Tag Archives: vehicle theft

Motorcycle News, News

ZiiLock unlocks with thumb or phone

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Fumbling with keys on a motorcycle disc or wheel lock is no longer a problem with this ZiiLock bike lock which unlocks with a thumbprint or smartphone.

ZiiLock which is based in Pasadena, California, and Taiwan, has an open-ended Indiegogo crowd-funding campaign to launch their alarm bike lock.

It has raised more than a quarter of a million dollars to put the lock into production with shipping in December.

Motorcycle lock

Although it is advertised as a bicycle lock, we thought it would also be good for a motorcycle.

We contacted them and they agreed, sending us the above photo as proof.

Up to 96% of stolen motorcycles are not fitted with a security device despite theft rates being doubled that of cars.

ZiiLock costs $US179 (about $A270), but funding supporters can get it for $US99 ($A148).

The lock features a 98cm “unbreakable” temper-hardened foldout arm that goes around the wheel, brake disc and/or a fixture.

They say it will withstand up to a 10-tonne hydraulic cutter.

It also has an alloy steel casing for high drilling resistance and has two-sided milling tooth and multiple bullet pieces which make it difficult to pick or counterfeit.

ZiiLock smart alarmZiiLock anti-theft alarm lock

ZiiLock doesn’t come with a loud, screeching alarm that everyone in the vicinity will ignore anyway.

Instead, the waterproof lock has an always-on alarm that sends an alert to your phone when it senses movement and indicates the bike’s location.

But the great feature is that it can be unlocked with a normal key, or a smartphone or even your finger or thumb print.

Of course, it’s not impossible for a thief to lop off your finger or thumb, or steal your phone to gain access. However, it looks like a pretty good system to us.

They say that all the wireless communications are encrypted by AES 256 military-level security.ZiiLock anti-theft alarm lock

However, if you need to share your bike with someone, you can share fingerprint access with up to 20 others.

ZiiLock is powered by a rechargeable lithium battery that will last more than tree months.

If it does run out, you can still use the mechanical key.

The whole lock folds away and fits in your hand so it can be carried under some motorcycle seats or in a jacket pocket or your backpack.

It comes in red or grey.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Motorcycle thefts are double car thefts

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Motorcycle thefts in Australia are increasing at more than double the rate of car theft, according to the latest figures for the 2018/2019 financial year.

The National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council reports that 9261 motorcycles were stolen in the past financial year, which is 9% more than the previous year.

Over the same period, car theft increased 4% to 43,839, while theft of all vehicles was up 5% to 55,293.

Motorcycles represent 16.7% of all vehicle theft, yet are only about 5% of total registrations. However, some of the thefts are of unregistered dirt bikes.

Most of the increase in motorcycle theft seems to be in short-term theft, usually joy rides.

Short-term theft of all vehicles increased 845 (2%) while it was up 8% for motorcycles.

Profit-motivated thefts by organised criminal groups rose 1775 (13%) for all vehicles with motorcycles (up 10%).

Motorcycle thefts by state

Motorcycle thefts increased in all jurisdictions, except the ACT and Victoria.

State or Territory 2017/18 2018/19 % change
Thefts
% of thefts 
 Thefts
% of thefts 
ACT 127 104 -18.1% 
NSW 1,873 2,157 15.2% 
NT 95 100 5.3% 
QLD 1,562 1,880 20.4% 
SA 540 710 31.5% 
TAS 117 169 44.4% 
VIC 2,068 2,024 -2.1% 
WA 2,095 2,117 1.1% 
AUS 8,477 100.0 9,261 100.0 9.2% 

Queensland thefts have risen a massive 45% over the past five years since the Campbell Newman Government pulled its funding from the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council.

It took until July this year for the Queensland Government to reinstate its $206,000 annual funding.

RACQ Head of Technical and Safety Policy Steve Spalding said the Club had lobbied to re-join the NMVTRC.

The Triumph Bonneville rider says Queensland had missed out on receiving vital funding for locally-delivered crime prevention programs.

“We’re now looking forward to seeing our state reap these long-awaited benefits,” he says.

The council, Queensland Government and Queensland Police have confirmed collaborative working arrangements to tackle vehicle theft crime.

