Have you ever walked outside, key in hand, ready to ride only to discover that your motorcycle is nowhere in sight? It sounds like the nightmare you woke up from only a few days ago, but for many motorcyclists this is reality. In 2016, 46,467 motorcycles were stolen, but the attorneys who ride at the Metier Law Firm want to help bring this number down for 2017.

Ways I Can Keep My Motorcycle Safe

Motorcycle thieves are a diverse group of criminals, with many different reasons for going after your bike. Here are a few ways to discourage them.

• Cover It Up– If you park your motorcycle in plain sight, make it harder for the thieves to tell what kind of bike it is. Most thieves pilfer bikes to sell their parts, if those crooks can’t tell which parts are on your bike, they are less likely to take them. Also, covering your bike masks whatever security measures you take to protect your bike, so thieves won’t know if they need a lock pick or a bolt cutter to make your bike disappear.
• Ground It– Get a cable lock or a chain lock, and tie your bike off on an immovable object. This will prevent thieves from lifting your bike into a truck or van and then speeding off. Remember, when getting a chain or cable lock, find one that is resistant to bolt cutters, chemicals, and always keep the chain off the ground so as not to give thieves leverage.
• Be Vigilant– Some thieves scope your motorcycle out before making a move on it. So be sure you check your mirrors when you’re heading home and make sure nobody is following you. You can also change up your parking patterns to keep thieves guessing.
• Park Smart– A garage is usually the best place to park your motorcycle, but if you don’t have a garage there are many other options. There are now fold out security enclosures for bikes that will not only keep your bike out of sight, but they will also store your gear. If you don’t have an option like this, try to park with other motorcycles, or park in conspicuous well-lit places. Thieves don’t want to be noticed when takin your bike, so bringing attention to them will be a fantastic deterrent.