Great video, as always! 😊 While doing NC500 we stayed in Thurso. No secure parking. Had to park behind the church. We put everything we had on the bikes, even bicycle cables!! Tied them to a lamp post then to each other and took photos. Didn't sleep too well, but it was OK. Your advice is very welcome, thanks again!
We have heard the insurance company wont start a claim for 4 weeks because they are hoping it will be found and returned to you so they dont have to pay out... Once again, you lose
Multiple locks guys. The chancers will pick an alternative target. If possible chain the lock to an immovable object. Great informative video well presented. 👏👍
Another good episode. I no longer tell air bnb I'm on a bike as these are strangers. The guy who lost his gs, it's almost like they were expecting him.
I think he would have been seen and heard pulling into the busy residential area and car park and immediately loads of people knew he was there and would have been watching them when they left the bike unattended with no locks. This is why we check Google maps and see if the parking is ok
True, but they're not caught in the first place. A big deterrent for any crime is the chance of getting arrested. They don't bother to investigate properly, crime number, and they see it as Job done.
I always travel alone, after I parked my bike I take a picture of my bike with the locks so I have something to show the insurance if needed. I hope I never have too. Thanks for the video ✌️
Thoughtful video. I’ve heard on social media that thieves are now overcoming disk/steering locks very quickly using an old sheet or similar. They thread it through the wheel, use it to lift the bike, then wheel into the back of a van. Quicker than a cutting disk. Locks on both wheels and anchored (if possible) more of a deterrent.
Yes this is why its so important to anchor the bike to something. trying to lift a bike attached to another heavy thing is very difficult without allot of man power
Good video both and food for thought. My boy had his GS stolen last year - steering lock snapped. The thieves dropped it and ran when a police car came round the corner. Caused a fair amount of damage which was repaired by the insurance company - but only just, it was almost written off. As he'd had it from new it would have been really upsetting. One thought though is that I find it really difficult to find dedicated bike bays in supermarket car parks, and certainly with anchor points. Even in town centres they are rare.
Hey guys, you're unfortunately so right about this subject of motorcycle steeling... Thieves usually go organized out there, usually hunting based upon a list of bikes which are ordered elsewhere across the globe. They are like hawks seeing everything going anywhere, even you and your bike and what your habits are, security wise spoken. And how and where and when you park your bike and which security measurements you take to stay owner of this bike. They usually have several of the same bikes marked, and so the first one who is about to skip any security measurements is the one they're going to pick up with their specially prepared van, which usually is equipped with a lift for easy loading of a fully locked bike. Ground anchors may discourage local non-professional thieves, but the real criminal organizations, stealing bikes for a living, they are not impressed by any ground anchor at all. Ground anchors, chains and other metal security measures can be made so extremely cold and therefor brittle in a short time with nitrogen freezing that after freezing, only a good blow with a hammer will shatter the strongest metal. These professionals are therefore not easily impressed by metal locks, chains and ground anchors. Pneumatic metal shears, often used by the fire brigade to free people from a car wreck, and other heavy industrial equipment such as metal cutters in any form (for example gas or plasma) and even water cutters that easily cut through the toughest material, are also part of the possible arsenal of these criminal gangs. If your motorcycle is on the list, it will be taken to the location where it will be completely dismantled for parts or reassembled in some other way that is unrecognizable. Theft of motorcycles often takes place on a large scale by professional criminal organizations.
Rich & Ewa. Great video as ever! Funnily enough I too watched the video you referred to where the guy had his bike stolen on the 1st day of his tour. I was truly gutted for both him and his son. It really made me think hard about security for a trip to Scotland I made a few weeks later! I always use an alarmed disc lock and the steering lock (although I appreciate the latter is largely useless). For the Scotland trip I spent days agonising over my choice of hotels to make sure they had “secure parking” and discounted all Travel Lodges, Premier Inns or other similar places as they’re usual located on main roads or near McDonalds, KFC’s, and Pizza Hits which are likely to attract characters as unsavoury as the local food outlets! It often meant my hotels were off the beaten track and more expensive than I would have liked…..BUT….this meant my holiday experience was greatly enhanced having had a great night knowing (as far as possible) I’d had a great room, great breakfast and having a bike to ride in the morning! Priceless…!! PS……If my bike ever does go for a walk I’d really not want it back after some sticky fingered f*ckwit had touched it!
Hi Guy's, great video as always. One thing I do when going into London on my bike is to take my old bike cover that is a bit beaten up and very dirty, as this was some advise i was given years ago. The logic is that firstly the thieves cannot see what underneath when cruising around, and secondly most riders with nice bikes have nice new clean covers, whereas bikes less desirable to steal are under dirty old covers. I have known bikes to be taken from where i have parked that are older and lower spec than mine, but were not covered or where but nice new covers so stood out in the crowd, so far has always worked for me, as London is a dump so make the bike blend in and don't draw attention to it.
Hi, great tips thank you One thing I do is to put the bike on the centre stand and run the chain or python lock through the stand and front wheel as tight as you can.This will stop anyone rolling the bike forward as the centre stand won’t move. Also locks the front wheel at an angle. I then add the disc lock front and rear. And finally locked to a fence, lamp post or other bike. Very easy to do and you only need one quality chain. And cheaper locks. . That’s my car park or over night at a camp site method.
The problem with the centre stand chain is that it pulls your chain tight and close to the ground making it easy to cut through. The other downside is its likely the Thief will try to pull the bike off the stand, Drop the bike and leave you with the bill... Its so difficult because we end up in a lose lose situation no matter what we do
I have several locks on my bikes ! Plus Oxford ground anchors, both are covered with Oxford covers ! And my cctv is on them at all times! Also the car is backed up to the bike, making it all but impossible to get around the bikes 👍🏼 You can never have enough security in my opinion 🤔 one of my Harley’s means the world to me, as my best mate past away on St George’s day this year and left his bike to me!!!!! This has got so much sentimental value to me that I would want it back if stolen!! But I can honestly say that if I heard anything outside ! I would be out there asap crow bar in hand regardless of outcome !!!! But that’s me! Short fuse so to speak 👍🏼 I now mainly travel alone, and will not stay anywhere unless the bike I’m riding is in sight , or at least within hearing distance of where I’m sleeping. Thanks Ewa & Rich for another informative vid , as bikers we must all look out for each other and prevent the scum from taking our pride and joys 👍🏼
Great informative video. We have 4 bikes in the family. All stored in one garage. All are chained together through ground anchors. The up and over door has a additional ground anchor securing the door from being forced. On tours I carry both disk locks and chains.. If with friends chain them together.. I personally don't use steering lock.. For the reasons you outlined. Trackers. I went on a security bike event organised by the police.. Trackers can be useful, but there is no guarantee the police would attend.. It would be deemed as low priority.. So I have never bothered tbh. Bike parking at hotels including Travel Lodge etc. Obviously secure car parks are better.. But tbf I have always found staff helpful.. Solutions always been found. For example at Travel Lodge Dover they let us chain our bikes to the cycle stand, and the overnight staff kept a eye on the area through CCTV.
Two wheeled dreamer was the rider you mentioned. Had his GS pinched from Reims. Many of us donated to help him as you always end up out of pocket despite being the victim. He's back on a GS again. I use a screamer disc lock and another disc lock plus a chain or cable. I have a tracker as well. I have a camo cover as well just to take the eye away. Really wouldn't feel safe leaving the bike out overnight in the UK. Tend to stay in hotels in Europe that have gated car parks and tuck the bikes out of view from the road or passing traffic. You can steal any bike given time so make it as hard as possible for them.
Great video guys. Some good advice/recommendations. Have shared it with fellow biker friends. As much as I love my bike, I wouldn't want it back if stolen, as I would always be worried that they had caused some, initially, unseen damage.
Great advise guys and a real problem. I have an alarmed garage at the bottom of the garden, but always have alarmed disc locks and the bikes chained to anchors on the floor. I still think that a determined thief will have a go, but the more you can delay the @@@@@@@@ the better. I still feel a bit nervous when touring though, even with the alarmed disc lock- and having seen a GS go missing recently in France on another channel, it’s made me rethink security again.
Yes, its difficult when touring, you have to choose your Hotel wisely, Country Air BNB's etc is the way to go and stay out of towns and cities especially at night
Yep, it can suck the joy out of motorcycling. I use my bike to visit wildlife reserves, I leave the bike (locked and alarmed), helmets, jackets/trousers and head off sometimes for many hours. I'm always happy when I see the bike still there on my return! BTW my car has been broken into twice at reserves but so far the bike has been left alone. I've had thefts from my bike or attempted bike thefts but so far every time it's been in urban areas. (B'ham, Lisbon, Long Eaton) and it's been going on for years. First theft was in the late 70's... it seems nothing new to me, just social media that makes it seem everywhere (I believe).
I’ve heard that they have wooden trays with casters, put them under each wheel and push away if the bike is not anchored. I used to have a very expensive Italian bike which gave me concerns, but now run 2 bikes worth about 5k each, not such a big worry or target. I use a tracker and an air tag on each bike, they find one, but don’t realise it’s got a back up. Brilliant idea about chaining bikes together in the garage.
Rich like you, I layer my bike up with an oxford alarm disc lock, a lite lock chain, it's alarmed, and an Oxford alarm D lock. Additionally, I have fitted a monimoto 9 tracker. Not so much to track the bike but more as an alarm to my phone. If the fob is more than 20 meters from the bike and the bike moves just 1 meter, it rings me phone with a super load alarm call immediately. It does my wife's head in because if I leave my phone in the house and the fob but move my bike out of the garage to clean or prep to go out my phone makes the most annoying alarm call I can have on it. I agree, though, if my bike got stolen, I would not want it back. Keep up all the great and varied videos coming your both brill. Love you bye😂😂😂
I use a tracker monimoto 7 really good. Just over £100 to buy only £36 annual subscription works brilliantly you only have to move the bike off the side stand and it alerts you with a phone call rather than a notification that you might ignore initially but a phone call you always answer. Battery powered so very hard to find no wires so thieves can trace to disconnect from main power.
