As much fun as getting a new dirt bike is, there is always a great deal of responsibility that comes with it as well. With each year that passes you hear more about stolen dirt bikes, so it is important to take precautions. Today I will share with you all of my tips on how to keep your dirt bike safe and prevent it from being stolen.
There are a number of various security measures you can take to avoid getting your dirt bike stolen. According to police officers and experts in the field, what you need to do is combine a variety of protection measures that will keep thieves away. Most bike and motorcycle thefts are opportunistic, which is why the first course of action to protect your dirt bike should be storing it in a garage, away from any windows. Afterward, consider investing in an alarm for your garage and/or dirt bike, a quality lock and a ground anchor, a bike cover, and a GPS tracking system. If you want to be extremely cautious, you can use a combination of bike locks, such as disc locks, brake lever locks, U-locks, and wheel chocks.
Each measure has its own purpose, and using them tactically on your dirt bike is what will prevent your dirt bike from being stolen. Keep on reading to get my full guide (with tips from experienced off-riders) on stolen dirt bikes, from protecting them to getting them back after a theft.
How to Keep Your Dirt Bike From Being Stolen
There are a few theft prevention measures you can take, but I cannot say that one is better than the others. The best thing to do, as I have mentioned before, is to combine a few methods in order to keep your dirt bike secure.
What you need to keep in mind is that thieves are on a time limit. If your vehicle seems hard to hijack, they might just go over to the next vulnerable motorcycle and take that one instead.
Whenever you are not out and about with your dirt bike, the best thing to do is keep it in a garage. A shed or a trailer works too, but they are not as secure. Wherever you are keeping them, make sure to lock them securely to the ground.
I also recommend investing in an opaque cover that will conceal your dirt bike and make it harder for thieves to determine the make and model. Use this cover regardless of where you store the vehicle. If the perpetrator does not have full information about what they are stealing, they might turn away and look for an easier target. A motorcycle cover will cost you around $20.00.
Next up, invest in one or more locks. Kryptonite, OnGuard, and Hiplok are all reputable bike lock brands that might catch your eye. You can go to your local bike shop and ask for their recommendations since they receive full product descriptions from their suppliers.
Personally, I like to secure my dirt bikes with a cable lock to a ground anchor in my garage, and then add a disc lock to make things harder for thieves. With a disc lock applied, they will not be able to wheel the dirt bike away. Both of these locks cost me around $50.00, but you can get them as low as $20.00.
If the thief sees all these security measures and still decides to touch your dirt bike, you can scare them away with an alarm. If they are in a crowded area or walking around your garage at night, they will most likely back away in an attempt to not get caught. You can find quality bike alarms priced between $25.00 to $40.00.
Last but not least, you can add a GPS tracker to your bike. Thieves will be wary of these devices, which is why I recommend looking for a small one with independent batteries, which can be placed in hard-to-reach places. This is the priciest of security measures on the list, with a quality lo-jack system costing upwards of $50.00.
All of these precautions will make your vehicle less likely to be stolen. However, it is not a foolproof plan. If you want to let go of any worries and just enjoy your dirt bike to the fullest, I recommend getting an insurance policy for your dirt bike. This way, you know that you will be reimbursed in the case of a theft.
What Do You Do If Someone Steals Your Dirt Bike?
Chances are that if you are reading this article, your dirt bike was already stolen and you just want to know what to do in this situation. I will show you the necessary steps to take so that you can get the best out of this difficult situation.
First and foremost, you need to relax. Going after the thieves would be dangerous and reckless, so let me just walk you through what you need to do. Take a deep breath and be ready to make a few phone calls.
#1 Report the Crime to the Police
Statistically speaking, around half of stolen dirt bikes make it back to their owners. This number varies according to your location and the perpetrator’s purpose and experience, but the bottom line is that there is hope.
Without reporting the theft to a police station, the chances of seeing your bike again become much slimmer. On top of that, in case you have insurance, a police report will be mandatory to cash it in and get yourself a new two-wheeler. If you do not go to the police station in under 24 hours, then your insurance claim will most likely be denied.
Gather all the information that you have about your bike, such as the make and model, the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the title that proves the dirt bike is yours. If when you bought the motorbike you didn’t receive the title, then look for the receipt or any document that shows the transaction was completed. I recommend taking some photos of the dirt bike to the police station as well, for easier identification.
#2 Register for a Bike Recovery System
Even if your dirt bike has already been stolen, you can still register it in a bike recovery system with the VIN number. Much like the information you give to the police, this nonprofit organization will require your make & model, a few photos, and the area you have last seen it in.
