Two wheels and tracking

Tracker's full-scale move into the motorbike sector will no doubt bring a massive sigh of relief to motorbike insurers.

While the company that has recovered a colossal £300m worth of stolen vehicles since its inception in 1993 has inadvertedly (and successfully) dipped its toes into the biking arena over the years, it is true to say October 2005 witnessed its total commitment to help motorbike enthusiasts - not too mention insurers - turn the screws on bike thieves.

Tracker's transition to the two-wheeled sector has been a natural progression from casting its long shadow over cars, lorries and plant since 1993.

In essence, it has been a case of meeting the demands set by its legion of loyal customers, who will not hit the road, or operate a business, without having a Tracker fitted to their treasured possession.

Greg Tucker, national motorbike sales manager for Tracker Network, said: "In developing our motorbike product we have listened to those in the market, from bikers themselves to distributors and technicians. The units we use today are far smaller than our previous systems which, in turn, make them far easier to conceal.

"Also, we took on board previous criticisms over pricing and so we reduced the cost of our units dramatically to bring them in-line with your average motorbike alarm system."

Motorbike insurer Equity Red Star, Access Underwriting, Chaucer, ebike Insurance, Groupama, NIG and Zenith are now encouraging motorbike owners to equip their steeds with a Tracker.

Offering an olive branch premium discount of, on average 10%, for Tracker users has to be a right move, especially if it could well prevent an insurance payout. Insurer NFU Mutual believes in the system to such a degree it offers up to 20% discounts on premiums and has scrapped its £500 excess for all quad bike owners.

David Grant, head of sales and marketing for Equity Group, said: "Equity Red Star recognises the efficiency of Tracker's tried and tested system and as such we offer premium discounts of up to 10% to encourage bikers to use Tracker to safeguard their machines and help in the quest against vehicle crime."

Tracker's motorbike Stolen Vehicle Recovery (SVR) system uses VHF frequency to guide police to a stolen machine. Once activated - and in the case of Tracker Monitor, that's automatic - officers are led directly to the transmitter. The system is so accurate and efficient, it will lead officers to a Tracker hidden in a moving van or encased in a lock-up or container unit.

After twice falling foul to bike thieves, passionate biker James Callaghan turned to Tracker as a last chance saloon to keep his brand new Kawasaki in safe hands.

Little over a month after being handed the keys to his bike, thieves struck. Fortunately for James his prized "Ninja" was returned by police within four hours of being taken and one thief was behind bars.

"I made every security measure possible to protect my two previous bikes," said James, "so when I bought the Ninja I opted for Tracker, little was I to know that it would be tested within a month."

He added: "I was completely taken aback when, on reporting the theft I was immediately told my bike was on the move. While I was obviously anxious, I was comforted by the fact that it was being 'tracked' so I let Tracker and the police do their jobs. The bike was returned within four hours, and I couldn't have asked for more."

In every instant James says all three machines were "totally" secure by heavy duty chains and sophisticated alarm systems.

The theft of his Kawasaki ZX10 reiterates the brazen attitude motorbike thieves have towards motorbike owners.

Secured with a heavy duty chain to a concrete post, in broad daylight and under the watchful eye of congestion charge security cameras within the heart of London, and only yards away from where James was working, he quite rightly, believed his Ninja was "safe as houses".

However, as the security cameras recorded, the thieves lifted the motorbike and chain off the post and straight into the back of an awaiting van.

Fortunately for James, his Kawasaki was equipped with Tracker and it was swiftly returned unscathed.

Another customer had his Ducati sportsbike stolen twice within six weeks.

Again, on both occasions his bike was bundled into the back of a van which was instantly tracked - while in transit - by the police.

Ironically, the owner witnessed the second theft from his third floor flat and, totally helpless to prevent it, sat back and watched as the thieves drove away with his motorbike comforted by the fact the police and Tracker would again combine to trace it.