/ Register

  1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Does anyone run a GPS tracker?

Discussion in 'The Pub' started by edwardo, May 27, 2016.

Page 1 of 2
  1. edwardo

    edwardo Well-Known Member Contributing Member

    Messages:
    373
    Likes Received:
    192
    Trophy Points:
    273
    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2012
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Teacher
    Location:
    Adelaide
    My Bike:
    srx250
    Howdy people. How are we all tonight?
    I was looking at some insurance quotes recently and the question "Does the bike have a GPS tracker?" kept popping up and it got me thinking; I really should get one! I've had my bike stolen before but never got around to getting a tracker, just locks. From what I've read, the cheap $20 ones off ebay can be hit and miss, and I'd rather not have any misses at all. On the other hand, more expensive ones ($150+) look the goods but are.. expensive. Too expensive for a lowly peasant student such as myself at this time.

    So what experiences do the people of 2fiftycc have? Anyone run one?

    For a laugh, I grabbed my old brick smartphone I had laying about, chucked a $30 long expiry sim card in it and downloaded a GPS tracker app. Works pretty good! Yellow arrow in the second pic is where I parked at work.

    Limitations:
    - unsure if it is classified as a proper GPS unit and thus not eligible for insurance discounts
    - only works where there is good signal, dependent on what carrier you use.
    - battery life, my phone has like 7 days standby which is mad, still probably will hook up a charger to come on with ignition.
    - slightly larger than other GPS units, not a huge problem just gotta hide it well lol

    GPS2.jpg GPS1.jpg
     
    edwardo, May 27, 2016
    #1
  2. Revolver

    Revolver Big Member Premium Member

    Messages:
    560
    Likes Received:
    359
    Trophy Points:
    373
    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2013
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Dipswich, QLD
    My Bike:
    "Cherry" the 3ln3 FZR250
    GPS trackers are not all they are cracked up to be. Explained pretty well in this vid. He had his BMW 1000RR stolen a few months prior to this.

     
    • Like Like x 1
    Revolver, May 27, 2016
    #2
  3. edwardo

    edwardo Well-Known Member Contributing Member

    Messages:
    373
    Likes Received:
    192
    Trophy Points:
    273
    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2012
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Teacher
    Location:
    Adelaide
    My Bike:
    srx250
    Someone had their bike stolen from uni, broad day light and it was left alone for less than an hour! Pretty brazen and pretty crazy.

    Thanks for the reply man. Its an alright vid, but some of the points don't really apply to me and some of it doesn't make a lot of sense.

    I guess you gotta treat every case differently really.

    I don't think my bike would be targeted by RF blanket using pros. Also lots of police reports say that apprehended criminals were "already known to police" meaning getting a warrant would be easier, not hard, since theres a chance the thief is already known to police for other criminal activities. And also I think the risk of getting shanked and the decision to not do anything to stop them isn't as black and white that fella made it out to be. Like, that would-be thief pissed off quite quickly, the guard didn't even get close. Standing with the car between him and the guard, he seemed more concerned with getting away than stabbing someone.
     
    edwardo, May 27, 2016
    #3
  4. Damus

    Damus She is a BEAST and riding it is comparable to sex Dirty Wheel Club

    Messages:
    1,055
    Likes Received:
    426
    Trophy Points:
    493
    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2015
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    I.T.
    Location:
    Sydney, NSW
    My Bike:
    Honda CBR250RR
    I tell you what if I had a hidden switch in the same part of the loom that broke in the kill switch circuit the thief wouldn't be able to start the bike even if he had 2 mechanics with him.
    I have strongly considered tracking devices because I plan to sink allot of $$$ into my bike so yeah if you find something good let me know!!!

    lol just take your CDI with you every time you park hahahaha. I know i am tempted.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    Damus, May 27, 2016
    #4
  5. Revolver

    Revolver Big Member Premium Member

    Messages:
    560
    Likes Received:
    359
    Trophy Points:
    373
    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2013
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Dipswich, QLD
    My Bike:
    "Cherry" the 3ln3 FZR250
    That may be the case. But he is right. People are very unpredictable these days. And desperate. We've seen people put in the hospital because they only have $20 in the wallet.

    Most thieves are opportunistic and some don't care if they need to resort to violence to successfully acheive their goal.

    And as he said, you can't just rock up to the police station and say "my bike is in here, go kick the door down"

    It's a double edged sword. If your going to have a GPS tracker it will have to be of good quality and well hidden to avoid detection for as long as possible.

    A good quality wheel lock. One that needs a plasma cutter to get off is a good start. But then they can just pick the bike up anyway....

    YouTube bike stolen in 30 seconds.
     
