If you're one of the unlucky ones then you know the feeling well.
You ran inside for just a minute. Maybe even less than that. It doesn't matter. When you returned to the garage, it was gone.
Your dirt bike. Stolen.
That's how it happens a lot. Other times, thieves rip it right off the back of your truck. Ask Nick Wey. His $10,000 ride got jacked a few months ago from the back of his truck at the track in broad day light. Lucky for him he got most of it back, minus the rear wheel and the gearing. Most people aren't so lucky.
All that's left in the back of Nick Wey's truck after his dirt bike was stolen
In Wey's case, the thief apparently wanted parts. Often an unsecured dirt bike equals a free dirt bike or at least a joy ride. Getting it back is unlikely and getting it back in one piece and in good condition is extremely unlikely. Recovered bikes are often haggard from riding, sometimes spray painted and all the identifying graphics torn off.
Like your car or any other valuable that can be easily stolen if left unsecured, locking your dirt bike is of utmost priority. Unlike a car though, a dirt bike doesn't have a key. And until technology finds a way to "match" your kick start "footprint" to your bike, anyone can ride off with your dirt bike.
What Nick Wey's bike looked like after police found it
Here are some dirt bike theft prevention tips to keep you from becoming a victim.
1. Never let your dirt bike out of sight
This rule of course applies to when your bike is not locked. That means when loading it on the truck or trailer don't lose sight of it unless it's locked. When cleaning it or taking care of maintenance in the garage, don't run inside to answer the phone or get a snack unless the garage door is close. Thieves are meticulous and patient. If they want your bike they'll wait you out. Don't give them the chance.
2. Lock it up!
Lock your dirt bike up on the trailer, in the back of the truck, even in your garage. Wherever your dirt bike is stationary for a long period of time without you sitting on it or having eyes on it, lock it up. Don't get chintzy locks either. Get big, beefy cable locks like this one from Abus.
Less expensive locks like this cable lock and disc lock from Kryptonite are also good choices. We'd recommend keeping these or any locks on all the time. It's pretty hard to keep your dirt bike hobby a secret and word quickly gets around who has what and where it's kept.
Here's the reality - if a thief wants your bike no amount of security works. With time and the right tools, any lock can be overcome. Reduce the time factor and offer enough of a deterrent to tell the thief to move on.
3. Get a Moto Van
Granted this may not be an option for everyone, considering the money already invested in your dirt bike, but a Moto Van (or Sprinter Van) even a pick-up-truck with canopy, is a great way to keep your dirt bike safe. But even though it's locked safely inside, still add the additional protection of a cable lock, because vans get broken into all the time. Again the idea here is time and deterrence. If a thief has spent five minutes jimmying the van's lock open or made noise by smashing a window and is then confronted with cable locks - they'll hopefully give up.
Also, if your bikes are in a Moto Van or on the back of your truck then don't forget to lock your four-wheel ride up either. Check this out - a friend of a MotoSport employee had his truck stolen with the bikes in the back. The thieves burned the truck to the ground before taking off with the bikes.
4. Be Vigilant
There's no need to be paranoid but vigilance matters. Sure, locking up your bike every single time is a pain, but really what's a minute? When not riding, always keep an eye on your bike. If someone looks suspicious or just lurking around the parking lot at the track let the officials there know.
5. Get Insurance
No, insurance doesn't prevent a bike theft but it does offer peace of mind. A dirt bike investment easily tops thousands of dollars for a used ride and can quickly hit five figures. Insure the bike for theft and if the worst case scenario happens, at least you can start over with help from insurance money.
Always keep the paperwork on your bike and know the VIN. If you don't know where the VIN is check out our How to Read and Check Your Motorcycle or ATV VIN. In the event your dirt bike is stolen, you'll want to provide law enforcement all necessary information to help them recover your bike.
Lastly, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau the recovery rate on stolen motorcycles (unable to find data on dirt bikes) was only 25 to 30 percent. So, it's a good idea to check out Craigslist, daily, if your dirt bike is stolen. You just may find it for sale.
