Motorbike theft in NZ?

[kjames]

a quick question.. is there much motorcycle theft in NZ?

i'm moving across in a month or so and bringing my bike... KTM exc, which doesnt even have an keyed ignition. (got one on order).

I'm in dubai at the moment and the whole hands getting cut off policy seems to keep bike theft down. (ok, they don't really cut hands off here, but there's very little auto theft)

is it anything like the UK or can I relax a little.

K

[vfxdog]

a quick question.. is there much motorcycle theft in NZ?

i'm moving across in a month or so and bringing my bike... KTM exc, which doesnt even have an keyed ignition. (got one on order).

I'm in dubai at the moment and the whole hands getting cut off policy seems to keep bike theft down. (ok, they don't really cut hands off here, but there's very little auto theft)

is it anything like the UK or can I relax a little.

K

It's as bad as the UK, even worse as regards dual-purpose and off-road bikes. Best policy is to make it as difficult to steal as possible, and chances are the scum will go and look for easier pickings, of which there seem to be quite a few. Read through this forum and you will get the picture.

[CrazyFrog]

Bike theft is nowhere near as bad here as in the UK, and it seems NZ cities are hit with theft worse than provincial regions. You can Google crim stats if you need to, depending on the region you're intending to settle in. I'm in Nelson, and bike theft is rare here. Compared with UK, where everyone chains/alarms their bikes, I think Kiwis are pretty lax with their bike security, so not suprised there's not more theft.
A lot of bike thefts depend on how/where you park your bike, work and home.
If it's away from prying eyes, and you lock it up well, you're minimising your risk, but if someone really wants it, they'll come looking and get it. A lot of scooters etc get nicked because of where people park them and lack of security. Dirt bikes often get nicked because they're not registered, and are most often ridden in the bush/trails, away from the eyes of the law, so harder to recover. Careful not to leave them sitting on the trailer too long unattended, and use your common sense.
Your gonna love the riding here too!

[Waxxa]

Make the security for your bike as difficult for the scum as possible, which is hard when you are out and about. Take nothing for granted when you come over (which is a bloody sad thing to say about NZ society today).

LOCK IT UP!

[lankyman]

There are some pretty low IQ's in this country compared to places like Dubai. Like the guy who minced up my VFR's ignition trying to jam something in there to get it started...

[GOONR]

I'm originally form the Uk and would say it's about even..

In the last week or so there have been, what, 5 or 6 bikes mentioned on this site that have been stolen, 1 from a locked shed and 3 from a garage. I think the others were out and about somewhere but could be wrong on that.

Basically keep it chained to the floor, deck of the ute or whatever, just make it as difficult as you can for the low life to take it.

[ready4whatever]

chain it to a fence or tree, something that wont move

[Molly]

In the UK I wouldn't let my bikes out of my sight and even kept them in the house (and I lived in a decent area). Here, in Christchurch at least, I don't worry about them.

I think those who used to steal bikes are now cooking P so can buy their own.

[YellowDog]

It can't be that bad in NZ. It just seems bd because there is not much else to report.

Insurance companies don't even insist on locks and alarms.

[hayd3n]

depends on what parts of nz you are moving to

[bsasuper]

Population of london millions,
population on NZ tad over 4mil?, so that would make bike theft quote low.

[Jonno.]

Get insurance.

[kjames]

moving to christchurch..

the plan is to use the ktm for dual sporting, maybe a bit of racing and to pop some supermoto rims on it for the odd run to work.

i wouldnt even contemplate this in london....

its seems from the replies I need to buy a big chain and use it... but its less of a problem than london

thanks

Karl

[Mort]

have a look round Auckland - how many bikes are there ...and unlocked too....

Then Take a ride round any UK town ...how many do you see ?

NZ is safer for bikes than the uk, no question. But it does happen so protect your bike.

[YellowDog]

NZ theifs are more conventional than European ones. Provided you don't leave your bike anywhere silly for a long period of time, it is fairly safe.

In London you can alarm and park you bike up in a busy street for a couple of hours and you can be unlucky enough to get some crim with a shopping list who will pick it up and out it in the back of a van whilst the alarm is going off.