You might think that there is a low risk of someone stealing your motorcycle. After all, not everyone can ride bikes, and motorcycles are harder to operate than average cars. However, it only takes one trained thief to make off with your bike within seconds. How can you keep your bike parked in a way that will reduce the risks of theft when you leave it alone?
Why Thieves Target Motorcycles
Motorcycles are different from the average car. They are easy to enter; you just climb onto the seat. They also have a lot of their critical systems exposed because of their construction. Therefore, they might prove enticing to thieves because of an apparent ease to steal these items. Thieves might steal:
- The bike itself, for personal use or to sell to a chop shop
- Mechanical components like the battery, wheels or engine
- Items attached to the bike
- Equipment, like your helmet, that you leave on the motorcycle
In many cases, bikes represent significant cost value. They also might seem relatively inconspicuous in a crowded parking lot. It might be easy for a thief to make off with the bike or critical pieces at a moment’s notice. You therefore must protect the bike whenever you leave it alone.
Protecting Parked Motorcycles
Whenever you park the bike and leave it alone, there is a theft risk. Nevertheless, you can take steps to keep those risks low.
- Never leave the key in the ignition.
- Arm the bike’s emergency brake and parking brake.
- Put away items like the helmet, GPS system and enhancements.
- Make the bike as visible as possible in public areas. Place it in an area where a security camera can see it, or where you can keep an eye on it.
- If the bike has an alarm system, arm it.
- You can often buy a locking chain, or wheel lock, to render the bike immobile when parked.
- When at home, keep your bike out of sight of the public. For example, place it in a garage or as close to the house as possible. Cover it with a tarp.
Should your bike get stolen, your motorcycle insurance might be able to help you. However, the policy will only apply if the bike has a type of coverage called comprehensive insurance. This coverage applies to non-accident losses to the bike. Theft usually falls into this category.
Please note, however, that coverage will usually not automatically come with every motorcycle insurance policy. Therefore, talk to the experts at Kasky Insurance & Financial Services about the easiest way to add this coverage to your policy.
Also Read: Discounts To Ask For When Bundling Your Insurance
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