poll to settle an argument

[M1ke]

Is a bike that is fitted with crap scratched/badly sprayed fairings going to look less attractive for theives to steal?

[Shaun]

I would say a tatty looking bike is a lot more likely to get taken by joy riders as it is less likely to be cared for as much as a shiny new bike so probably easier to steal as the owner is less likely to care for it as much.

[mchaggis]

I'd say it would depend upon the thief. If it's being stolen to order, I would think they'd look for a version in top nick. If it's just some scallies wanting to joyride, I doubt they'd care though.
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[Fallen Angel]

I would agree with Shaun and also say that opportunist thief's wouldn't look as conspicuous riding a tatty looking bike as a ZXR or something.

Just my opinion though!
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[Going2fast]

Humm good one, how about a third option "I really don't know, Kinda both".

I'd go for that one but for the current options ive gone with "No, a bike with scratches/badly resprayed fairings is just as likely to get nicked". On the reasons that if a person is going to steal a bike they will have a target, so me and you know that if you stole a CBR, replaced all the fairings how much profit you going to make?

My

Andy
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[G]

Sports bikes are often stolen to be sold for parts.

Good condition fairings will fetch more.

Even if they have a distinctive paint job (as opposed to a 'race rep', which by definition isn't too distinctive), good condition fairings will be easier to sell (after some snad paper) than scratched ones.

[G]

On the joy riders thing... from what I know, very few sports bikes are stolen for joy riding.

It tends to be smaller power bikes (125s) and trail bikes of all sizes.

[billy whizz]

You really need to read this :- https://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs2/r193.pdf I hope this helps, as you can see the older the bike the more stealable it gets. I'm taking it for granted really that the older a bike is the scruffier it gets, although i know there are exceptions.
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[buddha]

i rarely clean my bike, i notices when its being wash it tend to be notices more when riding about, where as now, dirty ans dull (plus a picture of my dog on it) no bodies taken any notices when i ride pass.

[map]

[Ste]

[Shaun]

Yes Ste but that tatty bike is going to be a lot easier to steal than that mint condition bike up the road, your average thief isn't planning on selling the bike or parts, more than likely just wants a laugh. I live close to a lot of rough estates and have seen what type of things get left burnt out and they aren't brand new things, always the old tatty bike that was hardly cared about until it was gone.

[EuropeanNC30R...]

So your admitting then Shaun that you think tatty bikes are only more likely to be stolen because they have less security?

So of two identical bikes next to each other, both chained up etc, one with tatty bodywork, the other with mint OE stuff, which one do you think would get nicked?

[Ste]

[Gazdaman]

All depends on what they want the bike for.

If it's a professional gang, i.e lifting mint gixxers into vans, then I doubt they'd have one with scratched fairings.

If it's theiving chav scum I'd say they'd be more likely to have a battered one, since it looks less conspicuous in both them pushing it away from the scene and potentially riding it afterwards.

Gaz

[G]

[stinkwheel]

In my experience (I have had six bikes stolen). The first thing your average ned does when he takes a bike is pull the panels and mudguards off it, smash in the lights, then take a set of keys to the plastics and tank. I think this is because it makes them more difficult for the police to identify when they are reported stolen.

So yes, a tatty bike is more likley to be stolen (they stole my CB125 from the locked back yard when there was a tidyish GPZ500 parked out the front).

Stealing to sell is a different thing but I get the impression that most bikes are stolen for joyriding.
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[Gazdaman]

I can't really see the mind-set behind stealing a tatty bike.

But personally I'd steal a tattier bike, (as long as it wasn't a wreck) over a mint bike. I think I link it in with less likely hood of being caught/the owner worrying as much.

Maybe I've got too much respect for quality engineering, I wouldn't want to joyride a mint gixxer into the ground, but I'd be all too happy to rag a TDR125 until it caught fire...

Gaz

[Bendy]

So, in summary, they're both as likely to be nicked, but perhaps for different reasons.

[G]

A recoveryu van driver told me that 95% of stolen bikes he recovers are 125s. I would presume unexperienced riders feel a lot less intimidated by smaller bikes.

[BLOFLY 636]

If I was going to pinch a bike I would make the best of it and get a bike I like the look of and one that looks like it could handle a high speed pursuit without any problems just incase a copper tries to pull me over is that how a joyrider would think?
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[Bendy]

[killa]

I would say no matter what bike you got, with the right security it cant be taken. Tatty or showroom.

You have two types of people stealing them.
1. Chav's after 50's, 125's and 250's mush, for fields lanes and burning.

2. Organised crime targeting some of the most desirable bikes around, usually with all the kit and a big van.
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[Ste]

A joyrider is going to steal a low capacity bike, chances are if they get on a R1 they'll end up crashing it very very quickly, hence why with a big bike you don't have to be as worried about kids nicking it to fuck around on as you do with smaller bikes,

[stinkwheel]