Target Denied – Bike Security Advice

Motorcycle theft is an ever-growing problem across Australia.

Whether you ride a dirt bike, road bike, tourer, cruiser or learner machine, your pride and joy is always a vulnerable target. Easy to roll away and often worth thousands in parts alone, motorcycles remain an easy score for thieves. Unlike modern cars, many bikes lack factory immobilisers or alarms, and even with chains or locks, a determined crew can lift one into a van in no time. Once stolen, recovery rates are low, especially for competition bikes with no registration, which makes prevention essential on your part.

BE ALERT

Thieves strike in many ways. Bikes vanish from trailers and utes parked in driveways or hotel carparks, from sheds and garages without heavy-duty locks, or from roadside stops on trips. Social media posts that reveal your suburb or garage photos can set you up as a target, and fake buyers posing as customers often scope out homes before returning later to steal. Some riders have even been followed home from a ride and hit overnight.

In most cases, theft is not random, it is planned, and the thief has already seen your bike. The golden rule of motorcycle security is simple: be vigilant, all of the time. Reducing risk means being discreet and consistent. Do not wash, tune or leave your bike where it is visible from the street, and keep garage doors closed. Avoid leaving trailers out front, and if you think you are being followed, circle the block before pulling in.

STAY VIGILANT

Think twice before posting, because criminals scroll the same feeds you do, and do not share images that reveal number plates, houses or driveways. When selling, always meet buyers in public and avoid giving out your home address. Teach kids not to talk about your bikes at school and remind friends to be careful with what they share online as well.

A barking dog is still one of the best deterrents, and proper locks are essential. Anchor your bike inside the shed with a heavy-duty chain, add a disc lock or alarmed padlock, and secure trailers at the drawbar and wheels. Never leave a bike on an open trailer overnight. Enclosed trailers are safer, but even then, park the door against walls or poles and use multiple locks.

TRUST TECHNOLOGY

Technology is also useful, from GPS trackers and motion alarms to dummy cameras or warning signs. Microdot systems such as DataDot can improve the odds of recovery. Keep clear photos of your bike, VIN and engine numbers, and store receipts and paperwork safely. If locks or latches show signs of tampering, treat it as a warning, not an accident. Get onto it.

BE SMART

Every motorcycle is a potential target, from minibikes to million-dollar classics. Some bikes are harder to trace than others and stolen machines are quickly stripped, hidden interstate or moved overseas – once gone, the chance of recovery is slim. That is why vigilance matters. Be private, be smart and be cautious because someone is always looking for an easy target.

Words: Jeff Ware