Likes: 
Thanks: 
Harley Security System
Tri Glide Owners
I am going to attach a letter written by a friend of mine from our local HOG Chapter, Bayside HOG. Believe it or not, it actually got worse when the insurance company sent him the $$ to pay for his stolen ride. In addition to the problems he ran into, they knocked down the value of the insured bike because it had (what they consider) excessive mileage. His bike had 65,000 on the odometer.
This guy is a rider, his bike is not garage jewelry. After talking with Rodney last Friday, I am looking into getting my bikes "accessories" covered, trying to learn more about securing the bike and making sure my mileage (80,000 +) does not cripple my rides value.
R/
Scott
Here is his story:
The purpose of the article is to make you aware off just how unsecure your motorcycle really is from a security prospective. I recently left Virginia for what I thought would be an eleven thousand mile round trip coast to coast ride combining work with the pleasure of riding. The first leg of my ride was a one day ride to New Iberia LA where I spent two days working following an excellent ride. From LA it was off to Port Orchard Washington, another three thousand miles. Once again the work part came into to play and I spent a week and a half in PO, then off to Oakland CA a short 800 mile ride. It was there things turned interesting. One afternoon a couple of days after my arrival I was sitting in my hotel room relaxing after a long work day when I heard a motorcycle start up. I thought to myself Oh another rider in the house, his bike sounds just like mine. Now imagine if you will my surprise when I walk over to the window of my third floor hotel room to take a look just in time to see my 2011 FLHTK pulling out of the parking lot. A quick call to 911 was answered by “Due to a high call volume please hold the line, you call will be answered in the order it was received”. Seven minutes later the call was answered, you have no idea how long seven minutes can be when someone is riding off on your ride. I was told by the dispatcher than an officer would come by and take my report, while failing to mention it would be four hours later.
Apparently the theft of my motorcycle was not as high on their priority list as it was on mine.
In an attempt to figure out how my bike was ridden off with the front forks locked and the key fob in my pocket I talked to (quizzed) anyone and everyone who would listen and the response was the same, it’s impossible. I am here to tell you it is possible, I have seen it done. After three weeks of talking to what I considered knowledgeable individuals I had a conversation with the service manager at the Harley Davidson Dealer in Oakland and he recounted how a good friend of his came close to losing his bike from a parking lot across the street from where he worked. The only thing that prevented the theft was the staff at the business knew him and took the initiative to call and let him know that someone was messing with his bike. He made a mad dash for the parking lot and the thief took off running as the thief saw him headed his way. In his attempt to make a clean getaway he dropped a bag. Now you’re wondering what was in the bag, perhaps a wallet, ID, something to identify the thief? Sorry to disappoint you but no, the thief has not been caught to my knowledge as yet. What the bag contained was the tools necessary for the thief to steal your or anybody else’s Harley Davidson. The bag contained an engine control module (ECM), a turn signal security module (TSSM) and key fob. It is simply a matter of removing your seat (one screw), unplugging the ECM and TSSM and plugging in the replacement modules. This allows the thief to ride off on any HD motorcycle. As long as those three components match they are good to go. Along with a quick kick to the handlebars to snap the fork lock, they are off and running. A five minute job if their slow. I might also mention this was done to mine in broad daylight with people coming and going into the hotel. No one thought to take note of a man working on his bike.
In the last month I have discussed security of my motorcycle with a lot of travelers looking at ways to prevent a re-occurrence of losing my bike during future travels I have been advised short of not buying a replacement bike there is no way to completely make our rides 100% theft proof. The only thing we can do is to try to make it difficult enough that the potential thief will move on to an easier target. I will be purchasing a disc brake rotor lock for my 14 FLHTK and will install it on the rear rotor. Putting it on the rear rotor makes it harder for the thief to cut or break it off by limiting the area he has to work. It also goes without saying park it as close to the front of your hotel/motel or the most conspicuous place that you can put it. Remember your never 100% guaranteed that it will be there in the morning.
Another valuable lesson to be learned is to remove everything from you saddlebags, tour pack and storage compartments when you’re done for the day no matter how much you think it is a pain in the butt to lug everything to your room. Most insurance companies do not cover the contents of your bags. Also make sure you have photos of everything you have added to make your bike unique. My insurance company only covers up to $500 of added accessories unless you declare them. My slip on mufflers alone took care of that. All my other goodies including rain gear were lost and I had not even given a thought to the value as I added them piece by piece. You will be surprise (maybe not) how quickly they add up. There are other items available that might help in the recovery of your bike in the event it is stolen and do not make (nor have I tried any of them) recommendations as to their effectiveness. This is something you can discuss with your trusted sales and service associates.
Ride SAFE and Secure
Rodney Patton
Originally Posted by ScottUSN
