Road Glide banner

Preventing Theft

9K views 41 replies 36 participants last post by  Citykid 
#1 ·
In the last few months, I've heard of a few RG's being stolen. My wife even has an old high school friend that had their heavily customized RGC stolen just last month. So I've started wondering about the bike's dash key wheel lock. I'm wondering how many people actually use them when parking their bike, and how effective they really are?

Years ago, I heard that a thief could turn the wheel super hard and break the lock, but I don't know if thats true or not. I've made it a habbit to always lock mine. I guess a couple of thieves working together could always lift up a bike onto the back of a pickup, but this seams more likely with a smaller HD than a full size 800-900 pound bagger.
 
#2 ·
You know the old saying...

...If someone really wants it, they're gonna get it.

All you can do is all you can do.
Yes, lock the steering. It certainly can't hurt.
The best thing you can do is make it as inconvenient as possible to steal.
Thieves aren't rocket scientists but they know that stealing something needs to be as quick and as easy as possible.
Do you have the factory security system or some after market equivalent?
If you don't have factory security and want to get it, plan on spending a good $500.00 for the whole deal. $600.00 if you get the HD siren, although you can get the Radio Shack siren for less than $10.00.

Good luck!

HSP
 
#27 ·
We park under lights or close to the door, we try to request rooms that you can see the bikes also. We have sirens on both bikes and most times run a soft cable between the bikes. I give the wife a hard time saying they are more likely to take her softtail deluxe the the RGU, I have looked at getting the pagers for the security, I just think they are a lille pricey. We also cover them But I agree if they want them they are going to get them and I am insured very well.
+1 to these comments I have a HD alarm, 30' cable, alarm disc lock and a cover.
 
#4 ·
We park under lights or close to the door, we try to request rooms that you can see the bikes also. We have sirens on both bikes and most times run a soft cable between the bikes. I give the wife a hard time saying they are more likely to take her softtail deluxe the the RGU, I have looked at getting the pagers for the security, I just think they are a lille pricey. We also cover them But I agree if they want them they are going to get them and I am insured very well.
 
#6 ·
As others have said if someone wants it they are gonna get. I try to make it as hard as I can for them though. I'm guilty of not doing enough when I'm local, but when I travel I always lock the steering and I use a front rotor lock.
 
#9 · (Edited)
I work in the Justice field, so I definataly understand everyone's comment "If they want it, they will get it". I was just curious how difficult it was to break free a locked steering column, and how many riders actually used it. I still can't image two thieves lifting a big heavy touring bike into the back of a truck, but I have been wrong 999 times before.

But anyway, you mentioning the front rotor lock was a plus. I used to run one on my previous sport bike, but forgot all about them. Getting your scoot stolen any time would suck, but getting it stolen on a road trip would suck much worse than "at" or "close" to home. My 2011 RGC has the security system, but I must admit that I never even looked into whether or not it has an alarm on it. I think I remember reading that you had to add a siren, but I forget. I just remember that the key FOB needs to be in close proximity to the bike to start it, unless you have the security code.
 
#28 ·
Very cool, Unfortunatly your little friend will get you 20 to life LOL I would just call my insurance company. Its most likely someone that is gonna steal your bike is not someone its 4 guys, two pipes and a van.
 
#10 ·
you don't have to worry about 2 guys picking your bike up. a lot of thieves will just pull up a flat trailer right next to your bike, and push your bike over onto the trailer and drive off. sure it might scratch a little on some parts, but they're gonna chop your ride anyways.
 
#11 ·
That pretty much sums it up right there. They know they wont be able to ride a stolen bike very much so theyre gonna either use parts they need or sell the stuff. They dont care about much if theyre stealing it. Just do your best to secure it however possible whenever youre out and about.
 
#12 ·
Having been a state and federal prosecutor and now a criminal defense attorney, I agree with the other posts that if they want to steal your bike they will one way or another. I believe in making it as difficult as possible, so maybe the would be thief will move on to something easier. I always lock the steering headlock(it takes about 2 seconds). On trips or when in what I perceive as a high-theft area I use a brake caliber lock and also a heavy duty bike cable lock and lock the bike to a fixed object or to another bike. Riding a motorcycle is a risk in and of itself, with theft being one of those risks I make sure I have full coverage insurance.
 
#13 ·
On trips or when in what I perceive as a high-theft area I use a brake caliber lock and also a heavy duty bike cable lock and lock the bike to a fixed object or to another bike.
Yeah, this is probably the best method. Back in the early 90's, a friend and I had small metric cruisers and rode them to Mexico. We locked them together with a super thick lock. When I later had a sport bike, and had to park it in an underground parking garge, so I chained it to a cement pillar.
 
#14 · (Edited)
It might be hard for 2 guys to pick up an 800 pound bike, but run a breaker bar through each wheel and 4 men can lift it with no sweat, steering locked or not.

Preventing it from rolling is an inconvenience at best to a thief. Agree with cabling it to something stationary. I can't make it impossible to steal, but I can make it harder to take than the other one in the lot.
 
#19 ·
+1 on Rick's comment. A few years ago there was a local MC "club" that got caught. They were just placing long metal bars thru the wheels and lifting cycles unto trailer/van/truck.

I chain mine sometimes, but a shot of ultra-cold nitrogen or other such gas and a big hammer can shatter most chains/locks.

So unfortunately, if they want it bad enough, they will get it! Just make sure you have all your accessories insurance as well as the cycle.
 
#15 ·
Also, consider where you park your bike. When I can't park in a visible spot at a hotel or some place, I look for a spot that would make it very difficult for someone to get my bike out. You know one of those type spots that take you 20 two point turns to get your bike out of. If I am inconvenienced then the thief will be also.
 
#16 ·
When you are at a hotel stay on the ground floor and get yourself a suite with sliding glass doors. This way at night you can simply wheel your bike in to bed with you.
 
#30 ·
I have a GPS tracker on my CVO RG, it kindly sends me a text to let me know when somebody is moving it. In addition, the monitoring security company calls me to ask if it is being stollen or mis reading before calling cops.
So, at least I'm told when its being knicked PLUS I can then view on the internet where they are taking it.

Small price to pay, $500 to install and $50 per year monitoring.

Plus, as you are being tracked 24/7 your friends and kids can follow your progress when travelling around the world. Only disadvantge, it also monitors your speed.....small price.

But I still take the normal precautions locking and sometimes using a thick chain & lock, depending on the environment. :D
 
#34 · (Edited)
Mine is parked out side under a cover. I used a padlock on the front caliper ontop of locking the forks and have the alarm. If they can get it without my dog barking than good luck. I have a few friends and will bring out the big boy. Here I don't have to wait until you try to come in my house.
 
#35 ·
Like everyone says if they want it they will get it. Two pipes under the frame, 4 large dudes and up on the trailer it goes.

I do lock the forks if I am just around town. When on a road trip I do the same and cover the bike with a cheap cover. Also have a long chain that is wrapped in soft material that bolt cutters can't break. If I can't park in front of the hotel then I find something to chain the bike to. Most of the time it is my ridding buddy's bike.

Speaking of parking in front of hotels. I usually don't even ask and just park in front under the canopy. Making sure that I am not blocking any entrances so as to not piss anyone off. Have only been asked to move it once.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top