Anti Theft equipment

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by Polaku, Mar 31, 2020.

  1. Polaku

    Polaku New Member

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    Hey there you guys. Where I live there are generally has a low rate of bikes theft, but I had some flashbacks of my days back in San Diego and from discussions with guys from London. I use my 5th gen as a commuter and when at work its parked in a generally well surveilled location. At home its parked in a 'guarded' underground garage. Of course that doesn't give you complete immunity from thieves.

    Was wondering what type of 'anti theft' and tracking devices you guys use for your bikes. I live in Poland so our currency is very weak against Dollars, Euros and Pounds so I can't afford the cream of the crop but still need some sort of deterrents. Did some searches on aliexpress, to some shops to finally the local honda dealership. Was wondering if you guys have experiences with different items and at different price ranges.

    A disk lock and gps tracker are a must, but just don't know exactly what details to focus on. Advertising can always be deceptive. Thanks you guys.
     
  2. Norse

    Norse New Member

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    I have said this several times before, but it never stops being true.

    There are 2 kinds of motorcycle thieves:
    1: The opportunistic kind, who will basically just steal it if it's easy and relatively risk free.
    A halfway decent disc lock is more than enough to make them move on to something easier.
    Hell, even something that looks like a lock will almost certainly be enough.

    2: The pros, who will steal it no matter what. They don't give a rats arse about alarms, locks or attention. They will most often roll up in a van, throw the bike in the back and drive off. Even on the street in the middle of the day.
    They know that 99.99% of all people will not react to alarms and the few that will even turn around if they hear one, won't do anything about it. And unless a cop is literally standing right there, a report of a motorcycle theft in progress is not the kind of thing that will get a lightning fast response.

    Alarms are useless trash and all the huge chains and super advanced locks people drag around, are pathetic displays of slave mentality.
    The only "anti-theft" gadget that actually has any relevancy (against opportunistic thieves), is an immobilizer. And If your bike does not have that, a hidden kill-switch or simply pulling the main fuse, will do pretty much the same thing.

    The absolute best option is good insurance.
     
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  3. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    On my few bikes that have a side stand switch, I wire it to a hidden toggle. Every time you put in gear, it just dies. I have also wired in fuel pump power switches for customers. Thieves get a block (or so) away and it dies, then they leave it (sometimes pushing it over to be an extra dick). A few customers recovered their bikes with that one.
     
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  4. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    Agree with both above. If they want your bike, they are likely to get it if it is parked outside.

    A switch hidden somewhere is really the best anti theft device you can put on your bike, or car for that matter, for the money. A push button type switch mounted almost anywhere would work. Even in your instrument cluster. All you need to do is interrupt the power to the starter. You can pick up weather proof button switches for a couple dollars anywhere. Someone trying to start the bike would likely move on rather than to try and diagnose right there and then why it won't start. But with this switch, you need to be able to lock your steering so the bike can't be rolled away.

    But the pros are going to get your bike if it is what they want. ANY level of anti theft equipment is one layer of protection and so long as you are not throwing huge money and getting little protection, you are working in the right direction.
     
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  5. skimad4x4

    skimad4x4 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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    My question to you - are you happy to have your bike stolen but like the idea of possibly getting the wreck back (and possibly smashing the guys who took it)?

    If so then fitting a tracker is the answer.

    But if you really would like to find your bike is still where you left it then get a quality lock and chain - Almax - is probably the best out there - and make sure it is attached to something solid like a lamp post. The latest Almax chain is so incredibly resilient to angle grinders etc that even professional thieves just walk away. Cheap chains and lock from the value supermarkets are a total waste of money.

    Sadly as Norse mentions there are plenty of "throw it in the back of a van" teams who have no care whatever for being seen and are happy to ignore alarms. 4 guys can easily pick up a bike fitted with an immobiliser and put in in a van in seconds. Unless of course it is attached really securely to something really solid. - that they cannot cut through in a few seconds with a portable industrial angle grinder. An immobiliser like HISS helps as it reduces its value to thieves and they may choose another target instead but that does not stop them taking the bike to bits with the parts sold a few weeks later on tBay - so they don't really care if they cannot start the engine.

    Finally if you have the option keep the bike inside a garage or under a tarp within a secured area of your workplace. If people cannot see it then it is much less a target.
     
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  6. Polaku

    Polaku New Member

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    Great points. If there's a will there's a way and good insurance is the only guarantee. It's really cheap here so already have that.... but with all the mods done to the bike, it would really suck to have to do it all again!

    If it takes a disc lock to weed out the laziest of the lazies then I'm all for it. Those almax chaines look great but will take some saving up to get. Honestly, people here in Poland, people don't stand for that shit. There's a likelier chance that some big dude will pounce on some one in the middle of the act.

