There is a disturbing statistic that 50% of bikes that are stolen have been left unlocked. It’s stating the obvious, but the more you do to make your bike secure, the less likely it is to be stolen. That’s also good news for your motorbike insurance premium and No Claims Bonus.

Here are some tips to make your bike more secure:

• Don’t rely on the manufacturer’s security systems. Ignition and steering locks that are fitted as standard are easy for the professional thief to overcome. Always use an additional form of security such as a good lock and chain, brake disc lock and a good alarm and immobiliser system.
  
  
• Use alarms, immobilisers and security markings systems that have been approved by your insurance provider and always buy the best quality you can afford. DIY systems are less effective and your insurance company may not offer any discounts, but if it’s all you can afford then it’s better than nothing. Check with your insurance provider about recommended products.
  
  
• Consider fitting a paging alarm that alerts by SMS you when your bike is under attack. Using a talking alarm instead of sirens is also effective in discouraging thieves, as is installing a GPS tracking system.
  
  
• Don't leave your bike on show. If you have a garage at home, then get into the habit of using it and make sure your garage is securely locked and alarmed. If you leave your bike sitting outside your house, then thieves can plan when to strike. 80% of motorcycles and scooters stolen in the UK every year are taken from the owner's home.
  
  
• Don't leave your bike keys in an easy to find place in the house. Professional thieves know what they’re looking for and where to find them.
  
  
• When you do have to park in public, choose a street or area that is well lit, where your bike can be seen and where you can lock your bike to a grounded anchor. Carry a bike cover which covers the whole bike.
  
  
• Secure markings or taggings are inexpensive security features which are recognised by most insurance companies and a deterrent to thieves. Secure markings also improve the chances of your bike being returned to you and can help the police make a successful prosecution. Make sure you use a secure marking system that is approved by the motorbike insurance provider that you choose.
  
  
• Brake disc locks may deter opportunists and joy riders, but professional thieves are simply going to pick the bike up and put it in the back of a van within a few seconds. A ‘U’ lock attached to a grounded anchor is a safer option and will take more effort to break.
  
  
• You shouldn’t carry a chain around your shoulder or on your person as it can cause serious injury if you were to fall off your bike. To avoid carrying heavy chains and locks consider purchasing an additional one that you can leave at your work or a place you regularly visit. Cable is a lighter alternative to heavy chains.

More Advice On Motorcycle security

Motorcycles and scooters are easy to move around and small enough to fit into a van. Unfortunately, this makes them easy to steal. New scooters and small motorcycles are especially likely to go missing.

So do what you can to deter the thieves. Park somewhere sensible, where it’s not easy to lift your pride and joy into a van, and where there’s something immoveable you can lock it to. Lock the ignition (don’t just take the keys out).

If your motorcycle doesn’t come with an alarm and immobiliser fitted, consider getting one. To get a reduction in your insurance you’ll probably need to have it sold and fitted by a professional, and go for one that’s either Thatcham approved or “sold secure” – check with your insurers to see what they recommend.

A good lock will put off opportunistic thieves. A disc lock attaches to the brake disc and makes it impossible to turn the wheel. They are small and easy to carry, but make sure you don’t forget you’ve locked it and try to ride away. A U-lock is better, especially if it’s long enough to go around a lamp-post or something else that’s not going anywhere. Again, look for “sold secure” or Thatcham for extra reassurance.

Even better, carry a chain that will go through your back wheel and a fixed object. Many urban motorcycle parking bays will have a rail or ground anchor, or a road sign or lamppost would do the trick. If you’re riding with friends, lock your bikes together. Or you can lock your chains together, so anyone who wants to leave early can simply unlock theirs and go. Try not to leave the chains lying on the ground, as a determined thief can use a chisel and hammer to attack it, and don’t ride with the chain around your body. That’s the easiest way to crack some ribs if you come off.

Security marking makes it much more likely your motorcycle or scooter will be recovered and returned, and may put off a thief who doesn’t want the hassle. Mark all parts of the motorcycle with the frame number or the registration number.

If you only ride your motorcycle off road, it may be harder to recover if stolen, but you can contact DVLA to get a Q registration that will put its frame number and other details on the DVLA and police databases. You don’t have to display this registration, so long as you’re not riding on the public road.

More pricey, but worth considering if you’ve invested a lot of money or love in your motorcycle, is a tracking device that can signal its location even from inside a lorry.

At home, park your motorcycle in a garage if you can, or out of sight behind a fence or wall. If nothing else, use a motorbike cover to reduce temptation. And always lock it to something solid. If there’s nothing there, consider fitting a ground anchor that you can chain it to overnight. If nothing else, chain it to the car, or a lawnmower, or the dog. Anything that’ll make it harder to silently lift it into a truck.