The thing about the tracker is who is tracking it? do you go after it yourself? Or do you trust the police to go after it? Do you want your bike back once its been stolen anyway? Im on the fence on the trackers
I was given a good tip regarding a heavy chain, try and keep it so it can't be put on the ground so it can be easily cut with an angle grinder, if it's in the air it's harder to get a purchase with the blade
20 years ago I stayed at a French motel La Saucisse volante. I thought they were being over the top when they said to park the bike at the back door to the kitchens where there would be staff all night. Now closed but they treated us like royalty on le Arley.
I have no confidence in the police doing anything in the event of my bike being stolen. About 6 years ago I bought a 125 scooter to use for work, saving my 1100 cruiser for fun rides. In 12 months there was 3 theft attempts made on it. It had the steering lock on and a disc lock, which prevented the theft on 2 of the attempts. On the 3rd attempt, I was drop kicked off the bike at a set of traffic lights and attacked. Luckily, I have many years of martial arts training behind me and I was able to defend myself. When it came to continuing the fight or letting the two thieves take the scooter, I let it go. The police text me a crime number and phoned me 3 days later to suggest that I take a walk down the road that I had been attacked on, to see if there was cctv on it. I politely suggested that,as the police, shouldn't they do that, as I wasn't going to. 3 years later the police sent me a letter to say that the scooter had been found abandoned and was at a garage. So for 3 years, a stolen bike had been ridden around the city, with no tax or insurance and they only found it when it was left at the side of the road?! I told them that it was nothing to do with me and gave them the details of the insurance company. My current bike is kept in a garage, with shackle lock, chain and the steering lock. And I haven't been down that particular road since!
At home I put my gsa front and rear paddock stands and lock the wheels to the paddock stands also 2 alarm disc licks front and rear. If they want it they will take it. I’ve spot of blue keys. 😂 keep up the good work. ❤
Really pleased to see your subs going up you really deserve it after all the effort you both put in , you need to try the burger at Bridge it’s spanking. Great advice as always and come on how about some of Ewa’s cooking lessons. Thanks guys
one more thing: I don't live in London but in small city around it, and once I had a ride with guy from London - wherever we stopped he always put eveything (locks) on the bike - even for 3min stop - while me, I never even took the phone from the bike - so it seems Londoners have... different experience ;-)
Best way to prevent your bike getting nicked is to use the chain and disc locks you mention and park next to a nice bike that doesn’t have any extra security. Once you’ve been targeted though it’s all over, if you hear your alarm and confront the scrotes then you’re faced with a criminal waving an angle grinder at you. And as you say if they’ve broken your steering lock they have potentially caused terminal damage, but if your insurers discover you didn’t use the steering lock then you have a battle in your hands. And if you make a claim then you’ve got a nasty shock in store when you renew.
Interesting about the Cat N thing. I upped my security with one of these new angle grinder resistant locks after an attempt. Carrying a big chain around to lock it to something is a problem though.
I keep my bike out in the street, chained to a lamp post with a 2 metre Oxford Beast chain secured with a Litelock through the rear wheel. I also use a cover secured with another D lock through the front wheel and the steering lock is on. One of my neighbours reported to me that he saw four guys turn up on petrol scooters, at 2am in the morning, who tried to steal it. Two of the guys blocked the road off while the other two ripped the cover off and discovered the litelock then gave up. I've never had a problem since, but I'm wary that they might be lurking around the local area and see me coming home late at night!
Absolutely I had my motorcycle stolen from my garage in 2009 and it destroyed me I was so angry and I said never again!! I buy the very best locks and alarms 🚨
I went touring and was on my way home and stopped in to Andorra for a night in a hotel , I had a Baglux bagster tank bag, that I took in to the hotel overnight with the rest of my luggage. When I returned in the morning to mount the luggage, I noticed that they had stolen the Baglux bagster tank cover that holds the bag to the bike 😢. So I reported it to the police and handed over my tank bag to my friend to put on his bike for me to get back to the UK.
Yes it Blew my mind when i saw Electric Mountain bikes just left outside Hotels at night or cafes etc... In the uk the feeling is its almost your own fault if you left it unsecured... Of course it got stolen... very sad
Sadly when you are in uk Spain France Italy you have to always assume everyone wants your motorbike! Netherlands are great people don’t lock pushbikes even, uk is a different story
I have just come back from a big European tour !, Just before I went I purchased the Litelok X3 !, Found it to be very convenient!, Stores away great in its Neoprene pouch!, And on the Gs it goes through the centre of the front wheel hub making it difficult to angle grind off!, the thief has always got the option of picking it up and putting it in a van !, But as you say!, If they want it!, They will take it!, It is common practice in London for Range Rovers to be stolen!, So what chance does a bike have??, Great vid as usual!.🏴
I use 'pacsafe' wire protection over the camping gear and one larger bag over the topbox and tent on rear seat. Large motorcycle chains through rear wheel, up over the seat. When camping I thread these chains through the leg or arm of my motorcycle gear - IF they steal my bike the loss of coat and leggings are the least of my problems, at least I will not need to carry them home! Like you I also have a bike cover but will never use a front disk lock (YEP _ Torquay seafront - left the lock in place and dropped my Kawasaki ZRX1200 - gave the lock away!) Crash helmet also chained through under the bike cover.
At work the landlords told us we couldnt park motorbikes where we'd been parking for 5 years, so I spoke to them and got an agreement to park round the side of the building (where there are "no public" signs). 2 hours later scrotes were spotted on camera messing with the bikes.....my mate had his steering lock snapped and an attempt to push the ingition barrel out....my CT Dct had the disc lock picked but they couldnt move it because I always put the handbrake on and even professional mechanics dont seem to know where it is😸🏍️💨💨💨💨
13:40 We are so lucky in center of Canada. No issues. I was in Thunder bay , Ontario at hotel , parked with visual site of the bike, made me uneasy, used the steering lock for the first time. I have a 2019 triumph tiger 1200 xrt. Luv your vids guys . My Nana and granddad lived in exerter fyl.
Never knew about the bike being cat N if recovered so quick! Not worth putting the tracker the bike at all unless it has some personal value like you said.
Its a difficult one, Although its great to know where your bike is at all times, there have been plenty of cases when bikes are reported stolen and locations of trackers provided but the Police do not arrive to recover the bike.... So do you go to do it yourself? How does this end?
If they recover the bike then it goes to the impound yard and you will have to pay them for the recovery and storage, so as long as you know we're the machine is, they tend to let you collect it yourself, @@ontheroadadventure
Spot on, basically, you're trying to make your bike less attractive than the one it's parked next to. I've just purchased a litelock x1 as according to reviews, it takes longer than average to cut off, and it goes over the rim. Oh, and I've done the ride off with the disc lock on very embarrassing.
It was 2 wheel dreamer who had it nicked in Reims, yes it was the first day of a trip with his son. My bike is never left without my alarm disc lock on, even if I'm parking it up in Matlock. I think the biggest theft deterrent is having a VFR1200 😆 we have parked our bikes quite a distance from where we stayed in Europe with no issues. There was a record done at the Triumph headquarters for most women riders and loads got stolen the night before from hotels in the area 😮
Disc lock, its worth putting it below the brake calliper, so if you do move off with it still on, you stop before the lock has had a chance to build up speed and smack into the calliper, hopefully no damage. A also ditto below, take a photo, but also in the shed with all the locks and chains, before you leave it.
I'm lucky as I have a garage to keep my bike in, but when I'm out with it touring, I use the same as you, disc locks and chains. My mate who is a DVSA bike examiner had his BMW 1250 in DVSA colours nicked from outside his home. He just left it on his drive for a short time and the basterds lifted it. I'm with you all the way. It would break my heart if my bike was ever stolen. I love it.
Was your mates bike Covered? Usually if the bike is within half a mile of home and is not in its garage locked up then the insurance say you broke your terms and it is now not covered
The DVSA took care of it as it belongs to them. The insurance is through them. He was given 3 days ago a brand new 74 reg BMW 1300 GS. The stolen bike is now a right off. All the insurance is covered by the DVSA.
I'm very cautious about keeping my bike out of sight if it's on the drive, out of the garage, I try to minimise the time. Recently did a good wash, dry and xcp treatment which was a couple of hours. I was uneasy that it was bin day and that 4 or 5 random geezers would be able to spot a nice bike outside the garage. I'm too easy going when parking for 20 minutes in Tesco carpark, my area is not particularly hot for bike thieves (south Lincolnshire.) I must add an alarmed disc lock to my current Leat disc lock that had no functioning alarm after 6 months use in a dry garage.
We can honestly recommend the Oxford Boss alarm, you can find tests and reviews online. Always assume bike thief's are everywhere, Always Lock your bike. You will have peace of mind
I bought a pop up gazebo for bike washing and DIY fettling on the drive. It keeps the bike out of sight and I can work in the dry too. Quick and easy to set up and put away. Easily worth the 150 it cost.
if you can make sure that insurance will pay when the bike was stolen, the insurance is the best protection - for exactly all the reasons you mentioned: recovered bike is never the same anymore. One more thing you did not mention is immobilisers to prevent your bike when stolen to be used ever - starting the bike with proper, custom immobiliser can be even impossible for the thiefs
Firstly out of sight and out of mind. Especially if you have a bike that grabs the eye. Get it put away, don’t leave it on your driveway. Be wary of bike meets as not all the people that go are decent, some are drawing up,shopping lists. If you have a highly desirable or very valuable bike and you park it unattended, then take the time to check nobody has put a tracker on it before you ride it home. Don’t ever leave locks and chains unattended, as some thieves come along in the day time and cut links in the chain under the sleeve and cable tie the ends together for a silent theft later on. The more awkward and time consuming you make it for the thieves the safer your bike should be: Disc locks, ground anchors, chains, garage door barriers like the “Guardsman”. CCTV systems, garage alarms and security lights. Some of those things are quite inexpensive, but may put off a prospective thief. However there is one thing we can all do to reduce the number of professional thieves: say you are unlucky enough to drop your bike and need a new piece of fairing, so you go online and the general secondhand price is say £300, but there’s one guy selling an absolutely mint one for £100. Take the time to ask yourself, “Is this guy a genuine seller, or am I now going to fuel bike theft by purchasing the too good to be true option.
