It got STOLEN!!!

[Valiant]

My saddlebag that is!

I went from this:


To this:




It was cut off right from underneath my locking cover. My alarm sent me an alert, but when I went out and saw my PCX was still there(about 40 feet from the entrance in a well lit area), cover and all, I assumed nothing was wrong. When I got off my shift 3 hours later, I unlocked the cover and found that.

First off, to all you who mocked me for going overboard with the security, you can kindly go ..|.. ^_^ ..|.. yourselves. I evidently live on an island where people steal anything that's not bolted to the ground.

Second, yes it's very apparent that it was an idiot that stole half an empty saddlebag. But the importance of that is that it's equally evident that even if the PCX has zero monetary value and even less as a good joyride, they will steal it. You're not dealing with rational human beings capable of a logical thought process, but rather stupid savage animals that only happen to resemble a human being.

If you love your PCX at all, lock it up, and lock it good.

[Bash On!]

"First off, to all you who mocked me for going overboard with the security, you can kindly go ..|.. ^_^ ..|.. yourselves. I evidently live on an island where people steal anything that's not bolted to the ground."

Well, I'd be walking or taking a taxi, then. If you remember correctly, we also said if a thief wants it, he/she will get it despite whatever security you have. I'd say we were right, unfortunately.

Look on the bright side, from the before and after pictures, it looks like you lost a saddlebag but gained a top case!

[homie]

Now that stinks wouldn't you have loved to catch the punk? I've been feeling a little too lucky in the area of security lately, decided to remove a more expensive tunnel bag for a cheaper one. Sorry to hear this kind of BS happened to you Val.

Do those bags really do that much panel scuffing... wow!

[Mel46]

Not surprising though. When i was working (retired now), i would park my suv inside a locked area at work. I came out after my shift one day and someone had stolen the crossbars on my roof rack! I don't know how they did it because it was locked on. Once again, if a thief wants it bad enough, he will find a way. The interesting thing about these crossbars was that they only fit a certain model of suv, and only a certain year span. I had the only one like it at work. Maybe the guy was running a "midnight auto supply".

[Valiant]

Well, I'd be walking or taking a taxi, then. If you remember correctly, we also said if a thief wants it, he/she will get it despite whatever security you have. I'd say we were right, unfortunately.

Would you like to practice what you preach by coming down here with your PCX and parking it in the same spot, unlocked?

Not surprising though. When i was working (retired now), i would park my suv inside a locked area at work. I came out after my shift one day and someone had stolen the crossbars on my roof rack! I don't know how they did it because it was locked on. Once again, if a thief wants it bad enough, he will find a way. The interesting thing about these crossbars was that they only fit a certain model of suv, and only a certain year span. I had the only one like it at work. Maybe the guy was running a "midnight auto supply".

What kind of thief wants half an empty nylon saddlebag? If it was nice leather I might get it. If there was something he wanted inside, he could unzip it and just take it. I figure either someone did it just because they wanted to f*ck with me, or the thief in question had his brain fried by meth(big problem here) and nothing he does makes any sense.

[Bash On!]

"Would you like to practice what you preach by coming down here with your PCX and parking it in the same spot, unlocked?"

Like I said (and you quoted), if it's that darn bad, I'd walk or take a taxi. If you live/park/work in such a bad area, don't be surprised if your high-tech alarms and wonder locks don't work.

Oh, and you'll be scratching your head forever if you try to find logic in the ways of criminals.

[Valiant]

Like I said (and you quoted), if it's that darn bad, I'd walk or take a taxi. If you live/park/work in such a bad area, don't be surprised if your high-tech alarms and wonder locks don't work.

Well yeah, I doubt I'll leave my PCX in that area ever again. The high-tech alarm did its job by giving HPD a timeframe with which to check the security cameras.

Oh, and you'll be scratching your head forever if you try to find logic in the ways of criminals.

Oh if you think that's a head-scratcher, you'll love finding out that we actually feed and cloth most of these criminals with our own tax dollars. Someone ought to explain THAT one to me.

[Bash On!]

Yep, it's bad you have to change your practices because of crime. I've had a motorcycle stolen before (in a sketchy area, when I couldn't afford better) and it's not fun.

We live and work in a really safe area now. It's the kind of town where a kid can leave his bike outside overnight at a park in full view and nobody takes it. Nonetheless, I've recently replaced my $400 commuter bicycle with a $1500 one and it gave me pause to think of the greater risk taken (though there's some peace of mind working in a building shared with armed Federal law enforcement officers!).

That said, it's good to match the potential loss with the risk picture. I won't let my daughter ride her nice bike to high school next year. From experience when my son went there, students won't steal the bike but they might mess with it. She'll be taking a beat-up, ratty-looking, 15-year-old bike instead. (She also wants to use the PCX--we'll see about that.)

[Valiant]

Yep, it's bad you have to change your practices because of crime. I've had a motorcycle stolen before (in a sketchy area, when I couldn't afford better) and it's not fun.

Well, I can't afford to change much. The theft occurred right outside my workplace where I was just recently hired, and it was the first day of training. Cost-wise, I'd probably have to buy a bus pass to commute to work via public transit. The PCX was convenient in that way. Don't bring up a car, there's only one spot, it's already occupied, and street parking is nonexistent.

We live and work in a really safe area now. It's the kind of town where a kid can leave his bike outside overnight at a park in full view and nobody takes it. Nonetheless, I've recently replaced my $400 commuter bicycle with a $1500 one and it gave me pause to think of the greater risk taken (though there's some peace of mind working in a building shared with armed Federal law enforcement officers!).