They include proactive police action to educate riders about locking up their bikes.

Queensland Police and the RACQ launched their “Stop Stolen Motorcycles” awareness campaign last year.

In June, they asked riders to complete an online Motorbike Theft Survey to raise awareness of the use of security devices.

Motorcycle theft Senior Constable Tony Tatkovich and Steve Spalding RACQ
Senior Constable Tony Tatkovich and Steve Spalding RACQ with a motorcycle disc lock

Common motorcycle thefts

As usual, the most common manufacturers featured high on the list of most stolen brands.

However, KTM and Husqvarna also featured because of their many dirt bikes which are lighter and easier to steal than heavy road bikes.

Similarly, scooter brands such as SYM, Kymco and Piaggio featured because scooters are also easy to steal.

Make 2017/18 2018/19
Honda 1734 2005
Yamaha 1541 1581
Kawasaki 719 855
Suzuki 766 816
KTM 569 645
SYM 198 285
Kymco 140 223
Harley Davidson 229 219
Piaggio 193 202
Triumph 180 181
Hyosung 151 172
Husqvarna 134 145
Longjia 139 142
Aprilia 101 96
Ducati 95 93
TGB 97 89
Vespa 92 78
BMW 67 77
Adly 57 65
Bolwell 60 65

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

5 Best Security Gadgets for Your Motorbike

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(Sponsored post on bike security for our North American readers)

Motorbikes are excellent travel options for those who cherish adventurous trips on and off the road. Moreover, it is one of the most cost-effective and eco-friendly ways to beat heavy traffic in highly populated cities. Therefore, your motorbike is an investment that you need to protect against criminals who target to take this asset away from you.

In the recent past, bike theft has been on the rise with thousands of bikes stolen in the US every year. Even though there are ways to track vehicle history to prevent buyers from buying stolen motorbikes, most of the stolen bikes are never recovered. Thieves will quickly piece out the bike and sell the parts or reassemble it on a different frame. In this article, we have compiled 5 best security gadgets to help you secure your motorbike.

Aldi motorcycle cover Aldi annual sale securityMotorcycle Cover

Thieves do not steal any motorbike; they usually spy around to identify particular models to go for. Keeping a cover on your bike hides most of the important details that the criminals could be looking for, thus making it a less attractive target. Besides, there is a time-consuming hindrance for the thief. Though the cover is a basic accessory to keep your scrambler in good condition, it also provides security benefits.

Motorcycle Anti-Theft Lock and Alarm

A bike lock is one of the most effective preventive gadgets, making the job of a thief more risky and harder. However, with the right tools and techniques can break any lock or even carried in a track but using a strong lock along with other security device or mechanism is a great way to secure your bike. Some of the recommended anti-theft lock devices include:

Fork (Steering) Lock – This makes it impossible to steer the motorbike, so the thief cannot wheel it away.

Disc Lock – A small type of motorcycle lock fitted on the brake rotor to prevent the wheel from turning.

Digital Smart Locks – It can either be the steering or the disc lock that integrates it with the alarm system. Whenever a thief tries to break the lock, it activates the alarm scaring away the thief. Some smart locks in the market like Lock8 have a Bluetooth feature, which detects when you are away from the bike and automatically activates the alarm. Additionally, the device has a motion-sensing feature that activates the alarm when it detects motion. Some even have mobile apps that will alert you when the alarm starts.

Lock theft thief stolen steal clever steal security

Kill/Stop Switch

A motorcycle kill switch disables the connection to the ignition circuit stopping the bike from starting even if the thief has keys. Not even hot-wiring will start the machine. However, some criminals know how to flip the kill switch and can easily wheel away with the bike. Hiding the kill switch is an extra step to help you prevent theft of your motorbike.

Motorcycle Chain/ Cable

Some intelligent thieves have the techniques and powerful tools to break the steering or disc lock to escape with your machine. Combining the lock with a chain or cable enhances the security of the bike, making it harder to steal. The best way to use the chain/cable lock is on the back wheel as the front can be easily removed. Additionally, it is advisable to anchor the chain on an immovable object such as a street lamppost. You may also chain through the back wheel and the bike frame.