    What are some areas you've put these kill switches? Was thinking the rear cowel 'vents' might hold an interesting solution. Also, please don't mind the ignorance but, what electronically locks the steering?

    And I'm all about some street justice. Have some sharp 'sticks' and know some good ol' boys that would be willing to help. If I can't enjoy her, no one will... not to sound too crazy. Are there any 'better known' tracker devices? I don't exactly speak the language that great here so it's really hard to avoid looking on Aliexpress lol.

    btw, A switch is like 5 zl and I'm finding cheap trackers and decent locks for 150-350 zl a piece. 500 zl doesn't sound too bad, even it only serves to make me sleep a bit better at night.

    Really appreciate the input you guys. Seems like facing the facts is just a reality on this one.
     
  7. Norse

    Norse New Member

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    A disc lock does not just weed out the laziest thieves. It weeds out most thieves.
    I never use mine, but if I did, there would not be any viable way of removing it from the bike. It's strong enough that they won't be braking it. The only way they are getting it of, is removing the entire wheel.
    No one is going to do that. The opportunistic ones won't bother and the pros will just take the whole thing anyway.

    I have put kill switches on bikes for several people. There really Is no right or wrong place to put it. I prefer under that tail, as it's easy to mount it on the underside of the undertail/fender and it's easy to get to while being completely invisible.

    There is no way to electronically lock the steering. The only realistic way to lock it, is the steering lock that is on most bikes.
    DO NOT USE IT!
    The steering lock is literally so weak that one person can break it by hand, without any tools. Using it will result in one of two things.
    1: The thief will simply break it, adding to the damage you may have to deal with if you get it back.
    2: The thief may not notice it and when he tries to roll the bike away, he drops it and leaves it. Again adding more damage for you.

    The closest thing you will get to making it "impossible" move the bike without lifting it into a van, is to park it in gear and remove the clutch lever.
     
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  8. Polaku

    Polaku New Member

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    Appreciate it man. Disc lock and a kill switch are in the foreseeable future :)
     
  9. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    The transmission will still shift without the clutch lever. Just sayin'.
     
  10. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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  11. James Bond

    James Bond Member

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    I use something called insurance. If they steal it, fine. I don't want it back, ever.
     
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  12. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    Thing is, with most insurance companies this side of the 49th Parallel, you make one insurance claim and they boost the shit out of your premiums for the next four or five years to recover their loss, by claiming you are now a high risk insured. Fucking insurance companies. They are criminal bastards.

    If your insurance claim is not more than four years of premiums, then it is not worth putting in a claim at all. Just suffer the loss, and eat the cost.
     
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  13. raYzerman

    raYzerman Member

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    Don't get me started, Randy! Make a collision damage claim and you will pay back the repair over next 5 years. $5000 insurance estimate repair, minus deductible... say premium will be..... whatever, you do the math. Meanwhile, real parts repair cost, you DIY for say $1500..... eat it, fix it and be happy.
     
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  14. James Bond

    James Bond Member

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    I agree with you but having been with the same company since 26 y.o., I've totaled two vehicles in a 10 month period with no increase and have gotten more speeding tickets than I would guess and they haven't increased rates due to me being with them a LONG time, I guess.

    That said, and take note everyone, I did send them an email Friday asking how much my rates would DECREASE due to less driving because of the "stay at home" dictate, and got an email back immediately saying there would be a decrease. In the same email, they asked me for current vehicle mileages to verify I wasn't exceeding insurance rating schedules. When I saw that mileages were substantially down from last year and project them to be down substantially by year end, I again asked them what my rate DECREASE will be given estimated substantially less miles driven. Their request tonality for current mileage was a bit too snarky for me so I put it back on them.

    Moral to the story, ask for a rate decrease NOW.
     
  15. Polaku

    Polaku New Member

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    I have full recovery on my bike... but after doing the f4i fork swap and rear shock, rebuilding the seat and about to do a ip67 fan cooling system rebuild.... that type of sentimentality can't just get instantly replaced by a check. I'll gladly pay the couple of hundred of dollars to just to have a greater chance to avoid that extra hassle.
     
  16. StealthBoss

    StealthBoss New Member

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    I just got my used 6th gen and some A-holes were planning a grab N go with a Uhaul that mysteriously showed up outside my cheap ass hotel room. I don't carry so I said screw sleep and load my containers in the room, put them on, and left for home.

    Many who ride do it because they love bikes those who steal others' bikes from guys that are not even in a rival club are maggots and rotten through and through. Without their boyz and gunz I would beat them into sludge 1v1.

    I agree that good insurance is key but making it difficult for them with a padlock through your braking rotor should deter long enough.

    Be careful out there! There are a lot of maggots on this piece of shit lucinderella turned this beautiful creation earth into!
     
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