(10:40) i take it you're not allowed to conceal carry, in the UK? (in our group of 4), we always park to the bikes in the center, and pitch our tents, around the outside, this way, we don't shoot each other during the night. at least two people have copies, of one lock at all times.
I have a datatool tracker on my bike, just have to move the bike slightly without the key handy and they call me. Bit of a pain moving the bike around the garage when I don't have the key on me. The bike is also factory alarmed but tends to run down the battery if left for a while. But ! It is a deterrent. Otherwise a siren disc lock with a bike cover , but is only a distraction if thieves want your bike.
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I own 3 cat N bikes all bought direct from the insurance companies, I prefer them, they are cheaper to buy and usually easy fixes. My Mt09 for example was a stolen recovered bike and it was immaculate apart from 3 ignition wires were cut, 10 minutes with a soldering iron and it was fixed.
i have a tracker / disc lock / chain and alarm on the bike. also a cover. i watched the 2 guys from youtube who both had their BMW GS nicked in Reims in France. They didn't even touch the sons Triumph 660. a motorbike is more than just a bike. it is your pride and joy and it is not cheap these days to buy anything motorcycle related. we must not leave the bike out of view with out it being locked up. a tip for those who buy a bike on PCP. ensure you have Gap insurance as well as the bike insurance. otherwise the insurance will pay the lender and you will be left out of pocket and no bike. Steve from 2 wheeled dreamer explained in his vlog that he was left out of pocket, but thankfully he has replaced the bike and his gear and is back up and running. when it happened it brough me to tears. i felt so sorry for him and he then had to make his way back tot he UK and leave his sone to ride back on his own. Well done guys good vlog
Thanks for the video. Comply with the conditions of your insurance company, take pictures when you park the bike somewhere to have evidence that you meet their requirements. Hopefully you'll get some money back. CCTV is nice, but thieves don't care as they cover their face. Brakediscs are cut (twice) under 10 seconds to have a disclock removed, a beefy chain within 15 seconds. The steering lock opens in less than a second. Half a minute with an angle grinder and the bike is gone. Thieves don't care about the noise, by the time people wake up by the noise and realize what's going on, the bike is gone. Litelocks / Hiplocks are cut open with hydraulic cutters which are normally in use by the firebrigade to save people out of a crashed car. These cutters get stolen from the fire stations. I'm afraid the only way to protect a bike from being stolen is to have it guarded by a well trained but very mean dog.
(1:24) baby girl, I' have owned 3 Goldwing's, already. 1984, 2007, & 2012, and maybe tomorrow, after a test ride, a 2025 Wing, without the trunk bag. I don't mind paying up to 24K, but, 27 to 32K is just too crazy, even for me.
Another great video thank you so much, as a newbie to the bike scene things like this info are so useful, having a car you take the security for granted with a bike it’s something we all need to bear in mind. Thank you for the info I’m off to have a look at home and out and about security. Incidentally as a lone single rider are there security devices that could be worth while for me ?
Theres so much of it on the market, basically the more you can fit the better. a range of types of locks is ideal, check out oxfords stuff, its good value
Find parking. Min two alarmed disc locks. One front and one rear. Tracker. Steering lock on as insurance will not pay out. MOST IMPORTANT Photograph all locks and where you are so you have evidence for your claim. Ultimately if they want it a team will lift it into van, just do your best.
Both my bikes have covers, an oxford disc lock on the front and an oxford chain/lock through the back wheel. I've just bought a Hiplock dx1000, a £300 lock that is one of the hardest on the market to cut through, but if they really want the bike they'll take it. Unfortunately the idea is to make them take the easier to steal bike next to yours... I think I'll order one of those alarmed disc locks too so for an extra level of security. I wouldn't have a tracker for the very reasons you mention, although i'd be really upset at the theft, I wouldn't want the bike back.
I think TMF has a large steel barrier (similar to a road barrier) fitted across the inside of his garage door. If he sees this he may give you the details.
I use the same Oxford disk alarm as you both use , plus always carry decent lock & chain to secure bike to something or mates bike even if only nipping to local supermarket for 5 mins . At home I lock all my bikes to ground & wall anchors & each other in garage with several heavy duty chains & locks plus disc alarm disk locks & covers . I always use the steering lock , even though they are crap ,as I think your insurance is void ,if you don’t use the bikes steering lock even if you used 20 locks & chains . I agree with you , I wouldn’t want my bike back if stolen ,as it’s likely to have been ragged through the gears, wheelied & abused . At the end of the day if they really want your bike they will get it if they are professional bike thieves . The opportunists & local scallies are more likely to choose a bike that’s not chained or the least secure . 👍
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They have devices to block the tracker signal now, all you can do it make it as much hassle as possible, if they want it they will take it no matter what. When I’m camping if the site won’t let me park next to my tent then I find a site that will.
I think we would move onto a new site too if we didn’t feel comfortable leaving the bike, we wouldn’t leave them on the road or at a public car park for example
Great video you pair. I hear the rear lock round the chain and sprocket and spokes is awkward too I've got a cheap screamer but will be getting a Boss soon. My heavy duty chain is anchored and another chain for securing the front wheel to engine bars. Another 3 locks. A vehicle always in front of a closed garage. You could always chain massive ladders to the bike(s) too! A camping tip I once read, use a camouflaged line from the bike to the tent so if it moves, your tent gets moved too! My tracker may never get 'renewed' on the next insurance if that's what can happen if it's recovered after theft. That's disgusting behaviour. Insurance is supposed to help you at the worst time yet that's hindering us. Terrible. I wouldn't want a new bike back after that happening. Keep em coming you pair.
(3:39) that guys video, there was a white van sitting in the parking lot, but he didn't go look. I made a comment on his video, about a guy standing on the roof across the street, when he pulled in and was unloading
Steve was the chap on two wheel dreamer had his taken first day on his trip with his son !!! Very good vid 👍 go to bridge a lot nice place for a coffee 👍
Hi great vid i had my AT stolen from outside the dealers where she was being MOT,d had her from new niver left her out of sight watched her go in for her test then she was put in a car park outside the shop 5 min later she was gone pushed away with a scooter after a few days like you guys dont realy then want her back she had been mine since new a great bike at home two ground anchors and a security bar so the garage door cannot be opened ride safe guys
We have seen this at our own local dealers. What did the insurance company say about it being left with no security at all? Did the Shops insurance pay out or you had to claim on your insurance?
@@ontheroadadventure hi thanks for your reply LVs first question was who was the last to ride her and who parked her and who had the keys when she was stolen and then within 3 weeks was paid out half what I paid for her 7 years ago but was current value but they said not liable no responsibilitie the mechanic and I covered all the local area just incase she was parked but no had 1 meeting with the shop just didn't seem that interested in the 6 months she's been done had only one call from the shop but many from the mechanic who I still class as a friend but on that day a friend with very poor judgment stay free guys
You guys should invest in a Litelok X, it's angle grinder resistant, takes about 5 batteries and half a dozen cutter disks to make a small amount of damage to the lock, not many thieves are intelligent enough to carry all that for a chancer theft. Check out one of Freddy Dobbs video's where someone tried to steal his Triumph and failed to cut the Litelok, it's about £300 but well worth the expense, still worth using chains and alarmed locks on top of that, then that will massively reduce the chance of someone taking your bike.
(18:00) no let the insurance company keep it, it's why I pay insurance. (Not just Bike Insurance) But, I always up my insurance for travel and visiting other counties. I always buy New. so, I know, it's track record.
thanks for video a monimoto tracker will call your phone when someone moves it. So might be a chance to catch them in the act, although as always are you going to approach someone (or a group) that is stealing your bike.
This is the problem, Who are we tracking it for... Will the Police help quick enough to recover the bike before the Tracker is discovered and removed? Do you go to recover it? It could end badly? Do you even want it back after its been reported stolen?
I carry an Oxford boss lock I use when out and about because it included a heavy chain that I use with my ground anchor at home. I also carry another type of Oxford chain when travelling. I think location has a lot to play into it as well. The shopping centre I use in Glasgow has motorcycle parking you can chain up to. when I was touring in Spain I did a mix of camping and hotels with the most secure I felt for the bike was when I booked into a motel that had individual garages attached to your room.
Just realised been unsubscribed by the TH-cam generator, yea just make your bike as awkward as possible, once went to the arctic circle many moons ago with two other guys came back via Netherlands hotel at night all three of us had new GPZ 900s came out in the morning mine had vanished, luckily pillion back to Blighty but what a sick feeling but we were on our way home, you cannot have too many locks to put the blighters off, thanks for vid take care Ted
What stops me from doing g more miles is not being able to buy GAP insurance. They'll steal the bike if they really want it, no matter what security measures are will place. My fear, an example, you buy a 15k bike, stolen and the insurance values it at say 10k, however, it's on finance you're then in debt. I got hit with this when I was younger. I'm fortunate to have a weekend toy whicu i own outright and I'm now looking for another everyday bike. If I can't find GAP, I won't be buying another bike.
Yes thats a real bad situation to find yourself in. Gap insurance is smart on a new bike. Id consider buying used in this scenario to eliminate that possibility
@ontheroadadventure Unfortunately no matter what bike you buy, even S/H you'll still be shot by the insurance when the give you an estimate on value Unfortunately.
If I am know I am going to leave it during the day for any length of time where I can’t keep an eye on it, I have a disk lock on the front and I have a litelok x1 on the back and a tracker. If I leave it overnight on holiday then I also put a cover on it as well.
