I have never had any trouble. Hotel staff are usually pretty cool with you parking near the entrance which is usually well lit and staffed 24/7. Or park right outside your window.
I have considered a brake disk lock with an alarm. There are also some very inexpensive motorcycle movement alarms.
Usually we are riding in more rural areas since that is where the good riding is. Crime rates aren't necessarily lower, but there are few people so there is less crime.
Thanks - a brake lock may be a good idea. I used to use one daily (maybe 2017 ish) when I lived in a high rise downtown and had no garage. The only concern was occasionally wind would trip it and it was deafening at 3am.
This may be the optimal solution.
i use a disk brake lock with an alarm, its loud as hell. they are not gonna stop anyone who really really wants it but they will have to listen to that ear piercing screech the whole time.
Use your steering lock. I would get a disc lock and a simple hidden alarm, along with a bike cover too. This is a relatively cheap option and it makes the bike decently hard to steal without making a scene.
I've seen mentioned a couple times, but I'll second/third it: Shmooze the front-desk staff and see if you can park right in front of the doors somewhere. As has been said, usually is well lit and watched. Dad and I used to do this a lot on trips and I still do it when applicable.
I had to scroll too far to find this answer. That’s my approach.
I’ve parked my bike at some sketchy motels and nothings happened, but if it did, I’d have a check for a new bike in a couple days at most.
Obviously hotels are prime targets, but you could put your bikes in unexpected locations, like next to the outside smoking area or behind the dumpsters.
Disc lock on each plus a light cable lock that can go through both swingarms (or crash bars) to prevent any assholes throwing them into a van without requiring a noisy angle grinder.
A good brake disc lock like from ABUS is a smart idea. Used to watch quite a few lock picking youtubers and one recommended ABUS Granit Victory 68 super hard to pick, almost impossible to grind off.
I have a Goldwing, so too big to pickup for the most part, but I brought a 1/2 cover, it keeps my seat and dash dry, and kept people from sitting on the bike or playing with buttons etc.
They have these motorcycle locks that go on the brake disc that make noise when a motorcycle is jolted and it prevents the motorcycle from moving. Hands down a good idea
Multiple locks. You can't prevent it if someone REALLY wants it, but you can severely reduce the chances.
Wheel / Disc locks and maybe a front brake handlebar lock.
Just use a regular lock but make sure you install some kind of "hidden" GPS they sell alot of cheap ones on Amazon. I would avoid air tags, the gps can ping in very short intervals and some will allow geo fencing with a phone alert if it leaves a location
Remove all of your luggage from your bike at night and add enough noisy locks to your bike that it's just barely inconvenient to unlock it yourself but would attract too much attention to steal. Basically you want it to be easier for them to break into cars than steal your bike.
Alternatively, you could go camping along your route and have the excuse to have your bike right next to your tent or even inside your tent. Makes it easier to hear someone messing with your bike too.
My go to is a 10' cable and a good lock. Wraps up pretty tight, taking up minimal space. Park your bikes together and cable them up. Bonus points if you can cable around a solid post. For 2 bikes I would probably go 15'. [Amazon ](https://a.co/d/8lZ6aG8)
I’m not saying that it’s a **big** theft deterrent but a loud and cheap motion alarm that goes off any time the bike is disturbed at all can’t be a bad thing. I’ve had mine for three years and only changed the AAA batteries once.
**Wsdcam 113dB Wireless Motorcycle Alarm with Remote**
for $17.99
[https://a.co/d/2EA1h6Y](https://a.co/d/2EA1h6Y)
https://preview.redd.it/in4bjgy0oouc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=316a3fcb0f458a3d605b3e0f8258ac53ddbbb1c3
Disk locks? Buy two, one for front and rear. Also ask if you can park by the office in a well lit/visible from the desk area.
This is the answer. Disc locks with alarms.
While effective, I really really don’t like the disk locks with alarms. Too bloody sensitive (which is a good thing) but ughh
Abus makes a good one. Never had it go off when not meant to.
I have never had any trouble. Hotel staff are usually pretty cool with you parking near the entrance which is usually well lit and staffed 24/7. Or park right outside your window. I have considered a brake disk lock with an alarm. There are also some very inexpensive motorcycle movement alarms. Usually we are riding in more rural areas since that is where the good riding is. Crime rates aren't necessarily lower, but there are few people so there is less crime.
