I just read Drewl's post from yesterday :http://vfrworld.com/forums/general-vfr-discussions/43039-look-out.html , and started thinking. Then the mean temperature of the world went up two degrees. But seriously now. Bike theft happens. I suspect few people have the adequate coverage to afford theft and fire coverage for their bikes. It is expensive. I know because I have it. But my brother, Rob, from Victorville Ca, did not back in something like 1974, when he listed his then 1 year old, Norton Commando 850 for sale. Sure as hell, it was stolen over night. It was never recovered, and he moved from Winnipeg down to the USA. We all know there is a site for just about every make and model of bike out there these days and we are passionate about our rides. If you are unfortunate enough to have your ride stolen, when making the report to the police, make mention of any site you are aware of. Make mention of the idea that parts for these bikes are sold after being stripped, on line on many sites. They know this, but mention it anyways and ask them to note it in their narrative of their report. What this does, is to bring the idea up front more that this is a lead to follow, and it may educate those along the line who are less informed, that yes there is this investigational lead to follow up on. In an ideal world, police would be checking these sites, but let's face it, even if they say they will, which they should not, they are not likely to due to lack of time. They have other criminal and domestic violence matters to deal with. So if you are a victim, go out there and search the web. Take what you find back to the police who will look at the weight of what you have gathered, and may act on it, or turn it over to a specialized auto-theft unit to follow through with. They can't do this alone. They need your help, so they can help you. Kinda like closing an electrical circuit so that the light comes on!
And BTW. Do you all have proper photographs of the bike with its VIN, a good photo of any add ons with serial numbers? Do you have all your documentation, insurance papers, registrations and title, copied and stored away in a safe spot, away from the bike? The first thing I do with my vehicle paperwork, which I have to carry in the vehicle, is copy the original document, delete any address on all the copied documents, and carry the copied documents in the vehicle. Leave the originals at home. To leave your address in your vehicle is a definite security risk to your home. But before you do this, check with the authorities in your area to see if this is lawful. Some places it may not be. If you were to get a citation of some sort out on the road because you had your address deleted or blacked out, I would argue that the safety of your home, by far, supersedes the convenience of law enforcement to see that address on a document, especially in this electronic age, where such information is readily available in moments, on their in car computer terminals. That argument may or may not work. I know I would have accepted it if there was the need to use it in my presence.
Ya. It was probably one of y'als who stole my brother's bike back in the 70's. Personally, I had never investigated a stolen bike complaint. ANd other than my brother's theft, had no personal knowledge of a theft. That must just have been the luck of the draw though. I know a few years back they expanded the "Bait-Car" program to include motorcycles so there must be enough instances of theft to warrant this program. Hell, they have started a Bait Bicycle program in some places like Whistler for some of the higher end bicycles used these days. I had a $3000.00 bicycle stolen back in something like 04 or so. That was never recovered. Insurance only covered a grand and there was a $500.00 deductible. Bumped my insurance rates up for three years so I think I would have been better off not making a claim at all. Fucking insurance companies. My apologies tp those here who work for them but that's how I feel about them.
