First post here though I’ve been reading the forum for ages.
So here’s my situation…Last summer I bought my first ever motorbike and went for a second hand Yamaha R125 without really putting much thought into it (I looked at all the 125s and the R125 was the only one I liked the look of!).
I’ve absolutely loved riding it though (mainly for commuting to work in the City) but have spent the past year constantly worrying about it being stolen. I’ve done my theory test and have already been planning on getting my DAS done this summer (I want something more powerful) with the intention to get myself a bigger bike in June/July.
However, events in recent days have brought things forward a few months…today I ended up selling it after two attempted thefts in as many days (gotta love living in Tooting) really knocked all the enjoyment out of owning it, and I figured I’d rather have the money in my pocket than constantly stressing about whether I’d wake up in the morning to find I no longer had a bike. Once the bike was on their radar I figured they’d just keep trying to steal it until they managed it. Opportunistic teenagers would be my guess being the culprits considering even after 2 attempts they couldn’t get the disc lock off, and they totally ignored other bikes on the road despite them being more powerful and worth twice as much as mine.
So now I’m bike-less and itching to get my full license so I can buy a bike that’s not going to be of any interest to these little scrotes.
Does anyone have advice on the sort of bikes are least likely to be stolen and keep me happy for a few years commuting into central London on?
I’m guessing sportier looks = more attractive to thieves. I was thinking maybe an ER6N or XJ6 would be decent options? I’d LOVE a new MT-07 but I’d probably be just as worried about a brand new bike sitting on the road at night…
I think for the thief aspect a naked bike always seems less desirable to them in my opinion, I was going to get a bandit myself until I caved and went down the sports bike route :unsure:
I done my DAS on a Suzuki gladius which seemed a pretty decent bike I don’t think they are that expensive and think have more low down torque so should be decent for commuting in city
That’s a tough one. I know people from on here who have had bike stolen which were covered in crash damage and held together with cable ties and duct tape. A decent cover, chain and ground anchor will help. Ideally a garage though.
Boring looking middle-weights like the Bandit, SFV650 (as the Gladius is now known as), XJ Diversions, ER6N, CBF500 or 600. You’ll be unlucky to lose one of them to theft unless you make it easy. Plus, if you’re parking it in an area with a few other bikes around, there’s always ‘something better’ nearby for the scumbags to go for.
maybe look for a safer parking then; rent some extra space ? l live near stockwell and l was stressing about my 125 so l managed to convince landlord to allow me to move bins from outside the propety, l got two ground anchors fixed and l always cover it,
l read somewhere that - if they really want to steal it they will, just make sure you dont make it easy for them
Thanks for the suggestions. The SFV650 looks pretty nice, I’ll be sure to keep that in mind when I’m ready. I suppose the cheapest insurance rates will play a part in what I end up with as well.
This may sound like a dumb question but when it comes to 600cc+ bikes, what sort of mileage can they do before they start becoming unreliable/needing repairs? Is 30,000 miles considered a lot on a 600cc bike?
Unfortunately I don’t have any off road parking available, which is a shame. It’s also almost impossible to park next to a lamppost to chain the bike to something because there will always be a car parked there. I bought a rain cover for the bike (everybody in the area all seem to use a cheap £20 Argos cover so I followed suit) but the scumbags kept removing it (3 times last week!) or lifting it to expose the wheels to see what locks were on it.
why dont you try alarmed padlock then, there are many of those online form £25-£100 at least it will make some crazy noise when they will try to break it
It was a Xena XX14 alarmed disc lock they were trying to get off the bike! The noise didn’t seem to deter them… The bike was parked too far away for me to hear but I spoke to a couple of residents in the street the following morning and they said they ‘didn’t hear anything’. That’s the problem with London I guess - you hear an alarm and you ignore it.
l think l would just put two chains and two disk locks then… if someone was trying to get my bike l would get stuff on it like its a christmas tree decorated with locks you live in some council estate area? maybe its time to move…
I guess from your user name that you’re based in Tooting?
Before I had off road parking I used to park on the pavement & chain the bike (scooter at the time) to a lamppost - loads of people round here do the same and Wandsworth council seem fine with it generally (obviously don’t block the pavement)
I can recommend owning a crock of Italian shite. I have a filthy dirty (I rarely wash is because that just exposes how much of the Italian “finish” has rusted up/fallen off) Aprilia Pegaso 650.
In the past, I’ve left the ignition key in with no disc lock on all day in Woolwich without it being stolen.
at least it will make some crazy noise when they will try to break it