The short answer: report it to the police on 101 with the registration, frame (VIN) and engine numbers, then tell your insurer. Motorbikes are light, quick to move and valuable in parts, so speed matters more than with almost any other vehicle. If your bike is protected by a service with a security response, start that response straight away.
Bikes are stolen differently to cars. They can be wheeled away, lifted into a van in seconds and broken down for parts within hours. This guide covers what to do, what usually happens and how to give yourself the best chance of getting your bike back.
Which bikes are being stolen?
All kinds. DVLA figures obtained by the stolen vehicle recovery firm Tracker show that the single most stolen vehicle of any type in the UK in 2025 was the Yamaha NMAX 125 scooter, popular with commuters, delivery riders and new riders. A Honda 125 scooter was also in the overall top five. Thieves target what's common and easy to sell, not just expensive superbikes.
What to do if your motorbike is stolen
- If your bike is protected by HoldenTek, start the response first. Hold to Recover in the app, then Call HQ, 24/7.
- Report it to the police on 101, or 999 if the theft is happening now. Give the registration, make, model, colour, and the frame (VIN) and engine numbers if you have them. Note your crime reference number.
- Tell your insurer. Check your policy for security conditions, such as an approved lock or garage storage, and be honest about what was in place.
- Tell your finance company if the bike is on finance.
- Check for footage. Doorbell cameras, CCTV and dashcams can show how and when the bike was taken.
- Keep an eye on marketplaces for your bike or its distinctive parts. If you spot something, tell the police rather than approaching the seller yourself.
What usually happens to a stolen motorbike
- Moved and hidden in a van, garage or lock-up, sometimes within minutes.
- Stripped for parts. Panels, wheels, exhausts and engines can be sold separately, which makes the bike much harder to trace.
- Used in other crime and then dumped, often damaged.
- Sold on with false details, or moved abroad.
Because a bike can disappear so quickly, the first hour after a theft makes a real difference.
How to protect a motorbike: layer it
No single measure stops a determined thief, so combine several:
- Slow them down: a disc lock, plus a heavy chain through the frame to a ground anchor or immovable object.
- Keep it out of sight: a garage or secure storage is best; a cover helps where that isn't possible.
- Make it noisy: an alarm draws attention to anyone tampering with the bike.
- Mark it: security marking makes parts harder to sell.
- Plan for the worst: hidden protection with a response behind it gives you a route to getting the bike back if everything else fails.
Where HoldenTek fits on a motorbike
Motorbikes have few hiding places, so size and waterproofing matter. The HoldenTek tag is the size and width of a credit card, wireless and IP67 waterproof, with up to 2.5 years' battery and no wiring needed. It's Built to Stay Hidden: it isn't picked up by everyday phone and Bluetooth scans like AirTags are.
If your bike is taken and the theft is confirmed, our security personnel work to locate and secure it through Project TAKEN, our security response capability. There are more than 580 of them, predominantly ex-police, military and close protection. Our average hunt and secure to date is 46 minutes. That's our track record, not a promise for any individual bike. See motorcycle protection for more.
Questions people ask
Do the police recover stolen motorbikes?
Sometimes. A bike that's quickly hidden or broken up is much harder to find, which is why acting quickly and having a way to locate the bike matter.
Where should I hide a tracker on a motorbike?
Somewhere a thief wouldn't think to look and wouldn't be able to reach quickly. Avoid obvious spots like under the seat. We don't publish recommended hiding places, because thieves read guides too.
Will my insurer pay out if my bike is stolen?
That depends on your policy, including any security conditions. Check your policy wording, and ask your insurer if you're unsure.
Related: What happens if your vehicle is stolen? and Is a tracker enough?
Sources
- Insurance Edge: New stolen vehicle data from Tracker UK (DVLA FOI data, 2025)
- GOV.UK: What to do if your vehicle has been stolen
HoldenTek track-record figures are our results to date and are not a guarantee for any individual vehicle. This guide is general information, not legal or insurance advice.