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Motorcycles are a prime target for thieves due to their lightweight design, high resale value, and relatively simple security compared to cars. Taking the right precautions can make a big difference in preventing motorcycle theft. Here’s what you need to know—and do—to keep your motorcycle safe.
Why Motorcycles Are Stolen So Often
- Easy to move: A couple of people can lift a bike into a van in seconds.
- High demand: Popular models or rare parts are valuable on the black market.
- Less secure: Fewer bikes come with built-in alarms, immobilizers, or GPS tracking compared to cars.
Tips to Prevent Motorcycle Theft
As with all theft prevention, a well thought out layered approach using multiple methods will provide the most security, nothing will make your motorcycle impossible to steal, but you can make it a less desirable target using methods to deter and slow down thieves. Everyone’s situation is different based on type of bike, where you live, and budget, so here are some options to help you develop your anti-theft plan:
Be Careful Where You Park
Where you park your motorcycle plays a major role in preventing theft. Thieves often target bikes left in dark, isolated, or low-traffic areas where they can work without being noticed and will have more time to bypass your anti-theft measures. Whenever possible, park in well-lit, busy locations with plenty of foot traffic or under surveillance cameras, and preferably not far out of your sight. At home, it is ideal to keep your motorcycle in a locked garage or behind a secure gate instead of leaving it visible from the street. If you don’t have a garage or gate, park as close to your house as possible, preferably out of sight from the road, and use as many other security measures as possible. Even when parked in public, try to position your bike near walls, posts, or other obstacles that make it harder for thieves to move or load it quickly.
Disc Locks
Motorcycle disc locks are a compact, highly visible deterrent that clamp onto a brake rotor to prevent the wheel from turning, making it much harder for a thief to roll the bike away. They’re lightweight and easy to carry, and alarmed models add an extra loud, attention-grabbing layer of protection. For best results use a disc lock alongside a ground anchor or heavy chain (and always attach the reminder cable to your handlebars so you don’t try to ride off with it installed).
View Hiplok MD1000 on Amazon (Angle grinder resistant)
View Kryptonite 000884 on Amazon (Less expensive option)
Motorcycle Alarm Systems
- Monimoto– Monimoto devices combine features of an alarm and a GPS tracker. The battery-powered tracker is hidden on the motorcycle and paired with a small key tag. When you leave your bike and the tag moves out of range, the system arms itself. If the motorcycle is moved, you’ll get a phone call alert while the device quietly provides real-time tracking through the app, without tipping off the thief. (View on Monimito.com)
- Scorpio SRX-900-The Scorpio SRX-900 is a compact, 2-way motorcycle alarm that combines motion, shock, and tilt detection with a powerful siren to deter theft. It features RFID keyless arming and disarming, so the system automatically activates when you walk away and deactivates when you return. The SRX-900 also supports optional add-ons like GPS tracking with RLink, perimeter sensors, and starter disable. The 2-way system allows you to receive alarm notifications to your key fob, or your phone if you use RLink. Unlike the Monimoto, which is silent, the Scorpio will make a lot of noise when set off, which will draw unwanted attention to the thieves, however, it may also alert them to the likely presence of a tracking device.
- Disc Locks with Alarms-Motorcycle disc lock alarms combine physical security with an audible deterrent by locking onto the brake rotor and sounding a loud alarm if the bike is moved. Compact and easy to carry, they prevent the wheel from turning while drawing attention to any tampering or theft attempt.
- View ABUS Granit Detecto Disc Lock with Alarm on Amazon (Premium option)
- View URBAN UR6 Disc Lock with Alarm on Amazon (Less expensive option)
Chain It Up!
One effective deterrent that can slow a thief down from taking your bike is to secure it with a lock and chain. Make sure to get a quality chain and secure it through the frame of your motorcycle to a heavy duty anchor point. (Read more on selecting locks and chains here).
Park In Your Garage
This one may seem obvious, but it’s important to note how effective it is. Not only does keeping your bike locked in the garage make it more secure, it also keeps it out of sight so less criminals will know you even had it. Obviously it is important to keep the garage locked, and you can add extra security with home alarm systems, driveway sensors, cameras, and flood lights outside.