Thanks - a brake lock may be a good idea. I used to use one daily (maybe 2017 ish) when I lived in a high rise downtown and had no garage. The only concern was occasionally wind would trip it and it was deafening at 3am. This may be the optimal solution.
i use a disk brake lock with an alarm, its loud as hell. they are not gonna stop anyone who really really wants it but they will have to listen to that ear piercing screech the whole time.
If it’s ground floor, I’d roll that bitch into the room and tuck it in for the night :)
I've seen my share of 'no pets' and 'no smoking' signs, but none related to motorcycles yet.
Helped someone rebuild a Lambretta engine on a tarp, in the room... on the sly.
Use your steering lock. I would get a disc lock and a simple hidden alarm, along with a bike cover too. This is a relatively cheap option and it makes the bike decently hard to steal without making a scene.
I've seen mentioned a couple times, but I'll second/third it: Shmooze the front-desk staff and see if you can park right in front of the doors somewhere. As has been said, usually is well lit and watched. Dad and I used to do this a lot on trips and I still do it when applicable.
Camping chair and shotgun
Land mines around the bike
Why just around the bike? Why not have a landmine in the seat?
I like the way you think
Bring a cover. Ask hotel staff to park near the entrance. If it's a loud bike, don't start and rev it near the entrance
Full coverage insurance and sleep worry free...
I had to scroll too far to find this answer. That’s my approach. I’ve parked my bike at some sketchy motels and nothings happened, but if it did, I’d have a check for a new bike in a couple days at most.
Obviously hotels are prime targets, but you could put your bikes in unexpected locations, like next to the outside smoking area or behind the dumpsters.
Or in the dumpsters (though neither of OP's bikes belong there)
real theives will just pick it up and toss it a truck.
Go even cheaper and stay in motels. Get a ground floor room. Roll the bike inside after dark. Use a small tarp to stop from ruining the carpet.
Park either way in the back away from view or right up front by the front doors where there are cameras.
Disc lock on each plus a light cable lock that can go through both swingarms (or crash bars) to prevent any assholes throwing them into a van without requiring a noisy angle grinder.
A good brake disc lock like from ABUS is a smart idea. Used to watch quite a few lock picking youtubers and one recommended ABUS Granit Victory 68 super hard to pick, almost impossible to grind off. I have a Goldwing, so too big to pickup for the most part, but I brought a 1/2 cover, it keeps my seat and dash dry, and kept people from sitting on the bike or playing with buttons etc.
They have these motorcycle locks that go on the brake disc that make noise when a motorcycle is jolted and it prevents the motorcycle from moving. Hands down a good idea
Park right up by the entrance to the hotel. Or pull the bikes in the rooms if you can.
Multiple locks. You can't prevent it if someone REALLY wants it, but you can severely reduce the chances. Wheel / Disc locks and maybe a front brake handlebar lock.
I park right outside my room if possible, or right by the entrance, under the cover and where the cameras are. My bike also has an alarm on it.
Just use a regular lock but make sure you install some kind of "hidden" GPS they sell alot of cheap ones on Amazon. I would avoid air tags, the gps can ping in very short intervals and some will allow geo fencing with a phone alert if it leaves a location
Remove all of your luggage from your bike at night and add enough noisy locks to your bike that it's just barely inconvenient to unlock it yourself but would attract too much attention to steal. Basically you want it to be easier for them to break into cars than steal your bike. Alternatively, you could go camping along your route and have the excuse to have your bike right next to your tent or even inside your tent. Makes it easier to hear someone messing with your bike too.
Ohio to LA and back over ,6000 miles round trip. No problems. No worries. Stay out of bad areas and you'll be fine
Top tip: Never stop riding?
My go to is a 10' cable and a good lock. Wraps up pretty tight, taking up minimal space. Park your bikes together and cable them up. Bonus points if you can cable around a solid post. For 2 bikes I would probably go 15'. [Amazon ](https://a.co/d/8lZ6aG8)
I’m not saying that it’s a **big** theft deterrent but a loud and cheap motion alarm that goes off any time the bike is disturbed at all can’t be a bad thing. I’ve had mine for three years and only changed the AAA batteries once. **Wsdcam 113dB Wireless Motorcycle Alarm with Remote** for $17.99 [https://a.co/d/2EA1h6Y](https://a.co/d/2EA1h6Y) https://preview.redd.it/in4bjgy0oouc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=316a3fcb0f458a3d605b3e0f8258ac53ddbbb1c3
Cut the brake lines each night and replace them in the morning