Think if it was stoken say lifted into a van because of locks. And you track it before it's been used and abused. If it was used and abused I would not want it back especially if damaged. Chances are with monimoto as its so quick to alert you. The theft is stopped before its stolen that's how quick it works
Only if you are able to get to it quick enough and are willing to deal with the thief’s yourself in a way that doesn’t land you in jail whilst you’re at it…
I’m lucky for most of the time might have said this before. I live in one of the least populated areas of the country and I’m in a rural area. Bike thefts are very rare in fact I’ve not known one here ever but there might have been. There are no cities and only one big town although by southern standards it’s not big and it’s 15 miles away. The motorway is 50 miles away. Away from home I have a LITELOK X3 on the front and an X1 on the rear. We’re old now and camping is out so when we book accommodation I always check what the parking is like it has to be right before anything else. I tour on an RT now so alarmed locked either end and fixed to something with a chain or LITELOK cable lock thing if possible. Like you I don’t want my bike stolen in the first place and don’t want it back if it is. I watched a TH-camr last week had his bike stolen in Manchester they used a petrol concrete/stone cutter to get rid of the locks. He tracked it and went with the police to get it but the area was so dangerous armed police went. He said he only had third party insurance no fire & theft and the damage from the theft mainly breaking the steering lock came to over a thousand pounds.
I didn't renew my tracker subscription. I don't want my bike back. The beneficiaries are probably insurance companies if you get your bike back because they won't have a large payout, yet i recently renewed my insurance, and there was absolutely zero discount for trackers or security markings. If you don't use your steering lock, get ready for the insurance company to wriggle if the bike is recovered with it intact.
My CRF250 was stolen in Groningen after literally 1 month of being there, It was parked overnight in a basement car park for the apartment that I was living in (I was there for a year) and you needed a fob to open the roller shutter at the end of the car parking to get out. Go figure!?
I've got 6 locks a mixture of chains and a d-lock and alarm disc lock to 2 ground anchors my bike is kept outside as no shed still the little barstewards had a go. Now got doorbell camera on it 24/7.
Mate that really sucks, Have you looked to your local council to see if you can get a Garage or perhaps find another biker locally who you can rent a space in his garage?
@@ontheroadadventure there's nothing about as it's a row of terraced houses so I'm kinda stuffed and I need the bike everyday. Best bit is I was in bed directly above my bike heard nothing they moved the bike looked at the locks and decided it wasn't worth the effort and layed it over thankfully no damage done.
Battery powered angle grinders are the weapon of choice with bike thieves and goes through most locks like a hot knife through butter But motorcycle Sold secure diamond standard are real tough and are resistant to angle grinders and bolt cutters. I
I am like you and my bike is always in sight when I am out, at home it's in my rear yard with a large chain and padlock through a steel bar loop concreted into the ground, 4 security lights, large cover & an angle iron bar across the doorway padlocked on, 2 steps off the back lane with my ramps locked in the cellar. 2 Trackers in the frame. Well marked as Datataged. If you get your bike stollen the insurance will only pay you what they can get one same age on Ebay or Autotrader, not Full payment. My brother used to work at a Honda dealer and they were told by Insurance company to buy used parts before ordering new. I was hit from behind on the VFR my twin left me and I wouldn't go through the Insurance as I knew it would be a write off, luckily the guy payed me cash to get the new parts. I have had the AT in my tent, Wolfwalker same as Lonerider
Opportunity can be minimised. Reporting it stolen would be a necessary formality. Let's have that discussion about Police intelligence sometime, I don't have any personal experience of it.
Totally agree we lock our bikes up all the time we got the boss locks after your last video well worth the money also we both carry the litelok and chain up both back wheels together easier to carry on the bikes
I’ve got a Datatool stealth S5 tracker, and just found out that a lot of trackers run on the 2G mobile network - Switzerland have already turned off 2G and most of the EU are turning off 2G next year 2025! So if stolen while touring the 2G device will be useless!! S5 is one of those soon to be useless unless always in the UK
@@ontheroadadventure definitely, this is the response from Datatool when I questioned it - The unit requires a mobile network and GSM signal to relay information to our server. If there is no mobile signal in the area the unit will only update once back in an area of GSM. So anyone looking for a tracker just fire a question at the manufacturer to make sure it’s a 4G unit, otherwise find another
Take my advice: do not use steering locks because they can snap like a pencil and if you manage to get your bike back or they don’t actually take it, you won’t have the expense of getting it fixed. Getting the neck fixed is a lot of money
Im not sure insurance would pay out if you hadnt used the steering lock, especially if they can prove that. Also if the bike is stolen and brought back to me i want the damage to be as high as possible so as to have a total loss on the insurance. I dont want to own a stolen recovered cat N Bike
@@ontheroadadventure whether it is on or not it don’t make a difference. You can obviously tell the insurance you had it on lol however they snap like a pencil. To keep your back safe, you need a easyblock lock and litelok x3 or New York ‘fahgetaboutit’ D Lock on the back wheel and hiplok dx1000 and Oxford boss lock (for the loud alarm) on the front wheel and whatever chain you use. They will see that I’m not even bother.
Now, you didn't mention the Police's lack of iinterest in recovering your bike. This really is a sore subject. Hence with the tracker (or air tags as I use) allows you to get the bike back. Insurance - so in righting off your bike, would you be happy to pay 400% for your insurance next year. This happened to me and stopped me riding on the road for a few years due to the extortionate costs for insurance.
So I do understand about the bike then being a Cat N, its better than losing no claims / having higher insurance the next year for the loss of £21k bike, also having a lower pay out for my for my bike that it will cost me to get a replacement. You can sell Cat N, but agree its for less money. Also my insurance would have been over £600 more with out a tracker and the excess went up to compulsay £750. I had to have a tracker fitted by my insurance company and I'm a 51 year old with 6 years no claims do have a tracker, alarm, air tag, 4 locks, CCTV, electric metal door that slots into each other and cant be opened after 10pm, car parked in right front of the door less than 30 cm and no way to move the bike out of the garage without moving the cardand my dog
Great video, as always! 😊
While doing NC500 we stayed in Thurso. No secure parking. Had to park behind the church. We put everything we had on the bikes, even bicycle cables!! Tied them to a lamp post then to each other and took photos. Didn't sleep too well, but it was OK.
Your advice is very welcome, thanks again!
Great advice. I agree, if my bike is stolen I hope it’s either written off or never found. I definitely don’t want it back, I wouldn’t trust it.
We have heard the insurance company wont start a claim for 4 weeks because they are hoping it will be found and returned to you so they dont have to pay out... Once again, you lose
Multiple locks guys. The chancers will pick an alternative target. If possible chain the lock to an immovable object. Great informative video well presented. 👏👍
Another good episode. I no longer tell air bnb I'm on a bike as these are strangers. The guy who lost his gs, it's almost like they were expecting him.
I think he would have been seen and heard pulling into the busy residential area and car park and immediately loads of people knew he was there and would have been watching them when they left the bike unattended with no locks. This is why we check Google maps and see if the parking is ok
Those were my thoughts exactly
Thieves are not punished .
Not at all. Its so out of hand in the uk its beyond a joke
True, but they're not caught in the first place. A big deterrent for any crime is the chance of getting arrested. They don't bother to investigate properly, crime number, and they see it as Job done.
@@barrydaly7174 the plod are too busy looking for people saying mean things online
I always travel alone, after I parked my bike I take a picture of my bike with the locks so I have something to show the insurance if needed. I hope I never have too. Thanks for the video ✌️
Thats a good one, to prove to Insurance you had the locks fitted when left alone
Sad that has become your standard practice, but I understand 💯
Thoughtful video. I’ve heard on social media that thieves are now overcoming disk/steering locks very quickly using an old sheet or similar. They thread it through the wheel, use it to lift the bike, then wheel into the back of a van. Quicker than a cutting disk. Locks on both wheels and anchored (if possible) more of a deterrent.
Yes this is why its so important to anchor the bike to something. trying to lift a bike attached to another heavy thing is very difficult without allot of man power
Good video both and food for thought. My boy had his GS stolen last year - steering lock snapped. The thieves dropped it and ran when a police car came round the corner. Caused a fair amount of damage which was repaired by the insurance company - but only just, it was almost written off. As he'd had it from new it would have been really upsetting. One thought though is that I find it really difficult to find dedicated bike bays in supermarket car parks, and certainly with anchor points. Even in town centres they are rare.
Yeah it would be good to see more ground anchors at supermarkets and hotels etc
Hey guys, you're unfortunately so right about this subject of motorcycle steeling... Thieves usually go organized out there, usually hunting based upon a list of bikes which are ordered elsewhere across the globe. They are like hawks seeing everything going anywhere, even you and your bike and what your habits are, security wise spoken. And how and where and when you park your bike and which security measurements you take to stay owner of this bike. They usually have several of the same bikes marked, and so the first one who is about to skip any security measurements is the one they're going to pick up with their specially prepared van, which usually is equipped with a lift for easy loading of a fully locked bike. Ground anchors may discourage local non-professional thieves, but the real criminal organizations, stealing bikes for a living, they are not impressed by any ground anchor at all. Ground anchors, chains and other metal security measures can be made so extremely cold and therefor brittle in a short time with nitrogen freezing that after freezing, only a good blow with a hammer will shatter the strongest metal. These professionals are therefore not easily impressed by metal locks, chains and ground anchors.
Pneumatic metal shears, often used by the fire brigade to free people from a car wreck, and other heavy industrial equipment such as metal cutters in any form (for example gas or plasma) and even water cutters that easily cut through the toughest material, are also part of the possible arsenal of these criminal gangs. If your motorcycle is on the list, it will be taken to the location where it will be completely dismantled for parts or reassembled in some other way that is unrecognizable. Theft of motorcycles often takes place on a large scale by professional criminal organizations.
