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Mark Hinchliffe·
Motorbike news
··5 Comments·2 min read

Most motorcycles stolen from homes

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Thieves are breaking into houses in the early hours of the morning to get motorcycle keys so they can steal your bike.

The latest figures from the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council show that a greater portion of motorcycles are stolen from houses.

Their data is currently limited to New South Wales and Western Australia as the other states do not consistently record this data.

It shows Western Australia with 70% stolen from the home and NSW with 63% taken from your house, which is an indication that it is happening right across the nation.

While victims are not always aware of the exact time their vehicle was stolen, the council was able to work out a timeframe between dates and times.

Their “aoristic analysis technique” provides a visualisation of when thefts occur.

stolen motorcycles
The darker the colour the greater the likelihood of theft
stolen motorcycles
The darker the colour the greater the likelihood of theft

The two graphs show that the wee hours of Thursday through to Monday are the prime times for motorcycle theft from homes in WA while in NSW it’s Saturday through to Tuesday.

Peak motorcycle theft time for WA is Thursday at 4am and Saturday at 2am, while in NSW it’s Tuesday at 2am.

The statistics emphasise the need for riders to move their bikes indoors over night, secure them properly and not to leave the keys in the bike or in a prominent position in the house.

According to the Australian National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council, motorcycle and car keys are the only property stolen in up to one in four reported burglaries in which a vehicle is taken.

The trend is exacerbated by the design of modern houses in which a locked garage is attached to the house, so riders leave the keys in their bikes. Offenders have been so brazen, they are even entering houses when the residents are home.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR BIKE

  • Buy a secure chain so you can chain your bike to an immovable object like a lamp post.
  • Use a secure disc lock with a reminder cord attached to your handlebars so you don’t ride off with it still in place.
  • Also, use the steering lock if your bike has one.
  • Even when parked in a secure location such as your garage, consider the extra security of using the steering lock, a disc lock or chain as well.
  • Pull out a spark plug or fuse, or have an immobiliser fitted.
  • Don’t park your bike in railway or shopping centre carparks as these are notorious for theft.
  • Park in a locked carpark. If you have to park in the open, leave it where you can see your bike or in view of a security camera.
  • Otherwise, keep your bike out of sight, maybe parking it behind your car. If parking in a garage, block the bike with your car and ensure the garage is locked.
  • When riding home, make sure you are not being followed.
  • Stay alert for suspicious vans or trucks driving around late at night. These are used to transport stolen motorcycles.
  • Put a cover over your bike. It might slow down thieves and prevent theft of accessories. But make sure it isn’t a flashy lone with the brand name of the bike on it. That only entices thieves.
  • When riding in a group, park your bikes together.
  • Consider marking your bike in a unique way that could aid in recovery and therefore dissuade thieves.
  • At hotels or public parking spaces, try to park in view of parking lot security cameras.
  • If you park your motorcycle outside your house, consider installing a motion sensor light near the bike.
  • Install a motorcycle alarm and/or a hidden kill switch.
  • Buy a GPS tracking system that can track and deliver your bike’s speed, location, and direction.