Helmet stolen - Majorly pissed off

[Kriswithak]

Finished work tonight and went out to my bike, which was parked in the shopping centre's parking complex.
Since I only do a few nights a week and there is nowhere secure inside to store a helmet I leave it locked on the bike, it would probably end up being used by a soccer ball in the staff room by younger staff otherwise (they aren't the brightest bunch).
Anyway, something immediately hit me as strange.... where was my helmet?
Could I have left the latch unlocked???
Nope there where the two helmet D rings, still securely locked onto the bike, someone had slit the strap and taken the helmet - now useless.

Apparently hoons had been there earlier doing stupid things like burnouts etc.
Anyway requested my boss report it to security and had to wait for the GF to bring me someone elses helmet for the ride home. Will check that security logged the issue tomorrow when I go to work, but now I don't really want to take the bike, despite the fact they didn't do any damage to it.
Extremely pissed off, I'm wondering whether someone took the helmet in the hopes I would leave the bike there for the night (so they could steal it) or if it was just an immature act by some $*@&% @&%@

Anyone ever had a similar experience? It really makes me consider getting an alarm for the bike.

It wasn't a super expensive helmet, although I paid about 350, so it wasn't cheap either, and now I need to replace it and its just wasted money.

I'm guessing you all can understand how angry and frustrated I feel . I'm wondering whether I should have had a heavy chain to put through the visor area to make sure this can't happen, or just tried to find somewhere safe for it at work, but its all pretty useless consideration at this point.

Anyway what do you think? Should I have kept the helmet somewhere safer? Gotten a bike alarm? Locked it with something more heavy duty? Or do these things just happen, or was I damn unlucky? Is it wrong to want to find someone and rip their balls off and then smash the crap out of their suped up car (I'm assuming the hoons where responsible)

 

[DaveOTZ]

I think you have every right to be full on hot!! I would probably be shouting things that would get me in trouble...
When it comes down to it Axxclowns are who they are and they will screw with your bike no matter your precautions. The helmet is the whole reason I got my Givi case but when it comes down to it I realize that my expensive lock still only holds down a 1/4 inch of plastic that is vulnerable to a razor.
I just got done with an assignment in a really bad part of the city and would find lights engine cutoff and blinkers always in some position I didnt leave them... I started wearing my noose chain over my shoulder and found it stopped, but if your dealing with lil punks that screw with people at a shopping center, they arent really gonna give a crap...

Yeah when it comes down to it... not your fault... but if they have lojack where you are it might be a good idea

 

[tweak89]

Unless I'm walking into a convenience store that I am parked right in front of I never leave my helmet on my bike for extended periods of time. The only way to ensure your helmet doesn't get messed with is to have it with you. Not always convenient, but it's better than coughing up $$$ to replace it.

Inside your place of business is more secure than anywhere outside. It sucks that someone took it, but it happens. Don't know what type of place you work at but I find i hard to believe there is no place there to put your helmet. Where do you stash the rest of you riding gear (assuming you wear any)?

Oddly enough, the only place I feel safe leaving gear on my bike is at a motorcycle rally. No one there messes with your stuff.

 

[Jb40k]

You should have another option on the poll 'F***ing Idiots!'.

Sounds like the kids were after a quick buzz and thought it funny to steal your lid. Does the building have any CCTV, or were any witnesses about? If I were you I'd report the theft to the police and try to claim it back on your insurance. Afterall, a crime has been committed!

 

[jsw4178]

Sorry for the loss of your helmet. As a police officer, I deal with this kind of @!#$% every day! If you can spare the money, I would recommend an alarm with a perimeter sensor. It won't stop them , but it will get attention. I have a Scorpio and it is extremely loud.:thumbup:

 

[Wolfman]

No matter what, I always take my helmet with me...unless I am at something where it is bike riding people exclusively...and even then I am a bit sus! Hence the alarm on my bike...

Sorry you have to deal with this....idiots ruining good people's days, really does suck!

 

[Tailgate]

I wonder if insurance comprehensive would even cover such a theft. Seeing that a helmet is required gear---as seat belts in a car---it SHOULD! I hope I never have to find out.

 

[Aleziel]

there are two helmet lock threads ative at this point and they are both about why you shouldnt put your primary helmet on the lock... it sucks that you had your helmet stolen but this thing happens all the time. it has happened to two of my friends.. and no... the helmet is not useless, you can re attach straps thats the whole point of the theft.

 

[Kriswithak]

I work at a cinema a few nights a week, and we have major issues in the staffroom with people stealing/damaging other peoples property, and unfortunately the management isn't willing to crack down on it or take responsibility. All the lockers are tiny and mainly broken, but I keep my bag with everything except my helmet there (jacket, gloves, pants, and boots). I have a lock for the locker, but its wayyyy too thin to fit a helmet in, and I'd need to store it inside something that would have to sit on the floor or on top of the lockers (which are about ceiling height, and the fall would kill a helmet)

I've been thinking about getting a lockable topbox too for this very reason, but its a big investment since normally the rack + box is about 700-900$ from what I've seen (for a hard case that locks onto the back - and the Yamaha one looks the best to my eye)

I know Wolfman mentioned in the past he had a pretty mean alarm on Damien 1.0 with a proximity alert, which definately sounds like it might come in handy (especially since I'm going back to study next year and will have to park at tafe) so I'll have to look into that as well.

