Can a Stolen Motorbike be Traced?

Indeed a motorbike is precious for many riders, and what is worse when your motorbike is stolen? And that’s why the question arises, can a stolen motorbike be traced? 

Your motorbike can be traced if you report the stolen motorbike the moment it was stolen or if your motorbike has installed GPS, which can help the rider to trace the motorbike. However, the chance of tracking the motorbike starts decreasing drastically as time passes. 

Let’s consider what it means and what you can do about it. 

While writing this post, I leave no stone unturned so you can know everything about tracing the stolen motorbike. 

Can a Stolen Motorbike be Traced?

Indeed a motorbike is unique for every rider, and worse is when your motorbike is stolen. And now the question arises, can a stolen bike be traced? 

Your motorbike can be traced if you report the stolen motorbike the moment it was stolen or if your motorbike has installed GPS, which can help the rider to trace the motorbike. However, the chance of tracking the motorbike starts decreasing drastically as time passes. 

And that’s why experts always recommend installing the GPS tracking system in your motorbike for faster tracking. 

Do Stolen Motorbikes Get Found? 

So far, you understand that a stolen motorbike can be traced back if you installed a GPS system or tracker in it. Now The question arises, do stolen motorbikes get found? 

Generally, there is less than a 30% chance that your motorbike will be recovered. Still, you can increase the chances of recovering your motorbike, to increase the chances of finding a motorbike, you can install the tracking device and register the complaint to the police. 

The timing of complaining about the stolen motorbike in the police station matters a lot. For example, if you report a stolen motorbike as soon as possible, then your motorbike will likely be recovered. 

What Do Thieves Do With Stolen Motorcycles? 

So far, you understand that a stolen bike can be recovered if you install the tracker or report it to the police station as soon as possible. Now the question arises, what do thieves do with a stolen motorcycle? 

Thieves remove every motorbike part from the stolen motorcycle, especially costlier parts, and sell them separately. Generally, thieves start to sell each motorbike part in the black market where no one can track the motorbike parts ever. 

Even in some cases, thieves sell the whole motorbike on the black market in another country or in the same region by doing modifications, if thieves sold the motorbike parts separately, you won’t likely ever see your stolen motorbike. 

What Do Thieves Choose Most; a Motorcycle or a Car? 

So far, you understand where will your stolen motorbike go from. Now the question arises, what do thieves choose most; motorcycle or car? 

Thieves generally prefer to steal motorbikes over cars because of less effort to steal a motorbike than a car. However, time and efforts are in favor of thieves. In that case, they will prefer stealing cars over motorbikes for high resale value.

How Can You Protect Your Motorbike from Stealing? 

Indeed thieves will choose a car over a motorbike for stealing. Now the question arises, how can you protect your motorbike from stealing? 

Although you can’t protect your motorbike from thieves fully, you can reduce the chances of your motorbike stealing by installing additional locks in the motorbike. Also, it’s always advisable to install a tracker in the motorbike to track the motorbike if thieves ever steal your motorbike. 

Additionally, it’s always recommended to not park your motorbike in a sensitive location or a parking lot where there are no CCTV cameras and security. 

Types of Motorbike Locks to Protect Motorbikes from Thieves. 

There’re many types of motorbike locks available in the market, and each has its pros and cons, which you need to focus on. 

Types of Motorbike Locks:	Advantage:	Disadvantage:
Motorbike Disk Brake.	Highly portable and also comes with sensors and alarms.	It may damage your disk brake and doesn’t add much security if thieves come with the truck.
Motorbike Grip Lock.	Super portable and even fits in your jacket pocket.	It doesn’t add much security.
Traditional Chain Lock.	Highly secure since you can connect fixed objects with your motorbike.	Not highly portable.

Motorbike Disk Brake Locks: 

Motorbike disk brake locks are the most common and effective lock available in the market. 

Disk brake locks come with a pin that you need to install on one of your front wheel disk vents so that your wheel can’t move. You’ll get a reminder cable with a lock that you need to hook on the handlebar to constantly remind you whether the lock is enabled.  

Now focus on an important question. Is a motorbike disk brake lock effective? 

Motorbike disk brake locks are effective and can prevent your motorbike from being robbed unless robbers come with a van and high-tech equipment. 

Disadvantages: 

I love disk brake locks, but unfortunately, there are some disadvantages of using disk brake locks that you need to know. 

Connection with Fixed Object: 

Disk brake locks prevent your motorbike’s front wheel from moving, but it still can move if thieves have a truck with them. 

Personally, I prefer parking my motorbike around my window to get to know if thieves are trying to move my motorbike. 

Fortunately enough, nowadays, motorbike disk brake locks come with sensors and alarms, which adds more security to motorbikes.

Alarm and Sensors: 

Alarms and sensors are good things to have in the disk brake. But sometimes, I feel the sensors in my disk brake locks are too sensitive.

Don’t know if it’s only with me or if something is broken, even if sometimes it rang without any reason. 

May Damage your Brake Disk: 

Motorcycle disk brake locks can damage your disk brake if you don’t unlock your motorbike and start riding.

Disk brake locks may even deform or bend the disk, and it would be best for you to hook a reminder cable on your handlebar. This reminder cable will remind you to deactivate the lock before riding. 

Here’s the video demonstrating how lethal a small device could be. 

Also, read my previous post where I discussed whether disk brake caliper works or it’s just a myth, CLICK HERE to read.

Motorbike Grip Locks: 

The second most common lock is a grip lock or handlebar lock. 

Motorbike grip locks slide into your motorbike handlebar and lock the throttle and brake lever. They work by enabling the front brake and locking the throttle simultaneously. Grip locks also come in an attractive color for reminding you to disable the lock before riding. 

Disadvantages: 

Here are some disadvantages that I feel while using grip locks. 

Connection with Fixed Object: 

Like motorbike disk brakes, the grip lock also doesn’t facilitate us to tie the motorbike to some object.

Anyone can lift the motorbike with the help of a truck since grip locks only lock the front wheel.  

Traditional Chain Locks: 

Traditional chain locks are the only hope to secure your motorbike. The chains are not only strong but also facilitate you to connect your motorbike with a fixed object.

And make sure you only buy hexagon or square-shaped chain links because only these chains provide maximum security to your motorbike. 

But there are some disadvantages too when choosing traditional chain locks.  

Disadvantages: 

Portability: 

Heavy chain locks are not so portable and may require additional costs for carrying them.  

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Verdict:

Can a Stolen Motorbike be Traced? Your motorbike can be traced if you report the stolen motorbike the moment it was stolen or if your motorbike has installed GPS, which can help the rider to trace the motorbike. 

However, the chance of tracking the motorbike starts decreasing drastically as time passes. I’ve mentioned some ways through which you can protect

 your motorbike from thieves along with some locks on which you can go to protect your motorbike from stealing.