Motorbike GPS Tracking Device

Though the above gadgets can prevent bike theft, it is never a 100% guarantee. A GPS tracking device does little to nothing in preventing your ride from being stolen. However, it is a clever investment to help you recover your scrambler in the event it is stolen. Mostly the GPS tracker is attached in a hidden part on the bike. The device transmits the live location and other details about the bike such as movement and speed to a service which you can track online from a web-based or mobile app.

Summary

Losing a valuable possession like a motorbike can be a painful experience for anyone. While the unexpected may happen to you at any time, investing in advanced bike anti-theft gadgets can save you from this pain. Other bike safety measures include removing the keys from the ignition even when you are a few metres away from the bike, locking it in your home garage and parking within your sight whenever possible.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Biggest vehicle theft rise is in motorcycles

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Motor vehicle theft in Australia increased by 3% in the past year, largely due to a 9% rise in motorcycle theft. 

Motorcycle theft rose by 720 vehicles to a total of 8928, with a recovery rate of 48% in the 12 months to March 2019, according to the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council.Biggest rise is in motorcycle theft

Joy ride theft was up 7%, but profit-motivated theft, usually by organised gangs, was up 10%.

This is a worrying trend because motorcycle thefts in 2018 were up 7.3%.

Motorcycle theft is also up 1.5% in the past four years compared with the previous four. But then motorcycle ownership is also up.

Thefts rise in most states

Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hrambanis says the biggest rise in motorcycle theft continues to be in NSW and Queensland.

State or Territory 2017-04 to 2018-03 2018-04 to 2019-03 % change
Thefts
% of thefts 
 Thefts
% of thefts 
ACT 138 105 -23.9% 
NSW 1,758 2,022 15.0% 
NT 113 84 -25.7% 
QLD 1,474 1,794 21.7% 
SA 542 623 14.9% 
TAS 120 162 35.0% 
VIC 2,031 2,051 1.0% 
WA 2,032 2,087 2.7% 
AUS 8,208 100.0 8,928 100.0 8.8% 

Queensland’s rise could be explained by the fact that it left the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council seven years ago under the Newman Government.

It will rejoin the body from July 1 to find ways of preventing vehicle theft.

The RACQ has applauded the move.

“The Police Minister’s commitment to rejoin this theft prevention group is the right move,” says safety officer and Bonneville rider Steve Spalding.

“Since 2012 our leaders have backed out of financially supporting the [council] and subsequently missed out on receiving funding for locally delivered crime prevention programs, so we’re now looking forward to seeing our state reap these long-awaited benefits.”

The council is currently investigating the efficacy of tougher penalties for vehicle theft.

The worst hotspots for motorcycle theft continue to be South East Queensland, Melbourne, Sydney/Newcastle and Perth.

State or Territory LGA 2014-04 to 2015-03 2018-04 to 2019-03 % change
QLD Brisbane (City) 299 448 49.8% 
QLD Gold Coast (City) 157 269 71.3% 
VIC Melbourne (City) 137 254 85.4% 
QLD Logan (City) 113 182 61.1% 
NSW Sydney (City) 118 163 38.1% 
NSW Newcastle (City) 45 158 251.1% 
QLD Moreton Bay (Regional Council) 124 155 25.0% 
WA Swan (City) 109 147 34.9% 
WA Stirling (City) 141 146 3.5% 
WA Broome (Shire) 96 126 31.2% 

Easy to steal

Motorcycles and scooters are the easiest vehicles to steal because they are lighter than other vehicles and difficult to lock and anchor.

And the lighter the bike or scooter, the more likely it is to be stolen.

Cubic capacity 2014-04 to 2015-03 % of thefts 2018-04 to 2019-03 % of thefts
50 cc or less 1,048 890
51 – 100 cc 178 97
101 – 150 cc 835 957
151 – 200 cc 137 168
201 – 250 cc 1,110 942
251 – 500 cc 978 1,187
501 – 750 cc 782 833
751 – 1000 cc 394 437
1001 cc or more 288 290
Electric 1 1
Unknown 2,255 3,126

This is also reflected in the prevalence of scooter brands in the most marques.

