Motorbike Theft - The Facts

Motorbike theft is a massive issue within the UK with over £3 million worth of motorbikes being stolen from the UK's streets every month. This figure is helping to raise motorbike insurance levels to extortionate proportions.

With the majority of new bikes in the UK costing between £6000 and £20,000, these machines are being targeted for resale on the black market. The most popular bikes targeted for theft are the performance class (500cc and above), which also prove the most costly to obtain motorbike insurance for.

Government statistics suggest that these bikes are being targeted by organised crime groups who are known to steal bikes to order. The most frightening statistic is the efficiency in which these groups work. Three million bikes per month stolen in the UK seems an unrealistic figure. However it seems more realistic when you look at the statistic that it takes these groups an average of 20 seconds to steel a bike. These bikes are hoisted onto the backs of lorries by teams of highly organised criminals and resold onto the black market in such an efficient manner that only 16% of stolen bikes are ever recovered.

Government reports suggest that the most popular makes of bikes to be stolen in this way are the big four manufacturers Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha and Honda. These bikes are more likely to be stolen from urban areas, which reflect the rise in bike insurance premiums for these areas. One of the most frightening statistics has to be the fact that approximately 80% of bikes are stolen from the owner's home.

The efficiency of these criminals seems baffling and impossible to combat but there are a few ways in which we can reduce the risk of our bikes becoming prey for these criminals.

Alarms and Immobilisers - Fit an approved alarm and immobiliser to your bike this will deter criminals from touching the bike due to the alarm. If the criminal manages to bypass the alarm the immobiliser will make it difficult if not impossible to start.

Park in Designated areas - By parking in designated areas you bike will be in the full view of a busy street or car park. This will put off criminals as there are too many witnesses around.

Keep in a Garage - With 80% of bikes stolen from the owner's home by locking your bike in a secure garage it makes it difficult for the criminals to gain access to the bike. By keeping your bike in a secure garage you can also benefit from cheaper bike insurance.

Anchor the bikes with Chains and Locks - By anchoring the bike to a permanent object such as a ground anchor it means that thieves can simply pick up your bike and load it straight onto a van.

In closing, bike theft is a major problem in the UK but by following a few simple rules we can stop these organised crime groups in their tracks and hopefully reduce the amount of thefts each year. By reducing thefts and securing our bikes properly we can all benefit from cheaper bike insurance.