Smartwater - what do I get?, looks like a rip-off

[map]

Just noticed on the lad's new to him Honda bike there's a Smartwater sticker.

I found this old thread giving me the 'phone number to ask for information.

Turns out it's £23.88 per year to update the details and become a member. Apparently that pays for the licence and according to the telephone jockey 'they do a lot more work under the radar on theft detection and prevention'

I didn't mention on insurance quote and I can't see any reason to now either. Personally I can't see what I'll be getting for the £23.88 now and in the future (bet they'll put it up as well, used to be only £18).

Now amazon.co.uk tells me a new datatag for motorcycle is about £70. So that's 3 years worth of smartwater subscription. IIIRC datatag is a one time only fee to change owner details as well. So I guess it's swings and roundabouts.

Any help, advice, info and opinions appreciated. Thanks.
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[P.]

Worth fuck all, insurance dropped by about 2p

[t121anf]

real shame I can't use our works smartwater for my bike due to a lack of a certificate.

we have an effing massive bottle sitting in our office

[Rogerborg]

[UrbanRacer]

To add more to what Rogerborg said, if your bikes nicked and its gone for any length of time, do you really want it back? I know if mine was nicked and gone for more than a week I'd be reluctant just because of what the scum could have been doing with it, redlining the tits out of it doing burnouts or trackdays.

[Rogerborg]

Actually, thinking about it, if you don't get it back right away, then it'll most likely be the insurance company's bike, since they'll already have paid you for it.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[nickdiable]

The people who make Smartwater like to claim that it has a 100% conviction rate. While I'm sure that this is true, in practice I've never come across anybody who has been convicted (or even arrested) due to Smartwater.

My car has remote monitored tracking fitted and it made no difference at all to my insurance, so I can't see Smartwater making a blind bit of difference to your insurance. I cancelled my tracking subscription since the car is worth more in insurance if written off or lost forever than I could ever get selling it.

If you're bike is special to you or worth a lot then protect it with monitored tracking (if it moves more than a few meters without the keys being in the ignition the company tries to call you. If they fail to reach you it's automatically reported as stolen to the police).

Smartwater will only get your bike back if the police come across it and that usually happens by chance unless it's stolen for a quick joy ride.

I agree with UrbanRacer, if it's nicked do you really want it back?
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Ride a slightly battered Fazer
I am a solicitor & work for Biker Defence Solicitors
www.bikerdefence.com

[LordShaftesbu...]

Absolute ripoff if you ask me. What exactly does your subscription pay for? Datatag maintain a database too but you don't have to pay every year to stay on it.

https://www.smartwater.tv/studentshop/FAQ.aspx#MembershipQueries

"Please note that having purchased a SmartWater Membership you must pay your Membership fee for the year in full. If however, you really must discontinue, we will ask you, in accordance with the terms of the membership, to remove ALL SmartWater Warning Labels and signs from your property and your details will be removed from the National Security Register from your next membership anniversary date. The company has a policy of randomly checking the display of Warning Labels for existing and former Membership Holders."



They really do sound like criminal scamsters.

[Shinigami]

so they go round checking for smartwater stickers?

I'm sticking one on my hornet when i get home

smartwater really doesn't sound worth it for bikes at all.
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Current: Honda City Fly CLR125 2003 Honda CB600F Hornet 2008 Yamaha FZ6 S2 + 1991 Kawasaki GPZ500
"Once you realize what a joke everything is, being the Comedian is the only thing that makes sense.

[LordShaftesbu...]

Out of all of these schemes, it's Smartwater that the police push. I wonder why that is?

[stuarthouston]

[oldenuff]

[BakesBeans]

Smartwater is basically a water-like solution with unique signature in it, a bit bike DNA. You can then write on anything, and if it is recovered the water will show up under UV light. A sample of the dried smart water is scratched off and sent for analysis, which will then return with your details.

The good thing is you can write anywhere, and you can't see it without a UV torch. The downside is the cost.

I have it, got it free from the council after a break-in, but as I've now moved I have to pay to update the details (which I haven't done).

If you would like to buy a official smart water sticker off me, it's only £25
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Current: Kawasaki ZX636
Previous Bike: Honda CBR600F ABS, Yamaha XJ6 F Diversion ABS, Honda VFR400 NC30

[LordShaftesbu...]