With more scooters and bikes going missing every year, it is proving essential to find ways in which to protect your bike by any means possible from theft.

Fortunately, vehicle tracking tools are available to help deter thieves from attempting to steal your pride and joy, with the bonus that this can also help identify and recover your vehicle if stolen. You might also be surprised by how affordable this can be!

In this blog, we are going to be looking at some of the best motorcycle security options available in the UK including GPS trackers, Datatag, and Datatool security systems.

So without further ado, let’s get into it - shall we?

According to the Metropolitan Police, the best way to secure your bike is by putting a chain through the back wheel and securing your bike to an immovable object such as a lamppost or a ground anchor.

However, it is important to note that bike security doesn’t have to stop there. There are plenty of other affordable ways we can go the extra step to keep your motorcycle or scooter secure, including:

• Parking your bike in a locked garage or shed overnight
• Installing trackers or DataTags to your bike
• Use a cover when parking it up
• Invest in Sold Security diamond-grade chains and locks

In the fateful event that your bike gets stolen, there are plenty of ways to increase the chance of it being recovered and returned home safely to you…

Typically, motorcycle trackers use a vibration detector to sense whether your motorcycle or scooter has been started and when moving, making it quick to alert you when your bike has been tampered with.

Using the GPS coordinates online or via an app, you can see the exact location of your bike in real-time.

Installing a tracker onto your two-wheeler comes with a variety of benefits such as:

• Contains a security alarm system
• It shows your motorcycle's exact location
• Helps you report an accident quickly
• Can help you save money on your insurance

There is no right or wrong answer as to which tracker you should use on your bike, however, there are a few recognised by insurance companies that can help to bring down your insurance premium.

Examples of great motorcycle and scooter trackers include:

• Monimoto 7
• BikeTrac Motorcycle Tracker
• Datatool Stealth
• Dguard Multi-Functional Tracker

When it comes to GPS loggers, these tend to be the simplest of the two GPS systems, purely acting as a recorder. This means that they will log all movements that your motorcycle or scooter will make, however, to retrieve this information you would need to have the GPS logger back in your possession to retrieve the data.

On the other hand, real-time GPS trackers (as the name suggests) will send live data to your computer or phone so you know exactly where your bike is at all times. GPS trackers also tend to be a little more expensive, so whichever you choose will depend on both your personal preference and your budget.

Some of the best motorcycle trackers on the market will require you to pay a monthly subscription that covers the cost of the secure operation centre (SOC) which monitors your bike around the clock.

System operators may find out that your bike has been stolen before you do, so they will always call to confirm if they suspect any suspicious activity is going on. If this is the case, the operators will then begin to liaise with the police and try to recover your motorcycle or scooter as soon as possible.

As we mentioned earlier, motorcycle trackers can be a little more expensive in comparison to GPS loggers, so whichever would be best suited for you will depend on your budget.

Trackers can range from anywhere between £116 for the Monimoto 7 and £300 for the BikeTrac Motorcycle security tracker at the time of writing. However these are just two examples on the market right now, and there will be one that can suit your lifestyle and budget appropriately.

Datatag utilises a variety of methods that will permanently mark your motorbike, making it easily identifiable to the police in the event that it is stolen. Datatag considers their product to be multi-layered - and if we are honest, it is hard to disagree.

The Datatag motorcycle pack for instance includes:

• UV Etch - a unique code permanently etched into parts of the bike.
• Datadots - The dots can be applied to any surface of the bike.
• Forensic DNA - A unique invisible DNA solution, which is linked to the Datatag database accessible 24/7 to the police forces.
• Glass and Flat Transponders - containing unique code programmed into their circuit, both of these cannot be altered or deleted. To give you a sense of scale the glass transponder is roughly the size of a grain of rice!

And lastly, of course, the deterrent itself the warning labels, which lets the would-be thieves know the high risk of the motorcycle being traced should they be daring enough to steal it.

Datatool has a vast collection of security products available, however, for this comparison, we shall be looking at the Datatool DNA product - which, as you might have guessed by the DNA name, works in a similar fashion to Datatag.

Using the invisible microdot system, Datatool DNA allows users to place unique coded microdots in numerous places on their bikes. This means if your bike has been stolen and police manage to recover it, they can scan the system for the code and return it to its rightful owners.

Like Datatag, Datatool also has its own database which is shared with police forces throughout the UK. However, unlike the Datatag product, Datatool DNA is a bit simpler and consists of microdots and warning labels (it does not include the transponders for instance).

When deciding on which security marking system is best for you, will depend on your personal preferences.

