Modern Buddy

A pair of thieves tried to jack a co-workers Hayabusa from the office lot today in broad daylight. Another worker went out for a smoke and saw a guy hop on the bike, jam a screwdriver into the lock and slam it with a hammer. The would be thief took off like a rabbit when the worker yelled at him. Dashed about half a block and jumped into a waiting car (probably stolen too).

The lock was totally trashed in the "locked" position so we had to half-lift the bike and roll it into the office vestibule. It'll have to be flat-bedded over to a local Suzuki dealer and it's going to cost my buddy about $800 to replace the lock and other stuff that'll need to work off the new key.

All it took was about 30 seconds for the whole deal to go down. Too bad it's so difficult to get a carry permit here in NJ.

That is exactly why I tell everyone to always carry a lock and to use it. If anything, to avoid attempted thefts like that.

Where in NJ?

giddyup98 wrote:Where in NJ?

Eatontown/Tinton Falls area. About a mile east of the Monmouth Mall.

Dasscooter---What kind of lock are you thinking of that would prevent a theft attempt?

ucandoit wrote:Dasscooter---What kind of lock are you thinking of that would prevent a theft attempt?

I imagine he is talking about one that is highly visible to a potential thief so the person does not attempt to break the steering lock or the ignition lock cylinder. I use heavy aircraft cable and a large case hardened lock. Yes, anything can be cut with the right tool, but the goal is to make the job look obviously difficult.

Wow, I always thought that Monmouth county was a relatively safe part of NJ. Scoots and motorcycles rarely, if ever, get stolen here in northwestern, NJ. I grew up in Union county, which used to be (and still may be) the mecca of stolen bikes and cars.

charlie55 wrote:

giddyup98 wrote:Where in NJ?

Eatontown/Tinton Falls area. About a mile east of the Monmouth Mall.

Dooglas wrote:

ucandoit wrote:Dasscooter---What kind of lock are you thinking of that would prevent a theft attempt?

I imagine he is talking about one that is highly visible to a potential thief so the person does not attempt to break the steering lock or the ignition lock cylinder. I use heavy aircraft cable and a large case hardened lock. Yes, anything can be cut with the right tool, but the goal is to make the job look obviously difficult.

Yeah. When the only thing standing between them and rolling it into a van is an ignition switch, that's a problem. If you have a lock through the wheels it makes it a whole bunch harder.

The idea with ANY lock is to make your bike/scoot less attractive than the one its parked near. I always toss a smallish ABUS lock thru my front wheel whenever I park, even if Im just running into the store for a second. Lift off theft is a whole different beast, but at least a thief cant simply roll my scooter away. Even a disc lock/alarm is effective. I guess it could have been worse, but $800 is a heck of a hit to the wallet!

I came across this thing today & thought I'd pass it on for what it's worth. I don't have one so I can't verify how good they are but I'm ordering one for the motorcycle since it's not always parked in my garage. Anyway, imagine a LoJack for $29 & no monthly subscription. It uses your smart phone to track the quarter size device. I don't want to advertise but search "TrackR" & you'll find it. I don't know what the range is but I'll find out after I get it.