Cover With Cover Lock
It may not be the hardest thing to defeat, but a locked cover does add another layer thieves have to deal with before stealing your bike, especially when paired with disc locks and/or chains. Avoid using covers that attract lots of attention or imply an expensive motorcycle is underneath (for example: a bright red cover that says Ducati on the side). Boring neutral colored or raggedy looking covers will help your bike stand out less to thieves, this is especially important if you live in a high-traffic area where many people who pass by will see what you have.
MotoCabin/Motorcycle Storage Shed
One cool thing about motorcycles is that even if you don’t have a garage, you can still get similar protection without building an expensive garage by using a MotoCabin or a shed. MotoCabin is a compact product that is basically a locking, hard shell cover that can make it more difficult for thieves to access your bike, as well as protect it from the elements. Another similar option is to get a small shed to lock your motorcycle in, some are available specifically for this purpose, but any shed that’s sturdy and will fit your bike will work.
Tracking Devices
GPS is your best bet for recovering your motorcycle in the unfortunate event of a theft. Ideal tracking device options for motorcycles are a little different than cars (read about those here), although many of the options can still work in a bike, there are also options designed specifically for motorcycles such as the Monimoto. Motorcycles present the challenge of having less places to hide trackers, so it’s important to get creative to avoid detection by thieves and ideally have multiple devices in case one is found or malfunctions. Here are some options that will work for bikes:
- Monimoto– Monimoto devices are a bit of a combo of an alarm and a tracker, the tracker is battery powered and hidden on the motorcycle, and is paired with a tag that you typically attach to your keys. When the tag is moved away from the tracker (when you park and leave your bike) it arms and will alert you via a phone call of the movement without making any noise to alert the thief of its’ presence while also allowing you real time tracking in the app. (Subscription Required). (View on Monimito.com)
- PassTime InTouchVP– PassTime has been making Asset Tracking GPS devices for businesses for decades and are now offering products for consumers. This wireless GPS tracker is smaller than a deck of cards, giving you countless options for hiding spots and can last for up to 5 years depending on usage. These devices have great reliability and accuracy. (Subscription Required)
- PassTime InTouch– PassTime also makes a wired device for consumers called the InTouch, which can be installed in motorcycles in addition to cars. The wired InTouch provides better real-time tracking without worrying about device battery-life, and offers geo-fence and speed notifications, as well as notifications if your bike’s battery is getting low. As with all wired devices, it is going to require professional installation. (Subscription Required)
- Spot Trace– The Spot Trace GPS is a compact tracking device that can be powered by AAA batteries or hooked up to a power cable. (Subscription Required) (View on Amazon)
- RLink– The RLink GPS is wired tracking device made specifically for motorcycles that connects to the positive and negative terminals on your battery. While it has less options for concealment, it integrates with Scorpio alarm systems and actively locates every 30 seconds. (Subscription Required)
- Apple AirTag– Apple AirTags use Bluetooth and the Find My network to help track lost items by pinging nearby Apple devices. When hidden on a motorcycle, they can aid in recovery if it’s stolen, though they aren’t true anti-theft devices and may trigger alerts on nearby iPhones for privacy. Disabling the speaker can make them harder for thieves to detect. (View on Amazon)
- Tile– Tile trackers use Bluetooth to link with the Tile app and depend on a crowd-sourced network of nearby users to locate lost items. When hidden on a motorcycle, they can help track it if stolen, though their effectiveness relies on being near other Tile users and the network is smaller than Apple’s Find My system. (View on Amazon)
Security Cameras and Lights at Home
Installing security cameras around your home is an easy way to boost overall security and help deter motorcycle theft while your bike is parked at home. Systems from brands like Ring or Blink can alert you to motion or activity outside, providing an early warning if someone is near your motorcycle (though this feature usually requires a subscription). While cameras won’t stop every thief, they can still discourage some, give you valuable alerts, and provide footage that may help recover your motorcycle or identify suspects if it’s stolen. (See more about security cameras here)
Block in Your Motorcycle
In your driveway, you can utilize other vehicles to block in your motorcycle and make it more difficult to take, and less visible from the road.
