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I go to school in Manhattan (New York) and when I ride my bike all the way into the city I will park it in a private garage with a cover and a disc lock. More often than not I will park on the NJ side of the Hudson river to avoid tolls, when doing that I go into a gated parking tower and park on the highest covered level (usually 5th or 6th level up) and park under a camera in an area blocked off to cars. I use the cover, disc lock, and a huge Kryptonite cable with a U lock on the back. It's wrapped around a steel parking barrier thats sunken into the concrete. If someone wants to bypass all of that to steal my bike then they can have at it.... I have full insurance.

If anyone takes more care than MDW, I'd like to hear about it! (And how long it takes to get it all undone again!)
Mine's easy...
Alarm is fitted.
Full insurance.
Locked in my garage at home, and under my office in secure, private parking during the day. And when it's in neither of those places, it's between my legs

I'm actually a little worried about my trip in November - overnighting in Eden, NSW, then a few days parked at my sister's house in Melbourne; I'm not sure if their new house has a garage, and this will be the first time in it's life it will be left outside at night!

I don't think the weight of our bike is a very good deterrent. Harleys get lifted and they only get heavier in their range. I'd hate to have to fight off the pair of guys lifting a 900 lb Elektra Glide into a van..

Locking the rear wheel is probably going to be the biggest thing.


And what's this business about an alarm? I know nothing of this.

Please enlighten this poor savage!

Our bike ain't worth half a decent Harley

Previous owner of my bike (who you know, actually...), had the dealer fit an aftermarket alarm before he took delivery new.
It's a simple thing - gives a warning trill if moved, and screams its nuts off if it doesn't stop moving. All operated through the ignition...

Hey Kreepster,

Purchased my ride in Bega and spent the night in Eden myself - beautiful part of the world - before the long haul back home to Melbourne. You've probably done the trip before, but take care.

Cheers, Matt

Nah Matt never done the Princes Highway, although I'm a veteran of the Hume.
I have a bit of a sentimental attachment to the Eden area though: I have a younger cousin born on my birthday at Merimbula Base Hospital, because her parents were touring the area at the time. Her dad was also the fella that taught me to ride at age 5, on a 1972 Yamaha 80cc Enduro machine - I couldn't reach the ground, so I got a push-start and learned to "land" the left bar on a fence post...

Would of been nice to have discovered this motorcycling caper much, much earlier; though perhaps fate might have stepped across and whispered, "Tisk, tisk".

Coaxed my own son into his first ride the other day; onto his little cousin's farm-bike. He had an absolutely negative attitude at first, but once he was away, we couldn't drag him off even as the huge bonfire raged.

Have to say I was proud as punch.

Cheers

PS. Watch out for the cross-winds coming out of Bairnsdale.

Hehe I've lost count of the times I've felt that particular tap on my shoulder.
Being a motorcyclist means giving fate the bird - one day my number will come up, but I'll have my throttle open and my knee down, and it can STILL kiss my arse.

What a perfect way to word it
You are indeed a poet Nitekreeper
Drinks are on me if I ever make it there
Have to make sure Sled is there too ...

Sleddog, that's good advice regarding getting a disc lock reminder cable. When I bought my lock I bought a reminder cable at the same time, so I should be good in that regard. Now, if I remember the lock on the rear sprocket, that would be good! I guess it would be smart to get a reminder cable for the rear, too.

dspedersen, I doubt the disc lock would be able to attach to the rear sprocket because the neck is so narrow, and probably impossible to get past the chain. I use a u-lock on the rear sprocket. The only thing I don't like about it is that it gets quite greasy from the chain, and then my hands get greasy when I handle the lock. Because of this, I don't use it all the time; just if I am paranoid about where I have left my bike. Also, the keyhole is round and reputably quite pickable by a decent crook. I guess it would probably only foil the amateurs.

Hobbes, just what I tought. I think I will have my dealer install the alarm/engine mobilizer and buy me a solid chain for locking up the bike to a pole or something similar.

Has anyone seen this video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC3hFr8p2ck
Just in case you were thinking about getting a chain ...

You also might want to look at the entire post (where I got the video link from) all the way at the bottom
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-alarms/
The Almax Immobiliser Series III looks worthwhile

You will never fully stop a thief, whether they use bolt cutters or even liquid nitrogen, or whatever. When I was in CA some enterprising thief was just having him and 3 of his buddies lift the bike up and onto a truck, lock and all. So, all you can really do is make it an annoyance to steal your bike, compared to someone else s.

mine is in garage at home or at work inside with me. If i do street park i use the steering lock.
If some wants as Tcatvet says, its gone.