Hey all!
Thanks for joining me on todays video.
In todays episode is a quick update on what happened to my 2024 BMW1250 GSA when i was in europe in July 2024 after the bike got stolen!
I hope this video helps you in some way if you are travelling around Europe and you can learn from my errors and keep your pride and joy safer.
Stay safe out there and keep those bikes locked up!
If you enjoy the videos please consider subscribing – it helps me a lot!
Thanks all,
Bike Like Mike
44 Comments
Two wheel dreamer had his stolen in Reims also. Is this a coincidence?
I use a Hiplock D1000. End of the day no lock will stop it. A new BMW is well worth the effort on their side. Maybe get a good GPS tracker that has alert function.
If you havnt already check out “Two wheeled dreamer” his GS was stolen in 5 mins taking his bags into an airbnb in Reims! Someone is bang at it in that city. 👍
Seems Reims is a place to avoid – at all costs – if you are on a UK motorcycle that appears to have any value. Two Wheeled Dreamer's GSA was stolen from a Reims suburb called Tinqueux – 2 miles SW from Bike Like Mike's location. Unless you have a bloody good chain & padlock with your bike immediately locked to something secure, plus a couple of disc locks at the very least, avoid French cities and large towns would be my advice.
You do understand that if you dial 112 you don’t get the local policestation on the phone?
Look at the Litelok X3, If you and a mate have one each and put it through the bike then each other, Good luck next time 🤞
This just happened on another bike channel. I think its called TwoWheeled Dreamer.
Same bike, same town!
Oh yes, someone already mentioned it below.
I just had my 1200 GS stolen outside an Aibbnb in South London. It was parked in an upmarket flat complex, not visible from the street. They partially cut through the disc lock just below my 3rd floor window then prized it open and rolled the bike away. I might have neglected to activate the steering lock which might have deterred them
The high-speed train lines in France were subject to coordinated attacks, probably by terrorists, it wasn't protesters..
I wonder how many coppers in Britain speak French.
Maybe adding a couple of air tags or similar, with the sounder disabled, to the bike might have helped.
The moral is avoid Reims if you're riding a BMW GS, or similar. If 2 Youtubers have had theirs nicked in the space of a few weeks, how many more are there that have gone?
You, speed, never!!!!
Sorry to hear about your Moto getting nicked. I hope all is sorted now.
All French cities are notorious for Moto theft. It's too easy to ship them out of the country. In Paris, I use a disk lock alarm and a chain. When touring in France and elsewhere, a cover as well.
Four blokes probably picked it up and stuck it in the back of a "Transit". Takes about 15-20 seconds. They'll probably have taken it to an underground garage so the tracker can't be activated, then disabled it. Your Moto is probably either in pieces or Eastern Europe now. 😪
For future reference, in France or touring in general, even in a parking garage, cover the Moto when it is parked (Yeah, it's a pain to pack a heat proof cover but, it's a bigger pain getting it nicked). You also need a Sold Secure Gold or Diamond (SRA is the certification in France) lock and chain. As soon as you park, put the chain through part of the frame and lock it to an immovable object (lamp post is good – fencing isn't as good as it can be cut with an angle grinder but, in a pinch, use it), and make sure the chain doesn't touch the ground (much more difficult to cut).
Reims is pronounced "Ranse" in French (rather like Bicester is pronounced "Bister" in English).
I've just arrived in the UK after riding my Australian registered GS around Europe since April. I'm more concerned here than I was in Europe. Seems one of the bikes from our container (GSA1250) just got nicked since arriving in the UK this week.
I used to believe that real joy was available only in owning bikes up to a value of £3,000. I’ve recently revised that to £5,000 in recognition of inflation over time. Less fuss and worry. Less cost & depreciation. More involvement & individuality.
So- no travel insurance in place? Seriously???
Reims, Calais and Paris is a cesspool. I did well travelling all over France, Switzerland and Belgium with no bike related problems. Then again I parked with a chain and lock wrapped round the rear wheel, an alarmed disc lock on the front, a shabby old cover and the bike alarm on.
