Bike theft?

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Septimus · #21 Unread post by **Septimus** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 3:45 pm

I don't work in the steel cutting business, no.

This is my source, which is certainly not scientific:

http://www.parkingnow.org/home/locking

Blood`Sentinel · Mon Jul 30, 2007 5:46 pm

Septimus wrote:I don't work in the steel cutting business, no. This is my source, which is certainly not scientific:

http://www.parkingnow.org/home/locking

Yeah, easily is not defined. Of course any tool designed to cut steel or iron is going to 'easily' cut it, but the time in which it takes it would vary and the quickest way I know of [cut-off saw] is extremely loud, gas-powered and a bit difficult to start. As for torch's they would be quite effective, but still if your parked in front of an audience I can't imagine them getting away with it.

My new creed, don't keep my bike outdoors after dark, and try not to keep away from it for long periods of time. XD

ofblong · #23 Unread post by **ofblong** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 6:42 pm

Blood`Sentinel wrote:Does anyone here even work in the steel cutting business?

Because sorry, but 2 seconds is not how long it takes, if you have industrial graded chains and someone was using a standard somewhat silent grinder it would take a good 10-15 minutes. If they wanted to be stupid idiots about it they would use a cut-off saw which would alert the police in the next county.

I would personally do these:

-Tie it to something big, chain it up.
-Cover it.
-Park it next to a bunch of people so if somebody DID try to pick it up and haul it away people would be like "wtf?".
-Un-plug a wire or connection on the bike to prevent somebody from turning it on somehow and stealing it.
-Park it in a place I can watch it.

Thats what I would do :] Since I am in college when I buy my motorcycle I am going to park it right next to the bus-station where there is always a good 30 people there, I am a bit worried about having my motorcycle left on campus for hours while I am in class's x.x Must develop portable steel box to house bike. XD

I dont work for the steel business but I have cut 1" bolts (thats diameter) with bolt cutters. Pretty heavy cutters but eh does the job when its needed. also a good cutting torch will cut through 2" steal with no hesitation (assuming the person using the torch knows wth they are doing. plus its fairly quiet.

*edit no I dont use them to steal things. I use them at work.

ngsalvo · #24 Unread post by **ngsalvo** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 3:07 pm

Well, I must be one of the strongest bastards on the planet! I've never worked in the steel industry, but I've cut a lot of chains using... what were they called again... oh yeah: Bolt Cutters.
Heard somewhere that they were designed to cut hardened steel. In my experience, they do.

My point is that if someone is looking for a getaway vehicle, or to steal a vehicle for joy riding purposes, they are more than likely going to go for the beat up old thing that only needs a sideways glance for it to start rather than the bike with the column lock, chain, new ignition... oh... and no helmet (which is necessary where I live).

I'm more worried about someone getting all bent out of shape because I've parked next to the door at the supermarket while they've had to walk the length of the parking lot, and taking a boot to my bike and knocking it over than I am about having it stolen.

ofblong · #25 Unread post by **ofblong** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 7:09 pm

ngsalvo wrote:Well, I must be one of the strongest bastards on the planet! I've never worked in the steel industry, but I've cut a lot of chains using... what were they called again... oh yeah: Bolt Cutters.
Heard somewhere that they were designed to cut hardened steel. In my experience, they do.

My point is that if someone is looking for a getaway vehicle, or to steal a vehicle for joy riding purposes, they are more than likely going to go for the beat up old thing that only needs a sideways glance for it to start rather than the bike with the column lock, chain, new ignition... oh... and no helmet (which is necessary where I live).

I'm more worried about someone getting all bent out of shape because I've parked next to the door at the supermarket while they've had to walk the length of the parking lot, and taking a boot to my bike and knocking it over than I am about having it stolen.

hehe I just recently started locking my helmet to the bike on the bike lock lol. On good warm days anyways.

MHSNA · #26 Unread post by **MHSNA** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 12:38 pm

So here's my story from wonderful Miami some 15 years ago.

I was stationed down here, still here, though not military. I lived out in Kendall a suberb of Miami. Parked the bike along with my roommates and we used 5 inch shot anchor chain, wrapped nicely in chaff-guard, to protect the bike finish. We strung it through both wheels on both bikes and in the center was a tree with about a 12 inch radius for a trunk.

I left on TDY, as did he. About a week passed and I received a call from my roommate who had just returned and found both of our bikes gone.

The condo commandos nor the security guard knew anything about the tree that had been cut down in front of our condo. Or why our bikes were missing. Only one entry and exit point and that was passing the crack security guard team.

Oh well lesson learned. If they want it they'll get it regardless.

ngsalvo · #27 Unread post by **ngsalvo** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 4:21 pm

That's huge! Cutting down a tree to get a bike takes some serious commitment!

I wonder if they sit around together now and say, 'You know, I still can't believe we chopped down a tree, put two motorbikes on the back of our truck, and drove past a security checkpoint without anyone noticing.'

MHSNA · #28 Unread post by **MHSNA** » Thu Aug 02, 2007 2:57 am

Yep,

I remeber asking the security company which officer was on duty. They couldn't seem to find that out, imagine that, with one of Metro-Dade's finest with me and the manager of the condo complex. "It seems the security book has disappeared".

&*(&*&(%

tropicalhotdog · Thu Aug 02, 2007 3:15 am

Pretty much any bike can be stolen by a motivated thief. Chains, wheel locks, anti-theft systems, etc., serve as deterrence, not foolproof security (which doesn't exist). Like when I used to use The Club on the steering wheel of my car, I never actually locked it. If someone were motivated enough to smash a window or break open the door to get into a car a visible Club on the wheel, they would obviously be doing so knowing how to remove the club. But since it appeared to be just one more layer of hassle for a thief, it was simply deterrence.

I think good security for a bike involves making stealing it appear to be a loud, difficult and time consuming proposition.

tropicalhotdog · Thu Aug 02, 2007 3:19 am

... and then there's the opposite approach. In in the mid-80's I lived next door to a crack den in Manhattan, and the guy in the apartment below me would park his beautiful white convertible Mercedes right in front of the building, with the top down. Eveyone just assumed that no one would be foolish enough to do that but a dealer or mob guy.