It is always best practice to think about what will work best for you depending on a variety of factors such as price range, looks, and where you park your motorcycle or scooter.

All in all, Datatag is a more comprehensive product with more elements to its arsenal, but that doesn’t rule out Datatool which still offers a great product at an affordable price.

Typically you can pick up the Datatag Motorcycle Kit for £89.99 via their website. However, if you head over to everyone’s favourite American bookseller Amazon, you can pick up for a tenner cheaper at £79.99!

On the other hand, if you wish to put the Datatag kit on your scooter, you’ll be pleased to know this kit can be picked up for £59.99 directly via their website or £69.99 from Amazon.

When it comes to the Datatool DNA Kit, you will be able to pick one of these up for £39.99 directly via their website or through Amazon for £39.95 if you wish to utilise your Prime next-day delivery!

For those out there who prefer their bike to look untouched and perfect, the data tag warning sticker needing to be placed in a visible location may come as a hard pill to swallow. However this sticker isn’t to ruin the aesthetic of your scoot, instead, it is there to act as a deterrent and a warning to potential thieves.

Yes, whilst it may look a little garish and out of place, it is essential to place it somewhere people can easily spot it. Popular placements include; the frame, headstock, yokes, and fuel tank.

First things first, it is good practice to clean the surfaces of your bike before applying any of the data tag security items.

Application of the Datatag datadots is simply done by using the datatag dot applicator to place/brush the dots onto various important components on your bike including the suspension, engine, and any other parts you deem necessary - just make sure to place the dots in discrete areas that are not prone to normal wear and tear!

Installing the RFID transponders can be done easily using the needle tool that is provided. It is recommended that the transponders be placed very carefully within the seating area or the wiring loom.

You can quickly and easily place the UV Etch in a few simple steps.

Remember, it takes just one to get a result and indeed Datatag has made a major impact on reducing theft, and the Crown Prosecution Service has a 100% successful prosecution rate when evidence has been supplied by Datatag:

• Carefully place the UV stencils sticker on places of the motorcycle such as the tank and bodywork as well as having at least one somewhere hidden externally.
• When you have positioned the stencils nicely, paint over the stencil stickers with the etching fluid using the etching fluid applicator. 
• Allow to dry for a minute or two before removing the stencil and then wipe over with a clean cloth.
• Once this is done, the etch can be checked over with a UV light.

*Important: Be sure to follow the latest instructions with your product for up-to-date installation guidance.

Similar to the Datatag kit, you will want to give your motorbike or scoot a wipe-down before you start applying any of the Datatool kit components.

After this, begin painting on the dots as well as the forensic DNA by using the brush supplied on the desired areas of your bike - making sure that both the dots and the adhesive are applied sparingly.

Once your dots have been installed, you can then add the warning label on the outside of your bike in a visible location and then the tamper-evident warning label under your seat or in a non-prominent location. Once these have been attached, then you’re done!

It is recommended that you attach these dots to areas such as under the seat, the wheels, trim and fairings, the dashboard, or even on the electrical components.

It is however worth noting that Datatool themselves advise not to place the dots anywhere near areas that get hot such as the exhaust or the cylinders.

Once you have installed your Datatag you will need to register it. This means that if you ever find yourself in the position where your bike has been stolen when reporting this to the police you can inform them that it is data tagged.

The Datatag will stay with the scooter for as long as it exists and can be transferred to a new owner if you wish to sell your bike for a very small fee.

According to the Motorcycle Crime Reduction Group (MCRG), over 24,704 motorcycles and scooters were stolen in 2022. Whilst 14,496 of these two-wheelers were never recovered, 10,208 of the stolen bikes were recovered.

While you may not recover your bike in all cases, there is a possibility that you will be able to recover your two-wheeler in one piece. DataTag has reported that since the introduction of the brand in 1992 they have protected over 500,000 motorcycles and theft rates are less than one-tenth of the rate it was beforehand.

Typically, you will be given the option to have the vehicle repaired, or your insurer will retain the salvage and pay you out for the vehicle, provided you have the correct level of cover.

A general rule of insurance is that if you have to claim off your policy then you will typically be subject to a load in the premium for sequential years thereafter.

Using an officially-recognised security device, such as a Tracker, can lower your premium. This depends on each insurer, and the discount can vary between each provider.

So there you have it, here is our complete guide on everything motorcycle and scooter trackers!

Last but not least, another way in which you can look after your scooter or motorcycle is by having the correct insurance. If you need insurance for your motorcycle or scooter, make sure to get a Scooter or Motorcycle Insurance quote direct with Lexham!