Best decent bike that thieves will ignore.
Discussion
So my Vespa 300 got nicked this week and I spent 1000s constantly repairing my Street Triple after many theft attempts, which has led me to think that after almost 40 years of riding, it's time to hang up my boots.
But should I let the
s grind me down, so I found a site that had a top ten of bikes least likely to be stolen.
As you'd expect things like a Russian Ural with sidecar was no2, Gold Wing was no1, whilst various ugly small choppers and a Moto Guzzi adventure bike were on the list.
Surprisingly the Triumph Explorer 1200 was on it as well as the Suzuki Burgman 650.
I would have thought that the Suzuki would last on London streets as long as a Yamaha T Max or even my lost GT300.
Anyone else think they know the ideal bike that would get overlooked by scum?
But should I let the
s grind me down, so I found a site that had a top ten of bikes least likely to be stolen.As you'd expect things like a Russian Ural with sidecar was no2, Gold Wing was no1, whilst various ugly small choppers and a Moto Guzzi adventure bike were on the list.
Surprisingly the Triumph Explorer 1200 was on it as well as the Suzuki Burgman 650.
I would have thought that the Suzuki would last on London streets as long as a Yamaha T Max or even my lost GT300.
Anyone else think they know the ideal bike that would get overlooked by scum?
A nice cosmetically sheddy but mechanically sound/good CBR6 would be my suggestion (try to get a better one than Mr Keithtons though 
). Ensure its new enough that it has HISS so it won't be hotwired - the Triumphs Street/Speed biggest drawbacks before they finally fitted key immobilisters more than 10 years after Honda did. My 2011 Speed was the first to get the factory key immobiliser
). Ensure its new enough that it has HISS so it won't be hotwired - the Triumphs Street/Speed biggest drawbacks before they finally fitted key immobilisters more than 10 years after Honda did. My 2011 Speed was the first to get the factory key immobilisercmaguire said:
You said you had gated parking at work and then it gets nicked at the station?
I have gated parking at home in London although anyone could walk in via the pedestrian gate.The Vespa was parked at Dorking station waiting for me to collect it and bring it to my new home.
In hindsight I should have just left it in the lane outside the cottage I had just given up.
Sadlly there is little answer. Any bike is at risk, a video doing the rounds recently shows a big sports bike taken off the street into an anonymous looking white stty can within 15 seconds. Van stops, two blocks lift it into side door, and they are gone in 15 seconds.
So if some turd sees it and wants, they will have it. The more you use it, or leave it about, the more at risk it is at.
And sadly, so few thieves are caught, and when they do they get precious little punishment, it will do on and on.
For commuting, it is a shame to say that and old ER6, Diversion, fazer 600 would be my choice, tatty as it can be, cheap so if it goes missing, it can be replaced cheaply.
tty can within 15 seconds. Van stops, two blocks lift it into side door, and they are gone in 15 seconds. So if some turd sees it and wants, they will have it. The more you use it, or leave it about, the more at risk it is at.
And sadly, so few thieves are caught, and when they do they get precious little punishment, it will do on and on.
For commuting, it is a shame to say that and old ER6, Diversion, fazer 600 would be my choice, tatty as it can be, cheap so if it goes missing, it can be replaced cheaply.
poo at Paul's said:
Sadlly there is little answer. Any bike is at risk, a video doing the rounds recently shows a big sports bike taken off the street into an anonymous looking white stty can within 15 seconds. Van stops, two blocks lift it into side door, and they are gone in 15 seconds.
So if some turd sees it and wants, they will have it. The more you use it, or leave it about, the more at risk it is at.
And sadly, so few thieves are caught, and when they do they get precious little punishment, it will do on and on.
For commuting, it is a shame to say that and old ER6, Diversion, fazer 600 would be my choice, tatty as it can be, cheap so if it goes missing, it can be replaced cheaply.
Nailed ittty can within 15 seconds. Van stops, two blocks lift it into side door, and they are gone in 15 seconds. So if some turd sees it and wants, they will have it. The more you use it, or leave it about, the more at risk it is at.
And sadly, so few thieves are caught, and when they do they get precious little punishment, it will do on and on.
For commuting, it is a shame to say that and old ER6, Diversion, fazer 600 would be my choice, tatty as it can be, cheap so if it goes missing, it can be replaced cheaply.
Nothing is safe
Sorry to hear that. I have a feeling I predicted that recently, was that your thread?
I just don't know whether there is a thief-proof bike. Bandits/old Fazers etc have to be a decent shout only because there are so many around, so if you secure yours well they may take an easier one? (Bit nimby, I know). Or a big tourer, only because they are more difficult to push/lift away? I commuted for a while on a TDM900, they're capable but not inspiring, I don't know whether they hold much attraction for the twunts?
I just don't know whether there is a thief-proof bike. Bandits/old Fazers etc have to be a decent shout only because there are so many around, so if you secure yours well they may take an easier one? (Bit nimby, I know). Or a big tourer, only because they are more difficult to push/lift away? I commuted for a while on a TDM900, they're capable but not inspiring, I don't know whether they hold much attraction for the twunts?
