I think my bike is about to get stolen

[Autohag]

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.

[696DCRider]

You could try adding one of these:
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/

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

[Raux]

sleeping bag and conceal carry

[ducatiz]

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

[tocino]

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)

[Autohag]

You could try adding one of these:
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/

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

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

sleeping bag and conceal carry

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

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

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

What are the bikes?

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.

[zooom]

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!

[1.21GW]

The good news is I've got full coverage, including theft.

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.

[ducatiz]

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!

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. 

[Slide Panda]

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.

[The Mad King Pepe']

They might have space to take it in for the short term unless you're still using it as you're daily driver.

I ride the bike daily, so parking offsite is out of the question.

Exhausted by diaper duty? You're slipping! 

[Slide Panda]

Meh...

[tocino]

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.

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

[Slide Panda]

A timely article

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

[Autohag]

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.