Motorcycle theft remains a serious and widespread problem in the UK. The latest data from the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) shows theft rates 7.9% year-on-year decline through 2024 – A significant decline, but the volume of bikes stolen remains astonishing. As MCIA CEO Tony Campbell has warned, the number of motorcycles recovered after theft has fallen significantly, suggesting more motorcycles are being shipped overseas. Modern thieves are fast, well-equipped and can bypass traditional security measures.
Good news? The riders are not powerless. The key is layering – arranging multiple security measures to make it too slow, too difficult and too risky for thieves to steal your bike. And if they do manage to take it, having the right GPS tracker means you – and the police – can get it back faster.
We spoke to Monimoto co-founder Andreas Bruno Rimkunas about ways to protect your ride. Monimoto is a Lithuania-born, globally trusted manufacturer of anti-theft GPS trackers, with over 100,000 users worldwide – and a product born out of a very real problem.
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Our Expert: Andreas Bruno Rimkunas, co-founder of Monimoto
Monimoto was founded in Lithuania in 2016 with a single mission: to help riders find their stolen motorcycles before it’s too late. Today, Monimoto trackers are used in over 40 countries, securing thousands of bikes across the UK. For more information: monimoto.com/uk
Hide it before they find it
Thieves conduct reconnaissance before attacking. Bike covers are one of the cheapest and most underrated pieces of equipment – if they can’t see what’s underneath it, they can’t decide whether it’s worth their time. Wearing a veil in public also attracts exactly the kind of attention a thief wants to avoid. Look for one with an integrated lock loop so it stays in place.
Even better: Keep the bike behind the door. A garage or closed shed adds a physical barrier that gives a thief time, noise and risk before he can get close to the bike. Arm the door with a closed-shell padlock – the type where the loop is mostly hinged, making bolt cutters much less effective – and also consider a ground anchor inside.
turn it off
Traditional measures such as physical locks are one of the most effective deterrents. This won’t stop a professional, but it does increase friction.
When you’re out and about, Disk Lock is essential. It sticks to the brake disc and makes the bike physically unrideable. Some include a built-in alarm for additional interruptions; A reminder cable between the lock and the handlebar prevents you from riding with it attached. At home, invest in heavy equipment: a quality chain and a bolt-in ground anchor.
Thieves are afraid not of one lock but of three different solutions? It takes time, noise and attention. Ensuring physical security is always worth the investment.
make some noise
A loud alarm does two things: it alerts people nearby that something is happening, and it startles the thief. Even in urban areas, working near a constant 110dB siren is inconvenient – and it draws attention to exactly the scene a thief wants to avoid.
Modern motorcycle alarms go far beyond simple motion detection. Better units include tilt sensors (triggered if someone tries to lift or load the bike), perimeter sensors, and two-stage alerts that warn for the slightest vibration before escalating to full siren.
Track it – because locks can be cut
Each of the above measures are designed to prevent theft from occurring. But sometimes despite everything the bike is taken. This is where the GPS tracker stops being optional. If your motorcycle is snatched, the tracker increases your chances of getting it back.
But not all trackers are the same. Wired units can be destroyed by disconnecting the bike’s electrical system. It’s easy to see push notifications at 3 in the morning. Some rely on the proximity of other users’ phones to report a location.
The Monimoto 9 was designed to avoid all those pitfalls.
Introducing the Monimoto 9: Small, smart, and seriously effective
At £149 with £39/year subscription (first two months free) monimoto 9 One of the most cost-effective trackers on the market – and one of the most capable. Here’s what makes it unique:
No wiring required. The Monimoto 9 is completely independent from your motorcycle’s electrical system. It installs in minutes using the supplied zip ties – you pair the tracker with the app, then stash it somewhere on your bike, and it’s ready to go. This also means that thieves cannot disable the bike by cutting its wires.
Up to 12 months battery life. Built-in rechargeable 3.7V Li-polymer battery lasts for a year on a single charge. You won’t have to worry about recharging it every few weeks, and it won’t drain your bike’s battery while it’s sitting in the garage.
It calls your phone. If movement is detected and your key is not nearby, Monimoto calls you within a minute. It’s much more difficult to listen to or swipe through a phone call than a push notification. you will find out.
Automatic arming with key fob. The key chain you have on you automatically deactivates the tracker while you’re riding, and reactivates it when you walk away.
Works globally. Monimoto provides reliable tracking using LTE-M (LTE Cat-M1) networks and Wi-Fi location.
Real riders. Actual recovery.
Noah’s Story: Recovered in Less than 30 Minutes
Noah, resident of EdinburghLeft my Xontes Javelin 125 in a secure car park while visiting a relative. Within minutes, his phone rang – Monimoto had detected movement. By the time he reached the car park, his bike was gone.
“I got a call from Monimoto that my bike was being taken. The police had a car with me within eight minutes. I was able to give them updated location information in real time, and the police were really nice.” – Noah
Police located the stolen spear in a nearby storage unit within 30 minutes. The fire brigade broke the lockup and recovered the bike – safe except for the broken ignition and cut wires. Those cut wires told the whole story: The thieves had tried to disable any wired trackers. The Monimoto, powered by its own batteries and completely independent, operated full time.
The Honest Truth About Motorcycle Safety
No single product makes a motorcycle unstable. The goal is to make theft so slow, so difficult, and so risky that your bike is no longer worth it compared to the next bike. cover it. Store it. Tie it to some immovable object. Add an alarm. And hide Monimoto 9 in a place where thieves would never even think of looking.
Monimoto 9: £149 | Annual subscription: £39/year (first 2 months free)
Available: https://monimoto.com/uk/product/tracker-monimoto-9/
