Motorbike security: what more can you do to protect your motorbike?
Nothing makes a biker’s stomach drop faster than the sight of an empty parking space where their pride and joy used to be. It’s a gut punch. And sadly, it’s happening more often than any of us would like to admit. Last year alone, over 9,000 motorcycles, mopeds and scooters were stolen in London alone*. That’s not counting the rest of the UK, and it’s not just happening in the big cities anymore. Thieves are getting smarter, faster, and more brazen. And if we’re not upping our game, we’re leaving our bikes wide open.
So, what can we do about it?
Today, we’re looking at practical steps; the stuff you can do right now to make your bike harder to nick, because a basic lock and chain might not cut it anymore. We’ll also take a look at some seriously clever tracking tech from our friends at BikeTrac, which is well worth considering if you want to stay one step ahead. Plus, your chance to win a brand new BikeTrac unit and 1 year subscription – find out how at the end!
But first, let’s talk security.
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Motorbike security 101
We know, you’ve heard it all before. Don’t leave your keys in the ignition. Park somewhere visible. Use a lock and chain. The issue is, criminals are getting wise to these tricks, and with organised crime on the rise, thieves equipped with angle grinders could seal your bike’s fate in minutes. So, what can you do to keep your bike safe? First up, let’s take a look at your options for locks, your first line of defence.
D lock
Also known as a U-lock or shackle lock. These chunky U-shaped locks are made of hardened steel and other robust materials, locking at one end and clamping shut at the other. They’re simple to use and offer a great bang-for-your-buck in terms of security. They’re designed to resist brute force attacks, and newer models are even built to withstand angle grinders.
The only downside? They’re not the most flexible or portable, so locking up to awkward street furniture can be a faff, and lugging one around on a ride isn’t exactly convenient.
Chain lock
A classic choice for home or workplace security. These heavy-duty links can be looped through your bike’s frame and back wheel, then secured to something immovable like a ground anchor or a politician’s excuse. They’re also brilliant for locking multiple bikes together if you’re riding with mates. But again, they’re not exactly lightweight, so are less suited to locking up on-the-go.
Brake disc lock
These are a favourite for riders on the go because they’re small, light, and easy to stash in your jacket or under the seat. They clamp onto your brake disc and stop the wheel from turning, which means no one’s rolling your bike away without a serious struggle. Some even come with built-in alarms and angle grinder resistance, which is a nice touch.
However, crafty thieves have developed ways around brake disc locks, so our friends at BikeTrac have suggested that if you are using a D-shaped brake disc lock then instead of using it on the front disc, you use it on the chain/sprocket which makes it ever harder for thieves to circumvent.
But remember, a disk lock only stops the bike being rolled away, so you’ll need another lock to secure it to something solid or else a few heavily muscled knuckleheads could just lift your bike into a van and drive off.
Alarm systems
A good alarm system can scare off a thief before they even get started, especially if it’s paired with tracking (more on this later), immobilisation, anti-grab and movement sensors. Our suggestion? Invest in something Thatcham approved and have it professionally installed. Thatcham-approved products only receive an installation certificate when fitted by a qualified installer — something many insurers require if you ever need to make a claim. You want something that reacts to real threats, not a gust of wind or a curious cat.
Thatcham categories explained
If you’ve ever bought security gear, you’ve probably come across Thatcham ratings. Thatcham approved products are put through serious third-party testing and must meet strict criteria, so you know you’re in safe hands. But what do the different categories mean?
A common misconception is that Cat 1 is the best, then Cat 2 and so on. However, Thatcham categories aren’t ranked by quality; Cat 1 isn’t ‘better’ than Cat 2, they’re just different types of products:
- Cat 1 = Alarm and Immobiliser.
- Cat 2 = Immobiliser only.
- Cat 2.1 = Alarm Upgrade, upgrade means immobiliser connected to Alarm.
- Cat 4 = Locking Wheel Nuts.
