Locking bike?

[Osiris-016]

I have recently purchased a 1993 Kawasaki Ninja 250 and am constantly paranoid of theft wherever I go where I have to go more than 50' from it for even a short period of time.

How likely is it for someone to steal my bike? I put the handlebar lock on all the time whenever I leave it, but have recently started using a Padlock around the rear sprocket and chain so it doesn't move backwards and forwards.

Am I overreacting by doing this? Or would you guys say it's generally a good idea to lock my bike?

Thanks

[Steve Butters]

YouTube- CBR 600 STOLEN

your padlock aint doin shit man...if they want it, its gone

(skip to 3min in the video)

[SAMBUSA]

No offense, but a 93 250 isn't gonna attract the attention of thieves. It wouldn't be worth their time. That being said, a chain and a padlock isn't going to stop anyone if they want it.

[Steve Butters]

sam...his bike does stand out for a 250 ninja though

http://www.scmcustoms.com/photogallery/misc%20pics/SCM_pink%20vinyl%20custom%20cut%20flames%20on%20a% 20ninja,powder%20coat%20wheels%20to%20match%20pink vin3.jpg

[SAMBUSA]

:lol: True, but now my opinion has changed to - they aren't going to mess with it because its ghey

[obesityrules]

man you must be deep in the ghetto if all you can afford is a 1993 250



j/k

[Osiris-016]

The bike is a pretty nice bike and in good condition for its year. It does get attention, but I also doubt someone would want to steal it as well. Just being cautious.

You have to take into note that I live in Westerville, which barely has a theft rate. That video is pretty insane but if people saw someone do that, they wouldn't get away with it.

What would be the best way to prevent theft if, for some reason, someone decides to take my bike? Is there a way? Do you think the Lock and Padlock would be sufficient enough in my area?


man you must be deep in the ghetto if all you can afford is a 1993 250



j/k

We found it at a garage sale, not running, had been sitting for 7 years, and it was $250. We spent money on a new battery, some body filler for the cracked fairing, and just cleaned the fuel systems and made sure the cylinders weren't seized to the wall and put oil in it. It ran, I rode it :)

[SAMBUSA]

I'm sure it gets attention at bike nights, etc. But it doesn't have $$$$ signs that thieves are looking for like liter bikes, Busa's, ZX14's, etc. Dont take offense, its just not worth anything.

Like I said before, a chain/padlock wont stop anyone that really wants it.

[chevysoldier]

If you really want to be secure chain it to something permanent, get an alarm and lo-jack. Over kill for a 93 250 though.

[flounder]

What would be the best way to prevent theft if, for some reason, someone decides to take my bike? Is there a way? Do you think the Lock and Padlock would be sufficient enough in my area?



Keep your insurance current and quit worrying about the damn thing. Like what has already been said, its a 93 250 and not exactly high on the list of theft bikes!!! Not to mention you only paid $250 for the stupid thing. Ive lost more money then that at the bar.

[chevysoldier]

Osiris, we understand this is your first bike and it probably means a lot to you. Everyone is just trying to put things into perspective for you. don't take offense to it.

[Steve Butters]

The bike is a pretty nice bike and in good condition for its year. It does get attention, but I also doubt someone would want to steal it as well. Just being cautious.

You have to take into note that I live in Westerville, which barely has a theft rate. That video is pretty insane but if people saw someone do that, they wouldn't get away with it.

What would be the best way to prevent theft if, for some reason, someone decides to take my bike? Is there a way? Do you think the Lock and Padlock would be sufficient enough in my area?