Chained the rear wheel to a post or fence if possible and tried to park it between cars or in gaps between cars and pavements to make it an absolute pain to lift and shift into a van. Never left luggage on the bike.
I avoided nice open motorcycle or bike parking (guess where a bike thief might look for.bikes to nick?).
Greetings from N.I. thanks for the info and sorry to see your tour ruined. I NEVER in 25 years of touring anywhere stay in a B&B , Hotel without secure parking. I hear guys complaining about paying up to 30 euro to park it's not even the price of a meal for you and you wife , but your bike will be there in the morning. seen a guy parking his in Strasbourg on the street came out to see in knocked over pegs broke etc. It might be the cheapest best rated hotel if no secure parking I move on simple. Regards Robert & Carolyn.
Two Wheeled Dreamer has his 1200 GSA recently stolen in Tinquex, a suburb in Reims. He produced some very good videos documenting his experience. Another commented that he had his GSA stolen in Reims in 6/9/24 😮. A hot bed of thieving scums. Tip – don’t book hotel accommodation unless it has secure parking, underground if possible, and think carefully when booking an Airbnb less it has secure parking. Avoid overnight, even day parking if possible in an open air public parking location. 😊
France is on a parr with the UK and Italy for bike theft. I always use 2 locks minimum and try to book small family run type of hotels as they are usually very helpful with security and no what the local risks are. I have found eastern Europe to be far safer than our near neighbours in that respect and with the bonus that everything is so much more affordable as well.
I would say pull a relay or main fuse to disable it and take that with you, disable/remove battery. In some situations they maybe less interested if they can't start it!
Unfortunately the gs is the most stolen bike in France I used leave there
I’m Really sorry for you mate 😢
Another guy had his 1250 stolen in Reims recently. Day one of his first tour abroad with his son. Same thing, likely heaved into a van 😢
Need to get a bait bike and some concrete boots!
I added a comment to your initial video regarding the theft. After watching Two wheel dreamer have his bike stolen when I was myself in France touring on my BMW 2024RT I began thinking about my own circumstances. I ordered the monimoto tracker (£150) which is absolutely brilliant. On returning to the UK I hid it deep in my bike frame and every day it txt me to say it's armed. I also spent £300 on a Hiplock DX1000 (It took the guy from Bennett 4 cutting discs to get through it with a powered cutter). I have no affiliation with these products but I now feel reassured for my next trip to France.
My dad and I were staying the night at the Travelodge in Portsmouth right opposite the ferry port. Our bikes were in ‘secure parking’ and locked together with a cable lock. Thieves must’ve cut both cables and then lifted both bikes up and over a kerb into a different section of the car park not covered by cctv. We weren’t allowed to see the cctv however they told us that 4 figures could be seen around the bikes then lifting them. The hotel also failed to mention that they had a problem with bike thefts when we asked them the night before but remembered to let us know once the bikes had been taken.
Insurance said it doesn’t matter what you do to protect your bike, if the thieves see them and are determined enough, they will take them. They also said that higher end bikes like my dad’s multistrada V4s GT are mostly stolen-to-order similarly to high end cars.
A lot has been learnt and we will definitely stay clear of large towns and cities for overnight stays. It seems that there are endless vulnerabilities when staying in populated areas even down to hotel staff and I assume staff at the ports taking back handers. Having also been into our respective bike dealers to see if they can offer any advice, being told that motocross tracks are being offered big money by gangs for the list of riders names and addresses used for insurance purposes. So if you’re looking into motocross track weekends be aware when signing up and putting personal information. Obviously this doesn’t apply to all tracks and if you know the owners or the people that run the track then there shouldn’t be an issue.
It's strange how the authorities can't do anything regarding the bike theft although they have cameras everywhere.
Emergency number in 2024, in France of all places, and no one speaks English….wtf.
I feel for your situation. I did watch a vid by another YouTube guy who had his GS nicked on the first day of his tour with his son.
I did a Pyrenees tour on my MT10 in June. Luckily it didn't get nicked. My 10 is an old 2016 and to be honest I'm wondering if it's worth owning anything new/expensive/desirable??
