Its hard to protect youself against organised thieves like these. https://www.facebook.com/leicspolice/videos/10154245991671170/
I have an alarm and a U lock and the Explorer is a heavy bike. But I'm sure they would still have got it in the van. The problem with chains is they are very heavy, and of course finding something to chain your bike to.
First time out on his brand new bike? I would have tied a piece of string between my wrist and the bike!
Why is it at this day and age with the best cameras we've ever had and the pictures still look like that? Any camera phone can take better pictures and what's the point in not showing van details like sign writing and number plates?
It's the same when you see the pics on crimewatch,you would think most places would have quality cctv nowadays especially banks, otherwise whats the point
You should see the ones on YouTube... One has a van pull up next to it on a busy road and it's chucked in and they've gone in 60 seconds. Things can be done to slow the theft down but if someone wants it, they'll take it. I'd recommend a GPS tracker in the seat's foam. You can get them cheap (£21-35) and all they need is a prepaid SIM card.
I suppose parking your bike between walls and tall kerbs, steel posts, cycle barriers, supermarket trolley areas and anything else that would be nearly impossible to steal without making a large scene would work if one doesn't want to carry a ships anchor like we used to in the 70's&80's.
We see this all too often. Thee's not a lot you can do to prevent it except chaining the bike to somethig solid. I suppose if some scum want a bike enough, nothing will stop them...
They get taken to a lockup and sold cheap to Polish/ old eastern block countries where registrations are more relaxed and sold on as clean bikes
There was a guy on the Tiger Explorer forum had his Explorer stolen a few weeks back. Again a van and two or three bikers to lift it in. But as they suspected that it might have tracker fitted they parked it up next to a block of flats where they could no doubt keep an eye on it for a few days. Fortunately, even though it didn't have a tracker the police found it, so he got it back. Still it had a few hundred pounds worth of damage to his steering lock and top box. Apparently, its quite common for thieves to park a stolen bike up for a few days to see if it is tracked.
Yes I think there are some with phone apps. Quite cheap as well, I've been thinking about one for a while.
what annoys me is... how much of the value do the insurance gangs actually pay, this guys bike is brand new and because its insured he will get the exact amount he payed right!
Less admin fee, less excess less A.R.S.E (Any Reason to Screw you Excess) so enough to buy a mountain bike then!