We found it at a garage sale, not running, had been sitting for 7 years, and it was $250. We spent money on a new battery, some body filler for the cracked fairing, and just cleaned the fuel systems and made sure the cylinders weren't seized to the wall and put oil in it. It ran, I rode it :)

lock and padlock isnt going to stop them if they want it man... that thing isnt heavy, someone will just pick it up and throw it in a truck bed and be on their way if thats their thing

maybe if you ran a chain through the frame and shit and locked it around a pole or something, but you wont find a pole to chain your bike to in most parking lots, and realistically, who the hell wants to haul a big ass chain around with them?


stop being paranoid...nobody is going to steal that thing from a parking lot

maybe if you park it outside at night time, someone might snatch it, but not during the day out in public - its not worth their time or energy...its not desireable to part out, its not particularly valuable, nobody is going to steal it for a track bike when theres 30 sport bikes parked in front of iron pony they could grab at any given time

to each their own i guess...i wouldnt bother

[Steve Butters]

Keep your insurance current and quit worrying about the damn thing. Like what has already been said, its a 93 250 and not exactly high on the list of theft bikes!!! Not to mention you only paid $250 for the stupid thing. Ive lost more money then that at the bar.

paying full coverage on the thing would be a waste of a money...he paid $250 for it, the price difference between liability and full coverage would make it a waste of $$ to bother

[flounder]

paying full coverage on the thing would be a waste of a money...he paid $250 for it, the price difference between liability and full coverage would make it a waste of $$ to bother

I didnt say full coverage. Even if it got stolen the deductible would be more then the bike which is what I meant to say as far as not worrying about the damn thing.

He just needs to ride the damn thing and quit worrying about it. If he crashes it or it gets stolen, it was only $250 out of pocket which even if it explodes after a year of ridding, he still got his moneys worth out of it.

[Steve Butters]

I didnt say full coverage. Even if it got stolen the deductible would be more then the bike which is what I meant to say as far as not worrying about the damn thing.

He just needs to ride the damn thing and quit worrying about it. If he crashes it or it gets stolen, it was only $250 out of pocket which even if it explodes after a year of ridding, he still got his moneys worth out of it.

gotcha, i misunderstood

and i had a lapse in memory anyways and forgot that theft is comprehensive, not necessarily full coverage anyways

[wht_scorpion]

Here go to the gun shop find your self the biggest pink pistol you can find.
Some one try to steal your bike pull the gun out they will run away fast. They wont try that again plus it matches the bike.

[Goldie]

Think of it this way, if you paid $250 for the bike, a thief would get $20 for it.

I just saw a show on MSNBC the other day of car thieves getting a couple hundred bucks for a $30K SUV. So when you put it in these terms, they aren't likely going to risk grand theft auto charges on the amount of 3 Wendy's value meals and a Frosty Float.

[RSVDon]

Anyone. Anyone, who wants your bike can have it gone in less than 60 seconds. All it takes is a service van and about 4-5 guys. Steering locks do nothing. Rotor locks? Just remove the wheel.

The safest way to make sure it doesn't get stolen is don't ride it. Put comprehensive coverage on it through insurance (the kind that covers fire, theft, act of God) that way you aren't out.

[Steve Butters]

Think of it this way, if you paid $250 for the bike, a thief would get $20 for it.

I just saw a show on MSNBC the other day of car thieves getting a couple hundred bucks for a $30K SUV. So when you put it in these terms, they aren't likely going to risk grand theft auto charges on the amount of 3 Wendy's value meals and a Frosty Float.

and theyre gonna risk GTA charges for $200? i think your show was misinformed.... fuck, rip the seats out and sell them and you already have twice that much


drivetrain for sale
interior trim pieces
wheels/tires
body panels

theres a ton of money to be made out of a 30k SUV

hell, once you have it gutted and have hundreds of parts you can throw on ebay, you can get out a plasma cutter and hack up the shell and take it to the shredder....if its chopped up, you dont even need a title to turn it in (i know someone who chopped up a foxbody - the whole car - and threw it in his truck bed and dropped it off without a title)

give me a 30k suv and watch me make bank on it lol


maybe if a crackhead stole it and sold it to a chop shop they could only get a few hundred outta it...but crack heads are so desperate they would steal it even if they could only get $20 out of it

[Goldie]

It was all undercover hidden camera footage, so I saw it with my own eyes, and heard it with my ears. Could have been edited I suppose, but I know what I saw and heard. And when I saw a couple hundred, I think it was like $500 or $600.

Jokes on those idiots, and I guess that's why they are criminals to begin with.
They're stupid!