It was nicked because it’s a poser bike, normally 45+ with the full pannier load out and only used to go to the local Starbucks. Never ridden off-road but full adv load out. No one needs anything over 950 on a tourer it’s only the dealers who convince you that if you need bigger old man balls you need a 1200+. Goodbye 12k+!
I stopped watching this when he said “everyone should speak English”. It’s an extremely arrogant and condescending comment. You are in a foreign country, do not expect them to speak your language. Stay in the UK if that’s your attitude.
This is the second gs stolen in france video.i have seen in recent weeks.. i must say i have done thousands of miles and only stay in hotels with secure parking… i did research before re thefts and gs's are the main bike stolen generally stripped for parts … im sorry you had the hassle it must have ruined the trip … i live the fact you make up excuses for speeding and on the video you are constantly driving over the speed limit lol … hope it all gets resolved
In the UK if you ring HMRC all you have to say is your country to be put through to an interpreter. Example, 'Polska'.
The UK Police probably have a similar system.
Everyone should be able to speak English. That is not an entitlement at all. This is why no one likes to help Brits abroad.
I think that’s incredibly arrogant to say that “everyone should speak English” and sort of understand the police attitude. I work in France a lot and speak the language but in the last few years since Brexit, I’m picking up on a lot of hostility towards Britain. There are a lot of French people that ask me why I’m there, as, “you don’t want to be in Europe, so why are you here?” They feel let down by us leaving.
I’m sorry this has happened not only to you but also the other guy this has happened too, no one deserves to have their bike stolen. I have a theory about the other guy as watching his channel a lot, he does pre-book a lot of his rooms and possibly mentioned he needed parking for two bikes.
The other thing for everyone to remember is to make sure your insurance covers repatriation in the case of motor theft, emergencies etc. I have since checked my Breakdown Insurance and I'm covered on repatriation there if the bike is stolen
Don’t let this put you off of France, it’s still a great country to visit and try and convince them we do want to be there in their country.
So sorry about this very sad news. I’ve a GSA 21 mysrlf. Did your GSA have a tracker?
Park where a van can’t reverse up to it, as well. Chain to a solid object or another bike,rail or a post. That said, I think 99.9% of bikes would have gone in your case. They probably followed you both, in prep.
Sickening to have your bike stolen even worse when your abroad and need to find a way back. I think people often think bike crime in the UK is terrible (it is of course) and you’re much safer in Europe but some of the figures for bike thefts in France Italy etc are shocking. I know it’s almost impossible to keep a bike completely safe but parking in a secure place is first. I lock the front with Litelok X3 and the back with a good disk lock so if it’s getting pinched it needs to be lifted. I will chain it to something if I can but there is a limit so I do always book somewhere based on their parking. Hope the insurance sort it and you get a decent payout.
My brand new GSA was stolen within a month of taking delivery last summer, from near Oxford St in London, on a busy Wednesday morning. Right outside Claridges.
It was fitted with a tracker and two quality disc locks – waste of time.
They are very popular bikes and now cost over of £20k so it’s obvious to see why they are popular with thieves. I’ve now gone back to a 2016 model costing half the money.. oh, and I use 3 Apple tags hidden on the bike.
It’s ridiculous that I can’t have a new bike. 🤬
not a great experience with a bike theft but at least no one was hurt mukka
우선 위로에 말씀 보냅니다..
어떻게 선진국이라고 말할수 있는 나라에서 이런일들이 생기는거죠.. 한국에서는 고가의 바이크를 집앞에 키를 꽂아놓은 상태여도 도난당할 일은 없습니다..
심지어 식당에서 핸드폰을 두고 화장실을 가는것은 생활화 되어있습니다..
이일과 별개로 17년도에 이탈리아 배낭여행 갔을때 아시시 에서 피렌체로 가는 기차안에서 캐리어를 통채로 도둑맞은적이 있습니다 잠금장치를 해놓지 않은 제 불찰이지만 경찰들도 해줄수 있는게 없다고 하더군요, 정말 유럽은 도덕적으로 수준이 낮은것 같습니다
If you are going to steal a motorcycle on the Continent I think the GS would be a good choice
don't spend a night in a big French city if you are riding a motorbike. if you do, then make sure you have a secure parking.