How to stop your Motorcross bike from being stolen

At Bison Securlity we are specialist security company that has developed a Bike Vice specifically for Motorcross bikes and a Quad Vice for Quad Bikes. To create products like ours we need to understand the problems that we are up against. Namely preventing a thief from stealing our customers bikes and quads.

Let's dive in.

Motorbike thieves employ various techniques to steal motorcycles, depending on factors like location, the type of bike, and the security measures in place. Some methods are quick and opportunistic, while others are more calculated.

Here are some common ways thieves steal motorbikes:

 

Lift and Carry (Two-Man Job)

Method: A group of thieves will physically lift a motorcycle and load it into a van or truck. This method is often used for lightweight motorcycles, scooters, or mopeds that have been left in public location. It’s quick and can be done in under a minute.

How to Protect Against It: Secure the motorcycle to an immovable object with a heavy-duty chain or use ground anchors. A heavy-duty cover can also make the process more difficult by concealing the bike and adding an extra layer to remove.

Hotwiring

Method: In older motorcycles without advanced electronic ignition systems, thieves can bypass the ignition system by connecting the bike's electrical wires directly, therefore starting the bike without a key.

How to Protect Against It: Modern motorcycles often come with immobilizers, key fobs, or electronic ignition systems that prevent hotwiring. Using an alarm or immobilizer can make this more difficult. You can also install aftermarket electronic immobilizers.

Breaking Locks

Method: Thieves use bolt cutters, angle grinders, or hydraulic jacks to cut through chains, locks, or disc brakes. Cheap or poorly made locks are especially vulnerable.

How to Protect Against It: Invest in high-quality, hardened steel lock products, chains, and disc locks that are resistant to bolt cutters and saws.

Angle Grinder Attacks

Method: Thieves use portable, battery-operated angle grinders to cut through chains, locks, or ground anchors. This is a noisy method but can be effective if thieves are determined or if the bike is in a remote, isolated location. It’s often used on high-value motorcycles with more secure locking systems.

How to Protect Against It: Use thick, high-quality locks made of reinforced materials designed to resist angle grinders for as long as possible. Parking in public areas with a lot of foot traffic or in CCTV-covered spots can also discourage thieves.

Garage and Home Break-Ins

Method: Thieves may break into garages or homes to steal motorcycles directly from the owner's property. In some cases, they will scope out the area beforehand to identify bikes parked in garages or on driveways.

How to Protect Against It: Install security measures in your home or garage, including CCTV, motion-activated lights, alarms, and ground anchors to lock the motorcycle in place. Parking in well-lit areas and keeping the bike out of sight when possible (with a cover or in a closed garage) reduces the chance of theft.

Opportunistic Theft

Method: Some thieves act on impulse, taking advantage of bikes left unattended in easily accessible locations without proper security. They might ride away or quickly load the bike into a vehicle if the opportunity arises.

How to Protect Against It: Always lock your motorcycle, even when parking for short periods. Use multiple layers of security like disc locks, chains, bike covers and alarms to deter opportunistic thieves.

Using more than one security measure can increases the difficulty for thieves, often leading them to move on to an easier target.

By using a combination of strong physical locks, electronic security systems, and mindful parking habits, you can significantly reduce the chances of your motorcycle being stolen.