Important video. Thank you 👍
In France in particular, most thefts seem to be around large population centres. I never stay in cities overnight if at all possible.
We are the same, even when touring we dont visit cities as we wont leave our bikes to explore
Rich & Ewa. Great video as ever!
Funnily enough I too watched the video you referred to where the guy had his bike stolen on the 1st day of his tour. I was truly gutted for both him and his son. It really made me think hard about security for a trip to Scotland I made a few weeks later! I always use an alarmed disc lock and the steering lock (although I appreciate the latter is largely useless). For the Scotland trip I spent days agonising over my choice of hotels to make sure they had “secure parking” and discounted all Travel Lodges, Premier Inns or other similar places as they’re usual located on main roads or near McDonalds, KFC’s, and Pizza Hits which are likely to attract characters as unsavoury as the local food outlets!
It often meant my hotels were off the beaten track and more expensive than I would have liked…..BUT….this meant my holiday experience was greatly enhanced having had a great night knowing (as far as possible) I’d had a great room, great breakfast and having a bike to ride in the morning! Priceless…!!
PS……If my bike ever does go for a walk I’d really not want it back after some sticky fingered f*ckwit had touched it!
We think you made some wise choices, we never stay in a city or large town, always quiet villages if the bike has to stay outside
Hi Guy's, great video as always. One thing I do when going into London on my bike is to take my old bike cover that is a bit beaten up and very dirty, as this was some advise i was given years ago. The logic is that firstly the thieves cannot see what underneath when cruising around, and secondly most riders with nice bikes have nice new clean covers, whereas bikes less desirable to steal are under dirty old covers. I have known bikes to be taken from where i have parked that are older and lower spec than mine, but were not covered or where but nice new covers so stood out in the crowd, so far has always worked for me, as London is a dump so make the bike blend in and don't draw attention to it.
Hi, great tips thank you One thing I do is to put the bike on the centre stand and run the chain or python lock through the stand and front wheel as tight as you can.This will stop anyone rolling the bike forward as the centre stand won’t move. Also locks the front wheel at an angle. I then add the disc lock front and rear. And finally locked to a fence, lamp post or other bike. Very easy to do and you only need one quality chain. And cheaper locks. . That’s my car park or over night at a camp site method.
The problem with the centre stand chain is that it pulls your chain tight and close to the ground making it easy to cut through. The other downside is its likely the Thief will try to pull the bike off the stand, Drop the bike and leave you with the bill... Its so difficult because we end up in a lose lose situation no matter what we do
Always went for Oxford locks! Affordable and reliable
We have to agree, the Oxford Beast is.... Well a Beast!!
I have several locks on my bikes ! Plus Oxford ground anchors, both are covered with Oxford covers ! And my cctv is on them at all times! Also the car is backed up to the bike, making it all but impossible to get around the bikes 👍🏼 You can never have enough security in my opinion 🤔 one of my Harley’s means the world to me, as my best mate past away on St George’s day this year and left his bike to me!!!!! This has got so much sentimental value to me that I would want it back if stolen!! But I can honestly say that if I heard anything outside ! I would be out there asap crow bar in hand regardless of outcome !!!! But that’s me! Short fuse so to speak 👍🏼 I now mainly travel alone, and will not stay anywhere unless the bike I’m riding is in sight , or at least within hearing distance of where I’m sleeping. Thanks Ewa & Rich for another informative vid , as bikers we must all look out for each other and prevent the scum from taking our pride and joys 👍🏼
Great informative video.
We have 4 bikes in the family. All stored in one garage. All are chained together through ground anchors. The up and over door has a additional ground anchor securing the door from being forced.
On tours I carry both disk locks and chains.. If with friends chain them together.. I personally don't use steering lock.. For the reasons you outlined.
Trackers. I went on a security bike event organised by the police.. Trackers can be useful, but there is no guarantee the police would attend.. It would be deemed as low priority.. So I have never bothered tbh.
Bike parking at hotels including Travel Lodge etc. Obviously secure car parks are better.. But tbf I have always found staff helpful.. Solutions always been found. For example at Travel Lodge Dover they let us chain our bikes to the cycle stand, and the overnight staff kept a eye on the area through CCTV.
The police don’t seem to have the publics faith anymore with things like this
Good practical motorcycle security information 👍👍
Thanks Mark, we hope this helps someone out
In France, the insurance companies will not insure a bike unless you use security from a central list
Its almost irresponsible to buy a Expensive Motorcycle and not secure it. Its sad but true
Two wheeled dreamer was the rider you mentioned. Had his GS pinched from Reims. Many of us donated to help him as you always end up out of pocket despite being the victim. He's back on a GS again. I use a screamer disc lock and another disc lock plus a chain or cable. I have a tracker as well. I have a camo cover as well just to take the eye away. Really wouldn't feel safe leaving the bike out overnight in the UK. Tend to stay in hotels in Europe that have gated car parks and tuck the bikes out of view from the road or passing traffic. You can steal any bike given time so make it as hard as possible for them.
Thats good to hear the Community came together to help a fellow biker out
I’m from Newcastle and stopped at that café on my way to Cornwall, what a massive dealership with great selector gear also
Yes we like it there for a coffee and a good look at lots of different brands of Motorcycles
Great video guys. Some good advice/recommendations.
Have shared it with fellow biker friends.
As much as I love my bike, I wouldn't want it back if stolen, as I would always be worried that they had caused some, initially, unseen damage.
Thanks, yes we feel the same. The bike is tainted after that and would want a new one
Great advise guys and a real problem. I have an alarmed garage at the bottom of the garden, but always have alarmed disc locks and the bikes chained to anchors on the floor. I still think that a determined thief will have a go, but the more you can delay the @@@@@@@@ the better. I still feel a bit nervous when touring though, even with the alarmed disc lock- and having seen a GS go missing recently in France on another channel, it’s made me rethink security again.
Yes, its difficult when touring, you have to choose your Hotel wisely, Country Air BNB's etc is the way to go and stay out of towns and cities especially at night
Disc lock every time the bike is out of sight and a hefty cable lock overnight. That Oxford Beast is on my shopping list!
Each link on that chain is a KG, i can barely lift that chain!
Yep, it can suck the joy out of motorcycling. I use my bike to visit wildlife reserves, I leave the bike (locked and alarmed), helmets, jackets/trousers and head off sometimes for many hours. I'm always happy when I see the bike still there on my return! BTW my car has been broken into twice at reserves but so far the bike has been left alone.
I've had thefts from my bike or attempted bike thefts but so far every time it's been in urban areas. (B'ham, Lisbon, Long Eaton) and it's been going on for years. First theft was in the late 70's... it seems nothing new to me, just social media that makes it seem everywhere (I believe).
I’ve heard that they have wooden trays with casters, put them under each wheel and push away if the bike is not anchored.
I used to have a very expensive Italian bike which gave me concerns, but now run 2 bikes worth about 5k each, not such a big worry or target.
I use a tracker and an air tag on each bike, they find one, but don’t realise it’s got a back up.
Brilliant idea about chaining bikes together in the garage.
Yes defo lock the bikes to each other, it makes it very difficult to lift them into a van with so much dead weight attached
Rich like you, I layer my bike up with an oxford alarm disc lock, a lite lock chain, it's alarmed, and an Oxford alarm D lock. Additionally, I have fitted a monimoto 9 tracker. Not so much to track the bike but more as an alarm to my phone. If the fob is more than 20 meters from the bike and the bike moves just 1 meter, it rings me phone with a super load alarm call immediately. It does my wife's head in because if I leave my phone in the house and the fob but move my bike out of the garage to clean or prep to go out my phone makes the most annoying alarm call I can have on it. I agree, though, if my bike got stolen, I would not want it back. Keep up all the great and varied videos coming your both brill. Love you bye😂😂😂
Yes i know this tracker, it is good and better than some other options available
I use a tracker monimoto 7 really good. Just over £100 to buy only £36 annual subscription works brilliantly you only have to move the bike off the side stand and it alerts you with a phone call rather than a notification that you might ignore initially but a phone call you always answer. Battery powered so very hard to find no wires so thieves can trace to disconnect from main power.
The thing about the tracker is who is tracking it? do you go after it yourself? Or do you trust the police to go after it? Do you want your bike back once its been stolen anyway? Im on the fence on the trackers
I was given a good tip regarding a heavy chain, try and keep it so it can't be put on the ground so it can be easily cut with an angle grinder, if it's in the air it's harder to get a purchase with the blade
Yes this is good advice for locks and padlocks too, If they are in the air they cant be smashed with hammers etc
20 years ago I stayed at a French motel La Saucisse volante.
I thought they were being over the top when they said to park the bike at the back door to the kitchens where there would be staff all night.
Now closed but they treated us like royalty on le Arley.
France has a real problem with bike theft now just like the UK it seems
I have no confidence in the police doing anything in the event of my bike being stolen. About 6 years ago I bought a 125 scooter to use for work, saving my 1100 cruiser for fun rides. In 12 months there was 3 theft attempts made on it. It had the steering lock on and a disc lock, which prevented the theft on 2 of the attempts. On the 3rd attempt, I was drop kicked off the bike at a set of traffic lights and attacked. Luckily, I have many years of martial arts training behind me and I was able to defend myself. When it came to continuing the fight or letting the two thieves take the scooter, I let it go. The police text me a crime number and phoned me 3 days later to suggest that I take a walk down the road that I had been attacked on, to see if there was cctv on it. I politely suggested that,as the police, shouldn't they do that, as I wasn't going to. 3 years later the police sent me a letter to say that the scooter had been found abandoned and was at a garage. So for 3 years, a stolen bike had been ridden around the city, with no tax or insurance and they only found it when it was left at the side of the road?! I told them that it was nothing to do with me and gave them the details of the insurance company.
My current bike is kept in a garage, with shackle lock, chain and the steering lock. And I haven't been down that particular road since!
