Motorcycles can be a lot of fun to ride, but parking them can sometimes be a challenge. In this blog post, we will provide you with tips and tricks for how to park your motorcycle safely and efficiently. By following these guidelines, you’ll minimize the chances of your bike getting damaged or stolen. So read on to learn how to park your motorcycle like a pro!
Park in a designated motorcycle parking spot, if available
These spots are smaller than regular parking spots, but they’re typically closer to the building you need to get into. These spaces also prevent your bike from being blocked in or accidentally scratched by a car door opening. If there’s no designated motorcycle spot available, look for a space near an end of the row so that other drivers have less opportunity to accidentally bump into you while parking.
If there’s no designated motorcycle spot available and your only option is a regular parking space, try to park in the end of a row so that your bike can’t be blocked in. If it looks like there aren’t any spots near the end of rows, look for a handicapped space. In many cases, these spots are empty or you can ask the owner of the car in that spot if they mind moving for a few minutes so that you can pull your bike through.
Try to park where there’s plenty of light and lots of people walking around. If possible, find a parking lot with security cameras overlooking it.
If no designated spots are available, find a spot that is as close to the entrance as possible. This will minimize how much you have to carry your belongings with you.
Make sure your bike is in gear and the brake is on before leaving it
This will help keep the bike from moving and allow you to focus on locking the steering.
If your parking spot is in a busy area, it’s best to take some precautions against theft. One way to do this is by using a disc lock or chain lock to secure your bike to something sturdy. These locks will make it harder for thieves to steal your bike and will also prevent passersby from taking pictures of the motorcycle.
Get off the bike and remove the key from the ignition
Once you have parked your motorcycle, get off the bike and remove the key from the ignition. This will help ensure that your bike stays in park, and doesn’t move while you’re not paying attention. If you have a locking mechanism on your helmet, be sure to use it before walking away from your bike. This will help to prevent theft and keep your bike safe.
There are three types of locks, disc locks, chain locks and wheel locks
DISC LOCK
Physically prevents your motorcycle from being wheeled away. This secures your front brake disc and although this acts as a deterrent, it does not prevent a professional thief from simply lifting it into a truck and driving it away. That is why it always recommended complementing a disc lock with a chain lock and an alarm.
CHAIN LOCKS
Secures your bike to an immovable object, such as a railing, a lamppost, or another bike. Thread the chain or cable through the back wheel or your bike frame. Do not chain your motorcycle through the front wheel or other easily removable or breakable parts of your bike, as these can be stolen and sold for parts or simply broken through with hammers or other tools. Locking your bike to an immovable object is one of the best things you can do to limit the chance of having your bike taken.
WHEEL LOCK
The truth about bike locks is that they are only an effective deterrent if you use them. For the majority of riders and especially couriers, it can be a time-consuming and annoying process to secure their bike when time is money, but in the event of a theft, the consequences can be costly.
Lift the bike up and park it on the kickstand, this will keep the bike upright and stable
Put some bricks or blocks under the kickstand to make it more secure if you’re parking on a slope.
Make sure that you are in an open space so that your motorcycle won’t get hit by any cars or other vehicles.
Do not park near a curb because this could cause damage to your motorcycle.
If you’re parking in a public place, make sure to use a bike lock to secure it to something sturdy.
It’s also a good idea to take off the side mirrors and put them somewhere safe before you park the bike. This will help prevent them from getting damaged or stolen.
Make sure your tires are fully inflated before hitting the road
Check the pressure when the tires are cold, as this is how they will be when you ride. If you’re going on a long trip, take a break every two hours or so to move around and stretch. This will help prevent stiffness and soreness later on.
Alarms are important
Consider a professionally fitted and insurance approved alarm system for your motorcycle. This will not put off the most determined thieves but could also reduce your insurance premiums. Having it fitted by professionally trained technicians is worth the money as it will most likely come with tracking, immobilisation, anti-grab and movement sensors. These can help protect and trace your vehicle and makes it an overall good system to consider.
Cover It
It makes a big difference keeping the bike under a cover. Thieves always look out for a particular type of bike and using a bike cover conceals the model and hence instantly makes it less attractive to them. A cover also provides another time consuming obstacle for the thief.
Motorcycle parking is a necessary evil. It’s often hard to find a good spot, and even harder to do it safely. But with a few tips, you can be an expert motorcycle parker in no time!
