Tips to prevent motorcycle theft

A recent report found one motorcycle is stolen every 12 minutes in the U.S.* Of those bikes, just 42 percent are recovered.

What can you do to help keep your motorcycle in your possession? Plenty.

In addition to having quality motorcycle insurance coverage, follow the strategies below to help prevent your ride from becoming a statistic:

• Store in a secure facility: At home, park your motorcycle in a locked garage, if possible. If thieves don’t see it, it’s not an easy target. If you need to park outside, cover your motorcycle with a plain cloth or tarp, not a cover with a cycle logo emblazoned on it—you’re just advertising to thieves what’s hidden beneath.
• Pick your spots: When leaving your bike in a parking lot, select the safest spot. Park near a security camera or where you can easily see your motorcycle from a window or door. At night, park in a well-lit area of the lot.
• Take your key with you: Always remove your key from the ignition, no matter how soon you’ll return to your motorcycle. It takes a thief less than 60 seconds to ride off with your bike if you leave the key in it.
• Keep it locked up: Consider locking your motorcycle to a secure, stationary object.
• Use steering locks: These locks make maneuvering a motorcycle difficult, so thieves are less likely to target your bike.
• Tag and shoot: Uniquely mark your motorcycle, and then photograph your ride. If the bike is stolen, you’ll have identifying evidence that might help in getting it back.
• Install an alarm: An alarm going off will likely deter most thieves from taking your motorcycle. Plus, the sound lets you know something is wrong and calls others’ attention to your bike.

We offer plenty of other motorcycle safety tips in our On the Road blog. Stay safe and enjoy the ride.

*Based on April 2018, Data Analytics Forecast Report by National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).