Parking in London

[lankyrider]

I've moved to north London and am looking to get a sub £1000 bike to escape on during the weekends.

Parking - it will go in a front garden that is sheltered by a hedge but is easy for anyone to get in to. I'll chain and disco it, ?vut it won't be locked to anything. My question is, what are people's recent experiences of parking in London.

Parking in London and adventure bike riding are not particularly compatible, but this is my go to forum!

[Scott_rider]

Which part of North London?

[92kk k100lt 193214]

For what it's worth get one that not everyone is trying to rob on you. It's one of the reasons I use a K100, cheap, its really good for long runs and to be honest not on the robbers' hit lists. Look at the K75 too, equally good.

[lankyrider]

Thanks for the replies guys. It's a Yamaha thundercat, 1998, (£900) and it'll be near Finsbury Park

[herman]

Make it look worthless I guess. Clear vinyl first then cover it in crud.

[AndyB]

If it's behind a hedge then chain it to the lowest part of the hedge. It's better than nothing and will probably make a bit of noise as any would be thief tries to untangle it. If you want to make it really awkward buy about 5m of 12mm diameter stainless cable, wrap it in and out of the hedge then lock the bike to that.

A determined thief will get it away no matter what you do but a casual one will try to wheel it away and soon give up if it's not easy to move.

[P4ulie]

No disrespect to your ride but a 98 Thundercat won't be on the professionals scouting list so should be safer than most (thumbs)

Never underestimate the invisibility power of a cover (cheaper the better), mine now has holes in it (where the wind dragged it about a mile down the road :dry: ) nobody goes near it, so far.

[SteveR]

If it's behind a hedge then chain it to the lowest part of the hedge. It's better than nothing and will probably make a bit of noise as any would be thief tries to untangle it. If you want to make it really awkward buy about 5m of 12mm diameter stainless cable, wrap it in and out of the hedge then lock the bike to that.

Love it! (thumbs)

[lankyrider]

Some very useful tips everyone - thanks a lot!

I'm hoping the thundercat is both fun enough to ride and undesirable enough to not be stolen.. hmm!

[Emf#53]

Would it be possible to dig a big hole in the garden where the bike will be, fill it will cement and then put a decent ground anchor in?