It’s 11PM – Do You Know Where Your Bike Is?

Riding a motorcycle is all about managing risk. But what happens when you park your bike, especially overnight at a hotel? How can you manage the risk of motorcycle theft while you’re asleep?

Back in the good old days, I used to stay at roadside motels where I could pull my bike up on the sidewalk directly outside my window and keep one ear peeled for any bike rustlers. Some guys I knew even rode their beloved choppers into their rooms. I had a cousin who claimed that he once rebuilt his Harley’s transmission in a motel bathtub during a cross-country trip. Now that I’m staying in nicer places, I’ve had to develop other, more socially acceptable strategies to protect my Sportster.

1. Be Seen!

The best defense for your motorcycle is visibility. If the hotel you’ve chosen doesn’t have indoor or secure parking, talk with the concierge or desk clerk when you check in and discuss your concerns. Ask if you can park your motorcycle in clear view of the front entry. Make clear that you’re not asking them to take responsibility for your bike— they won’t, nor should they —but that a visible parking space in a high-traffic area will help you to sleep more soundly.

READ MORE: 10 Common Motorcycle Accidents And How To Avoid Them | RideApart

Photo via: <a href=

2. Sound the Alarm!

A motorcycle alarm can be a good investment, and may actually save you some money on your insurance. A good alarm will come with perimeter and motion sensors and paging system to alert you if your bike is approached or moved. Find some great options here, Via eBay's Top 10 Motorcycle Alarms.

READ MORE: Xena XX15 Disc Lock Alarm and Chain Adaptor — Review | RideApart

Xena XX15 Disc Lock Alarm and Chain Adaptor

3. Diversify Your Locks

I always carry a couple of locks and cables with me when I travel, and I lock my bike to a large stationary object — like a light pole —every time I park overnight. Kryptonite makes some great armored cables and the New York FAHGETTABOUDIT Chain (starting at $100.85) that will deter opportunistic criminals looking for a quick “roll-off” theft.

READ MORE: 10 Things They Never Tell You About Becoming A Biker | RideApart

4. Rock the Veil

I also always carry a bike cover to make my bike a little less attractive to passers-by. I’ve discovered that the compact, stretchy covers from Geza Gear do the job, and pack down into a tiny pouch to keep me traveling light.

Via user: U235Power on <a href=

5. The Tech Option

When all else fails, LoJack now makes a motorcycle-specific theft recovery unit ($595 plus installation). They also make a combination alarm/theft recovery product called “LoJack Early Warning” ($695 plus installation) that will page, call and email you instantly if your bike is started or moved. Hopefully it won’t come to that, but if it does, it’s nice to know that you might have some chance of seeing your bike again.

Cover image via: http://www.bcsportbikes.com/forum/showthread.php/121009-Motorcycle-anti-theft-devices.

Jason Fogelson is an Editor-At-Large for RideApart. His latest book, “100 Things for Every Gearhead to Do Before They Die,” came out on June 1, 2015. It is available now at http://BooksForGearheads.com.

Learn more about Jason and the rest of RideApart's excellent staff here: The RideApart Team

 

 


5 Ways to Protect Against Motorcycle Theft While Traveling
Follow RideApart on Facebook and Twitter, along with @RideApart on Instagram.

Top comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
Comment!
Got a tip for us? Email: tips@rideapart.com