safe bike parking tips?

[christiaan]

The Krypto-ev disc lock failure got me thinking…
I like how I can ride through the city (Los Angeles) escape traffic and have fun traveling to places on the weekends.  However being a new rider, I am weary about leaving the bike parked on the street, unattended. My naked b400 is not worth much, and I would like to think that this would make the bike unattractive to thieves.  However I still feel scared someone may smash into the bike or knock it over when trying to park next to it.  I’m not sure if it is safe to leave my helmet or tank bag on the bike either.  Besides locks, is there any other stealthy security trick that would leave the bike inoperable when parked? Does anyone have any parking tips for Los Angeles, or any other big city?

[mp183]

Don't leave anything on the bike.
I don't use anything.  
In Manhattan there are lots of bikes that are much more
expensive than mine.  I don't think anyone will steal mine.

[Rema1000]

One problem with parking at the curb, is that I think people in cars may have trouble seeing the bike through their rearview mirror.  I've thought of keeping a few yards of neon orange trail-marking tape with me, that I could loop from the sissy bar to the mirrors, to make the bike easier to see.  

A motorcycle cover with a neon stripe across near the top would be useful.

[Kerry]

Besides locks, is there any other stealthy security trick that would leave the bike inoperable when parked?

Depending on your bike's model year, you could detach one (or both) of the wires to the clutch switch.  Pulling just the rear one would be less noticeable.


The bike could still be hot-wired even if the thief never replaced the wire(s), but the hassle may deter a "recreational" crook.

[Hi-T]

If someone is going to "hot wire" the bike, you can (on the GS- Don't know about the bandit) pull the lead of the clutch lever.

In other words -to start the bike, the clutch has to be pulled in.  There are two wires that plug in at the base of the clutch lever that sense this. They slide off and on easily.  Loosen it and the bike shouldn't start in gear-don't remember about nuetral...

edit      SCOOPED BY KERRY!!!!!!

But if someone really wants the bike- a couple guys and a pick up truck will do the trick.  That's why I have comprehensive...

But I also try to park in very public places or places monitored by security. I also try to park next or behind barries, pillars or other permant structures that are more likely to be noticed by drivers.

[Ed_in_Az]

You guys are good. Yep, there's alway a wire or two that can be pulled. If you can make it more time consuming to steal, and thus suspicious, hopefully the thief will move on.

Also, how about an alarm, with pager?

[cernunos]

Hire Ed to blow there ass away if they mess with your bike.  JK, that would probably cost waaay more than the bike is worth...but effective yes?
Love all bikes, especially the GS500, love this forum, even mean old Ed.

C.......

[tt_four]

i've got a giant chain that i got to use if i ever parked my bike in the city fora long period of time, but i've only used it once, when heather brought her bike down for the night where i live at school, which is in the city, i chained her back tire up to the porch, but if you really wanted, chances are there's gonna be a parking meter or a traffic sign close by, you could back your back tire right up to it, and wrap the chain around it, even though it could be pulled off the meter, they would still have to have enough guys to lift the bike straight up, and one of them to slide the chain off, and also just try to park it on a main street,

[zlei]

Get some good insurance and worry less about it getting stolen.

[christiaan]

I guess I'll use the center stand and park at a nice angle in the center of metered parking spots.  I sometimes see bikes in LA parked between spots where smaller cars are parked, but that just seems sketchy and ticket bound.  Its hard to find clusters of bikes on the street or even in a big parking lot in los angeles.  I think I see one bike at every major shopping center/mall I visit in southern california.  One bike in a small row of empty motorcycle spots right near the handi-capped spots.

I have insurance.  So when someone does smash the bike or I dump it myself - I'll take the 2-3k and go shopping for another bike and start it all over again.  I honestly can't imagine anyone in thier right mind wanting to steal my bike - I can however, picture a Hummer knocking it over in an alley and running off.

[davipu]

just park next to nice bikes, so yours isn't the target.