Keep it Secure...

First and foremost you need to get your bike insured, if only to give yourself the peace of mind that should the worst scenario come about, someone helps themselves to your cherished machine, you are at least covered by an insurance policy.

Insurance is of course mandatory should your machine be road registered, such as an enduro or trials bike, but all too easy to overlook on a motocross or any other non-registered comp bike. Come the theft and you find you are not covered on your household policy...
So, having sourced your insurance, the next thing to do is try and ensure that you never need to invoke it! This of course means sourcing and using some security devices.
There are hundreds of different security devices on the market – which you choose depends entirely on you. Firstly and ideally, your bike will be housed, when not in use, in a sturdy garage fitted with an equally sturdy lock. Sheds are all very well but difficult to effectively thief-proof.
Next, you need to check-out all the various security devices on the market and suss out which best suits your needs. Basically, you get what you pay for. You may actually recoup some of your outlay on expensive kit because some insurance companies do offer a discount if your machine is secured with Thatcham-approved devices. Thatcham is an approved testing agency. A top-of-the-range Thatcham-approved lock and chain can cost several hundred pounds but would probably need a thermic lance to breech. Alternatively, a cheap and nasty lock and chain can be picked up for a tenner. And it will probably be of the consistency of cheese that can be snipped with a knackered set of bolt-crops in milli-seconds. Only you can decide how much you value your machine.
Exactly the same principal needs to be applied to all security devices. There's little point in a ground anchor if it is made of mild steel that an angle grinder can whizz through in short shrift! Likewise, check out the quality of the various clamps and devices on the market designed to secure you bike. Companies like Propa-Lok sell insurance-approved devices www.propa-lok.co.uk.
Look at services such as Datatag. This marks your machine with hidden codes that can only be read with special scanners which many police forces now possess, as do the sport's governing bodies. It can make the recovery of stolen machines much more of a possibility – and may help prevent theft in the first place.
The name of the game is to persuade the would-be thief that he is wasting his time trying to steal your bike. And should he still try, then make it as tough for him as possible.
Other points to remember. Always look after your machine and property when attending race meetings. Don't just leave you bike on its stand with all your tools on display in the awning and then go off and watch the races. Always ensure that someone is in attendance at all times if you want to hang on to your property. If you must all leave the van together, lock it up and secure the bike! And while having your name on your transporter and lots of logos down the sides is all very good for your ego – remember that it is also a sign that thieves interpret as, "Expensive off-road bike in here!"
The same goes when you are at home. Keep your bike out of sight. Resist the temptation to wash your bike and then park it on the front lawn while you apply those new stickers. Any bad boys driving past will have you targeted for a visit. And always consider security when stopping off on the way to or back from races. Park-up so that you can keep an eye on your transporter as bikes and equipment can quickly be stolen from vans parked up in service areas.
Also remember that you can register your machine – even if it is not road registerd – with the DVLA and receive a logbook or alternatively register your off-road bike with a private agency such as Swagmoto www.swagmoto.com.
Security is a subject that we all need to pay much more attention to. Too often we start looking at what we could have done only after the thieves have struck.