Someone tried to steal my bike last night!

[foxj66]

Walked out this morning on the way to work to find this:







It looks like they tried to break the steering lock and it held, today I added the disk lock that I should have purchased a month ago.

[Alex]

That sucks! There are a number of stories online about thieves failing the first time, and succeeding just a short time afterwards. I'd suggest doing anything you could to lower the risk very quickly. (park somewhere more protected, more chains securely connected to something that isn't going anywhere, increased insurance, etc.)

[foxj66]

I added the disk lock and lowered my deductible on my insurance today, this is the best my apartment complex offers as far as parking goes, I hope they don't come back. Its really a shame that people can't leave things that you work hard to earn alone.

[toua70]

Man... thieves are such scumbags. Even with a lock and if they were really persistent, they can easily lift your bike and put it in a van or truck. Maybe invest in a 2 way motorcycle alarm that way if your alarm goes off, it will trigger the FOB key. One of my buddies has the SPY 5000M alarm he got off ebay and its awesome. Lucky for me, I have a garage to park my bike every night. Best of luck!

[Trailerboy531]

Which disc lock did you get? I've heard that the xena lock is a good one. You could also run a chain lock around your rotor and through your fairings.

[foxj66]

Originally Posted by Trailerboy531

Which disc lock did you get? I've heard that the xena lock is a good one. You could also run a chain lock around your rotor and through your fairings.

I believe it was bulldog brand. I am going to look into a 2 way alarm but this was what I was able to do for tonight after I got off work. I guess I will probably get to upgrade to some clip ons now after the insurance adjuster looks it over.

[Asspire]

easy:

1. buy c4
2. install alarm on bike (one with those fancy proximity sensors)
3. wire c4 to alarm
4. if thief breaks steering lock/sits on bike/lifts in van, c4 goes off
5. get comprehensive insurance (i assume fire/theft is included in comp. insurance in the states)
6. be watching from a distance if **** goes down.

but seriously, put more visible security on it, disc locks, chains, flashing led light, retractable spikes in seat, The Club, cow bell.

[Old Lemon]

dam that sucks man, at least they didnt get to take it

[lgk]

can you see the bike from your apartment window?
could put a gopro there to watch them.

[foxj66]

Originally Posted by Asspire

easy:

1. buy c4
2. install alarm on bike (one with those fancy proximity sensors)
3. wire c4 to alarm
4. if thief breaks steering lock/sits on bike/lifts in van, c4 goes off
5. get comprehensive insurance (i assume fire/theft is included in comp. insurance in the states)
6. be watching from a distance if **** goes down.

but seriously, put more visible security on it, disc locks, chains, flashing led light, retractable spikes in seat, The Club, cow bell.

C4 is hard to find so I think I will need to go a different route.

I think adding a 2 way alarm is probably the best option I have, I wish my apartment complex had garages.

[foxj66]

Originally Posted by lgk

can you see the bike from your apartment window?
could put a gopro there to watch them.

No the carport is in front of the building and my apartment is at the back so I can't see, I also found out the signs saying the complex has cameras up is just a deterrent they do not have cameras.

[Jiggles]

Lol wtf? The handlebar bent but the steering lock didn't break?

Damn cheapo handlebars

[CThunder-blue]

Tie a couple of these guys to your handle bars. Guaranteed deterrent to thieves and other pests.

[foxj66]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Lol wtf? The handlebar bent but the steering lock didn't break?

Damn cheapo handlebars

I am surprised as well, At first I thought someone must have been messing around with it and knocked it over but their is no damage to any of the plastics or the tank.

[lgk]

Originally Posted by foxj66

No the carport is in front of the building and my apartment is at the back so I can't see, I also found out the signs saying the complex has cameras up is just a deterrent they do not have cameras.

what does the carport look like?

maybe you can chain the bike to it

[Vergil]

Originally Posted by Asspire

easy:

1. buy c4
2. install alarm on bike (one with those fancy proximity sensors)
3. wire c4 to alarm
4. if thief breaks steering lock/sits on bike/lifts in van, c4 goes off
5. get comprehensive insurance (i assume fire/theft is included in comp. insurance in the states)
6. be watching from a distance if **** goes down.

but seriously, put more visible security on it, disc locks, chains, flashing led light, retractable spikes in seat, The Club, cow bell.