CAPP0 said:
Sorry to hear that. I have a feeling I predicted that recently, was that your thread?
I commuted for a while on a TDM900, they're capable but not inspiring, I don't know whether they hold much attraction for the twunts?
I was thinking along the same lines with the TRX. Being big and heavy and old 'should' put them off, but.....I commuted for a while on a TDM900, they're capable but not inspiring, I don't know whether they hold much attraction for the twunts?
The only issue is that they have started creeping up in price, so not as cheap as some of the others that have been already mentioned
My Crossrunner has the same styling as an NC750 and as a result appears to be about as undesirable as you can get. I rate the bike very highly so long as you go for the 2015 onwards version.
If you want something more retro how about a Moto Guzzi V7iii Special. I'd love to have one of those.
If you want something more retro how about a Moto Guzzi V7iii Special. I'd love to have one of those.
How about the BMW R1200GS. Do they dissappear?
I know the watercooled model had a problem where the whole instrument panel could be easily lifted off. Cost about 600 quid to replace.
There is an aftermarket fitment that stops this.
Just has 2 friends contact me who are both finding it difficult to find insurance for their Vespas.
Ones in her 40s and the other in his 50s.
It's beyond a bloody joke.
I know the watercooled model had a problem where the whole instrument panel could be easily lifted off. Cost about 600 quid to replace.
There is an aftermarket fitment that stops this.
Just has 2 friends contact me who are both finding it difficult to find insurance for their Vespas.
Ones in her 40s and the other in his 50s.
It's beyond a bloody joke.
What about making something which isn't crap look like something that is?
Indicators made to look like they're hanging off, but really just need pushed and clicked back in their mount?
Broken wing mirror glass which gets swapped out with good glass that you take with you
Quick release clutch lever
Cosmetic damage to a fairing which is actually a vinyl wrap that has been designed to look damaged
Slashed seat which is a layer of foam on top of a perfect seat, with a layer of slashed black leatherette/vinyl mounted on it?
Painted rust on bolts/fixings etc.
All of this mounted on a mechanically sound bike.
Indicators made to look like they're hanging off, but really just need pushed and clicked back in their mount?
Broken wing mirror glass which gets swapped out with good glass that you take with you
Quick release clutch lever
Cosmetic damage to a fairing which is actually a vinyl wrap that has been designed to look damaged
Slashed seat which is a layer of foam on top of a perfect seat, with a layer of slashed black leatherette/vinyl mounted on it?
Painted rust on bolts/fixings etc.
All of this mounted on a mechanically sound bike.
What do we think of getting an older but still fun sporty bike, like an old CBR600. Then wrapping or plastidipping the fairings in a crazy colour like hi viz yellow or a zebra print or chrome effect? It might make it too weird to be attractive to theives and yet its reversible when you want to sell it.
ReverendCounter said:
What about making something which isn't crap look like something that is?
Indicators made to look like they're hanging off, but really just need pushed and clicked back in their mount?
Broken wing mirror glass which gets swapped out with good glass that you take with you
Quick release clutch lever
Cosmetic damage to a fairing which is actually a vinyl wrap that has been designed to look damaged
Slashed seat which is a layer of foam on top of a perfect seat, with a layer of slashed black leatherette/vinyl mounted on it?
Painted rust on bolts/fixings etc.
All of this mounted on a mechanically sound bike.
Yes Well that was my point on my first post on this thread. You've taken it to a whole new level Indicators made to look like they're hanging off, but really just need pushed and clicked back in their mount?
Broken wing mirror glass which gets swapped out with good glass that you take with you
Quick release clutch lever
Cosmetic damage to a fairing which is actually a vinyl wrap that has been designed to look damaged
Slashed seat which is a layer of foam on top of a perfect seat, with a layer of slashed black leatherette/vinyl mounted on it?
Painted rust on bolts/fixings etc.
All of this mounted on a mechanically sound bike.
You have a sheddy looking bike cosmetically challenged but mechanically sound/serviced and fully working. I used to achieve that look by never cleaning my bikes.. esp over winter. Nothing a bit of crusted on dirt/mud doesn't detract from desirability. Now choosing the correct bike to cloak into a shed is the next challenge
croyde said:
How about the BMW R1200GS. Do they dissappear?
I know the watercooled model had a problem where the whole instrument panel could be easily lifted off. Cost about 600 quid to replace.
There is an aftermarket fitment that stops this.
Just has 2 friends contact me who are both finding it difficult to find insurance for their Vespas.
Ones in her 40s and the other in his 50s.
It's beyond a bloody joke.
My buddies GS went in town. Air cooled model.I know the watercooled model had a problem where the whole instrument panel could be easily lifted off. Cost about 600 quid to replace.
There is an aftermarket fitment that stops this.
Just has 2 friends contact me who are both finding it difficult to find insurance for their Vespas.
Ones in her 40s and the other in his 50s.
It's beyond a bloody joke.
I think it’s just luck of the draw really.
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