how likely is motorcycle to be stolen?
 

I am considering doing a trans-Africa trip on a Tenere in November 2003. I was wondering peoples experiences what are the odds that the bike will be stolen? What are the best precautions to take?

How about in South America?

Thanks.

My experience is that anybike larger than 125 is virtually unknown in many parts of South America , and thus will have eyes wide open in admiration and envy . Take a very good lock or two , and hitch the bike up to something immobile at night ( and of course never park on the street at night , or daytime for a long time either , use guarded carparks ) , or if unaccompanied , say while on a ruin visit at daytime and will be out of your sight .

Also , I have had things stolen from my topbox which does not lock . Just petty opportunistic theft , but it is annoying to lose my waterproof pants . So , I recommend some locking luggage .

I also don`t tempt fate by riding around a town at great length if staying somewhere for a while , thus trying not to lead people to my residence . Call me paranoid , but one of my friends had his DR stolen in Johannesburg a few years ago . He lost it and of course his carnet money .

A few precautions and you will be fine .

Isn't your carnet deposit refunded if your bike is stolen and you get a police report to say so?

yes. IF police report.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Hi Guys,
I've travelled around North and South America, across Asia from London to Vlad and back, and around Africa, and the only thing I ever had stolen were a pair of gloves which I stupidly left lying on the seat of my bike while having lunch. This is what I do: I have a Gorilla alarm installed, and I put a chain through the wheel with a padlock, and of course I have a steering lock. But must important of all, I cover the bike with a black cover as soon as I get to my campsite or to my hotel (Out of sight, out of mind; it works). I camp only in villages with the permission of the chief. In cities I stay in upscale hotels with a parking lot guarded 24 hours a day, preferably indoors. It's not the cheapest way to travel. But more expensive would be to lose the bike or the contents of the luggage (I also take my two alu boxes and my top case with me to my room). In some Central and South American countries I took the whole bike into my room, where this was possible. The main thing is not be be paranoid. Travelling should be fun.

I stand corrected on the loss of carnet money ( my friend said he would lose it , when interviewed by the newspaper ).