Obviously, the most common motorcycles on the road also feature in the theft stats.

Make 2014-04 to 2015-03 2018-04 to 2019-03
Honda 1,571 1,882
Yamaha 1,475 1,540
Kawasaki 734 819
Suzuki 769 772
KTM 482 604
SYM 188 252
Harley-Davidson 171 225
Kymco 111 222
Piaggio 142 203
Triumph 129 187
Hyosung 149 166
Longjia 158 148
Husqvarna 109 136
Aprilia 72 99
Ducati 67 85
TGB 111 81
Vespa 66 78
BMW 47 71
Bolwell 78 66
Vmoto 115 66

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Police survey riders on motorcycle theft

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Riders are being asked to complete a quick online survey about motorcycle theft and security devices as part of a campaign to raise awareness.

Queensland Police and the RACQ launched their “Stop Stolen Motorcycles” awareness campaign last year and have now included this quick online Motorbike Theft Survey.

RACQ tech and safety guru Steve Spalding says it is good to see police following up on the launch to “measure any changes (hopefully improvements) of awareness of using anti-theft devices”.

“RACQ is very supportive of the work QPS is doing to raise awareness of motorcycle theft and promote the use of simple low-cost devices to help secure a bike,” says Steve who rides a Triumph Bonneville SE.

Motorcycle theft Senior Constable Tony Tatkovich and Steve Spalding RACQ srvey
Senior Constable Tony Tatkovich and Steve Spalding RACQ wth a motorcycle disc lock

“We think the survey is a great opportunity to assist the police in better understanding the level of awareness riders have about security and using anti-theft devices.

“Having a bike stolen is not just costly for the owner but disruptive and inconvenient to sort out a replacement, and to many riders a bike is more than just functional transport.

“A rider can reduce the risk of theft by better securing it and a simple device, such as a disc lock, can mean an opportunistic thief will move on to another bike that’s easier for them to take.

“A standard steering lock is only providing a basic level of protection.”

Theft rise

In Queensland, the motorcycle theft hotspot is Brisbane where 232 bikes were stolen from 2012 to 2017.

Half were stolen from parking bays, 108 (47%) were taken from a residence and eight (3%) from businesses. 

Only 48% of stolen motorcycles are partially recovered. Most are disassembled and sold for parts. 

Stop Stolen Motorcycles campaign leader Senior Constable Tony Tatkovich says 96% of stolen bikes were not fitted with a security device.

Senior Constable Tony Tatkovich launches awareness campaign motorcycle theft
Senior Constable Tony Tatkovich launches awareness campaign

Survey

The short survey asks questions about riders’ use of motorbikes, awareness of anti-theft devices, and ownership of anti-theft devices.

Respondents are not required to identify themselves except to supply a postcode.

Police say the information is anonymous in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2009.

It will only be used to inform others of the effectiveness of anti-theft devices.

Should you require any additional information before participating in this survey, or at any other stage, please contact Marcus TESTON, Research & Evaluation Unit, OCC via email at [email protected] or phone on 07 3015 2532.

We will publish results of the review when they are available.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Preventing Motorcycle Theft With Modern Technology

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(Contributed post on preventing motorcycle theft)

It’s not groundbreaking news to say that motorcycles get stolen from time to time, and part of the problem is the lack of care that owners take in preventing it from happening to them. Even if by some miracle your stolen motorcycle is recovered, I think it’s safe to say that you would rather not go through the ordeal to begin with.

That’s why that old adage about prevention being better than a cure exists. If you take the extra measures necessary to secure your motorcycle, you can do a lot to discourage would-be thiefs and prevent it from ever happening.

So, what exactly are those extra measures?

Use or Install:

Motorcycle Starter Kill Switch

Most modern motorcycles come with a kill switch already installed, but if yours doesn’t you might want to get one. Kill switches are one of the most effective ways of preventing theft. Here’s how they work:

When a key is turned in the ignition, electricity begins to flow from the battery to the engine. This starts a circuit that will eventually cause the motor to engage, thus allowing fuel and air to ignite.

A starter kill switch interrupts this process by preventing electricity from reaching the spark plugs.

