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Road trip Security

5K views 20 replies 18 participants last post by  Brent376 
#1 ·
Hi All,
I’ve just seen the San Leandro thread about the stolen RG. I am a first time rider in the US and going to Sturgis from Houston. Any advice will be welcome on what I should do/shouldn’t do to prevent my beastie (RG) from being stolen while riding up and back to Sturgis. E.g.. at lunch stops, overnight at motels etc.
 
#2 ·
Unfortunately, i'm of the mind set that if someone really wants your bike, there is not much you can do other than the obvious. Park where the front desk can see your bike, lock everything, and just try to stay smart. Even if you put a lock or security system on it, if 4 or 5 guys back up to it with a pick up, they will get it. Oh yeah, keep your insurance paid.
 
#3 ·
Always park in a well lit area. My experiance is that most hotels will allow you to park your bike close to the front door at night where they keep an eye on it. Just use common since and all will be ok. I have traveled from coast to coast and never had a problem.
 
#4 ·
Put a Honda GoldWing cover on it......

Sturgis would be the last place I'd go if I wanted my bike stolen. Considering they have 3-500,000 bikes to choose from, the chances of them choosing yours is pretty slim.
 
#5 ·
Do as the other posts have advised and if you are riding with others bring a heavy duty bicycle cable lock and lock your bike to another bike or some permanent structure.
 
#6 ·
Always park in a well lit area. My experiance is that most hotels will allow you to park your bike close to the front door at night where they keep an eye on it. Just use common since and all will be ok. I have traveled from coast to coast and never had a problem.
Unfortunately, i'm of the mind set that if someone really wants your bike, there is not much you can do other than the obvious. Park where the front desk can see your bike, lock everything, and just try to stay smart. Even if you put a lock or security system on it, if 4 or 5 guys back up to it with a pick up, they will get it. Oh yeah, keep your insurance paid.
Put a Honda GoldWing cover on it......

Sturgis would be the last place I'd go if I wanted my bike stolen. Considering they have 3-500,000 bikes to choose from, the chances of them choosing yours is pretty slim.
Thanks for the advice guys I’ll certainly ask when stopping at a motel/hotel, I have bought a 30’ cable and lock so I can wrap it around something permanent.
As for Sturgis I figured it would be OK there its just the to and from part.
 
#8 ·
Security systems, disc lock, chain or cable locks---all would help prevent thief.
I allowed the dealer where I bought my bike to sell me the LoJack system, which only helps after the bike is stolen---AND only if the local law enforcement agencies subscribe to the service. That was one detail the dealer didn't mention to me. So, ask the dealer or research online before buying into that service, or anything similar.
Like what was said previously, most hotels will be helpful in allowing you to park near the front entrances in lighted areas and in view of the night attendant. Some won't... Worst hotels in my experience are the Best Westerns, which have something called the "Ride Rewards" program, which was advertised as being "biker friendly". Not so, in reality...
 
#11 ·
Worst hotels in my experience are the Best Westerns, which have something called the "Ride Rewards" program, which was advertised as being "biker friendly". Not so, in reality...

That has not been my experience. We always try to find a Best Western on our GPS as the day wears on. They always treat us great.

Last time we stayed at a Best Western, they asked where we wanted to park, so we had a view of the bikes. And upgraded our room to a mini suite with hot tub (very welcomed after 12 hours in the saddle)

I think you have to be a HOG member to get the Rider Rewards discount and special perks. So when we check in, I always mention the HOG discount.

Last summer we stayed at a tiny little Best Western in Canistota South Dakota, a town of about 600 people. The guy behind the desk said there were severe storm warnings...... told us it was OK to pull the bikes up under the overhang outside our room. The original offer was to pull the bikes INTO the room..... but, they wouldn't fit through the doorway :rolleyes:

Not many motels would let you do that.
 
#9 ·

2 guys and a couple of skateboards will defeat most security systems, including disc locks unless you are attached to something that won't move.

Motion sensors with a siren will deter them after they get started, but only if they can't snip the wires to shut off the siren. Once the bike is physically removed, they can take their time to defeat whatever lock or security you may have installed.
 
#12 ·
It is more likely to get stolen in Houston than anywhere between there and Sturgis.

I have been from Texas to Sturgis and everything turned out well. As stated, park close to the front if possible and if not put a cover over the bike (one that does not say HD on it). If they don't see what it is they may not look as hard. If you cross paths with a professional, they will get the bike no matter what you do. You main goal is to keep the amateurs away.
 
#13 ·
in the same area as others have mentioned, try to park as close to you as possible no matter what your sleeping arrangements are. I also have a Xena disc lock that has a 110 db emitting siren, plus I installed that radio shack alarm to my factory alarm. So basically I will have two alarms on differents spots of the bike that will go off. not to mention, the disc brake won't even let them roll the bike more than one foot and I always lock my column.
 
#20 ·
Well said, short n sweet advice regarding bike security. Can't make our scoots theft proof but if we do enough to make our scoots a pain in the arse to a would-be thief to not even bother, then the small precautions we took when we parked it result in all of us seeing our bikes the following morning in the same spot we left it. :cool:
 
#16 ·
Go to WalMart and purchase their $29.95 XL motorcycle cover. This cover covers pretty much the entire bike as it drapes almost to the ground. If the theives don't know what's under the cover they're more likely to pass it up (as opposed to knowing it's a bike with custom wheels and all kinds of otther goodies).

This is in addition to parking outside your door or near the front door/desk, using the neck lock, and any other things you choose to do.

One warning that many on here would give, if you use a disc lock, either buy one with the tether cord that goes over the throttle or stick a magnet on the ignition key hole or some other way of reminding yourself that the disc is locked. Don't ask us how we found out what happens when you take off from the hotel room in the morning without removing the disc lock! ;)
 
#18 ·
I despise alarm sirens. I have been awakened many times by a siren wailing in a parking lot. Someone's ride being jacked? No, usually it's the wind or traffic rumble.

I try to park in a location that deters theft, if possible. I may lock the forks. I may chain a couple of scoots together.

I pay for insurance so that I don't spend time worrying about someone stealing it.

Stealing a car, truck or scoot is fairly simple... if someone really wants to take it, it's gone.
 
#19 ·
Thanks everyone for the heads up and giving me some good ideas.
I will definitely 1 Park close to the main entrance in a well lit area,
2 Cover the bike and attach it to so immovable structure of the hotel/motel.

Here’s what I have bought so far:
1, 30’ kryptonite cut proof cable,
2, Xena alarm disc lock plus bracket for the cable
3, Kryptonite heavy duty chain and lock
4 MOST important high-vis tether to remind me the bikes got locks on (been there done that on my Heritage)

As mentioned if somebody really wants the bike they will get it but I will make it as hard as possible to steal. The bike is insured but sometime it’s about more than the money. I spent two years looking for this bike and I would be very pissed off if it got stolen.
 
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