Motorcycles and scooters offer an easy and lucrative target for thieves. Bikes are stolen to be broken up for parts or shipped out of the country or, in some cases, ransomed back to the owner.
Despite this, bike security is still the one area most of us tend to overlook.
We spend thousands on a bike and clothing and then skimp on security - and the thief knows this.
In order to defeat the bike thief you have to think like a bike thief. No bike will ever be 100 per cent secure and if a thief really wants your bike he will get it. However, if you make his life a bit more difficult, he may go elsewhere. The idea is to put as many obstacles in his way as you can.
Get an alarm and immobiliser fitted.
This, on its own, will put a lot of thieves off as an alarm will draw unwanted attention to them. At home, keep your bike out of sight, preferably in a garage, and keep it locked at all times. Don't leave tools lying around as the thief will make use of them.
A plug-in baby monitor is an effective way of alerting you to any intruders in the garage.
If you don't have a garage, park it up the side entrance or, if you must, sit it at the front of the house. Park in a well-lit area and keep it tight to the wall.
You could also hide it under a tatty cover with no logos and keep that fat back tyre hidden.
This will keep the thief guessing, as a lot of the time they target specific models.
If you also have access to a car, use it to "block-in" your bike by parking it in gear as close to the garage door or bike as possible.
A very good idea is to fit a ground anchor.
If this is used in conjunction with a good quality lock and chain it should prevent your bike from being lifted into the back of a van. And don't forget, man's best friend can also be the bike's best friend.
Don't keep your keys in an obvious place and bring them to bed with you at night as thieves may even try to break in to get them.
In the event that you wake one night to hear someone trying to steal your bike, don't be a hero and confront them; chances are there is more than one and they will have tools, so ring the gardaí immediately, put on lights and make noise as, more than likely, they will run off once rumbled. Always remember: the bike is replaceable, you're not.
When your bike is not at home it is just as vulnerable.
You simply must lock it to something immobile and, with a little common sense, you can put off the thieves.
When parking at your place of work, place the bike in a busy well-lit area and try to get as close to the main entrance as possible as these areas are often covered by CCTV.
Use poles and bollards as your ground anchor and, if none is available, lock it to another bike with the agreement of the owner and place a disc lock tight to the front calliper.
Ask the security guard or receptionist to keep an eye on it. It might cost you a bottle of wine at Christmas, but it's a small price to pay.
Sometimes, thieves will follow bikes to find out where the owner lives, so if you get a sense that you're being followed, ride by your home or place of work and go round the block until you lose them.
If this article has made you a little paranoid about your bike's security then it has served its purpose, because you can't afford to let your guard down for a moment.
Otherwise, you could be staring at an empty piece of concrete where your bike used to be.
Security Tip
• Keep your bike out of sight
• Use a bike cover
• Don't keep your eyes in an obvious place
• Get a good-quality chain and fit a ground anchor
• Always a park in a well-lit area.