[Steve Butters]

It was all undercover hidden camera footage, so I saw it with my own eyes, and heard it with my ears. Could have been edited I suppose, but I know what I saw and heard. And when I saw a couple hundred, I think it was like $500 or $600.

Jokes on those idiots, and I guess that's why they are criminals to begin with.
They're stupid!

were they selling the cars to chop shops or what? i wish someone would sell me a 30k SUV for $500...shit, ide have me a new vmax after going through two of those

[obesityrules]

YouTube- To Catch A Car Thief 1/4 - Dateline NBC

YouTube- To Catch A Car Thief 2/4 - Dateline NBC

YouTube- To Catch A Car Thief 3/4 - Dateline NBC

YouTube- To Catch A Car Thief 4/4 - Dateline NBC

[natedogg624]

YouTube- Dateline : To Catch a Predator. Southern California (part 1)

[BMMW]

Ninjai 250 ... LOL

[redkow97]

a 250 isn't worth taking. That's not an insult to the bike, but the market is flooded with cheap 250 parts already.

hell, if someone stole my 500, I'd expect them to start it, realize it wasn't an I4, and then bring it back and tell me how sorry they were that I have such a shitty bike...

the only thing I'd worry about with your 250 is joy-riders. People who bought a katana, couldn't afford the payment, and had it repo'd. That demographic might take your bike just for shits and giggles, ride it, and wreck it or leave it.

as much as a lock isn't going to stop a serious thief from taking yoru bike, if there's 2 bikes right next to each other, and one has a lock, but the other does, an amateur joy-rider is going to take the one w/o a lock...

[Big_Ford_Country]

I pass a construction site on a regular basis. This guy rides a newer Triumph thats been chopped and dropped. It is a nice bike. Makes me wonder why it sits there late at night. Recently saw him park it. He has a logging style chain laying in the parking lot with a bunch of steel wheels that he locks his bike up too. Runs it through both front and rear. Guess he does worry about his bike.
As for the general security of a bike on the street: If someone wants it they WILL take your bike. All you can do is try to slow them down or deter the honest thief. I don't think anyone would want my 80 xs1100 ripped seat, rusted and pitted chrome and taped up horn and starter switches. That's my security, I ride cheap junk.

[jagr]

Zena 120DB Disc alarm. About $100.

http://www.xenasecurity.com/product/motorbikes/alarm/XXSeries/XX10StainlessSteel/page1/

Keeps them from rolling bike away and the 120 DB alarm goes off if it's moved. Mine is really sensitive too.

[MidgetTodd]

The Chinese make a great anti theft product, AK47.

[John]

as others have said, you have the best security already. its a 250 lol.

just do what i do with my 500. park it next to a better bike. like an R1 or aprilia or something. then when the thief shows up he looks at my pos and the R1, and steals that instead lol.

[cOoTeR]

If you want a good lock and chain look into the kryptonite locks and chains. Pretty expensive but worth it. Depending on if you own your property or not kryptonite has an "anchor" that you can secure to the ground.

Not all thieves know the difference between the ninja 250 and the zx14. It says "ninja" it must be fast. Don't believe me? Go check out the local bike nights. Bet you can find at least one person on a crappy sport bike but acts as if he has the best bike ever. Now I'm not trying to knock peoples bikes I'm just pointing out the not everyone knows bikes. Perfect example a few days ago I was walking past cycle search the other day. A group of people were looking at the bikes in the show room through the window. (They were closed). A lady in the group said there's a bike for you that green one. (Referring to the small ninja). The guy responded by saying i don't want that its a ninja. Those are way too fast for me.

Just because the bike isn't a bike that thieves commonly search for like gsxr 1k doesn't mean that someone won't steal it on impulse. A thief that sees an easy opportunity to get the bike most likely won't leave it to research market values for a stolen 250.

[Osiris-016]

Thanks a lot for all the replies, guys.

I do realize that my bike is only a ninja 250, and that ninjas aren't as valuable as the other bikes mentioned.

