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Reading the latest thread on a stolen XS reminded me of a few things about stealing an XS.
It is very easy for a person to get the key code off the gas tank cap and get a new key made. I went into the local Yamaha shop with these numbers and they made me two keys, no questions asked.
It is also possible to push the bike over and shear off the key lock, hot wire the ignition at the fuse panel, start it up and ride off. If it has a full tank, the rider can get a long ways away before worrying about getting fuel in. Simple drilling a hole through the key slot will get the cap open.
I carry one of those wheel locks that I put on the front rotor. I figure they will have to lift the bike to move it (good luck). I don’t use it as often as I should, like at motels and restaurants as I figure people would go for the newer bikes.
With the increasing level of parts being sold on places like eBay, we could see more bikes snatched up and parted out. Nobody is going to make much of an effort to recover a $500 to $2000 bike.
FYI on the wheel rotor locks. The best place to put them is on the rear, but that is rather difficult. If one is put on the front wheel, make sure to roll the bike forward after the lock is installed to take up the slack. Other wise you are liable to forget it is there and take off. It is amazing how quickly the bike falls over when the front wheel stops rolling.
It is very easy for a person to get the key code off the gas tank cap and get a new key made. I went into the local Yamaha shop with these numbers and they made me two keys, no questions asked.
It is also possible to push the bike over and shear off the key lock, hot wire the ignition at the fuse panel, start it up and ride off. If it has a full tank, the rider can get a long ways away before worrying about getting fuel in. Simple drilling a hole through the key slot will get the cap open.
I carry one of those wheel locks that I put on the front rotor. I figure they will have to lift the bike to move it (good luck). I don’t use it as often as I should, like at motels and restaurants as I figure people would go for the newer bikes.
With the increasing level of parts being sold on places like eBay, we could see more bikes snatched up and parted out. Nobody is going to make much of an effort to recover a $500 to $2000 bike.
FYI on the wheel rotor locks. The best place to put them is on the rear, but that is rather difficult. If one is put on the front wheel, make sure to roll the bike forward after the lock is installed to take up the slack. Other wise you are liable to forget it is there and take off. It is amazing how quickly the bike falls over when the front wheel stops rolling.
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