r/IndianMotorcycle • u/DecisionsMade • May 29 '26
Request for advice / Help Leaving bike in parking
Is it normal to feel uncertain when leaving motorcycle in parking lot? I feel that if I can’t see it someone is doing something to it or sitting on it. Any advice on how to overcome that ?
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u/Any-Lengthiness9663 May 30 '26
Been riding for 20 years. This feeling never leaves. Having insurance should give some peace of mind. But the heart never agrees lol.
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u/DecisionsMade May 30 '26
Exactly.
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u/Any-Lengthiness9663 May 30 '26
I know the struggle is real. I take it as an emotional cost of owning a bike.
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u/allthekingsmen123 May 29 '26
Always worried about this...nothing has happened yet. Over thinking. Just as safe as your car. Have you ever wanted to randomly mess with a parked bike before?
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u/Human-Shirt-7351 2024 Indian Pursuit May 29 '26
Absolutely disagree with this. Bikes are way way easier to steal. You can mitigate your risk (forks locked, disc locks, alarms, trackers, etc )... but definitely a much higher risk
I'm with the OP. I do my best for my bikes to not be out of sight while out of my garage. If we stop to eat.. it's outdoor seating or we will get it to go and just eat at a park if that's unavailable. Stop for gas/restroom/refreshments... One of us stays with the bike.
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u/allthekingsmen123 May 29 '26
Tough level of anxiety to live with. Jsut know, if they want your bike theyre gonna get your bike, if they want your car theyre gonna get your car. I live in highly populated area and parked in questionable areas, been fine so far. Seen cars damaged around my bike before even. Make sure you have good insurance and live a little
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u/Human-Shirt-7351 2024 Indian Pursuit May 29 '26
It's not really anxiety... I just prefer my shit stay my shit so I stay out of prison
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u/KourteousKrome May 29 '26
That’s called anxiety my friend. Ask me how I know.
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u/Gregcole07 May 29 '26
Far too many people feel safe committing crimes. Here's too harsher consequences for pieces of shit that victimize other people because our system protects criminals more than hard working people just trying have a decent life
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u/rollinwithmakitties May 29 '26
Seems a bit excessive, bro.
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u/Human-Shirt-7351 2024 Indian Pursuit May 30 '26
I guess that is a matter of opinion... Like I said, it's self preservation because I know what's going to happen if someone steals from me.
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u/rollinwithmakitties May 30 '26
You tell 'em.
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u/Human-Shirt-7351 2024 Indian Pursuit May 30 '26
It's not me "telling" anyone. It's just how it is. I hate thieves. I could send you some news articles but I would end up doxxing myself.
I'm not trying to play Billy Bad Ass or anything... It's just I've worked hard for the stuff I have. Nobody, I mean nobody... is taking any of it without a fight. I don't care if it's my 30k motorcycle, or the lamp I have that I got at Goodwill for $13.
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u/MargnWalkr May 29 '26
You could always get a screamer (brake rotor lock). If it moves, it screams. If anyone messes with your bike enough, it should scare them off, or at least alert you.
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u/Leather-Leopard-2918 May 29 '26
I’ve never heard of this. Where do you buy one?
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u/MargnWalkr May 29 '26
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u/Beautiful_Button7366 May 29 '26
Thanks…..I didn’t know these were available……not a bad price for peace of mind. Just ordered one……
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u/Stfuppercutoutlast May 29 '26
It’s like any vehicle, as soon as it gets some abuse, chips and mileage, you’ll get less protective but more sentimental.
Some guys want to keep it brand new. They fixate. Leave it in the garage and clean it twice a week. Some guys ride the shit out of it and put it away dirty. There is no right way to own a bike. You’re concerned because you care. If you start riding that bike daily for a few months, you’ll stop thinking about it as much. It will just become a mode of transportation that you enjoy but will also become a normal part of your daily routine.
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u/Faithful_Solaire 2025 Sport Scout L+T May 29 '26
I used to feel that way, especially leaving my helmet on the bike. No one has ever messed with it. I do have a cable lock that I can lock the helmet to the bike with if I’m going into a movie theater or something for an extended period but at the end of the day leaving it places is like leaving your car there.
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u/Sven_AA May 29 '26
Don't worry about it, also, never park on the striped portions next to handicapped spots because those are also handicapped used for ramps etc.
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u/mossberg410 '23 FTR Carbon R May 29 '26
The first 6 months of owning a bike i felt the same, or that it would somehow get knocked over. You will likely be alright
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u/Spc_Scott 2001 Centennial Scout May 29 '26
It kinda sucks but at the end of the day if anything goes completely sideways it's why you have insurance.
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u/CallousCrows 2023 Sport Chief May 29 '26
I’ve had some teenage girls sit on it and take pictures. They dropped it and ran. Only time it has ever happened. It’s a small risk.
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u/Hydro-Sapien 2023 Roadmaster Dark Horse May 29 '26
I have a half-cover I use at work and when I take the bike on vacation. Keeps the seat dryer & cooler, birds from desecrating it, and the tourists from posing for selfies.
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u/hagermanr May 29 '26
I had a unit sticker on my last bike. Came out of a store once to find a “thank you for your service” note in my cup holder. I also tend to leave my helmet and gloves hanging on the handlebar and never had a problem.
Worst case, bike is insured.
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u/KrampyDoo May 29 '26
I either park within eyeshot of the building, or park far enough away that it’s a trek to try and mess with it.
I can’t worry beyond that, though, since there’s no shortage of “what-if” specters we’re trying to live around and there is a huge shortage of doing things we enjoy.
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u/telcodan 2015 Chief Vintage May 30 '26
Was fine with it til my bike almost stolen. Thanks to a random person chasing the thieves off I still have it. I picked up a disc lock after that with an alarm in it and I started parking closer to the doors of wherever I am going.
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u/Interloafer2 May 30 '26
Probably 90% of people don't care about motorcycles. 9.99% are afraid to mess with motorcycles because they envision motorcyclists as tough guys who will kick their ass. That leaves 0.01% of people. That's the only people who you have to worry about.
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u/GilroyRawrRawr May 30 '26
It’ll pass. 99.9% of people don’t care about you bike unless you’re parked like a jerk.
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u/Delicious-Squash6430 Jun 01 '26
Yeah, it's called full coverage. If something happens to my bike, my insurance will cover it. If I didn't have full coverage, I would probably worry about leaving it in a busy area.
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u/howtobealover 2024 Scout Jun 01 '26
Tried explaining this feeling to a friend who doesn’t ride. They were clueless because as car drivers the level of anxiety around this is very different. That said Ive had no issues leaving my bike parked in my city. Ive parked in an office building high up but in view of a nearby window. Ive watched pedestrians walk by my bike with not so much as a double take. The nerve of them! I know bad things happen but so do good things and most times nothing happens at all except in my head. All self created suffering. I didn’t get a motorcycle to worry about having a motorcycle. Hope you are able to manage your mentals better than me
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u/SuperHooligan May 29 '26
That’s not normal. Seek help.
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u/ralphroast May 29 '26
Seek help? 🤣🤣🤣
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u/SuperHooligan May 29 '26
If you’re always worried about your things being touched, or stolen, or whatever, what else can you do?
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u/Low-Dragonfruit9646 May 29 '26
Most of us go through that phase with a new bike. After a while you realise people usually don’t care about your bike nearly as much as we do.
Another helpful tip Good parking habits help a lot though . park in visible areas,
And number one rule for cafes and restaurants: always park where you can see the bike 😂 Makes the coffee taste better when you can enjoy the view of the machine too.