Installing a hidden kill switch on your bike ensures that your bike doesn’t start unless the kill switch is disabled. Make sure to shut your bike off with the kill switch because this engages the kill switch.

Disc Brake Lock

Brake locks preventing the wheels from turning will stop thieves rolling with your bike. And while it’s an effective deterrent, it takes up significant storage space and it can be quite inconvenient to install and remove, making it not as popular as an anti-theft device. People who do use them generally only do so when they’re going to be away for a long time.

Anti-Theft Alarm

While this measure is nothing new, it’s one that has proven to be effective at keeping thieves away and alerting people to the thieves that aren’t discouraged by it. Just make sure to have the alarm sensitivity tuned properly.

Do:

Park Within FOV of Security Cameras

It’s standard procedure for thieves to scout an area for security cameras before they attempt to steal anything. Parking within the field of view of security cameras helps you identify thieves if they aren’t outright discouraged.

Park Near Other Motorcycles

There are two main benefits of parking near other motorcycles. The first is that your bike is less likely to be singled out. And even if that fails, more bikes means that there’s going to be more people around the area. Riders usually look out for each other and this is often more than enough to prevent theft.

If All Else Fails: GPS Locator

While having a GPS locator installed in your motorcycle might not be much of a deterrent, you’d be happy to have it when you need it. It helps the authorities find your bike much quicker. At which point, you can recover your motorbike either by heading to where it is, of having it transported to you through motorcycle shipping if you’re overseas.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Four alleged stolen motorcycles recovered

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Four stolen motorcycles have been recovered and 118 people charged on 342 offences following a four-day police operation in Logan, south of Brisbane.

This follows similar police operations in Victorian and NSW last month where police seized 11 stolen motorbikes under investigations into motor vehicle theft and rebirthing.

In Queensland, Operation Romeo-Velodrome ran over two weekends (May 10-11 and May 15-16) and involved officers from Logan District Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), Logan Tactical Crime Squad, General Duties police, Dog Squad, State Crime Command, Road Policing Unit, Forensic Services Branch, PolAir and Gold Coast Rapid Action Patrols (RAP).

The aim of the operation was to target drug-related crime specifically linked to methamphetamines.

During the operation police seized large quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA, morphine, prescription drugs, cannabis, six firearms including shotguns and a handgun, in excess of 100 rounds of 9mm ammunition and $10,000 in cash.

Police also recovered four stolen motorcycles, two cars, a trailer, four camper trailers, a caravan, ride on lawnmower, air conditioning units, iPads, tablets, mobile phones and jewellery.

If you believe any of this property is yours, contact Policelink or phone 131 444.

Stolen AJS

Stolen 1959 AJS 7R 350 stolen motorcycles
Stolen 1959 AJS 7R 350

Have you seen this valuable and unique-looking black 1959 AJS 7R 350 motorcycle with a white fairing?

It was stolen from a house on Wangandary Rd, Wangaratta, some time between April 13 and May 10.

Wangaratta Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for help to locate the distinctive motorbike.

Post-war AJS 7R 350cc single-cylinder motorcycles are valuable, fetching as much as $46,000-$54,000.

Police released the above images of the motorcycle in the hope someone may recognise it and be able to provide information on its whereabouts.

Anyone who has information or who may have seen the motorbike is urged to contact Wangaratta CIU on 5723 0888 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Stolen motorcycles rampant

Motorcycle theft is running rampant throughout Australia, according to the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council.

Thefts increased by 597 (7.3%) last year to a total of 8746 with a recovery rate of just 47%.

Last month, Victorian and NSW police seized 11 stolen motorbikes under investigations into motor vehicle theft and rebirthing.

Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hrambanis says the biggest rises in stolen motorcycles was in NSW and Queensland.

“In most cases vehicle theft is almost always opportunistic, with the vehicle being stolen for short-term use and later recovered (78% in Queensland),” Caitlin says.

The Council is shortly expected to release a review of the amended NSW Crimes Act which introduced a new offence of knowingly facilitating a rebirthing activity carried out on an organised basis.

It was designed to deter thieves by applying tougher penalties to any and all members in a theft network involved in stealing your motorcycle or car with tougher penalties.

