Here’s a few tips from the London Met…
Security for your bike is not just about chains, locks or electronics.
Park in a public area
You should choose a designated parking space, rather than street parking if possible. A good way to find safe motorcycle parking is to use ParkSafe.
It lets you search for car parks around your location that have been awarded a Park Mark. A Park Mark is given car parks that have low crime and measures in place to make sure vehicles parked there are safe.
But, if there’s no designated parking nearby, you should try areas with lots of people, good lighting, and CCTV. Thieves are less likely to target motorcycles that are in public places, where they might be recorded.
Use a lock and an alarm
You should always use more than one lock when leaving your motorcycle somewhere. And, you should use disc locks and chain locks as these are fitted tight to the bike and through difficult-to-remove parts. You should also try to make sure the lock is up off the ground – it makes it harder for thieves to cut away.
Another tip to remember is to check if your lock is insurance approved. Some companies will offer discounts on your insurance if you use approved locks or security devices. So, you should always ask before you buy your insurance.
Another way to keep your bike safe is using alarms. If your bike is targeted, a loud alarm will draw unwanted attention to thieves and could help stop them stealing your bike.
Think about how long you’ll be leaving your motorcycle
When you park your motorcycle, you should think about long you’ll be leaving it. If it’s for a long time or overnight, you should lock it to something secure and use a motorbike cover, as well as the normal disc and chain locks.
If you leave your bike at home, you should use ground anchors to secure your bike.
Mark your motorcycle
Marking your bike parts with the vehicle identification number (VIN) number, your postcode, or registration number is a good way to keep your bike safe. If your bike is stolen, it’s a lot easier to trace back to you if you can give the police any marking numbers on your bike.
Some new bikes now come with DataTag Security marking as standard. If yours doesn’t it’s well worth having it fitted.
Remember also to check your insurance for any exceptions – such as having to park your bike in your garage when you are home.
As they say – Lock it or lose it !