Newb question - how to protect your bike from stealing?

[lduncan]

hi. I haven't bought my first motorcycle yet (probably will ask about it in different thread), but before buying I am wondering: How to protect your bike from thieves? I guess a chain won't be enough, they can always cut it. And built-in protection is probably known to those thieves, so they have no problem dealing with it...
How do you do it? Do you invent your own system?

[snoopy]

An armed guard .... 

If its not screwed down some  will try anything .

Chain, disc lock, alarm, the best protection you can afford, the more difficult you make it the better .. but nothing is  proof unfortunatly

[Smasher]

From previous experience 2 bikes nicked 
I went to extreme measures this time to make sure the little 
didnt get my new pride and joy

1. Moved house
2. Built a garage
3. Ground Anchor
4. Datatool Alarm
5. Disc lock
6. CCTV fitted in garage
7. Bought a Guard dog (lily my Jack Russell )

Seriously the little bastards will try anything so do everything possible to stop them
 

[beads]

Yep anything u can do to slow/stop them stealing it is a bonus,

i have 2x chains, 2x disc locks, put kids toys as traps and i sit in the dark corner with a 12bore shotgun waiting, waiting for the day i have to set the 2year old on them :)

[shazza]

we shouldnt be tell everyone what security measures we use could help thieves overcome them

 

[lduncan]

we shouldnt be tell everyone what security measures we use could help thieves overcome them

Yup, I'm not asking about details, so no worries.
I am just wondering. If  you have a house, you can put your bike into garage, but what if you're on a roadtrip, or when you're driving your motorbike to work and have to leave it on the street? You build your own "safety systems"?

[shazza]

we shouldnt be tell everyone what security measures we use could help thieves overcome them

Yup, I'm not asking about details, so no worries.
I am just wondering. If  you have a house, you can put your bike into garage, but what if you're on a roadtrip, or when you're driving your motorbike to work and have to leave it on the street? You build your own "safety systems"?

not aimed at you hun just in general as anyone can read this 

[lduncan]

No problem ;)
And, if we are on topic, what bike would you recommend for starting with biking adventure?
I like this one
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Suzuki bandit. And I want to spend around Ł3000 on this. Is this a good choice? For now I'm planning riding through streets and from city to city, will this be good for this purpose?
Or maybe something chopper-like?

[shazza]

dont ask me my first bike was a harley pressie from hubby and only go out to play now and again

[Pope]

the best security measure is a simple one.

Don't leave your bike where it can be seen.  Once it's spotted by gypsy scum, then it may be too late regardless of what chains/locks you use.

But if they don't know it's there in the first place then you'll be at far lower risk of having it nicked.
Keep it out of sight.  and when riding home make sure there are no dirty jippos following in a flatbed or transit van

[Lunkhead]

 

Absolutely.
No-one is going to try to steal it if they don't know it's there. If you don't have a garage or shed, keep it under wraps round the back, behind a bush, anything.

Never keep it out in the street if you can help it. If you can keep it in a garage, reverse the car against the door so that has to be moved first.

After that, the normal answers apply.

[pricey]

we shouldnt be tell everyone what security measures we use could help thieves overcome them

i won,t tell them either shazza,but bob said you might buy him a thicker quilt because it was so cold this winter in the garage at night.

[shazza]

well you got to look after my baby havent i wouldnt want to get her knicked  i love here

[higgy2005]

Some of the advice above is only tailored to parking at the home.
With regards parking away from your home address it can be a bit different but the same security applies.

Try to park at different locations rather than getting in to a routine of going to same place
Park in somewhere very public (I have been known to park my bike on the main street in town )
Chain it to some street furniture
Do not leave a chain there when bikes not there as it gives thieves the opportunity to tamper with it overnight.
If needs be park it somewhere it shouldn't be eg on the pavement if it won't reach a lampost from the kurb (may get you fined though but ive not been fined for it in the last 2 years)
Park under street lamps on a street if it's night time
Chuck a cover over it
Alarms can put thieves off whether it be built in to bike or on a disc lock.

I never fail to have the bike chained,  disc locked and alarmed. I might be a bit pessimistic but they could still bloody steal it - just makes me feel more relaxed when away from the bike.

[Cwmdu86]

I haven't done it, but its also suggested to loop your chain through another bikes chain if there is nothing else to chain it to.