While it seemed a good idea at the time, the figures seem to show it is not working.

We will have a report on the review in coming weeks.

Theft by state

State or Territory 2017 2018 % change
Thefts
% of thefts 
 Thefts
% of thefts 
ACT 126 107 -15.1% 
NSW 1679 1968 17.2% 
NT 126 82 -34.9% 
QLD 1510 1696 12.3% 
SA 521 555 6.5% 
TAS 122 141 15.6% 
VIC 2013 2092 3.9% 
WA 2052 2105 2.6% 
AUS 8149 100.0 8746 100.0 7.3% 

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Have you seen this stolen AJS motorcycle?

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Have you seen this valuable and unique-looking black 1959 AJS 7R 350 motorcycle with a white fairing?

It was stolen from a house on Wangandary Rd, Wangaratta, some time between April 13 and May 10.

Wangaratta Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for help to locate the distinctive motorbike.

Post-war AJS 7R 350cc single-cylinder motorcycles are valuable, fetching as much as $46,000-$54,000.

Police released the above images of the motorcycle in the hope someone may recognise it and be able to provide information on its whereabouts.

Anyone who has information or who may have seen the motorbike is urged to contact Wangaratta CIU on 5723 0888 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Theft running rampant

Motorcycle theft is running rampant throughout Australia, according to the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council.

Thefts increased by 597 (7.3%) last year to a total of 8746 with a recovery rate of just 47%.

Last month, Victorian and NSW police seized 11 stolen motorbikes under investigations into motor vehicle theft and rebirthing.

Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hrambanis says the biggest rises in motorcycle theft were in NSW and Queensland.

“In most cases vehicle theft is almost always opportunistic, with the vehicle being stolen for short-term use and later recovered (78% in Queensland),” Caitlin says.

The Council is shortly expected to release a review of the amended NSW Crimes Act which introduced a new offence of knowingly facilitating a rebirthing activity carried out on an organised basis.

It was designed to deter thieves by applying tougher penalties to any and all members in a theft network involved in stealing your motorcycle or car with tougher penalties.

While it seemed a good idea at the time, the figures seem to show it is not working.

We will have a report on the review in coming weeks.

Theft by state

State or Territory 2017 2018 % change
Thefts
% of thefts 
 Thefts
% of thefts 
ACT 126 107 -15.1% 
NSW 1679 1968 17.2% 
NT 126 82 -34.9% 
QLD 1510 1696 12.3% 
SA 521 555 6.5% 
TAS 122 141 15.6% 
VIC 2013 2092 3.9% 
WA 2052 2105 2.6% 
AUS 8149 100.0 8746 100.0 7.3% 

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

How To Improve Motorcycle Safety With GPS Tracking

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(Contributed article about GPS tracking)

Motorcycles are fun, thrilling, expensive and a preferred target for thieves, but GPS trackers will follow your bike’s location if it is stolen and help you get it back.

What is GPS tracking system and how does it work?

A GPS motorcycle tracker is basically a location tracking system that uses ground stations and a satellite network to find the exact location of the signal. Just place this small tracker device on your motorbike or any other vehicle whose location you want to track.

This device precisely tracks the location of the object to which it is attached in real time with high accuracy. This makes it easy for the owner to quickly find their stolen bike without any legal intervention.

Benefits of a GPS tracker system

Additional layer of protection

As cases of motorcycle theft have been increasing dramatically lately in the UK, it has become very important to take appropriate safety measures to safeguard your bike against theft.  Motorcycle tracking is one of the best ways that has been adopted by many bike riders.

Hassle free way to track the location

The best feature of these GPS tracker systems is that if you do not have access to a computer, you can use a tablet or smartphone to pinpoint the accurate location of the bike.

Real-time tracking of location

Installation of a GPS tracker unit gives you clear information on the location of the motorbike along with its movement at any given period of time. You can also view the previous route history up to three months in the past.

Geo-fence Zones

Geo-fence zones are virtual geographic fences that you can draw on the map so you receive a notification if your motorbike enters or leaves the area without your consent.

Mental peace

GPS tracking devices come with a movement alert feature that sends a message to the owner about any motion of their parked bike. In this way, the owner knows about an attempted theft even before the bike is taken.