Replace step 1 with semtex

[foxj66]

Originally Posted by lgk

what does the carport look like?

maybe you can chain the bike to it

I do have a post right beside my spot so that may be an option.

[Jiggles]

Just get comprehensive

[Whiskey]

Park up elsewhere if ya can at least for a day or so, scum like that come back later to lift a bike they've tried before.

[lgk]

Originally Posted by foxj66

I do have a post right beside my spot so that may be an option.

get a cover too. this way the thief has to think about what could be underneath. he can't just walk by and see everything you installed.

if the thief damages the carport, i bet the apartment people will get more serious about security.

[foxj66]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Just get comprehensive

Already do with a 100 deductible. I have a cover but normally don't put it on as I leave for work at 6 30 in the morning and don't wanna screw with it.

[Lychee]

Locate the alarm brain in your airbox.

[Jono]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Lol wtf? The handlebar bent but the steering lock didn't break?

Damn cheapo handlebars

I'd rather have a bent handlebar than a bent frame and/or triple tree. Cheap handlebars are cheap for a reason.

[Lil_Green_Demon]

Some of the worst people in the world are what we'd refer to as thieves. I'm glad they didn't steal your bike, OP, but like everyone else has been saying, they might try again another time, so be careful.

[dirty nasty]

Something strange happened to a bud's R6 recently. He crashed it and it got a little messed up. Bad enough to where he can't ride it (broken peg and bar), but it's still in really good shape. So it has been sitting in his garage. He went out to look at it the other day to find his ignition switch/lock missing (which includes the top triple tree), his tank lock missing (which includes the gas cap) and his helmet/seat lock missing. Nothing else but that.

[Whiskey]

Originally Posted by dirty nasty

Something strange happened to a bud's R6 recently. He crashed it and it got a little messed up. Bad enough to where he can't ride it (broken peg and bar), but it's still in really good shape. So it has been sitting in his garage. He went out to look at it the other day to find his ignition switch/lock missing (which includes the top triple tree), his tank lock missing (which includes the gas cap) and his helmet/seat lock missing. Nothing else but that.

If they can remove the locks from one R6 they can do it to another. Remove the locks, get keys cut, switch out locks & ride off on someone else's bike, buy another R6 break it for parts, build new r6 on other machine's frame, you have now made a stolen r6 into a legit looking R6
Posted via Mobile Device

[dfox]

while a disc lock on the front wheel is more obvious, I find the rear wheel to be a "safer" more secure location.

it's harder for a thief to remove and replace the rear wheel (if they're going after your bike, now they can find a used front wheel for cheap).

also, it's easy to lift the front of a motorcycle and walk it on the rear wheel, not the other way around.

just my thoughts, you can search up others opinions.

[psych0hans]

That sucks buddy I'm lucky my apartment complex has good security, damn scumbags... I wish they f**king rot in hell...

[NDspd]

Ouch man....where were you parked? Hope you can fix her up soon.

I just installed a Scorpio alarm on my SV and if it goes off the whole damn neighborhood will know.

I'm also in a gated community, but recently guys have been jumping the 8-9 foot fence. The gate that opens for cars stays open too long, enough for a vehicle to sneak in. So, I'm doing everything in my powers to stop or atleast slow down anyone that wants my bike.

[Asspire]

Best security you can get.

get yourself some xena docs locks with alarm, things are hella loud. I got a pair off eBay for $50 each, best investment yet.

[7oxSin]

i agree with the xena alarm system, but add a twist. grab you a gun, and when that xena alarm goes off keep that mother clucker there in till the cops show so he can gett his poo packed for a few months. and if you dont have a gun o_0 get one!

