Question about bike theft

[bikeman1969]

This is probably a super newbie question but I'm, if nothing else, curious about bike theft. How often and what type of bikes are stolen more often. And are there any tips anyone can give to help prevent theft. I'm guessing that the Honda Rebel isn't at the top of anyones list of bikes to steel but the thought is in my the back of mind.

When at home i keep my bike in my locked garage with the Rebel's stering wheel lock set. Is there any thing else else i can do? Also what about when parked some where away from home?

[Snorebaby]

That is a good question, bikeman1969.

I am sure that H-D is at the top along with crotchrockets but I don't know the stats. They have wheel locks and disc brake locks and all sorts of things you can use.

I am like a mother hen when it comes to my Rebel. She is my baby and I don't want anything to happen to her. I went to Wal-Mart the other day and parked her next to the entrance on the sidewalk. Didn't want to take a chance of putting her in a space and getting hurt or stolen. When I came out there was another bike next to her LOL!!! I don't have a lock on her but I don't wander far off either ROTFLMAO!!!

Just google motorcycle locks and pick what you think is right for you.

[GearJammer]

That's not a newbie question at all & is (or should be) a concern for all bikers. Snorey is on the money as it's H-D's & sports bikes that top the list.

Fork locks, wheel locks, alarms...all can be helpful, but the sad reality is that if someone wants to steal a bike, they're going to find a way. A friend of mine's older brother had his Harley parked in the garage & the thieves literally busted thru the garage door!

My personal rule of thumb is to "Always Park The Bike Where You Can Keep An Eye On It". This isn't always possible, of course, but I'll definitely pick my spots as best I can. If at a restaurant, for example, if there aren't any windows or window seats available to keep an eye on the bike, I'll find another restaurant that does, simple as that. If it's a store, I make sure it's one that I'm familiar with the territory & feel fairly confident that it'll be O.K. for the brief time I can't see it. Have also done as Snorey does & will park on the front sidewalk when possible.

Another option is to ride with someone else & have one guy stay outside to keep an eye on the bikes. It's not just theft that I worry about, but also the possibility of some jerk tampering with the bike itself. I know of one guy who places a 9mm round on the seat of his bike to make any potential thieves wonder where the rest of the clip is, LMAO!

Not so much for anti-theft, but Snorey mentioned something about parking spaces in parking lots. Whenever I have to use an actual parking space, I always make sure that the tail-end of the bike is at the center-point/entrance end of the parking space & VISIBLE so some cage doesn't pull in quickly thinking that it's an empty space.

[brooksallenc]

Locking the steering works pretty good cause the other day i came home and some idiot was trying to move my bike without unlocking the steering. He just kept pushing it in a semicircle. But i would still go get some better security

[GearJammer]

Serves him right for touching someone else's bike! He made a circle-jerk of himself, ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, even tho' the fork locks & wheel locks can be helpful, have also heard of incidences where people forget to undo 'em & tried to ride off with bad results.....*ouch*

[Snorebaby]

brooksallenc, Did you walk up to him and ask him if he needed "help"? I do believe I would have LOL!!

I know that leaving your bike is unnerving when you can't see it. The past two nights I have been at our local Single "A" baseball games in a "not too good" part of town. Even though I could park in front of the stadium, it is not the stealing that worries me. I just don't want some jerk messing with it. Last night I had to leave my denim jacket strapped to the bike and the helmet in the helmet lock. I was just down from the entrance of the stadium. Every chance I got, I would go to the fence and look at it and make sure everything was there. So far I have been lucky. But it is still unnerving to have to worry like that. I don't have saddlebags yet so everything I have is "exposed" and mostly unlocked.

[brooksallenc]

I did walk up to him but he just started to run off as soon as he saw me. I have a back door in my garage that he ran through ,but he kept yelling something at me. I did notify the police even though he didnt hurt it I just dont want really anybody around my bike when Im not there.
But anyway i have seen people forget to undo there locked steering but now whoever i ride with we each kinda remind each other to unlock the steering.

[GearJammer]

Whoa, brooksallenc...From your first post, I'd thought the guy was just trying to move the bike out of his way or something, but reading what you've just posted, are you sure he wasn't actually trying to steal it ?!?!?!?

[brooksallenc]

I knew he was trying to steal it ,so that's why I called the police.
But does anybody know how to make a stock seat more comfortable. My seat is just unbearable it hurts my tail bone so bad

[GearJammer]

Copied & pasted from another thread: "Believe it or not, the 250 Rebel seat was more uncomfortable on my chronic back problem than riding the hardtailed chop. First I thought that if I could lower the seating position by removing some of the seat foam, it'd feel better, so had the padding lowered to 1" thick & then re-upholstered, only to find out later that there's a metal plate beneath the stock seat foam that can be removed...DOH! Apparently, it's the metal plate that adds to the discomfort"

The uncomfortable seat on the 250 Reb is a common complaint. I experienced it after about 20 minutes of riding as well.

If you have access to a heavy duty staple gun, you can carefully remove the seat cover, then lift the foam padding. Under the foam is that metal plate that serves no useful purpose other than making people's butts sore, LMAO! Remove the metal plate, use an adhesive to replace the existing foam & then re-staple the seat cover back on & you should be good to go. If you don't feel comfortable in doing the job yourself, any auto upholstery shop should be able to do the job for you with no problem, but please make sure that they don't overcharge you. For reference's sake, I had the seat lowered & newly re-upholstered for $50. Removing the metal plate shouldn't cost any more than that & in all honesty, should cost less as it requires less work than what I'd had done.

[brooksallenc]

Thanks man that seat just kills my butt :shock: I think I'll do the job my self cause it dosn't sound hard.

[GearJammer]

The job itself wouldn't be too bad, but one thing to keep in mind is the "buttons" on the stock seat upholstery. I had the padding lowered, buttons removed entirely & new upholstery put on.

Not sure how those buttons are anchored underneath there or if you'd be able to leave 'em anchored & still be able to remove that metal plate, but maybe someone else can offer more insights ?

[GearJammer]

Here ya go........

http://oldroaddog.freewebpages.org/Rebel_06_seat.htm

[brooksallenc]

Thanks man, but the tunnel vision thing was awesome

[GearJammer]

At first I read "tunnel vision" & thought "Huh" ?.....then I clicked on the link, found it and it IS awesome! ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!

[miscusi]

I leave my 85 rebel unlocked, on the street all the time, seems nobody wants to steal a rebel. but I have full coverage on it anyway.

[dart330]

Three weeks ago my roommates '04 Honda CBR600RR was stolen from under our lighted carport less than 10 feet from the door to our house. Must have just picked it up and put it in a truck. He had full coverage so it will be ok. Luckily, my other roommates bike was in the garage, he didn't have full coverage.

When it came time to insure the Rebel, it was $6 more a year for comprehensive with a $100 deductible (progressive), absolutely no reason not to get it at that price.