Tracking Devices and Security ........

[Rusty]

Probably for the more "expensive" bikes, rare or pricey cars but was looking .. and "No I'm not going to buy one Steve" ...... at GPS anti theft / tracking devices ... for bikes me thinks it would be too much but interesting anyway to look through the sheer numbers available ... Crystal Ball for instance ... £200 for the device and fitting then £196 or £396 for an extra year or 3 years of "back up " !! So buy the kit and THEN pay extra for them to track it for you if its stolen .... Great idea and I am sure it works very well but I think that's a lot of money ... certainly for 2 wheels ... if I had a Carrera 4 on the other hand !!

So .. has anyone had any experience of these sort of devices either of their own or perhaps at work ... ?  excluded !

[Ant]

Hi Rusty,
That does sound expensive. I use Skytag units for the cars, vans and caravans. There £130 fitted and 6 quid a month. You get the option if your away to have it set for movement, so if its nicked from under your nose your alerted via text.
Like you say, can be expensive for a bike and perhaps harder to hide, but can bring your insurance down a tad.......piece of mind I suppose.
Its all the hassle of waiting for insurance to pay out that's the worst part, or getting it back with all the bits missing or bent.
If you have one at least you've demonstrated that you have tried to protect your bike I guess....

[Lonewolf]

Rusty I have had experience through work of looking for a stolen car through the Crystal Ball system and to be honest it was a bit dull. It told me very pricisely that the car was outside number 3 Let's Be Avenue....no hunting, no battle of wits unlike Tracker where you get a signal and basically the vehicle could be anywhere within the county!

As for a security deterrent, I can loan you a certain Cocker Spaniel

[Richard]

Hi

I considered one of these systems for the trike, but as said they are not cheep and the ongoing fees take the piss.
When I asked my insurance company they were keen for me to fit one, but did not offer any discount 

How about one of these, one off purchase, no on going fees.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-Car-Real-Time-Tracker-For-Vehicle-GPRS-GPS-Tracking-Device-Spy-TK102-B-/321078211528?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item4ac1c0b3c8#ht_4247wt_982

Richard

[Lonewolf]

Richard, personally and from a professional view of trackers on bikes or even trikes, I wouldn't bother, save your money. Tracker or no tracker, if someone wants it, they'll just take it. Whats the odds of your bike getting nicked, pretty slim I'd say. Usual rules apply, park it in well lit public places, use the steering lock etc.
A professional bike thief will know the most likely place to secrete a tracker/tracking device on a bike and they'll simply remove it and throw it away, we've had this happen recently on a few cars and all the trackers were found in the same spot. Each to their own of course, just my personal opinion.
Out of interest with your GTR being turned into a trike, does it still use the KISS system? (keyless ignition security system).

[O.C.]

I was recently reviewing my insurance renewal for my classic bikes, and was told by one company of a DNA kit that was being offered as a 'freeby'.

I don't know which specific kit it was nor if it reduced premium costs, I've had a quick look int tinterweb and can't immediately identify which kit it is/was.

Maybe one of our local 'constabulary members' will be able to advise

And Steve your dog has obviously earned its stripes when it comes to dealing with unwanted visitors   

[Debs]

I have biketrac fitted to mine. https://www.roadangelgroup.com/ProductDetails.aspx

Around 26000 motorbikes are stolen each year and I wouldn't be without it..

Because I have fitted it myself it would take anyone else ages to find it, plus it has a movement sensor, so I will know straight away if someones moving it.

Anyway each to their own.

[O.C.]

I have biketrac fitted to mine. https://www.roadangelgroup.com/ProductDetails.aspx

Around 26000 motorbikes are stolen each year and I wouldn't be without it..

Because I have fitted it myself it would take anyone else ages to find it, plus it has a movement sensor, so I will know straight away if someones moving it.

Anyway each to their own.

If yours is the trac it version Debs...it seems to be good , but pricey at £399, however it could prove to be well worth it in the long run

[Debs]

If yours is the trac it version Debs...it seems to be good , but pricey at £399, however it could prove to be well worth it in the long run

Yes mine is the trac it.. I can log on the internet and see where I have been or even follow it if its been nicked..

You can get them cheaper off fleabay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Road-Angel-Bike-Trac-Motorcycle-Security-Tracking-/200912679157?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item2ec75430f5

I got mine for £80 2nd hand.. Just needed to register it and I paid for 3 years subs..

Subs work out to about £7.50 per mth or 0.25p a day..

[Richard]

Richard, personally and from a professional view of trackers on bikes or even trikes, I wouldn't bother, save your money. Tracker or no tracker, if someone wants it, they'll just take it. Whats the odds of your bike getting nicked, pretty slim I'd say. Usual rules apply, park it in well lit public places, use the steering lock etc.
A professional bike thief will know the most likely place to secrete a tracker/tracking device on a bike and they'll simply remove it and throw it away, we've had this happen recently on a few cars and all the trackers were found in the same spot. Each to their own of course, just my personal opinion.
Out of interest with your GTR being turned into a trike, does it still use the KISS system? (keyless ignition security system).

Hi

"Tracker or no tracker, if someone wants it, they'll just take it" - yes I agree, we just make it as difficult as we can.

"A professional bike thief will know the most likely place to secrete a tracker/tracking device" - agree again, although at that price you could fit 2, one nice and easy to find, one not. I would assume a professional thief would turn up with a van and 3 blokes and just lift it in, and have a GPS jammer in the back of the van.

The trike has all the original GTR systems on it including the KISS, ABS etc etc (although the ABS only monitors 1 back wheel)

Richard

[Boomer]

When out and about I always park next to a more valuable/nickable bike and fit a shell/cable-lock through my bikes rear wheel.
At home I use a hefty chain and a ground-anchor inside a locked garage.
Other than that I have insurance.

I actually worked on the UKs first GPS vehicle tracking device in the mid 90s and they are easy to spoof/block.
For starters the thieves just make certain that their van has metal walls, floor, roof and door.
The bike is then inside a Faraday cage and the alarm cannot get GPS signals, nor communicate.
They then have time to scan the bike for any transmitters or receivers (again easy to do) before they unload it at their destination.
Harder to do with cars but still possible, and has been done.
You are far better off making is difficult for them to steal the bike.
If they really want it then they will take it regardless, but then that's part of what insurance is for.

We sold our system to trucking companies for logistics management purposes and it was called Tracer.
System was sold to Tracker who still sell a version today.