    Revolver, May 27, 2016
    #5
  6. Damus

    Damus She is a BEAST and riding it is comparable to sex Dirty Wheel Club

    Messages:
    1,055
    Likes Received:
    426
    Trophy Points:
    493
    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2015
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    I.T.
    Location:
    Sydney, NSW
    My Bike:
    Honda CBR250RR
    Actually you can rock up to the police and say my bike is here kick in the door, how it goes down may differ slightly but police don't show you the door laughing if you have substantial evidence to your properties location.
    Secondly if they aren't intending to scrap it for parts and cant get it working there is a chance it will be in a generic location on the road ready for you to pick it up with unknown tampering, but its better than nothing if you don't have insurance, I know I would be happy even if I only found my braided brake lines.
    measures to stop theft is better than hopping for the best without them, it just requires a bit of creativity and a bit of smarts and your bike will be near useless to a thief especially if its a 20 year old beater that looks like it would be lucky to sell 1 part every 6 months. Cant speak for the owner of that "brand new trump" which is an obvious target.

    as a bit of an electronics nut i think a secondary battery with a self made purpose built tracking unit would be pretty good.
    A good place would be strapped to the bottom of the fuel tank. Chances are a smart thief would disconnect the existing battery if they suspected a gps unit.
    What really requires thought is the whole "if they want ur bike they can just lift it onto a van or ute" thing.
    And i believe trapping your bike in a way that would harm people is highly illegal.
    Bolting it down or whatever isnt going to stop them.
    However an obnoxiously overkill loud siren would. double the noise up with a voice recording screaming "their trying to rape me!!!"
    Theres some next level security.
     
    • Like Like x 2
    Damus, May 27, 2016
    #6
  7. edwardo

    edwardo Well-Known Member Contributing Member

    Messages:
    373
    Likes Received:
    192
    Trophy Points:
    273
    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2012
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Teacher
    Location:
    Adelaide
    My Bike:
    srx250
    gotta say, those youtube vids of bikes getting stolen so quickly scares me! And I agree, if you're gonna have a tracker its probably best if its a good quality one.

    As for hiding places, I was thinking along the lines of under the tank or somewhere on the main body, something out of sight and not on anything that can be removed easily.

    There was a really good read on reddit or somewhere on an "ask me anything" thread where a motorcycle thief was asked questions and he anonymously gave some candid answers.

    I'm thinking maybe another lock and a big f off alarm to make them think its just not worth the risk.
     
    edwardo, May 28, 2016
    #7
  8. edwardo

    edwardo Well-Known Member Contributing Member

    Messages:
    373
    Likes Received:
    192
    Trophy Points:
    273
    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2012
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Teacher
    Location:
    Adelaide
    My Bike:
    srx250
    Just quickly as well, youi insurance value an 1989 zxr250A @ $3900 LOL
     
    edwardo, May 28, 2016
    #8
  9. Linkin

    Linkin The Mechanic Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

    Messages:
    4,737
    Likes Received:
    2,883
    Trophy Points:
    943
    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2014
    Location:
    Sydney NSW
    My Bike:
    FZR250R 3LN6
    It only takes 2 blokes with a van and less than a minute to lift a bike.

    Best bet is serious strength chain running through the frame (not wheels) tied to something extremely solid, like a telegraph pole or metal street light.
     
    Linkin, May 28, 2016
    #9
  10. risky

    risky risky

    Messages:
    4,555
    Likes Received:
    1,177
    Trophy Points:
    923
    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2012
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    risky by name AND actions
    Location:
    newcastle,australia
    My Bike:
    honda ca77, megelli x2,fzr yamaha x 5 ,maxim,cb750.cb600 hornet,zxr250,marusho magnum electra.
    bolt cutters fix that quick.
     
    risky, May 28, 2016
    #10
  11. Phil

    Phil Senior Member Contributing Member

    Messages:
    3,613
    Likes Received:
    1,549
    Trophy Points:
    923
    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2010
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    M C E
    Location:
    Sunshine Coast Qld
    Home Page:
    My Bike:
    Suzuki GT250X7 Kawasaki ZZR600
    GPS trackers chains extra alarms ????? are we doing the WHATIF here ??
    So far so good, haven't had a bike stolen yet. To be honest it's not something I think about often.
    Question for all members WHO LOCKS THE STEERING !!
    Just curious about numbers.....am I alone in rarely using this extra safety devise?
    Look forward to your responses.
     
    Phil, May 28, 2016
    #11
  12. Linkin

    Linkin The Mechanic Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

    Messages:
    4,737
    Likes Received:
    2,883
    Trophy Points:
    943
    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2014
    Location:
    Sydney NSW
    My Bike:
    FZR250R 3LN6
    I lock steering everytime I park the bike... at home or elsewhere.