Wow a shocking story and your not alone.
someone forgot to research in advance: 125ccm is the MOST stolen bike in UK
At home I put my gsa front and rear paddock stands and lock the wheels to the paddock stands also 2 alarm disc licks front and rear. If they want it they will take it. I’ve spot of blue keys. 😂 keep up the good work. ❤
Really pleased to see your subs going up you really deserve it after all the effort you both put in , you need to try the burger at Bridge it’s spanking. Great advice as always and come on how about some of Ewa’s cooking lessons. Thanks guys
Thanks Ray, yeah the cafe is good at Bridge. More Camp cooking will come soon
It was Two Wheeled Dreamer that lost his GS in Reims
Yes and another followed suit very soon after
one more thing: I don't live in London but in small city around it, and once I had a ride with guy from London - wherever we stopped he always put eveything (locks) on the bike - even for 3min stop - while me, I never even took the phone from the bike - so it seems Londoners have... different experience ;-)
Yep, they have it so bad in London
Thank you for the bike lock information going to order an Oxford lock.thank you will be waiting for your next video
No problem, hope it’s helpful
Best way to prevent your bike getting nicked is to use the chain and disc locks you mention and park next to a nice bike that doesn’t have any extra security. Once you’ve been targeted though it’s all over, if you hear your alarm and confront the scrotes then you’re faced with a criminal waving an angle grinder at you. And as you say if they’ve broken your steering lock they have potentially caused terminal damage, but if your insurers discover you didn’t use the steering lock then you have a battle in your hands. And if you make a claim then you’ve got a nasty shock in store when you renew.
Interesting about the Cat N thing. I upped my security with one of these new angle grinder resistant locks after an attempt. Carrying a big chain around to lock it to something is a problem though.
Yes heavy chains are a nuisance to carry, multiple small locks work best when out
I keep my bike out in the street, chained to a lamp post with a 2 metre Oxford Beast chain secured with a Litelock through the rear wheel. I also use a cover secured with another D lock through the front wheel and the steering lock is on. One of my neighbours reported to me that he saw four guys turn up on petrol scooters, at 2am in the morning, who tried to steal it. Two of the guys blocked the road off while the other two ripped the cover off and discovered the litelock then gave up. I've never had a problem since, but I'm wary that they might be lurking around the local area and see me coming home late at night!
There’s an argument for having no cover so they can see the locks right away and they won’t want to know..
Absolutely I had my motorcycle stolen from my garage in 2009 and it destroyed me I was so angry and I said never again!! I buy the very best locks and alarms 🚨
Sound advise. I use three disc locks and a chain at home. I hardly ever leave it unattended when out. Also carry spare ignition key and lock keys.
Oh yes thats a god one, We each carry spare keys to the others bike incase keys are lost
great informative video, at home i keep my NT1100 in the dining room 😀
Id love that! it would be in my bedroom if i could get away with it
Hi Guys what you are saying is all good advice. A police told me just to make things difficult as possible to steal, makes sense.
I went touring and was on my way home and stopped in to Andorra for a night in a hotel , I had a Baglux bagster tank bag, that I took in to the hotel overnight with the rest of my luggage. When I returned in the morning to mount the luggage, I noticed that they had stolen the Baglux bagster tank cover that holds the bag to the bike 😢. So I reported it to the police and handed over my tank bag to my friend to put on his bike for me to get back to the UK.
Its a shame that the UK gone this way! I've never locked my bike in the Netherlands and traveling around Europe on holidays.
Yes it Blew my mind when i saw Electric Mountain bikes just left outside Hotels at night or cafes etc... In the uk the feeling is its almost your own fault if you left it unsecured... Of course it got stolen... very sad
Sadly when you are in uk Spain France Italy you have to always assume everyone wants your motorbike!
Netherlands are great people don’t lock pushbikes even, uk is a different story
@@Freespeach123Bicycle theft in the Netherlands is very common.
It's not just the UK. A couple of friends have had bikes stolen whilst on holiday in France.
Think I'll stay here its safer
I have just come back from a big European tour !, Just before I went I purchased the Litelok X3 !, Found it to be very convenient!, Stores away great in its Neoprene pouch!, And on the Gs it goes through the centre of the front wheel hub making it difficult to angle grind off!, the thief has always got the option of picking it up and putting it in a van !, But as you say!, If they want it!, They will take it!, It is common practice in London for Range Rovers to be stolen!, So what chance does a bike have??,
Great vid as usual!.🏴
I believe range rovers own insurance won’t insure Range Rover in London anymore!
That's probably the reason I prefer to camp, I'd love to do B and Bs as well but so many of them don't have secure parking.
Yes without secure bike parking we don’t stay
I use 'pacsafe' wire protection over the camping gear and one larger bag over the topbox and tent on rear seat. Large motorcycle chains through rear wheel, up over the seat. When camping I thread these chains through the leg or arm of my motorcycle gear - IF they steal my bike the loss of coat and leggings are the least of my problems, at least I will not need to carry them home! Like you I also have a bike cover but will never use a front disk lock (YEP _ Torquay seafront - left the lock in place and dropped my Kawasaki ZRX1200 - gave the lock away!) Crash helmet also chained through under the bike cover.
At work the landlords told us we couldnt park motorbikes where we'd been parking for 5 years, so I spoke to them and got an agreement to park round the side of the building (where there are "no public" signs). 2 hours later scrotes were spotted on camera messing with the bikes.....my mate had his steering lock snapped and an attempt to push the ingition barrel out....my CT Dct had the disc lock picked but they couldnt move it because I always put the handbrake on and even professional mechanics dont seem to know where it is😸🏍️💨💨💨💨
Wow sounds like you were lucky to keep your bikes this time
13:40 We are so lucky in center of Canada. No issues. I was in Thunder bay , Ontario at hotel , parked with visual site of the bike, made me uneasy, used the steering lock for the first time. I have a 2019 triumph tiger 1200 xrt. Luv your vids guys . My Nana and granddad lived in exerter fyl.
Is theft not common in Canada then?
Never knew about the bike being cat N if recovered so quick! Not worth putting the tracker the bike at all unless it has some personal value like you said.
Its a difficult one, Although its great to know where your bike is at all times, there have been plenty of cases when bikes are reported stolen and locations of trackers provided but the Police do not arrive to recover the bike.... So do you go to do it yourself? How does this end?
If they recover the bike then it goes to the impound yard and you will have to pay them for the recovery and storage, so as long as you know we're the machine is, they tend to let you collect it yourself, @@ontheroadadventure
Spot on, basically, you're trying to make your bike less attractive than the one it's parked next to. I've just purchased a litelock x1 as according to reviews, it takes longer than average to cut off, and it goes over the rim. Oh, and I've done the ride off with the disc lock on very embarrassing.
The X1 is coming up allot. We havent had any experience with it but reviews are good
@@ontheroadadventure
It stopped Freddie Dobbs’ bike getting nicked.
This lock is definitely on my list to get.
Yeah we saw that episode. Very impressive
A fine Choice
It was 2 wheel dreamer who had it nicked in Reims, yes it was the first day of a trip with his son. My bike is never left without my alarm disc lock on, even if I'm parking it up in Matlock. I think the biggest theft deterrent is having a VFR1200 😆 we have parked our bikes quite a distance from where we stayed in Europe with no issues. There was a record done at the Triumph headquarters for most women riders and loads got stolen the night before from hotels in the area 😮
Yes events are popular for bike theft, no better place to go if you are stealing to order
Disc lock, its worth putting it below the brake calliper, so if you do move off with it still on, you stop before the lock has had a chance to build up speed and smack into the calliper, hopefully no damage.
A also ditto below, take a photo, but also in the shed with all the locks and chains, before you leave it.
That’s a good one ☝️
I'm lucky as I have a garage to keep my bike in, but when I'm out with it touring, I use the same as you, disc locks and chains. My mate who is a DVSA bike examiner had his BMW 1250 in DVSA colours nicked from outside his home. He just left it on his drive for a short time and the basterds lifted it. I'm with you all the way. It would break my heart if my bike was ever stolen. I love it.
Was your mates bike Covered? Usually if the bike is within half a mile of home and is not in its garage locked up then the insurance say you broke your terms and it is now not covered
The DVSA took care of it as it belongs to them. The insurance is through them. He was given 3 days ago a brand new 74 reg BMW 1300 GS. The stolen bike is now a right off. All the insurance is covered by the DVSA.
I'm very cautious about keeping my bike out of sight if it's on the drive, out of the garage, I try to minimise the time. Recently did a good wash, dry and xcp treatment which was a couple of hours. I was uneasy that it was bin day and that 4 or 5 random geezers would be able to spot a nice bike outside the garage.
I'm too easy going when parking for 20 minutes in Tesco carpark, my area is not particularly hot for bike thieves (south Lincolnshire.)
I must add an alarmed disc lock to my current Leat disc lock that had no functioning alarm after 6 months use in a dry garage.
We can honestly recommend the Oxford Boss alarm, you can find tests and reviews online. Always assume bike thief's are everywhere, Always Lock your bike. You will have peace of mind
I bought a pop up gazebo for bike washing and DIY fettling on the drive. It keeps the bike out of sight and I can work in the dry too. Quick and easy to set up and put away. Easily worth the 150 it cost.
Good idea
if you can make sure that insurance will pay when the bike was stolen, the insurance is the best protection - for exactly all the reasons you mentioned: recovered bike is never the same anymore.
One more thing you did not mention is immobilisers to prevent your bike when stolen to be used ever - starting the bike with proper, custom immobiliser can be even impossible for the thiefs
Ah yes, most bikes have these now, are they that effective?