- S5 and S7 are the latest tracking categories, with S5 offering driver ID and remote immobilisation.
The key is to choose what suits your lifestyle and budget. Think about how and where you ride, then pick your gear accordingly.
Layering up your security
Any of these security measures on their own aren’t good enough. If you really want to protect your bike, you’ve got to layer up.
‘Lock, chain, cover'
This is the Met Police’s top tip. Start with a solid lock. Disc locks are great for the front wheel, but don’t stop there. Add a chain and lock, looping it through the back wheel and frame, and always secure it to something immovable. A ground anchor, a lamppost, even a sturdy bit of street furniture. Just make sure it’s not something that can be lifted or broken. And if it’s in your budget, buy locks that are angle grinder-proof!
Here’s our tip: keep some slack in the chain and make sure it’s off the ground. Why? Because angle grinders work best when the chain’s really tight or lying flat. Make it awkward, and you’re already winning.
Using a cover is another surprisingly effective deterrent. A covered bike doesn’t advertise its make or model and bikes that are covered are harder to identify from the air. Why is this important? Sophisticated bike thieves are reducing their risk of being spotted looking for things to steal by using drone technology to find bikes. Having bike cover means more hassle for the thief, and more chance they’ll move on.
Property marking
Another great tip is marking as many parts of your bike as possible. This makes it harder for thieves to flog parts on, and helps the police return your ride if it’s recovered. There’s a whole range of marking providers out there, so pick one that’s part of an official register, and make sure your details stay up to date. That way, if you bike is ever recovered, the authorities can trace it straight back to you.
Think of security like an onion: the more layers, the more tears (for the thief, that is). A visible lock might stop an opportunist, but organised gangs come prepared. So, stack your defences high. Lastly, we strongly recommend buying a tracker. And no, we don’t mean a GPS-only tracker; those are yesterday’s news. That’s where BikeTrac comes in…
Why choose The Bike Insurer?
A note on BikeTrac
When it comes to protecting your bike, BikeTrac offers more than just peace of mind - it delivers results. Most standard trackers rely on GPS alone, which is fine until your bike’s stashed in a garage, container or hidden behind a wall. GPS can get you close, but it’s often not accurate enough for police to get a search warrant and recover the stolen bike.
BikeTrac combines GPS with Radio Frequency (RF) technology, giving police the accuracy they need to act fast. While GPS can narrow things down to a few metres, RF can pinpoint a stolen bike to within just one metre – enough to get a warrant, and your bike back.
Over the years, they’ve built a strong relationship with police forces across the country. Early on, they worked hard to prove to police forces that their tech was reliable. And it paid off. Officers now know that when a BikeTrac alert comes in, it’s worth acting on. That trust has led to faster recoveries, more search warrants, and a whole lot of happy riders.
Bill from BikeTrac says, “At BikeTrac, we’re committed to getting as many stolen vehicles back to their rightful owners as possible. If the worst happens and your bike is stolen with a BikeTrac unit properly installed, our staff will get in touch with you immediately via phone call to confirm the bike is missing and when confirmed that a theft has taken place, we will liaise with the local police force to pinpoint its exact location and direct officers and a recovery team to the location.”
BikeTrac was born out of a genuine love for bikes. Back in 2008, Bill Taylor and Andrew Conrich saw the potential to adapt fleet tracking tech for motorcycles. By 2009, they had a working prototype, and BikeTrac was launched, pioneering motorcycle security and becoming the first Thatcham-approved tracker for bikes.
Since then, they’ve kept improving. With a recovery rate of over 90%, the team have successfully recovered over £10 million worth of stolen vehicles to date. From app updates and custom alerts to a 0% finance option that makes security more accessible, BikeTrac continues to evolve with riders in mind. Next time, we’ll take a look at the latest data on motorbike theft in the UK, so stay tuned!
Fancy your chances of wining a brand new BikeTrac unit and 1 year subscription? If so, click on the button below to find out more.
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