I'm wondering what types of things you do to keep your bikes secured while your out and about or if you even worry about it. I was cutting through the college area in Denton a week or two ago and saw an older Sportster with the keys hanging in it. I thought to myself that's either a bait bike or who ever owns it doesn't care if it gets ridden off by someone else. I got a padlock for the neck but wouldn't wanna put it on just to run in a store. I was thinking about maybe adding a switch or something under the tank or somewhere.

 

I lock the ignition. Yes, I know the ignition switch can easily be broken with a pair of pliers. It will slow a thief down at least or arouse suspicion if somebody sees them. I also flip the kill switch to off since thieves are usually stupid.

Neither measure really prevents anything. I just don't worry about it. I used to not park in high crime areas, but these days, my city is being overrun with criminal activity, so a safe spot is no longer an option other than if possible, a well lit spot. At a store, restaurant, etc. I try to park near the door or windows in the hope that someone will see suspicious activity or thieves would be discouraged by high probability of being seen.

I have never had a bike stolen or tipped over in all my years of riding.

Now that I posted that, I will probably walk into my garage and find my bike gone.

 

If they want it they are going to take it period. They sell GPS devices you can install. Buy here pay here car lots use them but you could use it on the bike. You could locate the bike yourself in seconds if needed. Not LoJack that just lets the cops triangulate the location it's bullshit and doesn't even work everywhere. GPS will resolve your problem if you're concerned enough to install it

 

I have a 'switch' on Hyacinth - it's called a security system, which sounds an alarm and isolates the critical circuits, when tripped. Comes with a remote control for disarming. Simples - although not cheap.

 

Good insurance with bike replacement rider. Like kp877 says "if they want it, they will get it".

OTOH: When out on a trip, usually ask the hotel clerk to allow me to park near the entrance and if they would mind keeping an "eye" on it for me. Have never been turned down. At one motel they allowed us to bring our bikes into the lobby over nite. (Jackson, Ms)

Will chain the bikes together so "if you steal one you have to steal both". That is of course on an over nite location.

Otherwise just take key to make insurance active.

 

The problem with insurance is they think these old bikes are worth next to nothing.

 

That sounds like blind faith! No certainty that it will work. It is some years ago, but friends went to a British race circuit for a big bike meeting and chained their three bikes together. They were all stolen.......

 

I rarely ever take the key out of my ignition, haven't for many years....I don't lock the forks, put a chain on it, lock the calipers or use an alarm system..
I leave my helmet on the seat and my gloves tucked between the dash and the risers.

I have never had a problem with anything being stolen....If it ever happens, (it won't) I have insurance.

 

Chains don't work because you can cut them off with a battery angle grinder in seconds. Smaller ones you can twist and snap with crow bars and as heavy as they are four guys and two heavy pipes can pick up and walk away with your bike. GPS is the answer if you want it back. Insurance will give you nothing. If you can find it before it's stripped or wrecked it's yours. If not its on eBay and one of us here might have a part from it unknowingly! If it's reported stolen and you know it's location you can call the cops or just take it back.

 

i have a rotor lock just to not make it easy.....at a bike event I try to park next to a nicer more expensive bike so mine isn't as desirable. Right now touring bikes are the rage so I feel my older less in demand bike isn't really a target unless you make it an easy target.