Submitted by stigochris t3_z0blvz in baltimore
I’m buying a Honda ruckus scooter. I have a spot for it at my house, but I’m worried about leaving it locked on the street for any extended period of time. Say if I ride to Marc train and go into dc for the day. Would it be possible to leave locked in the parking lot for the day? Or would it be stolen?
We bought a Ruckus about a year ago. Had two of the thickest chain locks you've ever seen, two alarms, and kept it covered on a well lit, busy street. Still got stolen in about three months. We live near the Canton Safeway for reference.
Fun as shit to ride, though.
Scooter maniac here. As much as this will probably get downvoted because people on this sib can’t admit that Baltimore is a rabid hellhole. Don’t do it! It’s not if it’s when it will get stolen. If you don’t have a garage or inside place to store it, totally not worth it. Also, being outdoors will cause a maintenance headache with all of the moisture that will accumulate in the carb and gas.
I actually have a small shed that I’ll be using as a garage. I’m not so worried that it will be stolen from my property as I am that if I go into a movie or something.
There is a very good chance it will get stolen from the shed, probably more likely spot than when it’s locked up somewhere else for couple of hours
Lock it in the shed too.
Anything small is likely to get stolen. Dirt bikes are gonna get stolen fast. Newer sport bikes are a target but older ones are a little safer. Cruises are probably the hardest to steal since they’re heavier.
Why not just get an electric bike? They’re cheaper than a ruckus and you can bring them inside if you need to.
i live in an apartment building, up high. like a year and a half ago i heard some crazy powertool sounds on the street down below, and it was two guys stealing the bike that was heavily locked/chained to a very sturdy guardrail. i yelled out of my window and called the police but obviously they didnt come until it was too late. the bike was found a few blocks away, totally stripped. the owner got a new bike but keeps it locked up in a garage. definitely don't leave it on the street.
I don't. It got stolen.
Is it the same with motorcycles? Are they stolen with as much frequency?
I had a tw200 stolen from my parking pad after I lived in the city for a few years (although I sort of suspect it was my neighbor who was moving out and not hood kids, but who knows). My cruiser has sat in the parking pad for years and nobody stole it. I don't think cruisers are of much interest to the people who steal motorcycles in the city.
If you're looking for something cheap you can buy a used cruiser or a cheap new Japanese cruiser. Have insurance on it so if it gets stolen your insurance pays out (might take a while because Baltimore police suck so badly). You can pick up a vstar 250 new for probably around 5k. Or if you want something that's basically like a big scooter look for a used TU250X. These style of bikes aren't what I think most thieves in the city are looking for.
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You don’t. They actively look for it and it’s easy to steal
My friend has a Honda Monkey, he has a massive krypronite chain. You could double up and use a cable as well. Layering security lowers the risk of it being stolen. Same goes for bikes.
NationalMyth t1_ix4ops3 wrote
I have a serious Kryptonite chain, and I keep a cover over it. Register the chain with Kryptonite, and keep your codes written down. Their warranty claims to replace the value of whatever was stolen, assuming they break through the chain. Some folks add numerous locks, and thing to make it harder to roll away.
That said, any lock is a deterrent, and never a guarantee. Some folks Airtag their rides too.
I've had a Hyperscorpion for about a year and a half and it mostly stays locked out front. When I'm traveling for longer periods I bring it into my fenced back yard and keep my locks on it anyway.