If you want to know more about motorcycle theft and whether thieves are after the parts only or the entire bike, then you’ve come to the right place. Check out our list of the most commonly asked questions about motorcycle theft and get tips on how you can overcome it.
Yes, criminals do steal bike parts once they’ve stolen the whole bike. Motorcycles aren’t as heavy as other standard vehicles, so they can be lifted and concealed and then placed inside a van or truck. Once they reach the “workshop”, they dismantle the motorcycles and take the parts they want. And those parts are then sold on the black market.
These days, many bikes are stolen from apartment complexes and standalone houses. This is because most people let their guard down once they’ve reached their destination. If you search on the internet, you’ll find several videos of criminals caught on camera hijacking motorcycles at the entrance of apartment complexes while waiting for the security to let them in.
The best anti-theft device for motorcycles is a GPS tracking unit. No anti-theft device will completely prevent thieves from stealing your motorcycle, but a GPS tracker gives you a fighting chance at getting it back. With a GPS tracking app, you can check your motorcycle's whereabouts at any time of the day and easily notice suspicious activities, like when it's moved from where you last left it.
The things that make a bike less likely to be stolen are visible anti-theft systems like chain locks. Thieves don't like a challenge, and they don’t have time for one. When stealing your belongings, they must do so as quickly as possible. They look for easy targets, and an anti-theft system is not easy to remove, making any motorcycle that has one less attractive to them.
Thieves target both standard motorcycles, (like scooters that people use for daily commutes and delivery bikes), and high-end motorcycles like superbikes. It all depends on the motive. Some parts are stolen for their parts, while others are sold as a whole on the black market.
The main parts that thieves steal from motorbikes are:
Thieves look for a part that’s easy to resell on the black market and whatever they know is in demand.
Motorcycle colours that are least likely to be stolen are very bright colours like neon green, orange, yellow and pink. This is because they’re easy to notice, which might blow the criminal's cover. Dark colours are more common, making them easy to move from one place to another without raising suspicion.
You can lock your motorcycle using a disc lock or an immobiliser. Disc locks prevent the motorcycle from being pushed and the handlebar from turning. Immobilisers prevent the bike ignition from powering on, ensuring it doesn't get driven without your approval.
Yes! We’ve got GPS tracking devices that are designed specifically for bikes, and we ensure they’re placed discreetly when installed. This makes them hard to detect and has led to so many successful bike recoveries over the years.
In South Africa motorbikes are stolen every day, with the Gauteng province accounting for the highest number of theft reports. This is very alarming and calls for the need for all motorbike owners to ensure they protect their bikes with GPS tracking systems. If you want to know how the GPS tracking system for bikes works, you can fill out this form, and we’ll call you in seconds.
The Cartrack GPS tracking units for motorcycles are designed to take very little power from the vehicle battery, making it impossible to drain. If you suspect our GPS unit is draining the battery of your bike, you can always call in, and one of our technicians will check what the issue is and fix it.
Yes, a keyless motorcycle can be stolen through the use of relay technology or by simply lifting the motorcycle and putting it into a bigger vehicle, then dismantling it afterwards. Unlike cars, criminals don’t need to drive the motorcycle when stealing it, so the key system doesn’t make much of a difference.
