Anyone know of a stolen K1200LT

[DanDiver]

From a previously "hijacked" thread I asked the above question in regards to a hidden key on the bike. Just curious, as I leave my key in the ignition most of the time, does anyone have first hand knowledge of this happening?

Buying a 1999 model for way below list from your neighbor does not constitute stolen!

[Offwego]

I leave my key in all the time, unless I'm overnight some where. When I stop for lunch, I take my jacket off and cover the tankbag, gps and key. I never lock my saddlebags or trunk either unless it's overnight somewhere, then I strip it!

[zippy_gg]

Having learned to ride in Paris I always lock the bike, and since my 05 has central locking I also Always lock the bags as well.
My GPS on the BMR shelf has a lock mount as well. I usually lock the helmets too.
Locks keep honest people honest, and the last thing you want is to have one or both helmets stolen while you are 100s of miles away from home, especially in a state with helmet law.
I learned the hard way...
With that said I am not too fearful on the "truck" being taken, thanks to its weight. I am more concerned about the gear on and about the bike.

[Newf]

I like to lock mine and most times I will set the alarm as also.

[bflemingor]

Don't know - I've never left a bike unlocked - bags/forks/disk.... and if I'm off of it for more than an hour, I always cover it too...

I had one of my Techs at Oregon Health & Science Hospital riding a stock HD, less than a year old, with a chain in the ft rim - have it stolen from the COVERED employee parking lot - in view of cameras. Truck had the plates off & thieves never showed a face....

[Gizmo1137]

From a previously "hijacked" thread I asked the above question in regards to a hidden key on the bike. Just curious, as I leave my key in the ignition most of the time, does anyone have first hand knowledge of this happening?

Buying a 1999 model for way below list from your neighbor does not constitute stolen!

It seems to me that leaving the key in the ignition is asking for trouble. I lock everything.

[lnowell]

I used to lock mine all the time when I first got it. Now I seldom even take the key with me. I do lock up my riding gear if I don't feel comfortable where I stop - but that just depends. I am especially wary at dealerships.

I have offered to let H-D riding friends take test rides on my LT but they always decline because: it's too big, I ain't riding nothin I can't see the front tire on (my favorite), don't want to ride no Jap/German/Italian bike, ......... . Given it would take someone that either owned one or worked for a dealership that would feel comfortable riding one so I don't think it would be an impulse thing. And, other than parting one out - how are they going to get rid of it. Knowing how cheap BMW riders are, they would have to fight for every dollar for every part - and pay the shipping.

Wonder if the insurance companies would share their loss information with us regarding LT thefts?

[James_Texas]

I never leave my key in it, when Iam not on it.

[meese]

I want to trust people, but experience tells me otherwise.

We had our locked K100LT saddlebags and trunk broken into in Paris and our helmets and other stuff stolen. Dayle says the most terrifying thing she's done was riding back through Paris traffic at midnight with no helmets.

On the LT, I always kept a cable or chain behind the passenger seat with my cover. When traveling, it took only a minute to lock the helmets and jackets through the saddlebag handles (bags were usually full when on the road) then throw on the cover. That way, we could have lunch or do the tourist stuff at leisure and without carrying or worrying about anything.

I usually won't bother with the alarm, unless I'm parked overnight at some random motel.

Sure, most people are trustworthy and you may never have a problem. But then again, it only takes one jerk to ruin your whole day.

[SilverBuffalo]

I've never "heard" of an LT stolen,
but it seems leaving the key is an invitation for some moron to "try it out"

I don't think I'd want to tell the insurance company "I left the key in it"
they probably have some "fine print" regarding that.

I had a Harley stolen in Phoenix back in 1974, that changed my perspective "forever"
And then there was that time when I came out of a bar and somebody was trying to kickstart my HD (forks were locked, ignition wasn't)
He was dealt with appropriately....... lets just call it "frontier justice"

[cccpastorjack]

Never heard of a stolen LT, but leaving the key in the ignition could be considered negligence if the bike was stolen by a someone and crashed causing serious injury or death. Here in Charlotte, NC it is illegal to leave your car runnning with the keys in the ignition.

[cfell]

Where's my key? They stole my KEY and my BIKE!!!!

[jzeiler]

I have lost two bikes to thieves, they ain't gona get this one! I lock it but I have a spare key in a strategic place. Set the central locking and if it is a suspect area I also set the alarm (not that anyone pays attention to it when it goes off).