Nobody really can tell if it's a 250 or a 500 because it just says Ninja on the bottom fairing and twin cam 8 valve on the side panels, but nowhere a 250R or anything of the sort. Hell, I even thought it was a 500 at first glance.

Anywho, I like my bike and it's a lot of fun, very quick and agile. Too bad we can't take advantage of its agility in Ohio because lane splitting is illegal.

[drew95gt]

I understand your feelings I am the same way, but that is why you have insurance. If it gets stolen or trashed then you have an excuse to upgrade and buy another bike you like. I started out on a 04 Ninja 250, they are fun little bikes.

[Zach]

Anywho, I like my bike and it's a lot of fun, very quick and agile. Too bad we can't take advantage of its agility in Ohio because lane splitting is illegal.

LOLWUT













http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/OH-555.svg/750px-OH-555.svg.png

[OsuMj]

This will make you feel better... I left my bike (kawi) outside sitting next to a 06(i think) RR and the RR was lifted and they left mine there.... They were there, with whatever ability to take the bike, and they still left it!

That said, I try to park my bikes in a place where it isn't visible from high traffic areas and somewhere that if theives had to carry it somewhere, it would be very difficult and noticeable.

[John]

Too bad we can't take advantage of its agility in Ohio because lane splitting is illegal.


its only illegal if you get caught

[Bodyman]

man you must be deep in the ghetto if all you can afford is a 1993 250



j/k
As long as he is riding! Don't knock it, you could be stuck with his luck!!!

[Bodyman]

I live in a (somewhat) bad area (whitehall). And I have an '06 Boulevard, and I don't worry too much. Worrying about it will not make anything better. You also have to take into account how much your bike weighs. Would it be practical for a few, or several guys to carry it away, without you knowing? Best thing to do is lock it up, as good as possible, and keep up on your insurance. Wheel locks are a great thing!!!

[Bodyman]

I understand your feelings I am the same way, but that is why you have insurance. If it gets stolen or trashed then you have an excuse to upgrade and buy another bike you like. I started out on a 04 Ninja 250, they are fun little bikes.
Wow, how old were you when you had that 250? Not trying to be funny, but saw your pic. Had to upgrade pretty quick like, huh?

[CBBaron]

Parking outside in daylight in a decent neighborhood its pretty unlikely the bike will disappear, especially a low value bike like a 20 year old 250cc.
However if you park under different conditions and theft is a serious concern then there are several security options.
A disc lock will immobilize the bike for someone looking for a joy ride or just trying to hot wire it. However it does little to stop someone that can pick up the bike and throw it in a van. For that the addition of a cable attached to a secure object helps a little. However most cables are pretty easy to cut.
A heavy security chain and lock like made by Kryptonite and Onguard attaching your bike to a secure object will discourage all but the most persistent thieves.
However they are expensive, heavy, bulky and you have to find something to attach to.
If you are parking in an area with a high theft rate on a regular basis. Buy the chain and lock and leave it where you park. For most other situations I would just use a disc lock or don't worry about it at all.

Craig

[castellilaw]

how many of you have locked your rear wheel and high sided?

[ReconRat]

how many of you have locked your rear wheel and high sided?

If the front wheel remains pointed in the direction the bike is traveling, it will skid sideways and not high side. I have not high sided except maybe on a dirt bike. I have slid sideways many times. It's a quick way to change direction.

Ummm, why did you post this here? It will get lost in this thread.

[Scruit]

4 or 5 guys could pick up my bike, yeah... But unless they find and disable the GPS bug before they get home then the police will be knocking on their door within minutes of me discovering that it is gone.

My android phone gives me a map and gps location of the bike in under two seconds. I also have weeks of history of the bike's movements - so if they strip it at their home/shop then discovering the bug won't stop the police from knocking on their door. The GPS and phonehome signals penetrate buildings too.

If we are outside a building and the building owner tells the cops; "The bike is not in here" then I can trigger the alarm and we can hear it. I just wish I could remotely disable the engine too, however I'm pretty sure any theft would involve the bike winding up in the back of a truck, not being ridden.