Bike theft prevention.

[Johnniespeed]

Hello again, I was wondering what everyone else does to prevent bike theft. I have always believed that if my bike was stolen, I would never see it again. I keep it in a locked garage and it is padlocked to the wall. When on the bike carrier I keep it padlocked .
 What I am most interested in is, whether some type of electronic transponder exists, that can be attached to the bike in a hidden location, perhaps under the air box, that can be activated in the event of theft. Then hopefully the signal could be used to track the bike. Pehaps similar to an avalanche transponder.
   I am hoping someone has a high tech solution that is practical. 

[Danger4u2]

Oklahoma has 3 laws that are instrumental in bike theft prevention.  And I am a proponent of all 3.
The Conceal / Carry law.  (bad guys never know who is packing)
The make my day law.  (if threatened on your property or in your home you can shoot a person)
The stand your ground law.  (you can shoot a person that continues to approach you in a threatening manner)
These laws don't mean you can shoot your buddy because you guys were getting drunk in the garage and arguing about how much oil to put in the gas and he hits you with a half eaten hamburger.
The D.A. is real tough on justifiable shootings.  You better be in the right.
If I'm not around to implement them it's the old chain, padlock, and locked garage or in the storage container.
Out of sight out of mind of a scumbag thief works well.  I don't leave my bikes out for people to see.
My dog is by no means a biter but she will bark at people she does not know.

Danger

[kx666]

wow she is a pritty lab, danger. i have a 130 lbs brown lab, but he wouldnt make a good gard dog

 i have one word for protecting a bike...
Glock 

i have over 10 bikes, my garage is unlocked, i have lots of tools and equipment, a lot of people know i never lock anything (cars, bikes...).

i have never been ripped off, probably b/c i am 6'4" 220 lbs and every one knows i am F:evil:ing nuts! 

[alan]

I keep my KX in my locked and alarmed shop. We live in and old 2 story house overlooking the shop. I also have, "Posted No Trespassing" signs and in the state of Texas that means you can shoot anyone that is on your property that has not been invited. I also have 6 loaded guns 8' feet from the window that over looks my shop!

LET THEM TRY to pinch my KX He He!

PS I am working on a video surveillance system so I can watch my property from my PC from the web!

[Arigato]

Garage is alarmed, bikes are chained to the floor and my friends.

[Danger4u2]

  My brother has pit bulls, I call them "Land Sharks".  Arigato yours are land sharks also.  Man if your dogs get ahold of a burglar when your out of town there would not be anything left of the guy when you get back.

[Danger4u2]

Alan, here's a company about 5 miles from me that has all kinds of video stuff.  You have to have a sales tax number to buy from them.  Most of their business is mail order.
http://www.petra.com/catalog_02/index.php
Danger

[alan]

Thanks David! I have all the stuff! I have been using X10 stuff for years!

Alan

[gowen]

I've been pretty fortunate. Don't lock down, but keep in a locked garage. Never worried about it really. But, if that is the case. I have 3 shot guns (12 guage, 16 guage and a 20 guage), more riffles than I can count, and a birds eye aim. I have no fear in shooting a scumbag. My dad tought my family to shoot first and ask questions later. I've had my KX250 nearly stolen before, but was at a gas station.

[FuriouSly]

I am hoping someone has a high tech solution that is practical.

Hmmm.  High tech gadgets like a lo-jack would be great but you would have to have a tracking unit that could find it anywhere..  big job to accomplish.

Guns, dogs, explosives, 16 penny framing nails that pop out of the seat into the buttocks of the thief when the bike is outside of its maximum safe operating area... those sound much more fun   

Get some insurance on your bike.  Upgrade your homeowners policy with a rider/addon to cover it if it doesn't already.  Upgrade your vehicle insurance the same to cover it when you are on the road.  Did you know that most insurance policies won't cover your bike if it is stolen out of the bed of your truck?  Did you know that if you were to wreck your truck and total it and the bike, the bike won't be covered?  Did you know that even if you have the extra insurance on the bike in the back of your truck and that if it is not disabled (keys not in ignition) and locked up (chain/padlock) that you can be denied if it is stolen also?  That goes for at home as well.  Another suggestion to everyone,  get your deductibles down to $100 and make sure to get your policy in hand and reviewed.  Don't always trust your insurance agent to have heard what you wanted and to do the right thing.  It is big business and the will find the red tape/loop holes in the stuff they do for a living, trust me.

Anyways,  an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Sly

PS here is my watchdog...  Get the Insurance ! ! !

[Arigato]

Good advice on the insurance dude.  You could fit a large human head in that dog's mouth!

[Danger4u2]

Yes insurance is a good idea.  For the KX it's only $108 per year.  Less than $10 a month.  I don't think my agent is suppose to issue an insurance card like the one I get for the street bike and my truck but he does.  I rode the K5 on the State Highway 3 miles to the trail head during the 5th annual Oklahoma Dual Sport meet last month.  I was between 2 KLR 650's but I was ready to flash the insurance card if I got popped by the Highway Patrol.  Only problem I had was the out of balance wheels.  We hauled as* so I would not be on the road as long.
Danger

[Johnniespeed]

 My flaws are in my thinking. I was interested in locks,cables and transponders. But the real answer is guns and dogs.
  What type of fuel and emission problems do you have with the dogs ? LOL
  What type of gun is best for a KX500 thief ? LOL
 John

[Arigato]

This morning, the emission problems were severe enough to wake me from a deep sleep.  I prefer a .308 HK if they are far away; otherwise, a 12 guage works great for close work.

[FPMXer]

Here in Kalifornia Lo-Jack is available. It is the best thing out there for tracking stolen vehicles. The only problem is that not too many people want to pay for the system. If your vehicle has Lo-Jack installed it is linked with the VIN# or registration/plate number. Your vehicle is stolen, a police report is filed and when the police enter the vehicle into the stolen vehicle system the transponder hidden in the vehicle is activated. When a police vehicle that is equipped with the Lo-Jack tracking system comes within 5 or so miles from the your stolen vehicle's transponder will have a set code of #'s and letter's 5 total that show up on the tracking system. Then there is an audible tone that pings and a directional locator for where the stolen vehicle's transponder is for tracking the stolen vehicle from the police vehicle. The slower the police vehicle drives when the signal is picked up the better the chances are of a recovery. No I don't work for Lo-Jack and yes I'm a cop. I have seen this system first hand working in patrol. But like mentioned before if an ORV is stolen there is about a 5% to 10% of recovery.