[grifscoots]

I've ridden one like it's stolen!:D

[Dick]

I have lost two bikes to thieves, they ain't gona get this one! I lock it but I have a spare key in a strategic place. Set the central locking and if it is a suspect area I also set the alarm (not that anyone pays attention to it when it goes off).
I'm not gonna make it easy for 'em, so at a motel or someplace away from home, I remove the key; lock the lockable thangs; put ole Toad in reverse; fit the EZ Touring Wanderer cover on and go to sleep. To me, this removes any doubt that I did what I can do, and Mr/Mrs insurance person can git on with gittin' on. No spare key on ole Toad - it's in my wallet. BTW - I haven't any first hand knowledge, nor anecdotal, that anyone I know has had their bike stolen. I used to maintain a link to a website that supposedly keeps up with that info - not sure how current they kept it tho. And obviously, I can't find it now!! :(

[OneShot]

Why give sub-humans a free pass to making your life more complicated and expensive? Maybe one of them will get hurt riding off with your bike a sue your a$$.

On base, I lock and alarm my bike everyday w/o exception.

At home, my bike stays locked and alarmed inside the garage so if someone messes with it while I'm not home, the alarm could alert a neighbor or scare off the perp. I do this with all my vehicles as well.

The keys to all the vehicles stay locked in the safe while not in use, so the piece of human excrement can't ride off with any of my vehicles. I really hate human excrements!

[dronning]

Never heard of a stolen LT, but leaving the key in the ignition could be considered negligence if the bike was stolen by a someone and crashed causing serious injury or death. Here in Charlotte, NC it is illegal to leave your car runnning with the keys in the ignition.

Very unfortunate but true the parents of some joy ridding thief may end up with most your assets if you leave the key in the ignition and the kid crashes or gets killed - it's your fault, because you enticed them to a life of crime.

Dave

[cfmpilot]

I doubt if the average bike thief could steal an LT, unless he had previous experience. The bike would be on it's side within 100 yards.

[Heracleitus]

Why give sub-humans a free pass to making your life more complicated and expensive? Maybe one of them will get hurt riding off with your bike a sue your a$$.

On base, I lock and alarm my bike everyday w/o exception.

At home, my bike stays locked and alarmed inside the garage so if someone messes with it while I'm not home, the alarm could alert a neighbor or scare off the perp. I do this with all my vehicles as well.

The keys to all the vehicles stay locked in the safe while not in use, so the piece of human excrement can't ride off with any of my vehicles. I really hate human excrements!

Knoxville must be a crime-ridden craphole, either that or you're paranoid. :)

. . . not that there is anything wrong with that. :)

[harrowbmw]

Greetings all

When I'm forced to stay overnight in an area less savoury than some, I select reverse and take the round selector with me. It's a very minor inconvenience to make things a little harder for those that would target the Bismarck.

Kindest regards to all.

Paul Harrington
AU
E: corcaigh@internode.on.net

[Buchnerb]

My standard stopping procedure is to lock the forks, put the key in the oddments box, put the GPS and helmet in the trunk and then lock and set the alarm with the key fob. I have a spare key attached to the key along with the GPS screwdriver.

On my 07 as far as I know you can't start it without the fob but I don't want anybody fooling around trying. They get frustrated and may damage something out of spite.

Bruce

[grifscoots]

Man. Y'all go thru a lot of work.

Get off bike. Stick Glock in waist band at small of back.

[UncleRock]

When ever I need parts for my bike, if I see a bike. I pull over and see if the key is in it, if not then I can just start it with a quarter :D
OH my fault, thats on HD's
Rock

[grifscoots]

When ever I need parts for my bike, if I see a bike. I pull over and see if the key is in it, if not then I can just start it with a quarter :D
OH my fault, thats on HD's
RockI've tried that and had a helluva time. I kept dropping one of the dimes.:eek:

[eljeffe]

I believe the only stolen LT story that has ever been shared in the history of this forum was a guy in North Carolina that had an entire garage full of collectable motorcycles stolen. I would assume the thieves were interested in the exotic bikes in the collection and the LT was taken because it was in with the rest.

[ibbones]

I leave my key in all the time, unless I'm overnight some where. When I stop for lunch, I take my jacket off and cover the tankbag, gps and key. I never lock my saddlebags or trunk either unless it's overnight somewhere, then I strip it!I'm about the same here. If I stop at a restaurant or to pay for my fuel, the helmet is sitting on the dash and I usually leave the key in it. Going in to a store or mall, I will put my helmet in the trunk and take the key with me but I usually do not lock it. At a motel, I lock it and press the alarm.

