffalo NY Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2004 GSXR 750 , 71 cb350streettracker, 07 Polaris Predator 500 Posts: A lot.	Looks like someone actually hit it with a car bumper or a small pickup tail gate. . Thats very weird. Was there any other marks on it? __________________________________________________ LIFE IS NOT FOR REGRETS OR EXCUSES. Breath deep, seek peace. Embrace the Madness. Life is good, let it be

August 17th, 2014, 07:26 PM	#14
ninjakuma Stunts Extraodinar Name: Ninjakuma Location: Los Angeles Join Date: Jun 2014 Motorcycle(s): 1999 Ninja 250 Posts: 74	I had that happen to me, I thought somebody had done it on purpose but it didn't make sense... Upon further inspection, at the angle I had the plate at combined with the vertical drop in suspension after sitting on it, coupled also with a mysterious black mark on the plate itself led me to believe that it simply caught the rear tire and got bent inward. __________________________________________________ Will backflip for tips

August 17th, 2014, 07:56 PM	#15
misfitsailor Ninjette Jockey Name: Tim Location: Stockton, Ca Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R, Harley Davidson Heritage Softail, 2 Honda Monkeys, Polini & GRC mini GP Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 3	It's one of my better habits: I never stop to eat anywhere where I can't keep an eye on my motorcycle. No exceptions. __________________________________________________ For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

August 17th, 2014, 04:01 PM	#2
snot sammich maker Name: snot Location: West Ohio - in the kitchen Join Date: Feb 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 white 300, 09 KLX 250 SF, 09 thunder blue 250(traded) Posts: A lot. MOTM - Apr '15	That sucks! If I can't see my bike when I eat I take my food outside and eat next to the bike. I have heard to many stories similar to this. Did you ever contact Tacobell to see if the cameras caught anything?

August 17th, 2014, 04:10 PM	#4
goldfox ninjette.org member Name: John Location: Central Texas Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): '06 Ninja 250 Posts: 70	You know, I never even thought to ask about security cameras! That's a good idea that I'll have to remember for next time. ~crosses fingers that there won't be a next time!~ If it had been a bigger level of damage, I might have thought to do something like that, but I guess just being out $25 or so for the frame and new sticker didn't make me feel that prosecution or something would be warranted. I know it's the principle of the act that they should be held accountable for, but it still seems like a lot of hassle for the level of damage. I'll definitely look into the camera thing in the future, though. Thanks for the idea!

August 17th, 2014, 04:37 PM	#8
capt_bugaloo motorcycle rider Name: Bruce Location: Victoria, BC Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '14 Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (silver) Posts: A lot.	I've never had a bike vandalized - maybe I am lucky. Some A hole vandalized my car once, though. I had a little Pontiac Firefly (like a Geo Metro) that I drove for ten years without ever a problem. Then one day someone gave me one of those yellow Walmart happy face balls you stick on the end of your car antenna. Not two days later some weasel snapped off my car antenna! I guess he couldn't stand seeing a happy face. What a jerk off! Posted via Mobile Device

August 17th, 2014, 04:49 PM	#9
shereth ninjette.org member Name: Alan Location: Phoenix Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Posts: 73	I'll never understand why people feel a need to vandalize things that do not belong to them. Worst I've ever had to deal with is people screwing around with my mirrors. For some reason, I've had multiple times when I hop back on the bike to discover my mirrors have been pushed into odd angles, without any other sign of mischief. Ah well, if that's the worst I have to deal with, I'll take it.

August 17th, 2014, 07:59 PM	#16
sumdawgtwigg ninjette.org member Name: Jim Location: Southwest Va Join Date: Aug 2014 Motorcycle(s): 04 Ninja 250 , 92 fzr 600 Posts: 34	Wow, that really sucks. People have no respect for other peoples things.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
[crash.net - MotoGP] - Ben Spies: Lap time, next time	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	February 4th, 2011 06:30 AM
I got vandalized.	tapdiggy	General Motorcycling Discussion	11	August 20th, 2010 05:26 PM
Berkeley hills "The Wall" vandalized	Haider87	General Motorcycling Discussion	5	May 9th, 2010 11:18 PM
[topix.net] - 26 October 2009Third time best time for Canadian GS ChallengeThe...	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	October 26th, 2009 06:00 AM
[superbikeplanet.com] - Sixty-Percent of the Time It Works All the Time	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	June 4th, 2009 03:20 PM