This week on EV Rider we’re taking a look at how to keep your motorcycle safe from the idiots looking to steal it.
Unfortunately, I occasionally see stories on social media about motorcycles being stolen here in Jacksonville and across the nation.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says thieves can steal a motorcycle in a matter of seconds so the key is to make it less appealing.
Here in Jacksonville, most thefts occur at apartment complexes and residential driveways during overnight hours, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
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The good news is it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to lower the odds of your motorcycle being targeted.
First, let’s start with the obvious. Never leave your key in the bike and use your fork lock. If you’re lucky enough to have a garage, use it. Don’t get lazy figuring it will never happen to you.
Next, consider a few inexpensive security measures to deter would-be thieves.
When I started going on overnight trips, I bought a motorcycle brake lock.
It’s made of CNC aluminum and uses your bike’s front disc brake lever to keep a thief from rolling it off somewhere.
The one I bought cost $35 dollars at the time of this video’s posting.
For electric motorcyclists like myself, it has the added benefit of keeping the bike from rolling on hills, since EVs don’t have gears to hold them in place.
Related: More motorcycle coverage
Next, think about an alarm system. Unlike the old days, modern motorcycle alarms are cheap and super easy to install.
The one I have cost $18. It comes with a wireless waterproof vibration motion sensor.
You’ll want to install it somewhere on your bike that a thief can’t easily get to. In my case, I placed it under my seat, which is locked.
It includes a remote that allows you to easily arm or disarm it and is battery powered. The batteries last months at a time with no wiring needed.
Another popular security measure many motorcyclists use are disc brake locks, many of which also come with alarms. They lock onto your bike’s brake rotor to prevent it from being moved and come with a brightly colored reminder cable.
If you decide to use a disc brake lock be sure to use the cable that came with it so you don’t accidentally forget to remove the lock and end up damaging your bike and potentially hurting yourself.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office offers these additional motorcycle theft prevention tips:
• Block the motorcycle in with cars.
• Use a high-quality lock cable or chain strung through the wheels or frame and secure it to a fixed object like a light post or another motorcycle.
• Lock multiple motorcycles together.
• Install a GPS tracking device in a hidden location so police can quickly locate a stolen bike.
• Take pictures to help police track it down in the event it is stolen.
• Carry your bike’s registration and insurance card with you, rather than leaving them with the bike.
• Cover your motorcycle to conceal it from “drive-by hunters” looking to steal a specific model.
And, don’t forget to remove or put away things like smartphone mounts, navigation units or jackets.
While nothing is full-proof, if you take at least a few of the steps on this list your odds of becoming a victim will be reduced.
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