There are two ways in which this database can help you. First of all, they will use their resources such as their social media to share with their community the stolen bike and potentially find new information. Second of all, these registers are accessed by police stations outside of your state too. In case the thieves have moved the dirt bike to another metropolitan area to avoid tracking, having your dirt bike registered in a database will raise your chances of getting it back.
I recommend registering your bike on both Bike Index and 529 Garage, which are free services with a big community in the United States. The first one also offers a secondary paid service in case you want to advertise the theft information to compassionate neighbors in your area. If the bike means a lot to you, you could invest in this option too.
#3 Post on your Social Media
While the support from these bike recovery programs is valuable, it’s best to get the word out about the stolen vehicle among your friends too. Share details about the time and place of the theft, as well as a clear photo of the dirt bike. Encourage the readers to share the information with their followers, so that even more people in your area have their eyes peeled.
An old-school version of this method is to create flyers and post them around your neighborhood. I personally know someone who got a tip about their stolen dirt bikes this way, so it is definitely worth a try.
#4 File an Insurance Claim
In case you foresaw this misfortune and paid for an insurance policy, this is the moment when you dust it off and give the company a call. You will need to provide the same information as you did to the police, along with a copy of the police report you were given.
#5 Make use of the Anti-Theft Protection Scheme of your Lock
If you are an extra careful dirt bike owner and you enrolled into the anti-theft protection scheme that comes with your Kryptonite or OnGuard lock, this is the time to make a claim there too.
Make sure to take into account the fine print of the scheme, such as the fact that you need to provide the broken lock to get your money. If you have all the necessary items and the claim goes through, you will get an extra sum of cash that is very welcomed in a situation like this.
How can I Find my Stolen Dirt Bike?
Now that you’ve gone through all the procedures necessary after you noticed the theft, let’s talk more about getting your dirt bike back. If you have insurance, then you are covered. But what if you do not? Should you just let the police handle it?
While police officers are there to help you, they will not use all of their manpower to look for stolen dirt bikes. They most likely have more sensitive matters at hand, and your theft is not a top priority. That being said, I still recommend going to the police in case you track down your bike, so that you can properly claim it and the thieves get their well-deserved legal punishment.
I already mentioned the first step toward finding your stolen dirt bike: alerting your community through social media and posters. If your dirt bike was taken by a joyrider in your area, they will likely be reckless and ride it close to your neighborhood. Since your neighbors already know how the missing two-wheeler looks, they will be more likely to notice it and report back to you.
Throughout my years as an avid off-rider, I have heard of more than a few stolen dirt bikes, some of which have surfaced on Craigslist. This is why I recommend that you set up an alert on multiple e-commerce websites that sell motorbikes (such as Craigslist, eBay, and Gumtree). This alert can be customized to the make and model of your dirt bike, therefore you will easily see if there are any hits for a new seller.
Another way you could search for your dirt bike is by visiting pawn shops and flea markets in your area. Check other places where vehicles could be sold, such as Facebook groups and forums. If you happen to recognize your vehicle, call the police immediately and see what the next course of action should be.
Are Dirt Bikes Easily Stolen?
Motorcycles and dirt bikes are easily stolen because of their design and slim frame. The ignition can be easily hijacked by professional lockpicks, which make them easy prey. If you do not have a place to store your dirt bike, it becomes even more vulnerable.
The truth of the matter is that if someone wants to steal your two-wheeler, they can do so even if you have multiple locks on it. If they have a trailer, they will just mount it on and leave with it. However, a securized dirt bike will be less desirable for thieves, because they are looking to make a fast escape. If you use the security measures I described above, you are likely to make them search for another target.
Why do people steal dirt bikes?
There are two types of dirt bike thieves: the joyriders and the sellers. The first category are looking to use your dirt bike for themselves. These people are rash and will surely change their mind about stealing your vehicle if they hear an alarm or see a complicated lock.
The second category are people with a premeditated motive: they want to sell your bike either as it is, or for parts. These thieves might even follow your movements for a week or so to see when you are not around and they can steal your vehicle. Since dirt bikes are especially valuable on the black market, you need to be extra careful with concealing your vehicle when at home.
Last Thoughts
Unfortunately, dirt bikes are easy targets for thieves, especially when they are sitting in broad daylight without any lock. That being said, you should not let the rising number of stolen dirt bikes keep you away from all the fun that comes with off-road riding! Today, I showed you my favorite security measures to prevent theft, as well as the necessary steps to take in case your dirt bike gets stolen. If you choose to use one or more of my tips, you are sure to be well protected against theft. When all else fails, you can always count on a comprehensive insurance policy!