@@ontheroadadventure you need special knowledge to start the bike without immobiliser. But everything one can do, another can undo ;-)
Firstly out of sight and out of mind. Especially if you have a bike that grabs the eye. Get it put away, don’t leave it on your driveway. Be wary of bike meets as not all the people that go are decent, some are drawing up,shopping lists. If you have a highly desirable or very valuable bike and you park it unattended, then take the time to check nobody has put a tracker on it before you ride it home. Don’t ever leave locks and chains unattended, as some thieves come along in the day time and cut links in the chain under the sleeve and cable tie the ends together for a silent theft later on. The more awkward and time consuming you make it for the thieves the safer your bike should be: Disc locks, ground anchors, chains, garage door barriers like the “Guardsman”. CCTV systems, garage alarms and security lights. Some of those things are quite inexpensive, but may put off a prospective thief.
However there is one thing we can all do to reduce the number of professional thieves: say you are unlucky enough to drop your bike and need a new piece of fairing, so you go online and the general secondhand price is say £300, but there’s one guy selling an absolutely mint one for £100. Take the time to ask yourself, “Is this guy a genuine seller, or am I now going to fuel bike theft by purchasing the too good to be true option.
Thanks bud, a good point on buying used parts
(10:40) i take it you're not allowed to conceal carry, in the UK? (in our group of 4), we always park to the bikes in the center, and pitch our tents, around the outside, this way, we don't shoot each other during the night. at least two people have copies, of one lock at all times.
I have a datatool tracker on my bike, just have to move the bike slightly without the key handy and they call me.
Bit of a pain moving the bike around the garage when I don't have the key on me. The bike is also factory alarmed but tends to run down the battery if left for a while. But ! It is a deterrent.
Otherwise a siren disc lock with a bike cover , but is only a distraction if thieves want your bike.
I own 3 cat N bikes all bought direct from the insurance companies, I prefer them, they are cheaper to buy and usually easy fixes. My Mt09 for example was a stolen recovered bike and it was immaculate apart from 3 ignition wires were cut, 10 minutes with a soldering iron and it was fixed.
I guess there are advantages to it
i have a tracker / disc lock / chain and alarm on the bike. also a cover. i watched the 2 guys from youtube who both had their BMW GS nicked in Reims in France. They didn't even touch the sons Triumph 660. a motorbike is more than just a bike. it is your pride and joy and it is not cheap these days to buy anything motorcycle related. we must not leave the bike out of view with out it being locked up. a tip for those who buy a bike on PCP. ensure you have Gap insurance as well as the bike insurance. otherwise the insurance will pay the lender and you will be left out of pocket and no bike. Steve from 2 wheeled dreamer explained in his vlog that he was left out of pocket, but thankfully he has replaced the bike and his gear and is back up and running. when it happened it brough me to tears. i felt so sorry for him and he then had to make his way back tot he UK and leave his sone to ride back on his own.
Well done guys good vlog
Thanks Paul, Yes GAP insurance is a good idea
Thanks for the video.
Comply with the conditions of your insurance company, take pictures when you park the bike somewhere to have evidence that you meet their requirements.
Hopefully you'll get some money back.
CCTV is nice, but thieves don't care as they cover their face.
Brakediscs are cut (twice) under 10 seconds to have a disclock removed, a beefy chain within 15 seconds. The steering lock opens in less than a second.
Half a minute with an angle grinder and the bike is gone.
Thieves don't care about the noise, by the time people wake up by the noise and realize what's going on, the bike is gone.
Litelocks / Hiplocks are cut open with hydraulic cutters which are normally in use by the firebrigade to save people out of a crashed car. These cutters get stolen from the fire stations.
I'm afraid the only way to protect a bike from being stolen is to have it guarded by a well trained but very mean dog.
Or three mates, Base, Ball and Bat.
All we can do is make it as difficult as possible, the reality is if they come with the kit to take your bike they are taking it
and the result.... YOU end up in jail... Its messed up, but you mustnt put yourself in that situation
Hi , have a look at pacsafe security mesh nets , I always use one if I’m touring with a pillion seat bag
Yes those look very good we might consider one of those
(1:24) baby girl, I' have owned 3 Goldwing's, already. 1984, 2007, & 2012, and maybe tomorrow, after a test ride, a 2025 Wing, without the trunk bag. I don't mind paying up to 24K, but, 27 to 32K is just too crazy, even for me.
Not cheap machines!
Another great video thank you so much, as a newbie to the bike scene things like this info are so useful, having a car you take the security for granted with a bike it’s something we all need to bear in mind. Thank you for the info I’m off to have a look at home and out and about security. Incidentally as a lone single rider are there security devices that could be worth while for me ?
Theres so much of it on the market, basically the more you can fit the better. a range of types of locks is ideal, check out oxfords stuff, its good value
@@ontheroadadventure thanks so much will start investigating
Find parking. Min two alarmed disc locks. One front and one rear. Tracker. Steering lock on as insurance will not pay out. MOST IMPORTANT Photograph all locks and where you are so you have evidence for your claim. Ultimately if they want it a team will lift it into van, just do your best.
Good tip to photo all the locks on the bike when leaving it alone
@ontheroadadventure remember to try and capture where you are also so there is no doubt. Wishing you well and safe journeys.
Both my bikes have covers, an oxford disc lock on the front and an oxford chain/lock through the back wheel. I've just bought a Hiplock dx1000, a £300 lock that is one of the hardest on the market to cut through, but if they really want the bike they'll take it. Unfortunately the idea is to make them take the easier to steal bike next to yours...
I think I'll order one of those alarmed disc locks too so for an extra level of security.
I wouldn't have a tracker for the very reasons you mention, although i'd be really upset at the theft, I wouldn't want the bike back.
Yeah the alarmed boss locks are good to get your attention especially when outside hotel rooms etc
I think TMF has a large steel barrier (similar to a road barrier) fitted across the inside of his garage door. If he sees this he may give you the details.
Yes i saw that episode. A bog Scaff bar can be rigged up in the same way
I use the same Oxford disk alarm as you both use , plus always carry decent lock & chain to secure bike to something or mates bike even if only nipping to local supermarket for 5 mins . At home I lock all my bikes to ground & wall anchors & each other in garage with several heavy duty chains & locks plus disc alarm disk locks & covers . I always use the steering lock , even though they are crap ,as I think your insurance is void ,if you don’t use the bikes steering lock even if you used 20 locks & chains . I agree with you , I wouldn’t want my bike back if stolen ,as it’s likely to have been ragged through the gears, wheelied & abused . At the end of the day if they really want your bike they will get it if they are professional bike thieves . The opportunists & local scallies are more likely to choose a bike that’s not chained or the least secure . 👍
They have devices to block the tracker signal now, all you can do it make it as much hassle as possible, if they want it they will take it no matter what. When I’m camping if the site won’t let me park next to my tent then I find a site that will.
I think we would move onto a new site too if we didn’t feel comfortable leaving the bike, we wouldn’t leave them on the road or at a public car park for example
Great video you pair.
I hear the rear lock round the chain and sprocket and spokes is awkward too
I've got a cheap screamer but will be getting a Boss soon. My heavy duty chain is anchored and another chain for securing the front wheel to engine bars. Another 3 locks. A vehicle always in front of a closed garage.
You could always chain massive ladders to the bike(s) too!
A camping tip I once read, use a camouflaged line from the bike to the tent so if it moves, your tent gets moved too!
My tracker may never get 'renewed' on the next insurance if that's what can happen if it's recovered after theft. That's disgusting behaviour. Insurance is supposed to help you at the worst time yet that's hindering us. Terrible.
I wouldn't want a new bike back after that happening.
Keep em coming you pair.
Oh we love the Camping tip! thats a good one...
(3:39) that guys video, there was a white van sitting in the parking lot, but he didn't go look. I made a comment on his video, about a guy standing on the roof across the street, when he pulled in and was unloading
No doubt they were seen when arriving and leaving the bike unattended
Steve was the chap on two wheel dreamer had his taken first day on his trip with his son !!! Very good vid 👍 go to bridge a lot nice place for a coffee 👍
Poor Bloke we felt so sorry for him.
@@ontheroadadventure his got an upgrade to the 1250 gs adventure from his 1200
Well thats good something positive came from it
Hi great vid i had my AT stolen from outside the dealers where she was being MOT,d had her from new niver left her out of sight watched her go in for her test then she was put in a car park outside the shop 5 min later she was gone pushed away with a scooter after a few days like you guys dont realy then want her back she had been mine since new a great bike at home two ground anchors and a security bar so the garage door cannot be opened ride safe guys
We have seen this at our own local dealers. What did the insurance company say about it being left with no security at all? Did the Shops insurance pay out or you had to claim on your insurance?
@@ontheroadadventure hi thanks for your reply LVs first question was who was the last to ride her and who parked her and who had the keys when she was stolen and then within 3 weeks was paid out half what I paid for her 7 years ago but was current value but they said not liable no responsibilitie the mechanic and I covered all the local area just incase she was parked but no had 1 meeting with the shop just didn't seem that interested in the 6 months she's been done had only one call from the shop but many from the mechanic who I still class as a friend but on that day a friend with very poor judgment stay free guys
You guys should invest in a Litelok X, it's angle grinder resistant, takes about 5 batteries and half a dozen cutter disks to make a small amount of damage to the lock, not many thieves are intelligent enough to carry all that for a chancer theft. Check out one of Freddy Dobbs video's where someone tried to steal his Triumph and failed to cut the Litelok, it's about £300 but well worth the expense, still worth using chains and alarmed locks on top of that, then that will massively reduce the chance of someone taking your bike.
(18:00) no let the insurance company keep it, it's why I pay insurance. (Not just Bike Insurance) But, I always up my insurance for travel and visiting other counties. I always buy New. so, I know, it's track record.
We feel the same way
thanks for video a monimoto tracker will call your phone when someone moves it. So might be a chance to catch them in the act, although as always are you going to approach someone (or a group) that is stealing your bike.
This is the problem, Who are we tracking it for... Will the Police help quick enough to recover the bike before the Tracker is discovered and removed? Do you go to recover it? It could end badly? Do you even want it back after its been reported stolen?
