Ducati Monster Forum

For years my bikes have rested in the driveway, under a cover. Never once have I had a cause for concern.

Until this morning.

The cover had clearly been removed partially (or completely, and haphazardly put back on). At first I thought some wind got a hold of it but the ties had been undone, too.

I've got some defenses: motion-detector lights (bright effers that annoy the neighbors), back yard, shed, etc... but nothing thief-proof. I've got a disc lock with a alarm, but it's prone to false-positives (also an annoyance).

The good news is I've got full coverage, including theft. So, now, I'm wondering how far I should go to protect my property, which seems to be a balance of PITA versus "doing everything I can". I ride the bike daily, so parking offsite is out of the question.

Any advice? Help me think this through.

You could try adding one of these:
http://mydlink.dlink.com/products/DCS-932L (http://mydlink.dlink.com/products/DCS-932L)

It's wireless and has night vision.  Then run Vitamn D on one of your computers (free for one camera):
http://www.vitamindinc.com/ (http://www.vitamindinc.com/)

It will do person detection, and you can set it up to email you still shots, make a noise when motion is detected, etc.

sleeping bag and conceal carry

I have a couple of Kryptonite chains i no longer use.  i sell cheap..

What are the bikes? One thing that benefits Monster owners (and owners of other weirdo bikes like Aprilias, Triumphs and (god forbid) Moto Guzzis) is the lack of bodywork or scarcity of buyers for said bodywork. Bodywork is the main reason bikes are stolen. Hopefully the perp looked to see what was what, didn't find an R1 and walked.

My opinion is that while you can go to great lengths to prevent things being stolen, you can't 100% avoid it; if some asshat really wants it, they'll get it. Sounds like your disk lock, plus maybe a big ass cable through through the rear wheel would do it, especially if it's obvious from a look they're there and will make rolling the bike away problematic. I think your cover is a good idea because some scumbag walking / driving by can't just see what it is.

Keeping it in a well lighted place, while counter-intuitive, is also good - nobody wants the neighbors watching as they go through the trouble of cutting cables, breaking disks, etc. to roll a bike into a van or truck. Hell, maybe mount an "under surveillance" sign above the bike if you can't set up the camera DCRider mentioned (which looks pretty cool BTW)

Agree with Tocino; this is cool. Not so much a deterrent, but could aid in ID'ing the thieves or alerting me.


I'm too old for this isht, but I've thought about it.


Thanks. I'll send you a PM if I go this route.


Well, just one bike at the moment. It's a sportbike (R1), too. So I'm guessing it got spotted and some folks came out to scout. I'm feeling lucky it wasn't already stolen.

eye or u-bolt into the concrete and the kryptonite chain to that bolt from the frame....

like Tocino said though...if a real theif wants it...they will get it!

In the end, this is most important.  No one likes losing a bike (they are family!), but if it must happen it's good to be able to [relatively] quickly get a new one.

big +1 for this.  I used the kryptonite anchor when I lived in nyc.  drilled two of them right into the sidewalk near my apt. 

This at the near to DC house or your new res?

If it's still in the ARL - drop a line on Frank or Brett? They might have space to take it in for the short term unless you're still using it as you're daily driver.

Exhausted by diaper duty? You're slipping!  [cheeky] [laugh]

Meh...

There goes my not-high-value target theory...

A timely article

http://rideapart.com/2013/05/how-to-prevent-your-motorcycle-being-stolen/ (http://rideapart.com/2013/05/how-to-prevent-your-motorcycle-being-stolen/)

Here's what I ended up doing:

The back yard is 100% fenced at 6-7'. The only ways to get into the back yard are (1) through the house and (2) via the gate in the driveway. Actually... (3) climb over the fence.

The bike rests on the patio in the back yard now. So with the bike in the back I pull the Jeep all the way up to the gate, which opens out, and block the gate from opening.

Very much a PITA for a thief, and only a minor inconvenience for me. Kinda bummed to lose some of the patio but it's temporary until the move.

That article has me thinking about the garage at the new place, though.

I have one of these in the garage and 2 in the house.  Goes straight to my i-phone through cloud app

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&N=-1&isNodeId=1&Description=wireless+ip+camera (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&N=-1&isNodeId=1&Description=wireless+ip+camera)

Yeah, those seem to be a popular. Have you done anything to prevent (err... deter/slow) access to your garage? I want only the most motivated thief to steal my bonk.

I don't think you need to be worried about someone breaking into the garage unless they get your opener or see you entering your code.  The emergency latch is another way it's possible, but it's not easy, especially if you don't have a window in your door.  Here's an article with some tips:

http://www.itstactical.com/intellicom/physical-security/top-10-garage-door-security-tips-to-prevent-break-ins/ (http://www.itstactical.com/intellicom/physical-security/top-10-garage-door-security-tips-to-prevent-break-ins/)

my buddy's ZX10 got stolen Wednesday night he had it locked up and everything but all it takes is some muscle and a box van I guess.

Interesting article on bike theft.  See full report for analysis.

http://rideapart.com/2013/06/what-motorcycle-theft-statistic-mean-for-you/ (http://rideapart.com/2013/06/what-motorcycle-theft-statistic-mean-for-you/)