Was you bike stolen in central- southamerica?

[Loxley]

Hi guys

Just wanted to hear if any of you have had your bikes stolen in central- and southamerica??

I am travelling down there from Canada with two other guys in a few weeks, and we cannot decide whether just to lock our bikes as good as we can or if we should go for the full cover insurance.

Cheers,
Lox

[t0by]

Biek theft is less of a problem than in europe, for example.

Overland bikes are generally very different from what the locals ride, so it'd be pretty difficult for someone to sell/ride around on your stolen one.

Recommend parking in a locked place at night. And in guarded car parks in cities, etc. Hotel owners and the like will expect you to use their parkign garage or drive your bike in to the lobby/ up the stairs/ even into the middle of a restaurant.

I took a lock with me and never used it. And I certainly wouldn't bother with insurance.

Happy travels..

[Loxley]

Our bikes are Kawasaki KLR 650ies. Is that an "overland" bike or what do you reckon?

[gyuris]

The biggest problem in Central and So Am is petty theft of small items FROM the parked bike (pens, gloves, jackets, helmets, etc). Best policy is "out of sight - out of mind". Carry a lighweight bike cover, and cover your bike up it while you go into a restaurant or bathroom etc.
In Latin America for some reason it seems to be a normal "cultural" thing for them to admire your bike and suddenly sit on it and fiddle with the controls without asking your permission. (as if it were in a showroom.) They don't mean any harm by it, they are just curious.

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Ride On!

A.T.

[Loxley]

Thanks for that information guys! Appreciate it. I now think we will be going without the expensive insurance, but with big locks and eyes wide open :-)

Cheers,
Lox