I would literally have to move to Japan to find a place that nice.

That said, it's good to match the potential loss with the risk picture. I won't let my daughter ride her nice bike to high school next year. From experience when my son went there, students won't steal the bike but they might mess with it. She'll be taking a beat-up, ratty-looking, 15-year-old bike instead. (She also wants to use the PCX--we'll see about that.)

Most forms of residence here are apartments, with only the rich ones having any semblance of parking security. Actual houses or good apartments/condos would be out of my reach unless someone is willing to spot me $200,000 . I wouldn't say I live in a "bad" neighborhood. It's just that we keep feeding these animals and so they end up with no job, having all their expenses paid for them in spite of that, and they end up with a lot of idle time on their hands.

[you you]

Soft bags are always vulnerable. Nothing really lost and they did seem to be damaging your bike.

Perhaps not necessary if they are just used half empty?

[Valiant]

Funnily enough, it seems I didn't give enough credit to the underseat storage, as I was able to put both chains and my helmet inside.

On the other hand I'm kind of wondering if a bigger(or at least heavier) bike is definitely the way to go. Locking should only require two disc locks and a cover at most, so it's more compact that way. I'd also think having all-metal parts would mean less damage in case of a fall.

[Mel46]

I have had motorcycles and when you go down your bike is not going to do any better if it is metal instead of plastic. What it WILL be is much more costly to repair. Plastic panels are cheap/inexpensive, so repairing or replacing them will not be time consuming or as expensive as a metal motorcycle will be. You may be correct on the weight though. The heavier the bike, the less likely it will be carried off. However, it could still be driven off, just like the pcx.

[relic]

I know of guys that have had 20 ton excavators stolen
weight dose not deter theft
I'm debating insuring my pcx this year with theft coverage
doubles my insurance premium
I feel for you Valiant
being ripped off is an invasion

[iceman]

Unless you can lock it to something, it can be taken. You can get some ultra strong chains and locks that cost near £200 and cannot be cut without the kind of tools carried on fire trucks (no manual cutters will work as the chain is thick and special metal). comes down to cost, site stored in and hassle/weight.
I lock it up at home, do not lock it at all at work in underground works car-park, and if I change jobs and had to park in less secure environments, I would consider something like: http://lockitt.com/Lockitt/product/CHPS1615.html

[relic]

Chains? not the answer
a simple battery operated grinder with a zip blade
not a thief but used these blades to cut just about everything

[Valiant]

Chains? not the answer
a simple battery operated grinder with a zip blade
not a thief but used these blades to cut just about everything

Frankly I'm inclined to agree with you, even if it does take a few minutes to do so with my alarm screaming all the while.

Because having reviewed the surveillance footage(too fuzzy to make out any distinct features), this guy was in no hurry. My alarm was screaming for probably a couple of minutes, but he just took his sweet time loading up his ill-gotten goods on a bicycle or moped(view was obstructed, but he was definitely loading my saddlebag onto something). It's kind of shocking given that this occurred at a little before 8pm about 40 feet away from the main entrance of the busiest Home Depot in the country, and nobody gave a crap.

I'm thinking I need to buy a 150 dB air compressed horn and tie that thing into the alarm before anybody would look twice.

It should also be noted that I've spotted a very shiny looking Honda Shadow parked in that same area with no chains, not locked to anything solid, not covered, at a later time(11pm), and quite possibly for a longer duration. It was parked there again tonight looking disgustingly pristine and unmolested <_<

[Kermit]

What's the point of surveillance cameras if the footage is so fuzzy that they can't help identify criminals?

Regarding the black marks on your white panels...a little 3M rubbing compound, elbow grease, and wax will get those looking good as new, with the exception of the major scratch(es). Don't ask me how I know this...it has nothing to do with me backing my car into my husband's white Spyder a few weeks ago...

[you you]

Chains? not the answer
a simple battery operated grinder with a zip blade
not a thief but used these blades to cut just about everything

Frankly I'm inclined to agree with you, even if it does take a few minutes to do so with my alarm screaming all the while.

Because having reviewed the surveillance footage(too fuzzy to make out any distinct features), this guy was in no hurry. My alarm was screaming for probably a couple of minutes, but he just took his sweet time loading up his ill-gotten goods on a bicycle or moped(view was obstructed, but he was definitely loading my saddlebag onto something). It's kind of shocking given that this occurred at a little before 8pm about 40 feet away from the main entrance of the busiest Home Depot in the country, and nobody gave a crap.

I'm thinking I need to buy a 150 dB air compressed horn and tie that thing into the alarm before anybody would look twice.

It should also be noted that I've spotted a very shiny looking Honda Shadow parked in that same area with no chains, not locked to anything solid, not covered, at a later time(11pm), and quite possibly for a longer duration. It was parked there again tonight looking disgustingly pristine and unmolested <_<

Ah well. Time to move on? Worse things happen at sea..

[dkazzed]

That sucks! I seriously hate thieves. Bunch of low life scum.

Depends on how hard and thick the chain is. It took me about 20 seconds to cut through a quality 20mm braided cable with a plug in grinder. A 90 seconds to cut through a quality 12mm U-Lock although I had to cut twice. You can get boat anchoring chains with 18mm+ links for maybe $10 a foot. It won't stop a determined thief, but it will stop the casual thief.

[you you]

Wonder why the thief cut off the saddlebag. You only need to put a slit in with a Stanley knife and pull the items out. Could have done both in 30secs and you might have been non the wiser.