[ajs]

Been ridin' Beemers for 30 years. Never locked a one, never had one stolen either. One of the reasons I bought the first one is because someone told me no one ever steals a Beemer, it ain't shiny enough. :histerica For my latest, an '05 LT, I bought an attachment thingy for the back of the key that I attached a BMW roundel to that manages to disguise it quite nicely. Bike never locked, bags never locked, key in the ignition even when I travel to other parts of the continent. (I have been many places too) So far so good. Minimal hassle and I have a great time riding. I must say though, I have never ridden in Paris. Oh yes! I have never heard of one being stolen.

[OneShot]

In life, there are some people who are just begging for a wedgie :eek:

[DanDiver]

It just seems to me that it would be quite difficult to steal a K1200LT. I don't leave my helmet on the bike except for short stops and my bike is pretty stock. I would not leave the GPS out overnight but in general the key is always in it.

I think if someone really wanted my bike, they would not be driving it off. Probably try to load it on a truck. (I'd love to watch that!) I may be nieve, but as I stated in the original message, I haven't heard of a K1200LT stolen in the US and as others have said, why take it? There is not much of a market for parts and the community is quite small.

[UncleRock]

I would assume the thieves were interested in the exotic bikes in the collection and the LT was taken because it was in with the rest.
Thats what they wanted everyone to think, but the fact is (at least I like to think so because I now ride one) is that was all a cover story so they could get their hands on an LT :D
Rock
PS, WITH A GOOD FINAL DRIVE :histerica

[apk]

I am amazed, I would never consider leaving the key in, surely thats asking for trouble ? As someone said given the weight it would probably be on its side within 100yds, but would you really want that ?

Why put temptation in the way, don't be lazy remove the key, you know it makes sense !

[Seattle]

I have often times put my faith in society only to be let down eventually. After moving to Atlanta I had someone walk into my open garage on a Sunday afternoon and take my bikes while I was inside doing something else. I used to leave my doors unlocked in the house quite often but here lately I hear on the news about home invasions in nice neighborhoods in Atlanta.

My two cents is not to create opportunities for people to make stupid decisions with during a moment of weakness or you'll eventually be disappointed.

[grifscoots]

My two cents is not to create opportunities for people to make stupid decisions with during a moment of weakness or you'll eventually be disappointed.

I hear you! Last Saturday I had a tech session, so I left the gate to our land open. A Jehovah's Witness came onto our property and gave Dick a pamplet!!:eek:

[Offwego]

I hear you! Last Saturday I had a tech session, so I left the gate to our land open. A Jehovah's Witness came onto our property and gave Dick a pamplet!!:eek:

Did he convert them????:eek:

[Dick]

Did he convert them????:eek:
When I walked around to the front yard, I found 'em huddled at the front door. When I told 'em we were all 'round back, working on motorcycles, the oldest lady looked down her nose at me and asked "what kinda bikes would that be?" I sed, "no ma'am - not whatcher thinkin'. They're BMWs." She raised her eyebrows and said "Oh, they're very nice!!!" Then told me she wuz just handing out invitations to a revival event; "would I be interested?"

So, I signed Grif's name and took the flyer so's he'd have the address!! :stir:

[AlaskaFish]

When I walked around to the front yard, I found 'em huddled at the front door. When I told 'em we were all 'round back, working on motorcycles, the oldest lady looked down her nose at me and asked "what kinda bikes would that be?" I sed, "no ma'am - not whatcher thinkin'. They're BMWs." She raised her eyebrows and said "Oh, they're very nice!!!" Then told me she wuz just handing out invitations to a revival event; "would I be interested?"

So, I signed Grif's name and took the flyer so's he'd have the address!! :stir:
Good on ya Dick! Lookin out for your fellow Biker like that! Does Grif know how fortunate he is to have such friends?

John

[Dick]

Good on ya Dick! Lookin out for your fellow Biker like that! Does Grif know how fortunate he is to have such friends?

John
I dunno, John. He hasn't called to offer to come by, pick me up, and go to the revival with him. :rolleyes: :D

[grifscoots]

I dunno, John. He hasn't called to offer to come by, pick me up, and go to the revival with him. :rolleyes: :DThat's because I've arranged to have the revival sent to you. That's right! For one glorious week, at your house, there will be singing, praying, preaching, folks sweating in the yard. Tell Cheryl she better whip up a beeeeeeeg batch of them chocolate peanut butter thangs.