[koenigcitizen]

This sucks! At least they didnt drop the bike.

Do you have to pay for the handlebars?

[broilmebk]

Originally Posted by foxj66

I believe it was bulldog brand. I am going to look into a 2 way alarm but this was what I was able to do for tonight after I got off work. I guess I will probably get to upgrade to some clip ons now after the insurance adjuster looks it over.

worrrd. Time for some wc clipons!

[alex.s]

sit next to the bike in the bushes each night with a bat.

you'll catch them eventually

[dirty nasty]

Originally Posted by Whiskey

If they can remove the locks from one R6 they can do it to another. Remove the locks, get keys cut, switch out locks & ride off on someone else's bike, buy another R6 break it for parts, build new r6 on other machine's frame, you have now made a stolen r6 into a legit looking R6
Posted via Mobile Device

Makes sense. His bike was also obviously wrecked as it was missing parts needed to ride. Why would thieves risk getting caught stealing a bike they don't know how badly is damaged over choosing a nice one, right?

[userjh160]

If you live on the bottom floor, I had a friend of mine park his bike inside his apt. I know it sucks having to do this, but at least it was safe. Then he moved and had an enclosed patio where he could park his bike and kept the gate locked. He lived in a bad area and did not have anything happen his bike.

[dirty nasty]

I'd love to be able to park my bike in my living room. And work on it too!

[Whiskey]

Originally Posted by dirty nasty

Makes sense. His bike was also obviously wrecked as it was missing parts needed to ride. Why would thieves risk getting caught stealing a bike they don't know how badly is damaged over choosing a nice one, right?

Depends on what they want it for, there's 3 kinds of bike thieves, joyriders, getaway riders, & choppers.

If it's a non runner a chopper may still take it, some bikes go for a good bit when they're parted out, KTMs apparently make very good money for thieving scum. If it's a runner it may be exported intact (Gypsies & Nigerians in Ireland a run a massive stolen bike export ring)

Getaway riders have a 'job' in mind & generally want a sports tourer that can go like a scalded cat while 2 up, nothing too fancy or distinctive is a bonus but it's probably going to be burnt out anyway.

Joyriders will take anything that runs & thrash it to death in a field before burning it out or throwing it in a river. (I wouldn't even waste a bullet on this type, random application of a hammer would be a more appropriate means of dispatch)

[Motofool]

Good post #38 !

Hang an empty pistol holster from your tank.........they or him will be back for your baby.

Copied from http://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/..._operator_ama/

"Basically you want it to appear to take a long time to steal. $100 disc lock on rear wheel, $150 chain/lock combo through hard parts not chain and not wheels, if it has to be a wheel put it through the rear one, lockable bike cover, and keep your steering locked

Lojack is pretty good for recovering bikes from beginners, but I want to keep mine from being stolen in the first place.

1) Mostly supersports. They are the most commonly crashed and generally the easiest to find (left outside in nice apartment complexes) Next would be Harleys and for a brief moment in time the high dollar choppers.

2) Never, ever, never never never, NEVER leave your bike outside at an apartment complex. Especially one with a gated parking garage. The gated parking garage in a mid to high rise apartment building in the nice part of a large city is the number one place for bike thieves to go "shopping." As far as passive devices go I like the NYC fughetaboutit chain/lock from Kryptonite, the thicker of the two. It needs to go through something like a braced swingarm whenever possible. If you absolutely have to put it through a wheel put it through the rear wheel. It takes much longer to swap than the front wheel. Any $100 disc lock will work well, again, rear wheel, locks on the front are more easily defeated, take my word for it. Cheaper disc locks can be quietly, well, we'll leave it at that, cheap ones can be defeated in silence. Lo-jack and Lo-Jack w/early warning are pretty good at recovering the bikes from amateurs and semi-pros, but someone who knows what they are doing will remove the lojack system quickly after clearing the area. Still someone even more professional (surprisingly rare) will have somewhere to check/store/breakdown the bike that is rf shielded. The problem with lo-jack is that it doesn't keep someone from stealing the bike. Even if you get it back in one piece without the police crashing into your bike to catch the thief you'll still likely have a broken upper triple, damage to the neck of your frame (Steering lock), damage to your ignition, damage to the tank lock, possible damage to the tank itself (rareish) possible damage to the trunk lock , and then your insurance company might **** you too. It's much better to not get the bike stolen in the first place. So in addition to lo-jack you want some sort of VISIBLE passive devices to make the thief move on. The paging alarms are somewhat effective, but they aren't linked to the police. Removing electronic devices is obviously more of a mental challenge than a physical one. The quality of the install is a huge factor here. Hide the lo-jack or alarm in or under the airbox and all the wiring within the factory looms and you'll have a good set up. However, almost NO dealer tech is this thorough. It's not his bike, why would he go the extra mile?

