YOUR CAR
CAN BE STOLEN
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How to choose the best motorcycle GPS tracker for a UK bike
LockCAR designs and makes vehicle security in the UK, and riders often ask us which tracker to buy. Bikes are stolen differently from cars, so this guide covers what a good motorcycle tracker must do, what to avoid, and how an immobiliser and physical locks fill the gaps.
- Rider’s tracker checklist
- 12 V TAG immobiliser
- No subscription on immobilisers
How motorcycles are usually stolen
A car thief needs the engine to run. A bike thief often does not, and that changes what a tracker has to do.
- Lifted into a van
- Two people can lift most bikes into a van very quickly. The engine never starts, so ignition security does nothing.
- Wheeled away
- A bike left without a disc lock can be rolled round the corner and loaded out of sight.
- Started with a relayed key
- Premium bikes with keyless ignition can be relayed in the same way as keyless cars.
- Taken apart quickly
- Bikes are often broken for parts, so the first hours after a theft matter most.
What to look for in a bike tracker
The best tracker for a motorcycle is the one that tells you the bike is moving while it is still close by.
Look for
- An alert when the bike moves, even with the engine off
- Live 4G location you can share with the police
- A unit hidden under the bodywork, not on show
- Wiring to the bike’s 12 V battery, so there is nothing to recharge
- Sealed against rain, spray and pressure washing
- Safe zones that warn you when the bike leaves home
Avoid relying on
- Battery trackers you forget to charge over winter
- Item finders that only work near other people’s phones
- Bright, obvious units that can be ripped off in seconds
- A tracker alone, with nothing to stop the bike being ridden
If you are weighing up a phone-network item finder, read our comparison of a GPS tracker vs an AirTag, and see how geofences and safe zones work.
Build your bike security in layers
- Slow them downA disc lock with an alarm and a ground anchor with a heavy chain make lifting the bike far harder.
- Keep it out of sightA plain cover at home stops the bike being picked out from the street.
- Stop the engineAn immobiliser means a relayed key or a hot-wire attempt still leaves the bike dead.
- Know when it movesA tracker tells you the moment the bike goes, so you can act while it is near.
What LockCAR can fit to a motorcycle
LockCAR immobilisers work on 12 V and 24 V vehicles, so our fob (TAG) immobiliser suits many motorcycles and scooters. Keep the small TAG in your jacket and the bike disarms as you get on. The kit is £139, or £249 fitted by a LockCAR approved installer, with no subscription.
On a keyless bike the TAG matters even more. A relay box can make the bike think its own key is nearby, but it cannot produce your LockCAR TAG, so the engine stays off and the thief has to lift the bike instead, which is slower and draws attention.
Our GPS trackers are built into the 4G dashcam systems we designed for cars and vans. Tell us your bike’s make and model and we will tell you honestly whether a LockCAR tracker or immobiliser fits it.
Ask about your bike
Send the make, model and year on WhatsApp. We check what fits and arrange fitting at home, at work or at an installation centre.
Fit the TAG immobiliser
No TAG, no start. Ideal for keyless bikes and for riders who want the engine blocked as well as tracked.
Questions riders ask about trackers
Will a GPS tracker stop my motorcycle being stolen?
No. A tracker helps you find the bike and warns you when it moves. Locks slow a thief down and an immobiliser stops the engine, so the best protection uses all three.
Does a hardwired tracker drain the bike battery?
Any hardwired device draws a small current. If the bike is laid up for weeks, keep the battery on a trickle charger, as you would anyway.
Is an AirTag good enough for a motorcycle?
An item finder can help, but it relies on nearby phones and gives no alert the moment the bike moves. A proper tracker with movement alerts is more useful for theft.
Does a LockCAR immobiliser work on a 12 V bike?
Yes, LockCAR immobilisers work on 12 V and 24 V vehicles. Send us your bike’s details so we can confirm the fitting before you book.
Can a tracker go on a scooter or moped?
Many scooters run a 12 V system and have room under the panels. Tell us the model and we will say what fits.
Where should a tracker be hidden on a motorcycle?
Somewhere out of sight and away from the obvious spots, such as deep under the seat or behind side panels. Do not tell anyone where it is, and do not advertise it with stickers.
Does a motorcycle tracker need a SIM card?
A tracker that reports live over 4G needs a mobile connection. Our guide on whether you need a SIM card for a GPS tracker explains the options.
Written by the LockCAR engineering team. We design and build our immobilisers, GPS trackers and 4G dashcams in the UK and fit them through our approved installers. Meet the engineers. Last updated .
