Vandalism Prevention Ideas?

[rucrispy]

I should be getting the bike back from my local repair shop in the next few days after being pushed over in my driveway TWICE in 10 days. I have been parking the FJR or my Shadow there for the past 5 years without an incident.

I have a feeling it was a some bored kids looking for "something to do". There is a public park at the end of the street I'm on and feel that they were leaving the park and saw it up against the house and one kid probably bet the other he wouldn't do it. Well he did, a grand total of $3,000 worth of damage combined.

I don't have a garage, did build a shed that I could put the Shawdow in when we moved in and could possibly start keeping the FJR in there but really don't want the extra steps of pulling the bike out every morning.

I think for now I'm just going to keep it around back till the summer is over and the kids go back to school.

I have thought of a few solutions and wanted to get input or maybe additional solutions from you guys.

1. continue to keep the bike out back and just have to go through the side gate every morning

2. get one of these to keep it in. I'd start parking it back in front of the "garage door" (garage was converted to a small utility room and kitchen expansion so no garage left) inside and lock it shut.

3. get one of these and bolting it to the driveway in front of the garage door. It has a lock that would prevent it from being pulled out of the chock and dropped.

I am really leaning towards #3. The cycleshell is gonna cost me about $500 to get it here, where the sport chock will come in about $215.

My concern with the wheel chock is the potential damage to the front end if they decide they want to push it over again. I was probably going to get one of the bright colors and there is a light on over the garage door that is on a daylight sensor, so hopefully they will see that its secured and pass by.

 

[user 27543]

How about an onboard security system with a proximity sensor. I had one on my previous bike and the proximity sensor kept the nosey people away.

 

[Geezer]

How about a pair of these?

 

[captaincautious]

Is it possible to hide a game camera pointing towards your bike? I have a feeling they will try that again. Sorry to hear of the problem.

 

[Chuck35]

https://www.inter-con.us/images/20dry.jpg

this works for me

 

[rucrispy]

Is it possible to hide a game camera pointing towards your bike? I have a feeling they will try that again. Sorry to hear of the problem.

I've debated about cameras, alarms and similar. My problem is that the first time they rang the doorbell after they pushed it over at 3 am. Thinking something physical to prevent the tip over in lieu of catching them cause even if I get their picture or set off an alarm I'd still have a damaged bike and a picture of someone to try and get some money from or press charges on. Then I'd have a pissed off kid to stop from doing it again.

 

[finetune]

That's a nice chock but is pricey. Cycle Gear has this wheel chock on sale now for 50% off. Can also be bolted to the ground and has a provision for a lock to keep the bike secure.

click here

 

[starsandstripes]

Sorry to hear about this. I would probably park it around back if that keeps it hidden better. I used to ride my previous bike to work last summer, and I drove the FJR to work this summer for the 1st time, and someone stole my license plate the first day. Didn't touch the bike ... but still.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Unfortunately you'll need to remove the temptation, park it around back where it's somewhat secure.

Vandals will be vandals... :angry:

Good luck!

--G

 

[wfooshee]

Mount a 12-gauge on the roof with a trip wire attached to the bike.

Don't forget to remove the trip wire when you set off in the morning.

 

[ThrottleJunkie]

How about a cyclone/chain link fence dog cage but with a modified door/entrance?

Secure it to the ground so it can't be moved and chain it shut.

Google it and you'll find bunches for $200-300.

 

[LAF]

I use the cycle shell and love it.

Your refer to these criminals as kids. They are punks that need an ass whipping or jail! They need their parents to start forking over their money so they can beat the shit out of them. At the cost of cameras and SD cards that would be on my list.

Sorry to hear of your issue but it is not right and IMHO kids just do not give a shit any longer, they have nothing to keep them in check.

You can not hurt them or you will be in jail.

As always honest people suffer and young punks who grow into old punks continue on. Now if you have or know a big High School linebacker that wants to sleep out a few nights at your house then I would use him.

Dogs, guns, electricity, spiked pits, will get you in trouble.

Sorry for your troubles but pictures are worth a bunch when pressing charges.

 

[bramfrank]

Day/night camera connected to a DVR - I did that when locals were spray painting cars & such in my area - 1 week later had images of kids and car for the police - their parents made restitution. The camera remains in place today.

 

[Bounce]

Yeah. I'm with those that recommend limiting their access in spite of it's inconvenience to you. I have an extra 5 minutes each day more readily at hand than I have a spare 3 grand every other week. Chocking it where it's still accessible simply reduces their ability to push it over. In retaliation they'll simply do something else to it.

I know. In early Jr. High I was one of them. You're right that it's partly a result of boredom.

 

[Checkswrecks]

+1 to the camera. I've seen it used successfully more than once. Also to a motion light.

But to the original question, can't you just prevent another tip over? Park extremely close to the wall and pull the car up so the bike can't be tipped?

 

[rucrispy]

Thanks for all the suggestions. The dog kennel/chain link fence is a good idea but I don't know that I have a suitable spot for it. Also can't imagine that the wife will go for having one parked out front.

I know I can't do anything physical to them and I have a indoor camera pointed out the window that records movement to the PC. It doesn't do a very good job at night but it was an extra a friend had so I can't really complain. I'm trying to combine the cameras visible deterrent with an additional physical deterrent like the wheel chock just to make it difficult for them.

The baxley chock is pricey but I like that I can lock the wheel cup in place easily so it can't just be rolled out of it and I haven't seen many others that can lock. The cyclegear chock looked very similar and could be an alternative.

 

[ionbeam]

Both a deterrent and will facilitate your camera:

 

[oldryder]

you'd probably get sued but ...

saw this years ago. neighbor had a 63 vette that had been keyed. being an electrical crafty guy he made an electrical fence type charger for the car that gave an energetic poke to anyone that touched the car. It drew very little current unless someone was touching the car so the car battery was not drained overnight.

seemed to work fine and we all got a big laugh out of it. thinking about it now an FJR probably has too much plastic for such an approach to be effective.

 

[Intech]

I would do whatever it took to catch the bastards. It sucks that you have to alter your life becasue of them. Cameras and a well lit area would be one of my first actions. A motion light might even be effective as it lets them know they have been detected in the area. I would want to catch them red handed and beat the shit out of them though. Obviously that would just be a fantasy. Sorry for your troubles. Good luck with the solution.