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PREVENTING MOTORCYCLE THEFT By Lynn Ketchum Follow these basic tips to help avoid becoming a victim of motorcycle theft:• Lock your ignition and
remove the key. Most bike thefts occur
when the ignition is shut off, but not locked. • Lock the forks or disk
brakes with locks that have large, brightly colored tags. • If traveling with other
riders, lock motorcycles together when not in use. • If riding alone, lock your
bike to a secure, stationary object that can’t be easily dismantled,
such as a
light pole. • Add an audible alarm to
your motorcycle. • When traveling and
spending the night at a hotel, locate an outdoor security camera and
park your
bike in the camera’s view. If this is
not possible, park your bike close to your room. • Keep an eye on your bike.
When parking at a public event, check your motorcycle periodically,
especially
immediately after leaving your bike, to make sure there are no
suspicious
individuals lurking about. • If parking in a garage,
block your bike with automobiles, close the garage door and make sure
it is
locked. • Don’t store your title in
your bike’s storage compartment, tank bag or saddlebag.
The safest place for your title is at home. • Uniquely mark and then
photograph your bike. If thieves take
your bike, note its unique markings to law enforcement using the photos
you
have taken. • Keep your bike
registration and insurance identification card on you when you ride. • Be careful about giving
out private information on where you live, work or play. • Park the trailer in a
well-lit location near security cameras or in an area easily seen by
restaurant,
hotel or event staff. • Lock the trailer doors and
hitch. • Secure doors by backing up
to a wall, so there is not enough room for doors to be opened. • Know your trailer
identification and license plate registration numbers. • When riding home, make sure
you’re not being followed. Guard against theft when selling your bike: • Using fake identities has
become common in bike thefts. Don’t turn
over the title until you can verify the check or money order is valid
and has
cleared the bank. Mail the title to the
new owner. • Ask the buyer for his or
her name, address, date of birth and driver’s license number. Then ask to see the driver’s license and
check that the information given matches the license. • Be especially cautious of
anyone who presents out-of-state identification. • Make sure the potential
buyer wasn’t dropped off by another party and is planning to take a
one-way
test ride with your bike. Verify that
the buyer owns the vehicle he or she arrived with, and that the vehicle
is of
equal or greater value than your bike. • Check that the buyer's
driver’s license carries a valid motorcycle endorsement. • It isn’t necessary that
you provide a buyer with the title right away.
A written document signed by the seller and buyer
indicating price and
method of payment can serve as proof of purchase. You
can forward the title to the buyer once the
check has cleared the bank. • If you decide to sell your
motorcycle on consignment, do not provide the signed title to the
dealership
until you have received your money in full.
Make sure the dealership is a reputable business before
you trust them
as an agent.
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