Saves Money

The GPS tracking system also monitors your motorcycle, providing details about fuel consumption, range covered, etc.

Keeps your bike safe

Installing such an effective motorcycle tracking device is safer than traditional locks that can be broken, no matter how sturdy they are.

Conclusion

GPS tracking is one of the most valuable ways of ensuring the safety of your most prized possession.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

News

How can we reduce motorcycle theft?

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There could be nothing more heartbreaking than to have your motorcycle stolen, but what can be done to reduce the alarming rate of theft?

We recently published an article that showed a massive rise in Queensland’s motorcycle theft rate after the government opted out of the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council.

It also pointed out that 96% of motorcycles stolen did not even have a disc lock.

But are governments and riders the only ones to blame for motorcycle theft?

Sure riders need to play their part. (See a list of things you can do to secure your bike at the end of this article.)

But governments, police, insurance companies, motorcycle dealers and manufacturers can also play their part.

Motorcycle theft has hidden costs for all of these stakeholders. It costs governments in terms of policing, it costs insurance companies in payouts and it costs dealers and manufacturers when customers are turned off riding by theft.

How to reduce bike theft

So what can they do?

Governments could supply more secure parking at bus and train carers for commuters. That means lighting, security cameras and anchor points for motorcycles. They do it for bicycles, so why not for motorcycles?

We applaud the Queensland Police Service for their awareness campaign, but police should also include patrols past known motorcycle theft locations.

Insurance companies should encourage riders to fit aftermarket alarms and use approved locking systems. They can do this by reducing premiums for those who comply. Some do, but not all.

Manufacturers should make their bikes more difficult to steal and cut up for spare parts.

While some manufacturers fit immobilisers, Harley-Davidson is the only one that fits a loud alarm as standard.

Harley-Davidson CVO Pro Street Breakout please reduce
Harley immobiliser key fob

They could also apply DataDot paint that allows police to trace the owner of a recovered stolen motorcycle and to trace stolen parts.

DataDot is an almost invisible paint that includes a code that is stored on a national database. You can add DataDot to a motorcycle for $200.

Bikes featuring DataDot paint should also feature warning stickers to alert would-be thieves.

And motorcycle dealers should encourage customers to put aside at least $50 to buy an alarmed disc lock rather than forking out hundreds for an aftermarket exhaust!

If everyone plays their part, we can reduce motorcycle theft and save money.

Here’s how you can protect your bike

  • Use a secure disc lock with an alarm and a reminder cord attached to your handlebars so you don’t ride off with it still in place.
  • Buy a secure chain so you can anchor your bike to an immovable object such as a lamp post.
  • If you park your motorcycle outside your house, consider installing outdoor security cameras or a motion sensor light near the bike.
  • Also, use the steering lock if your bike has one.
  • Park in a secure location such as your garage or behind a locked gate.
  • Consider the extra security of using the steering lock, a disc lock or chain as well.
  • Pull out a spark plug or fuse, or have an immobiliser fitted.
  • Avoid parking your bike in railway or shopping centre car parks as these are notorious for theft.
  • Park in a locked carpark. If you have to park in the open, leave it where you can see your bike or in view of a security camera and/or under a light.
  • Otherwise, keep your bike out of sight, maybe parking it behind your car. If parking in a garage, block the bike with your car and ensure the garage is locked.
  • Use DataDot, DNA+ or a security tag to identify your bike.
    thief DNA+ invisible marker rampant campaign
  • When riding home, make sure you are not being followed.
  • Stay alert for suspicious vans or trucks driving around late at night. These are used to transport stolen motorcycles.
  • Put a cover over your bike. It might slow down thieves and prevent theft of accessories. But make sure it isn’t a flashy lone with the brand name of the bike on it. That only entices thieves.
  • When riding in a group, park your bikes together.
  • Consider marking your bike in a unique way that could aid in recovery and therefore dissuade thieves.
  • At hotels or public parking spaces, try to park in view of parking lot security cameras and lights.
  • Install a motorcycle alarm and/or a hidden kill switch.
  • Buy a GPS tracking system that can track and relay your bike’s speed, location and direction.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com