How do you secure a bike?

[aoz]

I don't have a garage for a little while, and my bike is kind of conveniently sitting in the driveway behind my car. Someone could drive right up and take it. How do you guys secure your bikes from theft?

I had it in the backyard and it's fine to get it in there, but the path back up is sketchy, and when I was bringing it up I dropped it because of how ridiculous the path is and there was some minor damage but man did it piss me off! So I'd rather deal with an insurance claim than drop my bike every time I want to ride lol.

 

[Uno979]

What I did...

1. Find some way to wrap cables around the rear tire/wheel and sprocket to a solid object. (Yes can be cut in no time but not with out making some noise ie a cutting wheel or dremel tool.)
2. Install an alarm system. Set on LOUD AS HELL! I want my neighbors to look and say.. that's not the owner..
3. Make sure your insured properly for theft and damages plus towing.

That is about all you can do in most cases.

 

[creggur]

You could start by parking it in front of your car to help hide it and obscure direct access. An alarmed disk lock may help as well - the Xenas are pretty loud - and may alert you to nefarious activity if you're home. Chaining it to something and putting a cover on it to keep prying eyes away may help as well.

In the end all you can do is make it as inconvenient as possible and hope a thief moves on to an easier target. If they really want it, though, short of garaging it somehow it will be vulnerable...

 

[jcbrown630]

I used to lock mine to the wheel of my car with a massive kryptonite cable lock LOL!

 

[husker525]

I just down my German Shepard by my bike while it is in the driveway, with the keys in the ignition. He will stay there until told to move, and if anyone comes close...........he neuters them...(I didn't teach him that, he just likes to bite in that general body part area).

Probably won't work too well for you, but maybe I should supplement my retirement by renting him out???

 

[MiltonDorkenhoff]

2. Install an alarm system. Set on LOUD AS HELL! I want my neighbors to look and say.. that's not the owner..

Alarms are great, until they go off on their own or they get set off accidentally one time too many, then no one gives a crap anymore, they just get annoyed.

My neighbor's alarm (on a '87 Taurus wagon - apparently a very valuable car) goes off all the time. Sometimes on its own, other times because he is a freaking moron and hasn't quite figured out how it works yet Either way, it goes off often enough that no one bothers to look outside anymore when it goes off.

If you go with an alarm, get something unique-sounding and reliable

 

[Superfly]

Chain it to something solid...OK protection
Chain a pit bull to it....better protection
Chain yourself to it with a gun.....best protection
Get theft insurance......easiest protection...ie no lock and keys, dogshit or ammo issues etc

:iconbeer:

 

[MikeN02]

While these are all great ideas, if a thief really wants your bike they'll take it. I would suggest parking the bike in front of your car so it'll be out of view a little and the car is blocking the bike.

I have an alarm system on mine, another thing is to get a cover for it that isn't labeled.

 

[aoz]

Should have noted that I back into my parking spot so it is tucked away behind the car a certain amount, it's also got a cover but it's the one right from Yamaha so it's got a BIG ASS label on the front advertising the model lol. I have storage insurance that would cover the value of my loan, but I sure don't want to lose it. I might chain it up just in case...

Thanks for the suggestions guys!

 

[Uno979]

Alarms are great, until they go off on their own or they get set off accidentally one time too many, then no one gives a crap anymore, they just get annoyed.

My neighbor's alarm (on a '87 Taurus wagon - apparently a very valuable car) goes off all the time. Sometimes on its own, other times because he is a freaking moron and hasn't quite figured out how it works yet Either way, it goes off often enough that no one bothers to look outside anymore when it goes off.

If you go with an alarm, get something unique-sounding and reliable

True true but my Gorilla system has sensitivity levels and I put it half way. Just enough where it takes 15lbs for the shock sensor and enough where close thunder wont set it off but tinkering with the bike will set it off.