On Wednesday I was kicked and then 'keyjacked' in Berkeley Gardens, W9 by two lads on a scooter. I was riding a scooter myself and of course the second the key left the ignition it was dead so I had to just watch them ride away, unable to give chase.
They've been know for over a year and are untouchable on a bike, legally and logistically.
Phones are another favourite.
Be aware
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"Keyjacking" outside of computing is a new one on me. Are they hoping you will have to leave the scooter in the street, so that they can come and drive it away at their leisure or am I missing something?
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"Keyjacking" outside of computing is a new one on me. Are they hoping you will have to leave the scooter in the street, so that they can come and drive it away at their leisure
I would imagine so
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Sorry to sound dim here but what did they steal or what are they after?
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Sorry to sound dim here but what did they steal or what are they after?
The key was stolen while I was sat on the bike after being cut up
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Sorry to sound dim here but what did they steal or what are they after?
The key was stolen while I was sat on the bike after being cut up
Don't worry mss1tw, I understand what you're talking about.
The only solution to this problem I can think of is a thin 'cycle lock' type device through the key and some secure part of the 'bike. It wouldn't stop them trying to grab the key and switching off the engine, but at least you wouldn't be left with a dead 'bike.
Some suggest carrying a spare key and chasing the scrotes, but that may lead to even more problems as there's probably at least two of them.
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Don't worry mss1tw, I understand what you're talking about. The only solution to this problem I can think of is a thin 'cycle lock' type device through the key and some secure part of the 'bike. It wouldn't stop them trying to grab the key and switching off the engine, but at least you wouldn't be left with a dead 'bike.
Some suggest carrying a spare key and chasing the scrotes, but that may lead to even more problems as there's probably at least two of them.
Exactly right BT, and I was looking for something to use a a lanyard - unfortunately as it's a scooter it's all smooth plastic so attaching it to something would be tricky.
Luckily my guvner drove up from Woking with the spare, but that's now the only key we have - the other has best case been chucked away, worst case is still in circulation.
Edited by mss1tw on 08/04/2017 at 11:29
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I'd be more worried they've got access, among their probably criminal fiends, to getting names and addresses from your reg number and might be along late one night to relieve you of said bike.
I suppose a certain breed of weirdo might find it amusing to nick someone's keys and chuck them later, but wonder if there's more to it than that, are the keys programmed for example or would say a random theft of twenty keys from one make of scooter give them a good chance of starting and slealing any one of the same make they saw unattended?
Edited by gordonbennet on 08/04/2017 at 12:04
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I'd be more worried they've got access, among their probably criminal fiends, to getting names and addresses from your reg number and might be along late one night to relieve you of said bike.
I suppose a certain breed of weirdo might find it amusing to nick someone's keys and chuck them later, but wonder if there's more to it than that, are the keys programmed for example or would say a random theft of twenty keys from one make of scooter give them a good chance of starting and slealing any one of the same make they saw unattended?
Luckily it's a works bike so not registered to my address, which is where it's kept.
It is an immobiliser 'chip key' like all cars have now - I think pretty much every vehicle is these days - unless they can look up and re-program the key I suspect/hope it only works in my bike
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I'd be more worried they've got access, among their probably criminal fiends, to getting names and addresses from your reg number and might be along late one night to relieve you of said bike.
I suppose a certain breed of weirdo might find it amusing to nick someone's keys and chuck them later, but wonder if there's more to it than that, are the keys programmed for example or would say a random theft of twenty keys from one make of scooter give them a good chance of starting and slealing any one of the same make they saw unattended?
Many years ago my Zephyr 6 was stolen from the car park at work. I'd just agreed a payout sum with the insurers when I got a call from the Old Bill to say they had it in the yard at Longsight police station (and had had it for 8 weeks!).
Went and collected it, found a bag of about 40 Ford keys in the glovebox, probably enough to open any Ford at that time.
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Exactly right BT, and I was looking for something to use a a lanyard - unfortunately as it's a scooter it's all smooth plastic so attaching it to something would be tricky. Luckily my guvner drove up from Woking with the spare, but that's now the only key we have - the other has best case been chucked away, worst case is still in circulation.
What about a big chain and lock looped through the wheel (assuming there are holes in it) and looped round a lamp post? Not a parking meter because they would lift it over that if there is a gang of them. I think you can also get motorcycle locks which clamp the disk brake on however that doesn't stop a group of them putting it onto the back of a pickup truck or van.
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What about a big chain and lock looped through the wheel (assuming there are holes in it) and looped round a lamp post? Not a parking meter because they would lift it over that if there is a gang of them. I think you can also get motorcycle locks which clamp the disk brake on however that doesn't stop a group of them putting it onto the back of a pickup truck or van.
Heh, I mean for the key itself! Who's to say it won't happen again, I never thought it would happen the first time.
I just use a disc lock on the wheels now. If they really are that desperate for a 400cc scooter, they'll find a way to nick it one way or another.
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This was a similar incident recently but the biker certainly took the initiative.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFymjKZJ4XI&ab_channel...o
Again another pointless key hijack - unless the pedal pushers were lookng to nick the bike.
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Heh, I mean for the key itself! Who's to say it won't happen again, I never thought it would happen the first time.
How about using something like bicycle brake cable inner looped through the key and securing it to the handlebar using something like a jubilee clip. Inconvenient but, sadly a sign of the times.
Edited by Wackyracer on 10/04/2017 at 00:00
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Report on a Facebook group this morning of somebody being relieved of a Brompton bike in Tufnell Park using same MO.
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Report on a Facebook group this morning of somebody being relieved of a Brompton bike in Tufnell Park using same MO.
Were they kicked straight off the bike? They must have had to pedal it away?
Anyway if it was two...diverse...lads on a Yamaha Tmax it was the same pair
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Were they kicked straight off the bike? They must have had to pedal it away?
Anyway if it was two...diverse...lads on a Yamaha Tmax it was the same pair
Report says pushed off and bike ridden away with victim's pannier still attached. No mention of make just that reg began W952.
IIRC Tufnell Park is pretty diverse!!!¬
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