If you’re a motorcycle enthusiast, you likely know the value of your bike. Taking care of your bike should be your first priority.

Part of this care should include getting motorcycle insurance. Motorcycle insurance can protect the bike from a variety of different perils. Among these perils is the likelihood of theft.

Most motorcycle insurance policies come with theft protection. If someone steals your bike during use, transport or storage, insurance will likely help you recover or replace the bike.

Tips for Protecting Your Bike

Though you likely have theft protection in your motorcycle insurance, do everything you can to reduce theft risks. Doing so will likely greatly reduce your insurance liabilities.

Keep this idea in mind. Thieves look to make quick getaways when they steal bikes. They also don't want anyone to see them commit the crime. Anything you can do to inhibit a thief from making a fast getaway might help reduce the risk of theft.

• Hide your bike. When you park the bike, don’t leave it in an area clearly in view for thieves. You might put a cover over it or store it in a garage or shed. When parking in driveways or other secluded areas, consider placing barriers around the bike.
• Lock your bike. There are many ways to disable a bike’s capacity to start instantly. These may include steering locks that when attached won’t allow thieves to operate the bike. Wheel locks operate in the same manner, just in a different place. Some bikers install kill switches that keep the engine from operating.
• Chain your bike or secure it to unmovable objects. Some people chain motorcycles to bike racks, fences, or shrubbery. Remember to use strong attachments and don’t connect the bike to items that someone could move. Furthermore, don’t attach chains to your bike’s wheels. Thieves find it easy to remove wheels and still make off with the bike.
• When you go in public, you may not have access to a rack or other bike security mechanisms. If you can’t lock the bike, park it in a well-lit, well-trafficked area.
• Wherever you store the bike, consider security mechanisms. You might install motion sensor alarms or lights to alert you in case someone tries to gain access to the bikes. You might even be able to buy a motion sensor to attach to the bike.
• Customize your bike. You might think this would make it more appealing to thieves with its increased value. However, customization makes bikes more identifiable. If someone stole your bike, you would have an easier time identifying the vehicle and assigning blame.

Always keep in mind: Make it as hard as possible for a thief to gain easy access to your bike. Doing so might reduce the risk of theft.

Raymond Longoria Insurance can help you get a motorcycle insurance policy to meet your needs. Call us at (888) 296-0345 for more information.