BTW, Sandy and Amy got home from the coast and you'da thought them gal's hadn't eaten in a week. They smoothe devastated that plate of peanut butter chocolate thangs..... and washed it down with Michelob Ultra :v:

[Dick]

That's because I've arranged to have the revival sent to you. That's right! For one glorious week, at your house, there will be singing, praying, preaching, folks sweating in the yard. Tell Cheryl she better whip up a beeeeeeeg batch of them chocolate peanut butter thangs.
Hey, we're used to that - right across the street is a Tarot card reader (must be 88 yrs old, minimum) and when she gits thru the seance mode, the front door flings open and she and her 'clients' commence to dancin' in the yard, chantin' and sweatin' and eatin' grass and some of 'em even doin' handstands. I wuz gonna have some tickets printed up and put a booth at the end of the street and make me a leetle spendin' cash --- butt dang, I noticed all the neighbors were fleein'; guess I'll charge an exit fee instead!!

BTW, Sandy and Amy got home from the coast and you'da thought them gal's hadn't eaten in a week. They smoothe devastated that plate of peanut butter chocolate thangs..... and washed it down with Michelob Ultra :v:
Unhhhh - them two got tastes 'bout like Cheryl - WEIRD!! Course, Cheryl would pass on them peanut better chocolate thangs, cuz she's never eaten a piece of chocolate, butt she might do damage to a Michelob; expecially if it said 'white zinfandel' on the bottle!! :rolleyes:

[DanDiver]

Hey, we're used to that - right across the street is a Tarot card reader (must be 88 yrs old, minimum) and when she gits thru the seance mode, the front door flings open and she and her 'clients' commence to dancin' in the yard, chantin' and sweatin' and eatin' grass and some of 'em even doin' handstands. I wuz gonna have some tickets printed up and put a booth at the end of the street and make me a leetle spendin' cash --- butt dang, I noticed all the neighbors were fleein'; guess I'll charge an exit fee instead!!


Unhhhh - them two got tastes 'bout like Cheryl - WEIRD!! Course, Cheryl would pass on them peanut better chocolate thangs, cuz she's never eaten a piece of chocolate, butt she might do damage to a Michelob; expecially if it said 'white zinfandel' on the bottle!! :rolleyes:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Guess I'll remove temptation and take the key with me.... probably forget which pocket it's stored in and have to use my "hidden" key that everyone knows about. At least I could ask this board where it is if I forget.

Off to the fish tank..........

[Bob204bc]

I usually take the key out but seldom lock it.

What would you do with a stolen LT. There isn't any parts market to speak of. We don't build our bikes like the custom crowd and we tend not to smash the body work like the crotch rocket bunch. Who would buy the parts?

Really, what kid would want to take the LT for a joy ride? It's too big and not nearly as visually appealing as a Ninja or a H-D.

I'm more concerned with someone knocking it over.

[Tat_n_Telle]

I usually take the key out but seldom lock it.

What would you do with a stolen LT. There isn't any parts market to speak of. We don't build our bikes like the custom crowd and we tend not to smash the body work like the crotch rocket bunch. Who would buy the parts?



Yeah, it's a good thing no one here on these forums has ever had to search eBay for a good used final drive, an ABS unit, mirrors.......

Having had my home broken into twice, a car stolen, and coming out of a store with a riding buddy to find some scumbag working the disc brake lock with a bottle of liquid nitrogen (we were told it wasn't nice to dump that on his privates) I always lock up when parked. Won't stop a pro if they really want your property, but it may slow them down enough to give you a shot at retaliation!

[bflemingor]

Anyone know how to flash the message "This bike will self distruct in 60 seconds (flash/flash/...)"?? Then you could leave the key in for fun... :histerica

[Offwego]

....... and coming out of a store with a riding buddy to find some scumbag working the disc brake lock with a bottle of liquid nitrogen ....

Someone was working on your LT disc lock with liquid nitrogen?

[midnitejaz]

At work (max-risk juvenile correctional facility) the key goes in the oddments box and everything locked... security policy -- inconvenient, but thats life

everywhere else, the key stays in the ignition.

Engine immobilizer and alarm is set to auto-activate and fob always in pocket... When parking, by the time I get off and stow away the helmet and gloves, I'll hear the activation tone as I'm walking away.

With the fob secure in pocket, immobilizer and alarm set, the KEY is worthless to a theif! Approaching the bike to get on, a simple press of the fob through the pants pocket unlocks, deactivates, and energizes all the appropriate funtions, ready for take off!

...just in case some idiot does steal the key, I also have a spare in hiding.

[355pilot]

In the UK if you leave the key in it you will not get a pay out. Neighbour in our small town left their 3 hour old BMW 5 Series outside the shops and it went. No pay out and not sure her husband was to pleased about it.

Guess he won't buy her such an expensive birthday present next year.

[maxposner]

I say go ahead leave the key in it, it's only Detroit, I'm sure it will all be here when we get back.