According to recent findings, people who are selling bikes online, have been advised that they should be careful about the amount of information they provide if they want to avoid making a bike insurance claim, police have warned.

Bikers beware online

Police officers from Tayside, in Eastern Scotland, issued this statement of advice after they found that thieves were targeting classified advertisement websites, to identify their next steal as seller were "putting out the welcome mat" by giving away too much of their personal details.

The crime prevention officer for Dundee, PC Colin Brough, said: “Many motorbike sellers were unintentionally making themselves vulnerable to criminals.

He further explained that: “A number of postings put online included photos of the vehicle for sale, which also revealed where the motorcycle was stored and the level of security in place.”

PC Brough also added: Some adverts even provide a map directing people to the seller's house.

Thieves are "turning up, with tools if necessary, to break into the garage or shed and steal the bike," he warned.

Police officers also added that those selling their bikes via classified advertisement or social networking sites should review their postings to ensure they were not giving too much away.

Bikers beware on the roads

Elsewhere, West Yorkshire police recently announced that they would be stopping bikes and mopeds on the roads in Wakefield and questioning the riders in a bid to crackdown on vehicle thefts in the area.

However information brought out by Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI), states that the number of people taking out bike insurance premiums for new vehicles has fallen substantially in recent months.

Inspector Terry Murgatroyd of Wakefield District Police, said that police would attempt to stop and check every motorbike, moped and transit van they encountered.

He assured and advised motorists that: "Riders and drivers of these vehicles should expect to be stopped but lawful road users have nothing to fear."

Bike registrations falling

Moreover in accordance to data released by the MCI, registrations of new vehicles fell to 7,517 in November compared to 8,497 in the same month last year.

This represents a 16 per cent drop, but the market still compares favorably to the current fortunes of the UK car industry, which posted a fall of 36.8 per cent in November and saw several employees lose their jobs as output figures fell.

Indeed, registrations are down by just 2.4 per cent over the first 11 months of the year, in comparison with a 10.7 per cent fall in new car registrations.

Speaking about the findings, MCI chief executive Steve Kenward said the result was a "disappointing although not unexpected" outcome, expressing his belief that the motorcycle industry would endure the current economic downturn.

He suggested that the use of powered two-wheelers (PTW) was now "more relevant than ever", stressing that the vehicles should be viewed as "a serious and practical alternative to the use of cars and public transport".

Mr Kenward added: "PTWs are part of the solution to the problems of congestion and pollution and should not be ignored or treated as an afterthought."

The MCI recently claimed that it is vital that alterations to the current motorbike testing regime do not restrict access for new riders.