Motorbike theft- between the Commons- by professionals! Post Reply

[MadCurls]

Hi all

Just thought I would pass on a warning for those of you with motorbikes. Our (brand new) and our neighbour's very nice motorbikes- were stolen from outside our homes on Salcott Road last night. This was probably the work of professionals, as these were both big motorbikes (not scooters) with wheel locks and proper security. These thieves took advantage of last night's new moon and fog, and would have had to have a truck with a small crane or some kind of lifting device.

This is particularly devastating for us, as it's my husband's transport to work (no easy train route) and although he thought theft was covered on our insurance it was not. We still have payments on the bike until mid 2015.

These people knew what they were doing.... we are going to keep our eyes out for bikes for sale. If you happen to see a bright yellow Kawasaki Versys 650 on sale, please do let us know!!!

Thanks- and be careful all..... just when I felt safe & secure, I realise there are people out there waiting to victimise. x

[Goldhawk]

Was it locked to a ground anchor?

[MadCurls]

No, but very big bike with wheel lock. Not sure about the neighbour's.

[Goldhawk]

2 blokes can lift a bike especially if it's only got one wheel lock on.
Lift front wheel into van and then wheel it in by lifting the back
Alarms can put them off but if they are quick it makes little difference

[mummy_dani]

Our neighbours motorbike got stolen over the summer. My husband saw part of the theft as did another neighbour who got the vehicle reg, and the owner almost caught them having run outside! The police didn't find them although I suspect they didn't try very hard because a registration and undoubtedly some CCTV at 4am they wouldn't have been hard to find. Anyway it was just a few blokes who lifted the bike into a red transit van, so it can be easily done without a crane.

[juliantenniscoach]

Motorcycles and expensive push bikes seem to be stolen virtually at will here. I had my stolen from the side return and Hiscox insurance was great. However my insurance renewal was very stiff.

To a commited thief, alarms and locks are delaying tools only. Ground anchors are good if the chain lock matches. Everyone ignores alarms don't they? The Police are next to useless in this type of crime as despite value it hasn't any PR value. There are countless stories of people seeing their property on ebay, gumtree, Brick Lane and the Police being incredibly unhelpful and unwilling to assist.

Best of luck.

[MadCurls]

Ray of hope- my neighbour has been contacted by police that his bike was found in back of a truck in Essex in good condition, and there was also a bike matching the description of ours! The office in Essex is now closed, but hope upon hope Essex police have our bike!! Lesson learned for security. Be careful people!!

[Camille]

Have to agree with Goldhawk...ground anchors are the only way.

My husband had a new Ducati 998 and literally used to hide it (ground anchored) under crates and the dirtiest tarpauline ever around the back of ta Chinese take away in Brixton (our regular custom warranted free "parking"). It never got stolen though whereas virtually all his friends bikes in Clapham/Battersea were either stolen or vandalised.

He winces when he sees new motorbikes bikes left over night with little more than a disc and often not even a cover.