| Motorcycles and other power sports are great | | | | is able to stop the theft. However, a seasoned thief will |
| sources of entertainment, there is nothing like the | | | | just quickly kill your power and your alarm is out of |
| freedom you feel roaring down the highway on your | | | | commission. Furthermore, once your motorcycle starts |
| bike in the open air. Of course, the same thing that | | | | the siren, your bike is likely already in a trailer or van |
| makes motorcycles fun, their small size and you feeling | | | | about to head down the street. |
| the open air, is the same thing that makes them easy | | | | The last type of motorcycle security system is a GPS |
| targets by thieves. | | | | tracking system. GPS tracking systems are newer |
| Motorcycles are stolen at an alarming rate. In the time | | | | technology that have just recently entered the |
| it takes you to read this article multiple bikes will have | | | | powersports industry. GPS systems are not theft |
| been stolen. The most common ways for them to be | | | | deterrents in the traditional sense, but they are more |
| stolen are snatched and thrown in a trailer or van. | | | | theft recovery systems. Most GPS systems are silent |
| Theft rings will often cruise up and down residential | | | | and covertly installed as not to alert the thief of their |
| streets at night stealing any bikes left outside. So with | | | | existence. They are designed so that if the event your |
| the high risk of your bike being stolen, you need a top | | | | bike is stolen, you can use a web application to see |
| of the line security system. But which one? | | | | your bike's exact location. These types of systems |
| There are three types of security systems, each take | | | | are the most effective at recovering your bike. |
| a different approach with varying levels of success. | | | | The biggest issue with GPS trackers for motorcycles |
| The most traditional security system is the bike chain. | | | | is the cost. Most companies are charging anywhere |
| The bike chain is great for its simplicity and lower cost. | | | | from $600 and up for a system. Then they often tack |
| Even grade school children are familiar with a bike | | | | on a monthly service charge ranging from $15 to $20 |
| chain and can operate one. Bike chains also are good | | | | a month. That is a high price to pay and often limits |
| because you do not need to install them; they are | | | | these systems to those with the high dollar custom |
| ready to go out of the box. However, the bike chain is | | | | bikes. The other big problem with GPS trackers is that |
| the easiest theft deterrent to circumvent by a thief. A | | | | many are not designed for motorcycles, but cars. This |
| quick snip with a bolt cutter and your bike is gone. In | | | | leads to technical problems as the GPS system |
| about the time it takes to chain your bike is how long it | | | | cannot handle the vibration and high heat of being |
| takes a thief to steal your bike. | | | | installed on a motorcycle. |
| The next type of motorcycle system is the remote | | | | Considering the different choices, it is important to |
| controlled audible alarm. There is a number of variety | | | | determine what level of security you need and the |
| of these type of alarms. Some may flash your lights, | | | | price you are willing to pay. If cost is the most |
| some may send a signal to your remote control as | | | | important criteria, the chain makes for a cheap solution. |
| long as you are in range (couple hundred feet) and | | | | If you feel that an affordable solution that makes an |
| others may even disable your motorcycle. These | | | | audible alarm sound will suit your needs, you can find |
| alarms are a definite improvement over chains and are | | | | many of those options for affordable prices on eBay. |
| effective at being a theft deterrent. | | | | If you want the highest level of security for your |
| Unfortunately, they are only a theft deterrent, and are | | | | motorcycle, a GPS tracker designed for motorcycles |
| dependent on the timely intervention by someone else | | | | and other powersports is the route to take. Just be |
| to actually stop the theft. The noise may provide a | | | | careful when selecting such a device. Watch out for |
| nuisance to the thief, and there is even a chance that | | | | high upfront costs, hidden service fees and make sure |
| someone is in the vicinity when the alarm goes off and | | | | it is designed for powersports. |