How to guard against theft when riding, parking to eat or visiting an attraction.

[larrymgibson]

When you do, remember to protect the carpet if the bike tends to drip. Also, I leave the power vent in the bathroom going continuously and the bathroom door ajar to remove all gasoline fumes.

That would definitely avoid the thieves. Thanks.

[Coolbreeze]

"Motel" is the key. Get a ground floor and wheel into your room.

When you do, remember to protect the carpet if the bike tends to drip. Also, I leave the power vent in the bathroom going continuously and the bathroom door ajar to remove all gasoline fumes.

[larrymgibson]

I thought about bringing it into the room, but didn’t. I know some do.

[Chris Haynes]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. Most reflect my feelings. The last time I rode out west (in 1992 to South Dakota from Indiana) We camped right beside the bike except for one night in a motel where I left the curtain open and parked the Indian right outside the door.

Why didn't you bring it into the room?

[painterdale]

A buddy of mine and I were on a road trip one time and stopped for the night in Louisville. Got a ground floor room and waited until dark to move the bikes so we wouldn't be seen. Got all the furniture in the room moved, chair on top of the table, beds pushed to the side, and had one bike in with the other about half way. Right then the night manager walks up, looks at the bike sticking out of the room, looks in the room and says "You guys need any help?" Good times!

Dale

[T. Cotten]

"Motel" is the key. Get a ground floor and wheel into your room.

I get your point, Len!

Sleep with it.

....Cotten

[len dowe]

one night in a motel where I left the curtain open and parked the Indian right outside the door.

"Motel" is the key. Get a ground floor and wheel into your room.

[larrymgibson]

You can tell I haven't ridden the Indian for a while. I had forgotten about the bad starts after a traffic light in heavy traffic. My bikes with electric start seem to start with a touch of the button. My first ride this year after getting the Indian running was around the block with 3 starts and stops. No problem with foot clutch, right hand shift or left hand throttle. Muscle memory after 26 years. Of course my last ride was 1300 miles across country. I learned on this Indian in 1954, so I guess I should remember.

[Green Indian]

Here's what I used before.

https://www.thetileapp.com

As Mike mentioned it works great but you've got to worry about battery life.

[ihrescue]

I do like the suggestions of line of sight vision to your bike. That doesn't help of course with the lodging question if you will be asleep part of the time. In regard to trackers, they work and the company you use to do the tracking and reporting back to your device charge a monthly fee. Not sure if they have a feature you can use if say you don't need the tracker every day, cause who wants to pay for it when your not using it. The other thing to know is that the tracker has a limited battery life so once it is done it doesn't give off the signal so you can't delay. The trackers work well and you would want to have the app for a smart phone or ready access to a computer. You also need to spend some time getting very familiar with the software because its not necessarily intuitive. You hope the thieves aren't smart enough to look for a tracker and then transfer it to something like a taxi cab or UPS truck that can lead you on a wild goose chase and still not find you bike.

Mike Love

[T. Cotten]

A coupla decades ago, Folks...

I did a Knuck for a fellow who 'commuted' from Oak Park to downtown Chicago occasionally.

The valet kept an eye on it.

....Cotten

[Skirted]

Good advice! Just curious - Why is starting in front of a crowd after coming out of a restaurant the biggest concern?

For sure. The chance of your bike NOT starting is directly proportional to the number of people watching. My bike always starts reliably almost like the sun coming up....but when bystanders are around asking questions, and when you get on to start they are watching intently for the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat.
A couple years ago wife and I emerged from a restaurant to find a nice group of folks huddled around looking at the bike. Some arrived on other bikes while some were just sightseers. After the usual questions were answered I got on to start and they were all waiting to see and hear it start. Being distracted I misjudged residual engine temp and picked the hot start method vs cold. WRONG. I knew I was SOL after a couple kicks. Finally one of the Harley guys felt sorry for me and said here let me give you a push down the street. Of course it started. That brought a new level of humiliation to me.

[Rubone]

Why is starting in front of a crowd after coming out of a restaurant the biggest concern?

Embarrassment Factor!!

[larrymgibson]

Yea antitheft devices are more hassle than its worth to me. It would take away all the fun. Forget it and just ride it and enjoy but it doesn't hurt to use common sense if you are in a known high crime area. Your biggest concern should be starting it in front of a crowd when you come out of a restaurant.
I have an AGREED VALUE insurance policy that will allow me to buy another in equal condition should something happen. We can get attached to our bikes and I'm attached to mine but reality is its just a machine. All the guys I ride with, no one uses antitheft for day trips/riding. If you are out overnight somewhere staying in a hotel that's a little different. In that case you could chain it to a pole or other bike if it makes you sleep better.

Glad you plan to ride the bike!

Good advice! Just curious - Why is starting in front of a crowd after coming out of a restaurant the biggest concern?

[larrymgibson]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. Most reflect my feelings. The last time I rode out west (in 1992 to South Dakota from Indiana) We camped right beside the bike except for one night in a motel where I left the curtain open and parked the Indian right outside the door.