Motorcycle Security
You’ve spent thousands of dollars on your motorcycle, between the overall cost, the insurance, the upgrades, the fuel and maintenance, and anything else you that required you to drop some serious cash. The last thing you want is to walk out to where you parked your bike only to find it gone.
Some of our least favorite customer stories are those looking for a new bike after losing theirs to theft, regardless of what insurance covers, so Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson® has provided some tips to keep it from happening in the first place. If you’d like more tips, stop by our motorcycle dealership to chat with our experienced staff, or you can check out our Harley motorcycles for sale near Corvallis, Portland, Medford, and Salem, Oregon.
Your Living Situation
When you’re coming up with a theft-prevention strategy, you’ll always want to plan with the goal of making it difficult for a thief to walk away with your bike. The longer it takes for a thief to grab something, the less likely they are to follow through with the crime.
Take your living situation, for example. Where you live can greatly impact how you keep your motorcycle away from sticky fingers. If you live in a home or condo with a garage, then it’s easy enough to pull your motorcycle into this area and close the door. This way, a thief won’t even be able to see the motorcycle in the first place. However, you might not have access to a private garage or shed if you live in an apartment complex.
If your complex has security cameras, you can park it there so you’ll have evidence to work with should the worst happen. Take a look at your living situation and find areas where you can keep your motorcycle protected and out of the way.
Locks, Chains, and Physical Security
The easiest way to steal a motorcycle is to simply pick it up, load it in a van, and take off. Motorcycles are heavy, but not heavy enough to completely prevent this method of theft. Physical security like locks and chains can help with this. The most effective method is a chain and ground anchor. Steering locks and disc locks are also very helpful.
Electronic Security
If you’re willing to spend a little more money, you can also look into electronic security. This includes things like alarms to scare someone off. You can also invest in electronic security that acts more as a retrieval method, like a tracking system.
Remove Accessories
Of course, just because they can’t grab the entire bike, doesn’t mean they can’t steal from you. Your motorcycle probably comes with saddlebags and you might have added some accessories. Make sure everything that’s on the bike is locked down and secured to the bike. If someone can grab a piece or an item and walk away with it, then consider removing it from the bike when you leave it parked.
Check On Your Bike
Another easy way to protect your motorcycle is to simply check on it every once in a while, especially if you’re in an unfamiliar area. Poke your head out the window, take a walk to the parking lot, or whatever else is easiest for you. This won’t strictly deter thieves, but it might cut down your window of time in which the crime occurred.
With the right prep, you can keep your motorcycle securely in your possession and keep the good times rolling for years to come. But first, you need the bike! If you’re still looking for the right model, stop by Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson and let one of our experienced staff give you the complete tour of motorcycles for sale. We proudly serve Corvallis, Portland, Medford, and Salem, Oregon.