Korean Job Discussion Forums

TheKudzuConnection · Joined: 27 Jun 2008

Hey guys,

I recently bought a really sweet 2005 CB400SS and I'm kind of paranoid about the possibility of someone else thinking it's as sweet as I think it is and taking it from me. I know one guy in town has had four bikes stolen. My new bike has Honda's HISS system, which, based on what I've read, virtually eliminates the threat of ride-away theft but I know that back home a lot of bikes are stolen by lifting them up and hauling them into vans. Does anyone know how common lift-away theft is in Korea?

thekingofdisco · Joined: 29 Oct 2004

Not so common, but you can't be too careful... Lock it up to something solid if possible, and in a proper garage would be best obviously.

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

My 125cc Daelim was taken like this, I assume. Don't park in an area easy for a truck to drive up to and lift it away. I was near a subway corner.

crazy_arcade · Joined: 05 Nov 2006

always park on the sidewalk side as opposed to the street side and behind a small fence/barrier if possible. Always lock it - even though most locks suck...it's enough to defer would be thefts towards the bikes that aren't locked.

Also, the majority of stolen bikes are ride away thefts by, most likely, high school students.

I'd say Korea is pretty safe for bikes....I left my Honda with the keys in it (by accident) parked in the middle of Hongdae for 5 hours and it was still there.

TheKudzuConnection · Joined: 27 Jun 2008

Cool, thanks guys. I've been trying to decide if I should invest in a super heavy duty, super expensive bolt-cutter-proof chain that I've read about called the Protector. I guess if there's much chance at all of someone lifting away my bike I ought to shell out for the chain. I love my bike.

cdninkorea · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

Sector7G · Joined: 24 May 2008

On the topic of motorcycles, do you guys plan on riding much in the winter months??

Also, do you think I would get a better deal on a used bike during the winter months, as opposed to waiting until spring? I really doubt I would ride it much until then, but a substantial savings might make it worth it to buy now.

allovertheplace · Joined: 02 Aug 2009

I had my biike locked outside my apartment, came outside and a different lock was on it. Made me angry but then I just lost respect for korean thieves. So I cut that lock on, replaced it and it was fine. The bigger problem I had was that people could constantly mess with it. Came outside one day and it was missing a mirror, the right peg was snapped off, and it was shoved into another car so I actually had the cops called on me for hitting the guys car. That blew over though and the guy whos care it was wanted me to give him english lessons in exchange for the damage. Weird country.
So my advice, dont buy one unless you have a good place to park it. I didnt which is why it was messed with.

yingwenlaoshi · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Location: ... location, location!

Underwaterbob · Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Location: In Cognito

pjmancktelow · Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Location: Seoul

in my old place i used to have hs kids mess with my 650 comet. i had a few 'words' but it still happened sometimes. one of the best theft deterrants is a cover. it takes a few mins to put on of course but then it also takes a few mins to take off. it stops oppertunist thieves from grabbing it as they will not be sure whats underneath. it comes with the added benefit that in winter it will keep the bike a little warmer and make it easier to start. but what was also said about a chain is also right.

andrewchon · Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 4:22 pm Post subject:

I plan on riding during the winter.

pjmancktelow · Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Location: Seoul

winters not that cold. just get a good jacket and gloves or those mitt things on the bars. i rode back home in the UK all year and i think that was worse. dont get me wrong, i dont go for fun rides, but i commute to work and the shops etc. its not too bad really.

allovertheplace · Joined: 02 Aug 2009

earthbound14 · Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Location: seoul

I've never had a bike stolen, but I also have had my bike messed with a lot. Drives me nuts.

I had some pissed off old Adjeoshi key my bike...can only assume it was bcause its a Jap bike.

A grouchy old fart across from my house slashed the tires on my car because he thought my bike was too loud.

My seat was ripped off in Gyeongju.

Usually most people just move it and touch things....they keep opening the choke, flicking switches, messing with mirrors.

Someone knocked it over once and left it there...they had tried to move it, got fed up and just dropped it....fookin arse. I do my best to park my bike out of the way so no one needs to drive near it or move it...but someone always seems to think they need to park there or move it....cause they have a car and it's just a bike. Even if my bike is worth more than their little shite box.

Recently someone seems to have decided they have a grudge against my bike. I can only assume what for, but I find my front tire low on air. I've had the thing checked a number of times, check it every day, yet every so often I get on to find it flat....if I catch this little f@%ktard I'm going to kick his a$$.

This kind of crap gets on my nerves. Its worse in bad areas of town if the bike is outside, but still happens from time to time in my parking garage. I think Koreans have a relatively low opinion of motorcycles.

Keep a disc lock on the bike, a heavy chain on the rear wheel and a cover on it and you'll reduce the amount people who mess with it. Also park out of the way where people have no damned reason to touch your bike.

Lift away theft is not terribly common though, most places are too crowded with people to make driving around with a truck and a lift all that easy.