I carry an Oxford boss lock I use when out and about because it included a heavy chain that I use with my ground anchor at home. I also carry another type of Oxford chain when travelling. I think location has a lot to play into it as well. The shopping centre I use in Glasgow has motorcycle parking you can chain up to. when I was touring in Spain I did a mix of camping and hotels with the most secure I felt for the bike was when I booked into a motel that had individual garages attached to your room.
OH wow ive never seen a motel with its own garage. Thats ideal
Just realised been unsubscribed by the TH-cam generator, yea just make your bike as awkward as possible, once went to the arctic circle many moons ago with two other guys came back via Netherlands hotel at night all three of us had new GPZ 900s came out in the morning mine had vanished, luckily pillion back to Blighty but what a sick feeling but we were on our way home, you cannot have too many locks to put the blighters off, thanks for vid take care
Ted
Wow thats rough Ted and in the Netherlands we get the impression theft is rare too.
What stops me from doing g more miles is not being able to buy GAP insurance. They'll steal the bike if they really want it, no matter what security measures are will place. My fear, an example, you buy a 15k bike, stolen and the insurance values it at say 10k, however, it's on finance you're then in debt. I got hit with this when I was younger.
I'm fortunate to have a weekend toy whicu i own outright and I'm now looking for another everyday bike. If I can't find GAP, I won't be buying another bike.
Yes thats a real bad situation to find yourself in. Gap insurance is smart on a new bike. Id consider buying used in this scenario to eliminate that possibility
@ontheroadadventure Unfortunately no matter what bike you buy, even S/H you'll still be shot by the insurance when the give you an estimate on value Unfortunately.
Yeah the insurance company will always be the winner
If I am know I am going to leave it during the day for any length of time where I can’t keep an eye on it, I have a disk lock on the front and I have a litelok x1 on the back and a tracker. If I leave it overnight on holiday then I also put a cover on it as well.
Very sensible
Think if it was stoken say lifted into a van because of locks. And you track it before it's been used and abused. If it was used and abused I would not want it back especially if damaged. Chances are with monimoto as its so quick to alert you. The theft is stopped before its stolen that's how quick it works
Only if you are able to get to it quick enough and are willing to deal with the thief’s yourself in a way that doesn’t land you in jail whilst you’re at it…
I’m lucky for most of the time might have said this before. I live in one of the least populated areas of the country and I’m in a rural area. Bike thefts are very rare in fact I’ve not known one here ever but there might have been. There are no cities and only one big town although by southern standards it’s not big and it’s 15 miles away. The motorway is 50 miles away. Away from home I have a LITELOK X3 on the front and an X1 on the rear. We’re old now and camping is out so when we book accommodation I always check what the parking is like it has to be right before anything else. I tour on an RT now so alarmed locked either end and fixed to something with a chain or LITELOK cable lock thing if possible. Like you I don’t want my bike stolen in the first place and don’t want it back if it is. I watched a TH-camr last week had his bike stolen in Manchester they used a petrol concrete/stone cutter to get rid of the locks. He tracked it and went with the police to get it but the area was so dangerous armed police went. He said he only had third party insurance no fire & theft and the damage from the theft mainly breaking the steering lock came to over a thousand pounds.
Must be nice being isolated like that, i love quieter places. You got to feel so sorry for people who have had to go through experiences like that
I didn't renew my tracker subscription. I don't want my bike back. The beneficiaries are probably insurance companies if you get your bike back because they won't have a large payout, yet i recently renewed my insurance, and there was absolutely zero discount for trackers or security markings. If you don't use your steering lock, get ready for the insurance company to wriggle if the bike is recovered with it intact.
We have to agree, the only person who benifits from the tracker is the insurance company
As long as u haven’t told insurance u have. A tracker friend of mine let his sub lapse ins would only pay him 25%
@@mengaw-yong2490 Interesting thanks. I don't declare mine as even having a tracker so should be fine. 👍
Rich in the garage i have Oxford chain and ground anchor inferred alarms with CTV i don’t leave my motorcycle anywhere she cost me a lot
Yes, its just awful to have to think like this but we must do what we can
Love the video great information thanks for sharing my best wishes to you from the Philippines ♥️💪👍😉😀😁🏁🛺🏍️🐑🇵🇭🏴⭐
Thank you too
My CRF250 was stolen in Groningen after literally 1 month of being there, It was parked overnight in a basement car park for the apartment that I was living in (I was there for a year) and you needed a fob to open the roller shutter at the end of the car parking to get out. Go figure!?
Someone sharing that car park with you had that
@@ontheroadadventure exactly, it is sad when you cannot trust your neighbours
I've got 6 locks a mixture of chains and a d-lock and alarm disc lock to 2 ground anchors my bike is kept outside as no shed still the little barstewards had a go. Now got doorbell camera on it 24/7.
Mate that really sucks, Have you looked to your local council to see if you can get a Garage or perhaps find another biker locally who you can rent a space in his garage?
@@ontheroadadventure there's nothing about as it's a row of terraced houses so I'm kinda stuffed and I need the bike everyday. Best bit is I was in bed directly above my bike heard nothing they moved the bike looked at the locks and decided it wasn't worth the effort and layed it over thankfully no damage done.
I feel for you bud, all you can do is add more locks and noisy alarms. Put Bells and anything noisy on the cover what ever you can do
Use locks plus a hidden air tag, do not rely on the police for recovery, theft is so far down their list of importance.
Yes, the police will do next to nothing for you it seems from other peoples experiences
Battery powered angle grinders are the weapon of choice with bike thieves and goes through most locks like a hot knife through butter
But motorcycle Sold secure diamond standard are real tough and are resistant to angle grinders and bolt cutters. I
Yes, Diamond locks like the Beast are the best we can hope for against the Grinders
I am like you and my bike is always in sight when I am out, at home it's in my rear yard with a large chain and padlock through a steel bar loop concreted into the ground, 4 security lights, large cover & an angle iron bar across the doorway padlocked on, 2 steps off the back lane with my ramps locked in the cellar. 2 Trackers in the frame. Well marked as Datataged.
If you get your bike stollen the insurance will only pay you what they can get one same age on Ebay or Autotrader, not Full payment.
My brother used to work at a Honda dealer and they were told by Insurance company to buy used parts before ordering new.
I was hit from behind on the VFR my twin left me and I wouldn't go through the Insurance as I knew it would be a write off, luckily the guy payed me cash to get the new parts. I have had the AT in my tent, Wolfwalker same as Lonerider
Its defo Peace of mind to have the bike in where you can see it, and out of sight of others
Opportunity can be minimised.
Reporting it stolen would be a necessary formality.
Let's have that discussion about Police intelligence sometime, I don't have any personal experience of it.
We can make it hard but not impossible... Ive no experience dealing with the Police in the case of a stolen bike and hope i never have too
Totally agree we lock our bikes up all the time we got the boss locks after your last video well worth the money also we both carry the litelok and chain up both back wheels together easier to carry on the bikes
Do you use the Litelok D locks or the big round loop ones? Those look ok but how do you carry it?
@@ontheroadadventure the loop ones they coil up real easy and fit in to the top box
Interesting, I will look into them a bit more
I’ve got a Datatool stealth S5 tracker, and just found out that a lot of trackers run on the 2G mobile network - Switzerland have already turned off 2G and most of the EU are turning off 2G next year 2025! So if stolen while touring the 2G device will be useless!! S5 is one of those soon to be useless unless always in the UK
wow i had no idea about that. Its already old tech then
@@ontheroadadventure definitely, this is the response from Datatool when I questioned it - The unit requires a mobile network and GSM signal to relay information to our server. If there is no mobile signal in the area the unit will only update once back in an area of GSM.
So anyone looking for a tracker just fire a question at the manufacturer to make sure it’s a 4G unit, otherwise find another
Ewa, please test ride a goldwing. So comfortable and built in storage. My Africa Twin is redundant in the corner since I picked up the Wing.
Rich has ridden one, It feels like it is on Rails! Such a stable bike
only two certainties with bikes, 1, you will come off and 2, your bike will be stolen. Act accordingly to mitigate both.
That is a sad but realistic way to think
Take my advice: do not use steering locks because they can snap like a pencil and if you manage to get your bike back or they don’t actually take it, you won’t have the expense of getting it fixed. Getting the neck fixed is a lot of money
Im not sure insurance would pay out if you hadnt used the steering lock, especially if they can prove that. Also if the bike is stolen and brought back to me i want the damage to be as high as possible so as to have a total loss on the insurance. I dont want to own a stolen recovered cat N Bike
@@ontheroadadventure whether it is on or not it don’t make a difference. You can obviously tell the insurance you had it on lol however they snap like a pencil. To keep your back safe, you need a easyblock lock and litelok x3 or New York ‘fahgetaboutit’ D Lock on the back wheel and hiplok dx1000 and Oxford boss lock (for the loud alarm) on the front wheel and whatever chain you use. They will see that I’m not even bother.
Yeh I agree, lots of chains and bright coloured locks on show will ideally put them off at first sight
Now, you didn't mention the Police's lack of iinterest in recovering your bike. This really is a sore subject. Hence with the tracker (or air tags as I use) allows you to get the bike back. Insurance - so in righting off your bike, would you be happy to pay 400% for your insurance next year. This happened to me and stopped me riding on the road for a few years due to the extortionate costs for insurance.
So I do understand about the bike then being a Cat N, its better than losing no claims / having higher insurance the next year for the loss of £21k bike, also having a lower pay out for my for my bike that it will cost me to get a replacement. You can sell Cat N, but agree its for less money. Also my insurance would have been over £600 more with out a tracker and the excess went up to compulsay £750. I had to have a tracker fitted by my insurance company and I'm a 51 year old with 6 years no claims do have a tracker, alarm, air tag, 4 locks, CCTV, electric metal door that slots into each other and cant be opened after 10pm, car parked in right front of the door less than 30 cm and no way to move the bike out of the garage without moving the cardand my dog
Sounds like your doing a good job on keeping your bike secure 👍