I have to say I just can't understand the mentality, because from what I've heard once the straps are cut they can't be fixed, thats it for the helmet. I mean seriously its just stupidity there was no gain from it. I probably won't try and get it covered on motorcycle insurance though, since its so expensive to insure as an under 25 anyway, and claims won't help!

If I see my helmet sitting in someones car in the lot for the next few days :sinister:

 

[ozzieboy]

I'm very sorry to hear that. I sometimes go into shops where I can see my bike with the helmet on the bars, but will take it with me if i go somewhere.

Except at the hillclimb or other bike event where the people most likely to have a need of the item stolen are least likely to steal it.

I'd have to recommend the alarm Wolfman's got on his Black Bike ( i900?)....Perimiter, shock and tilt sensors with a remote that will tell you which ones are going off so you know how fast to get outside with your crossbow and hedge trimmers. They will even likely get your insurance premiums lowered.

http://www.morepowerracing.com.au/r...o-Motorcycle-Alarm-Systems/c-1-540-3355-3517/

Edit.....this link is for the i600...just a site randomly chosen....the i900 auto detects the remote when you are near the bike and will disarm it is I think the main real difference.

 

[Wolfman]

Re my alarm: Scorpio 900i...I got it cause I work in clubs, and sometimes need to leave my bike on the street...

My alarm has a proximity sensor, tilt, shock, ignition, and tamper sensor...all which have their own very loud alert as well as sending me a message to the units remote control ( providing I am within about 250 metres of the bike) which tells me which sensor was tripped...so if it us anything other than a proximity alert...I am off towards my bike in a flash!

No randoms sit on my bike anymore!

 

[Kriswithak]

I think I would be pretty close to staying within that range, since I park right outside the fire exit that leads into the cinema, and disc lock the bike, then chain it to the metal staircase leading out of the building.
On my last bike I had one of those tubular racks with a GIANT bag that clipped on, was great, could hold a jacket, helmet, boots and the lighter pants, or alternatively could hold a slab with room to spare.
The racks are so ugly though I can't do it to my FZ6 so I'm waiting for a Yamaha rack/topbox.

Just out of interest how hard is that alarm, i900, to install, and how long can it survive off the battery?

 

[Wolfman]

I think I would be pretty close to staying within that range, since I park right outside the fire exit that leads into the cinema, and disc lock the bike, then chain it to the metal staircase leading out of the building.
On my last bike I had one of those tubular racks with a GIANT bag that clipped on, was great, could hold a jacket, helmet, boots and the lighter pants, or alternatively could hold a slab with room to spare.
The racks are so ugly though I can't do it to my FZ6 so I'm waiting for a Yamaha rack/topbox.

Just out of interest how hard is that alarm, i900, to install, and how long can it survive off the battery?

Took me about an hour to install...after I worked out a seperate user induced electrical problem!!! ( was being a vague dj).

As for how long it can survive off the battery...dunno?

 

[Kriswithak]

Haha well your probably a bit better with the installation that I would be, but that sounds manageable!
Did you get yours imported? I'm seeing 600AUD, or anything from 300-440 USD advertised. I'd definately prefer to pay a bit extra to get the OEM wiring harness thingy, but it will be a while before I can afford it, if I can't convince the family to get it for Xmas for me
That being said I have to go find a good reasonably priced helmet next week

 

[Wolfman]

Haha well your probably a bit better with the installation that I would be, but that sounds manageable!
Did you get yours imported? I'm seeing 600AUD, or anything from 300-440 USD advertised. I'd definately prefer to pay a bit extra to get the OEM wiring harness thingy, but it will be a while before I can afford it, if I can't convince the family to get it for Xmas for me
That being said I have to go find a good reasonably priced helmet next week

The price your seeing is about right...I got the fz6 specific harness, but in hindsight, I don't reckon you need it...once you have actually read the installation instructions ( lol! Like we ever do that!) it is quite straight forward to install.

The 600i is a bit cheaper, but doesn't come with the handy little remote.

I admit it is a lot of coin...but I have a fairly hefty investment to protect...with my bike being nodded very bloody heavily!

Go with the Christmas present option I reckon!

 

[Kriswithak]

Yea the price difference between the two doesn't seem huge, but if its protecting my bike I'd rather spend a little more for the added features.
I mean personally I'd greatly prefer having some kind of high wattage tazer built in that zaps anyone who touches, without damaging the bike. But I can't see that happening

 

[Wolfman]

Yea the price difference between the two doesn't seem huge, but if its protecting my bike I'd rather spend a little more for the added features.
I mean personally I'd greatly prefer having some kind of high wattage tazer built in that zaps anyone who touches, without damaging the bike. But I can't see that happening

Fish hooks imbedded in the seat...when someone other than you sits on the bike....They pop up and shoot straight up the clakker! Ouch!

 

[Kriswithak]

Haha thats the point where you come running back to your bike looking dangerous and they have to tear themselves away before you get them ;p

 

[Jman]

Hey Kriswithak,

Was there any security cameras in the shopping center pointing towards your bike? Maybe there is some footage of the little jerk(s) taking your helmet.

 

[Wolfman]

Haha thats the point where you come running back to your bike looking dangerous and they have to tear themselves away before you get them ;p

Exactly!