For as long as I can remember, I’ve been an avid motorcycle enthusiast and dirt bike rider. I got my first dirt bike when I was about ten years old, and after a lot of spills, scraped hands and knees and more wipe-outs than I can remember, I finally learned how to tame the beast and ride with confidence. My beginner style isn’t one I would ever recommend to anyone learning to ride; I tended to be reckless and fearless, but as a ten year old – and then later as a teenager – the last thing I ever thought about was being cautious and careful. My entire family rode motorcycles, but I was the only one who dug the dirt bike scene. While everyone else had street bikes, I was always on the look-out for the next big hill to conquer, the next gritty dirt path, the next mud pile to maneuver.

Years later, I had a dirt bike which was stolen and it literally broke my heart – so much so that I haven’t ridden since. In the dark of night, the bike was stolen right out of our garage. The garage was locked up tight, but if someone wants something bad enough, they’ll find a way to break in and take what they want, which is exactly what happened.

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, more than 60,000 motorcycles are stolen each year; that’s one bike stolen every 8.7 minutes. If I would have locked my bike to a stationary object inside the garage, or if I would have had an alarm installed, there’s a good chance I could have prevented being a victim of motorcycle theft.

The good news is that these days, there are more options which can help prevent motorcycle snatching (alarms, tracking, etc.), so here are some simple steps that can help:

When you’re home, store and lock your bike in a secure place like a locked garage, locked shed, or gated and locked yard.

Always remove the key from the ignition and keep your front fork locked.

Garage the bike out of plain view whenever possible.

When parking in public, check on the bike frequently.

If parking outdoors, do so in well-lit, secure areas. Look for an outdoor security camera and park in its view, if possible.

Always carry your registration and insurance card with you when you ride, but keep your title at home or in another secure place.

Lock the bike to a stationary object or to another motorcycle when traveling with others.

Use high-quality locking devices.

Consider adding an audible alarm or tracking device. Systems like LoJack can help locate your bike if it’s stolen.

If you keep your bike in the garage, gated yard, shed or other storage area, consider installing a security light.