How to Protect Your Motorcycle Against Theft

According to National Insurance Crime Bureau statistics, motor vehicle thefts are on the rise and motorcycles are among the targeted vehicles. It's one thing to have your property stolen, but if it is something you love and have become attached to, that is a different story altogether. And only 25% to 30% of motorcycles are recovered after theft.

Thieves steal motorcycles to resell the whole bike or to strip it down and sell the parts. Since motorcycles are small and relatively easy to move, they are particularly vulnerable to theft. Smart thieves will find a way to steal your bike if they are determined to get it, but you can take steps to protect your investment and make your motorcycle less appealing to a thief.

Keep Your Bike Out of Sight

Keep your motorcycle in a locked garage. If you have to keep it outside, park it in a well-lit area and out of direct view from the street. Conceal it with a plain cover free of logos or brand names. If the thief can't tell what type of motorcycle is underneath, he may be more inclined to pass it over. In addition, lock the cover to the bike with a cable lock. Since this won't prevent a thief from picking up the whole bike and taking it, cover and all, use this in conjunction with other security measures.

Lock Your Bike to a Stationary Object

Even if you keep your bike in a locked garage, also lock it to something immovable. You can cement a steel eye to the floor for attaching a chain or cable. Be sure to loop a chain or cable through the frame or another stable part of the bike. When you're out riding and leave your bike parked outside, always use your steering lock - this is your first line of defense. In addition, use two or more locks of different types. If possible, park your bike where you can see it and check on it periodically.

Make Good Lock Choices

When choosing locks, try not to spare expense. Choose good, high-quality locks. Types of locks include serpentine link locks, u-locks and chains. Record key numbers and then file them off the locks if they are stamped on them. Locks attached to your bike should not touch the ground. If a lock is lying on the ground, it is easier for a thief to use a hard item to pound the lock until it breaks. Even if you keep your motorcycle in a locked garage, make sure you don't have tools around that a thief can use to dismantle your locks.

Other Devices

Several new mechanical devices can help ensure you'll find your bike where you left it. Many dealers now sell motorcycles with alarms as a standard feature, as well as similar anti-theft devices. An alarm alone is not an effective deterrent, but in combination with other methods, a wailing alarm is likely to make a thief think twice. Even if your motorcycle isn't equipped with an alarm, you can get stickers for it that say it does have an alarm installed. You can also purchase anti-prying devices, pick-resistant mechanisms or you can install one or more kill switches to make the motorcycle impossible to start.

Common Sense

The best way to protect your motorcycle from theft is to use common sense. Don't leave the keys in the ignition or anywhere within close proximity to the bike. Make sure you choose the safest places possible to park or store your bike. And don't lock your bike down to something that can be easily moved or broken.

Insure Your Investment

In addition to doing what you can to protect your motorcycle, it's important that you have the right insurance. Choose an insurance policy that offers the coverages important to your specific bike and lifestyle. If you think your motorcycle is adequately covered when you add it through an endorsement on your homeowners policy, chances are you're mistaken. This is a lesson you don't want to learn first-hand at claim time.

Important things to look for when choosing a specialized insurance policy for your motorcycle are things like:

• Safety Apparel Coverage to protect your investment in helmets, leathers, gloves and any other clothing designed to minimize injury in the event of an accident.
• Optional Equipment Coverage for chroming, custom painting, side cars or anything else that was not included as standard by the manufacturer.
• Replacement Cost Coverage on bikes purchased new and insured within 30 days.
• Flexible payment plans so you can choose the plan that best fits your budget.
• Deductible and coverage limit options.
• Premium discounts.

The AARP Motorcycle Insurance Program from the Foremost Insurance Group of companies provides all of these important coverages and more. Foremost has been in the specialty insurance business for over 50 years and we understand that you want to protect your investment. We have specially-trained claims representatives that handle only motorcycle claims - it's not just one of the things they do, it's all they do.

You can easily get an online estimate or learn more about this program on this site.