    But it only takes a good kick or 2 to break a steering lock
     
    Linkin, May 28, 2016
    #12
  13. risky

    risky risky

    Messages:
    4,555
    Likes Received:
    1,177
    Trophy Points:
    923
    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2012
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    risky by name AND actions
    Location:
    newcastle,australia
    My Bike:
    honda ca77, megelli x2,fzr yamaha x 5 ,maxim,cb750.cb600 hornet,zxr250,marusho magnum electra.
    only bike i had stolen they smashed the steering lock. i now use a cheep chinese lock through the rear disc.
     
    risky, May 28, 2016
    #13
  14. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

    Messages:
    10,929
    Likes Received:
    6,720
    Trophy Points:
    1,168
    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2012
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Between a Rock and a Hard Place
    Location:
    North by NW NSW Oztralia - Tamworth
    My Bike:
    *Kawasaki ZXR250C *Yamaha FZR250R 3LN1 *Yamaha FZR400 *Triumph Bonneville 750 T140V *Triumph Daytona 675 *Triumph Tiger 800XC
    I always put the steering lock on

    The best preventative is to just own shite bikes that no one wants to pinch .... works for me.
     
    • Like Like x 4
    GreyImport, May 28, 2016
    #14
  15. Phil

    Phil Senior Member Contributing Member

    Messages:
    3,613
    Likes Received:
    1,549
    Trophy Points:
    923
    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2010
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    M C E
    Location:
    Sunshine Coast Qld
    Home Page:
    My Bike:
    Suzuki GT250X7 Kawasaki ZZR600
    That is very true !!
     
    Phil, May 28, 2016
    #15
  16. Phil

    Phil Senior Member Contributing Member

    Messages:
    3,613
    Likes Received:
    1,549
    Trophy Points:
    923
    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2010
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    M C E
    Location:
    Sunshine Coast Qld
    Home Page:
    My Bike:
    Suzuki GT250X7 Kawasaki ZZR600
    The only time I use the steering lock is in the garage when we are heading off somewhere.
     
    Phil, May 28, 2016
    #16
  17. edwardo

    edwardo Well-Known Member Contributing Member

    Messages:
    373
    Likes Received:
    192
    Trophy Points:
    273
    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2012
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Teacher
    Location:
    Adelaide
    My Bike:
    srx250
    I always use the steering lock wherever I go. And started using a big yellow disc lock on the front, it doesn't fit the rear. I've heard ones on the rear are harder to deal with.

    Luckily I have room to park mine all the way up the driveway and around the back or in the shed.

    At work/uni is different though. What gets me is the sheer brazenness of thieves. I had mine stolen from under a car park out of the way so I thought leaving it out the front of work would be better but nope, all these vids of people just lifting them right in front of passers-by. Ugh. Some guy last week had it stolen in the space of an hour! Wtf!
     
    edwardo, May 29, 2016
    #17
  18. Damus

    Damus She is a BEAST and riding it is comparable to sex Dirty Wheel Club

    Messages:
    1,055
    Likes Received:
    426
    Trophy Points:
    493
    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2015
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    I.T.
    Location:
    Sydney, NSW
    My Bike:
    Honda CBR250RR
    Yeah I also use the bikes built in steering lock every time, the paranoia of someone moving my bike or rolling it away makes me use it every time.
     
    Damus, May 30, 2016
    #18
  19. Murdo

    Murdo The Good Doctor Staff Member Contributing Member Ride and Events Crew

    Messages:
    6,400
    Likes Received:
    4,788
    Trophy Points:
    1,148
    Joined:
    May 4, 2013
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Tamworth, NSW
    My Bike:
    1937 Royal Enfield 250, CF Moto 250 V5, Honda's XL250, CBR250, FT500 plus a few others.
    I use everything I can.
    Big chain and good quality lock, disc lock, steering lock, ugly dog, vicous cat, dead lock on door of shed, alarmed doors of shed, etc.
    I try not to leave my bike where I cannot see it while stopped when travelling.
    The best defence is not to let anybody you don't trust look in your shed. Out of sight and don't know what you have.
     
    • Like Like x 3
    Murdo, May 30, 2016
    #19
  20. Damus

    Damus She is a BEAST and riding it is comparable to sex Dirty Wheel Club

    Messages:
    1,055
    Likes Received:
    426
    Trophy Points:
    493
    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2015
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    I.T.
    Location:
    Sydney, NSW
    My Bike:
    Honda CBR250RR
    Exactly, not washing your wheels helps as well. If you wash your wheels they think the bike is well looked after and a good steal.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    Damus, May 30, 2016
    #20
Page 1 of 2

Share This Page