2014 899 Panigale is probably the nicest bike I've had, and looking to stay over a hotel for a day, parking bike in a public car park that belongs to the hotel (Usually stored my apartment garage). Was wondering how much more likely something like this bike would be messed with, than what I would park outside all the time like zx6r (Which I never had any issues with someone tipping it over, etc)? Or am I being too paranoid about it? Thinking about bringing a bike cover if I can shove it in my backpack. Located in Rotterdam
IMO, you are not being paranoid, it is always a concern for me whenever I park overnight away from home. That said, so far, our bikes have been where we left them the following morning. I always use a highly visible deterrent, a front brake/throttle lock and an Oxford Revolver cable lock to deter the casual thief. If they are organised and tooled up, I don’t think that there is anything you can do. Andy
Obviously there is a greater risk though I've parked my MV and Ducati in hotel car parks and not sweated too much about it. Having said that I do assess hotels for bike trips, in part, by their parking for the bike and generally stay out of big towns unless secure parking is available. Not a guarantee be some security buys a little more peace of mind; so a decent lock, and alarm and/or as you suggest a compact cover all help. As Andy says, if they're professional thieves then there's not much you can do. Though on a one night stay I would say that's less likely than somewhere you park regularly or for a few days.
Never had my bike hassled with in any hotel car park in France. Indeed the hoteliers have often gone out of their way to be helpful. But thats the French for you. Like bumpkin, we often choose a hotel based upon its parking.
I have parked my bikes several times at hotels and not had issues. I do lock it up and I do use a bike cover unless I can get it under cover or near the foyer. Second best is to park near the bedroom and have the window open ...but none were ever messed with. Overseas is even better, we had to leave our 4 bikes for 5 days in a public carpark behind a car hire place in Zeebrugge when one of 'em broke down on the way to the Sachsenring...none were touched when we got back
A while ago I parked my Fireblade (forgive me!) along with 15 other bikes in a hotel carpark just outside Pamplona. There was a wedding going on at the hotel. After dinner I strolled outside to find several of the wedding guests trying my bike for size. I was not best pleased. I suggested to them that they give me the keys to their cars so that I could try out their seats…
Crack on, chances are slim. I only leave my bike outside when touring west coast of Scotland and never had an issue, but then you wouldn't i bonny Scotland!! In NL (Hague) right now as it happens, and other than a propensity for ridiculous hairstyles (you guys still getting perms or is their some genetic mutation that needs removing) they're generally a decent bunch so think you have little to worry about. I'm here pretty regularly and rarely see new bikes, plenty old metal still charging around though
Lock it to something immovable with a huge chain you could mistake for one usually attached to an ocean liner anchor
I tend to have a chat to the reception staff. They will usually help by maybe letting you pop the bike in a more secure area if they have one. It takes up little room, so I've never been refused a better option than a car park if there is somewhere else available.
In some hotels that more secure area turns out to be the reception... bike friendly lot on the continent in the main
What you don't mention is where in the country you would be leaving your bike, if it was say in Manchester city centre I would strongly advise against it, if it was a small village in the middle of Scotland I wouldn't be so worried. To put this into context, I've left a bike in a car park in Inverness without issue, heck I even parked my bike in Groningen, Stuttgart, Andermatt, Florence, Mont Blanc overnight, sometimes on the street, sometimes in a car park without any issues. However, many years ago WSBK Assen a night in Amsterdam on the way back, 7 of us on bikes all chained together outside a hotel, next morning 2 were gone, new R1 and a 916.
It’s why I fitted an alarm. While it won’t stop a professional thief, an alarm should have some deterrent value against muppets.
