What actions you take (or don't take) to ensure adequate security of your motorcycle and anything attached to it depends very much on what kind of motorcycle it is, what country you are in (or, more exactly, what part of what country you are in), and where you are parking it (at a hotel, at a lot in the middle of the city, momentarily at a gas station, etc.)

The first question you need to ask yourself is whether your moto would be attractive to thieves in the community you are in. For example, I have a 2001 Honda ST 1100. That is not a particularly interesting bike for thieves to steal. If, on the other hand, I had a flashy new Harley-Davidson or flashy new Japanese crotch rocket, or a BMW GS all kitted out with Touratech crap like it was owned by a German dentist, I might be a little more concerned about theft.

What country you are in - and where in the country you are - also makes a difference. If I am in rural Switzerland, I don't even bother to remove the keys from the ignition. If I was downtown in a big city in England, I might consider putting a brake disc lock on it.

Finally, where you park and where you sleep at night makes a big difference. If you are staying at small hotels or B&Bs and they have a secure area behind the building, or a garage to park in, you don't have to worry too much. If you are parking downtown in a public lot that is not supervised, the risks are higher.

The most important influences on bike security are "what kind of bike is it" and "where are you parking it".

Michael