3) I think bobbypeel covered the locks and chains well. Very few thieves are this thorough, of the dozens of them I knew over the years I only came across one like this, but I knew someone that had a pair of bolt-cutters that weighed a lot, more than a 45lb plate at the gym, and had replaceable cryogenically hardened teeth. They cost several hundred dollars. The high dollar chain lock sets $150+ are worth it. Even the high dollar braided cable locks are good. They can be cut, but it's a pretty time consuming process.

4) Personally, if it's rashed up, looks cosmetically rough, but mechanically sound. Say grips are worn, been dropped on both sides, but the chain is clean and well-adjusted, tires worn hard on the edges, has any signs of safety-wiring for the track etc. It's lack of value isn't what I'm looking it. It would remind me of myself once upon a time. I think that's probably all he's got, his whole world, it's not pretty, but he rides the piss out of it. He gets a pass.

More for most people, just what takes time. I've known very very few stone cold guys that can sit there for an hour working on a bike. Most people will give it a few seconds, maybe a couple minutes, and if they can't get it they are gone. What is only seconds feels like an eternity when your freedom and life are on the line. Quality disc lock on the rear wheel, quality chain and lock, lockable bike cover and theft coverage on your insurance. For me, lo-jack isn't worth the cost. It's more expensive than theft coverage and after a thief has had his way with the bike I don't want it back. All can fit in a back pack and aren't much of a hassle to carry. Never leave it outside very long day or night. If you have to ground anchors are good like bobbypeel said. I always wondered what was available in a marine application for something like this. Something with a real burly chain/lock.

If you're temporarily parked outside somewhere a good little FREE anti-theft trick, bring a stubby flathead with you and remove your clutch lever. No clutch lever and they aren't riding anywhere. Of course if you do this every night outside your apartment they'll just come back with their own clutch lever.

Also - LOCK YOUR ****ING STEERING - DON'T LEAVE YOUR SPARE KEY IN YOUR TRUNK. I can open your trunk with a butter knife, don't leave me your ****ing key in there, jesus. Happens more often than you think. Also, don't leave your TITLE in the trunk, i've seen this too often too. Steering locks aren't that hard to bypass, but they aren't THAT easy either. Sometimes you get the freak one that doesn't want to break and you'll need to come back with a second person. In that time maybe the owner sees the bike and the thief doesn't get it. Had it been unlocked the bike would be gone.

Again, if you park outside of an apartment and your bike gets stolen, rent a ****ing garage or self-storage unit near by to use as a garage. The thief is just going to wait a couple weeks for insurance to replace your bike and come back to check. If someone tries and fails to get your bike the same thing applies. Move it, they WILL be back.

The majority of thieves aren't that smart and half of those are on drugs, please don't be dumber than they are."

[foxj66]

Originally Posted by Motofool

Good post #38 !

Hang an empty pistol holster from your tank.........they or him will be back for your baby.

I wish I had a cheap pistol holster to sit out there.. As for the rest of the advice there is some good point I may see if the complex will put in an anchor for me they may be making some motorcycle parking spots so an anchor for each spot would be a great idea and wouldn't cost them much as I can get them at cost from my work.