Are scooters really that easy to steal?  By  bigmac (Read 16,955 times)

I can post a security camera video (two different angles) of one of my employee's scooter being stolen from the back of the restaurant I manage. The thief walks up outside the fence, looks around, walks inside the fence and goes to each corner of the building looking to see it it's clear. He then grabs the scooter, takes about 30 seconds to break the ignition fork lock, then pushes it away up a hill. I know from working on scooters all he had to do to drive away was a very quick and easy hot wire, which he probably did as soon as he was far enough away to feel safe. The police never have found it after 7 months.

I can also tell you about another employee who was borrowing a friend's scooter, got pulled over by the police who were checking all 50cc scooters in the area due to high reports of theft.

I can also post links to tons of YouTube videos showing how easy it is to steal a scooter or motorcycle with a van. Takes two to three guys, they pull up beside the scooter, open the sliding side door or the rear doors, pull in the scooter or motorcycle, slam the doors shut and drive away in less than 20 seconds.

Due to the fact most states don't require registration on 50cc scooters, there are not reliable statistics. The same lack of registration requirements makes it easier for anyone to ride around on a stolen scooter with no plates.

As far as parking, when I take my niece to the library on Mondays, the security guard tells me to park with the bicycles right next to the entrance on the sidewalk. I also park near bike racks all over town, since I use a cable lock to prevent the quick and easy thieves.

Lock your stuff up and turn on the alarm. I have an alarm lock mine up at the store with handlebars locked and disabled my kickstarter

Lesson: My Harley Electra-Glide weighed around 900 pounds, was locked with an "unbreakable" titanium chain to a post, and stuffed between my two cars in my apartment covered lot.

My neighbor's daughter watched as a van pulled up, six large biker-guys jumped out and three got on each end of my full-sized Oldsmobile and lifted it up and slid it out of the way. They sprayed Freon on my "unbreakable" chain, smacked it with a hammer and it shattered.

Four of the bastards picked up the 900 pound 1200cc Hog and tossed it into the van and they were gone in less than two minutes.

Because of that, clear back in 1978, I was without a bike until 6 years ago when I discovered affordable Chinese scooters. If someone WANTS your ride, they WILL steal it.

My old Xingyue Eagle 150 was ALWAYS locked to a structural post under my carport, and was never stolen in six years. However, the stranded-cable I locked it with shows numerous cut-marks from attempts with a bolt-cutter. The stranded-steel cables seem to be much more cut-proof than solid steel chains.

Fortunately, scooters are not as attractive to thieves as high-end motorcycles, but if it's in plain sight, and not chained to something solid, even the rotten little pre-teen "gangsta-wannabes" will take it "just because they can". And, those same under-sixteen little cretins are the same ones who WILL shoot you if you catch them in the act... Again, "just because they can". And trust me, those little bastards ALWAYS have a gun handy... I always keep my scooter chained, and COVERED, at home, and have found "out of sight, out of mind" is a good way to keep it safe. If they can't SEE it, they don't WANT it.

Remember, your lightweight 50cc can be tossed into a pickup truck bed by just two (or one strong) punk, in 10 seconds or less. Keep it as secure as you can within reason, but remember a thief is a thief...

Stay safe!

Leo in Texas.

PS: The 150 is now gone, traded on a used Kymco 250, parked in the same place, same chain, same dirty silver tarp that makes it almost disappear. AND, after six years with Geico, liability insurance only, they offered me FULL-COVERAGE, collision, fire and theft for TWO DOLLARS more than my original $100 yearly premium. I'd check into insurance, even on a 50cc, just in case you can get it really cheap... Just a thought.

They're easy enough to steal to the point that I'm using everything below.

Trimax Gladiator Ironclad Cable Lock
Trimax Trimaflex Cables x2
Trimax Max-40 Short Shackle U-Locks x2
Trimax Max-60 Short Shackle U-Lock
Trimax Max- Ultra Max Security U-Lock
Trimax Scream'n Demon Super Chain
Poulan Electric Chainsaw
25ft Extension Cord
5-Gal Bucket
10ft Tow Chain
Cement Mix
Insurance Policy

Bottom line, Yes scooters are easy to steal !!!

What everyone above said. I had my 5 month old 250 stolen on a bright and sunny Sunday morning when parked near a busy intersection. It was only secured by the fork lock. Slam the handlebars hard and you can pop that easily. I got it back the next day. It had only been stolen so that the thieves could steal the carburetor off of it. Since it was registered and plated, the police actually put it on the stolen vehicle list and kept an eye out for it. They usually don't look very hard for a 50cc, since most of those get taken, loaded in large trucks, and sold out of state. And, of course, virtually no matter what you do, it won't be 100% effective. Some people don't bother with locks, but they do get replacement insurance, so they can be riding a few weeks after the theft.

No matter what you choose, good fortune to you.

Quote deleted .

John