Helmet STOLEN off Motorcycle , Assaulted while pursuing thieves

towboatcrisco

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Wasn't sure where to post this but since happening it has sparked all kinds of debate and dialogue between myself and riders I know , thought I would post up my misfortune to draw attention to the bigger issue should we trust our fellow man or in correct terms " humans " . It seems for myself I pick my spots and for the most part has served me well in the last 40 plus years, that is until Oct.20.2018 in Maple Ridge , British Columbia , Canada a place not more than 40 minutes from my home . Anyway I will post up the links from the local media that covered my story have a read any questions .. just ask .

My wife being the more positive person said to me about 2 hrs after the incident .." well I guess that's something off the bucket list " ha ha I replied " don't think that was ever on my list sweetheart " She replied back " well all the same it's ticked off now " ! :oops::rolleyes::):)

https://www.bclocalnews.com/news/man-chased-thieves-in-maple-ridge-got-pepper-sprayed/


http://canadamotoguide.com/2018/10/26/stolen-helmet-results-in-pepper-spray-assault-in-bc/
 

RCinNC

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The concept of "trust your fellow man" always struck me as a tactical error. Now, I don't mean that the opposite of "never trust anyone" is the way people should live either. But trust is something you earn, either through personal experience or because of some sort of social contract. I trust my girlfriend because I've known her a long time, and I trust that someone like a firefighter will put his safety on the line to help me because his sense of duty dictates his actions, which is a sort of social contract. I don't have that same level of trust in the general public at large, because I don't know all of them on a personal level, and the bonds of the social contract of the general public can be pretty weak (or at least it can be here in the US; in countries like Japan, the bonds are a lot stronger).

I spent a quarter century as a police officer. One thing that experience taught me is that the best way to avoid being victimized is to recognize that people are opportunists. Most of the time you can leave an expensive helmet on a bike and no one will bother it, but when you have that perfect storm of opportunity and opportunist, you end up in the situation you found yourself it. Since you can't control your exposure to the opportunists who are part of the general public, your only recourse is to try and lessen their chance to victimize you. That means locking things, or keeping them with you so they're secure. I hate having to carry a cable lock for my helmet, or having to lug it around with me when I get off the bike, but a stolen helmet is one of those things than can really mess up a trip (especially in states with helmet laws). I either have to accept the inconvenience as a side effect of protecting my property, or I have to gamble on opportunity not meeting up with opportunist. I guess the positive takeaway from this (aside from the obvious fact that you weren't severely injured) is that, in many years of riding and encounters with many people in many countries, and relying on the good nature of your fellow man, this has only happened once. That's kind of a testament to how honest most people are.

It sucks that this happened to you; the only consolation is probably that it could have ended up even worse, had the thief been armed with a knife, gun, or other deadly weapon.
 

Dogdaze

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RCinNC is right, opportunity is the key here. I too take a thin cable lock that will go through sleeves of a jacket and helmet if need be. Nothing HD but enough to prevent the opportunist thief.
On another point, it is shameful, a helmet is a safety piece of kit, neccessary to continue one's journey. Some people are just plain scumbags!
At least you are ok, of sorts.
 

Dirt_Dad

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, but a stolen helmet is one of those things than can really mess up a trip (especially in states with helmet laws).
Yep, my wife's stolen helmet turned into a big PITA, cutting the trip short and generally screwing up all the plans. Once was enough. Now always have a cable lock attached to the bike. Just not worth reliving that hassle...and that's without getting pepper sprayed.
 

VRODE

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If I'm going to be off the bike for more then 10 minutes, the helmet comes with me. I'm probably fitting a helmet lock under the seat for next year.
 

Paul466

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Wasn't sure where to post this but since happening it has sparked all kinds of debate and dialogue between myself and riders I know , thought I would post up my misfortune to draw attention to the bigger issue should we trust our fellow man or in correct terms " humans " . It seems for myself I pick my spots and for the most part has served me well in the last 40 plus years, that is until Oct.20.2018 in Maple Ridge , British Columbia , Canada a place not more than 40 minutes from my home . Anyway I will post up the links from the local media that covered my story have a read any questions .. just ask .

My wife being the more positive person said to me about 2 hrs after the incident .." well I guess that's something off the bucket list " ha ha I replied " don't think that was ever on my list sweetheart " She replied back " well all the same it's ticked off now " ! :oops::rolleyes::):)

https://www.bclocalnews.com/news/man-chased-thieves-in-maple-ridge-got-pepper-sprayed/


http://canadamotoguide.com/2018/10/26/stolen-helmet-results-in-pepper-spray-assault-in-bc/
We used to play “poo dollar” game, maybe a old sacrificial helmet with a “suprise” for the thief inside of it might make a great youtube video:)
 

Tombstone

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That really stinks! (not intended to be a pepper spray pun.. ).
If its any consolation I think a lot of folks who read your story (myself included) will be much more careful about locking up their helmets.
 

WJBertrand

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Sorry this happened to you, but I am curious what helmet costs $1500?? Even Canadian I can't think of one that expensive.
 

Dirt_Dad

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We used to play “poo dollar” game, maybe a old sacrificial helmet with a “suprise” for the thief inside of it might make a great youtube video:)
When we had a helmet stolen the police never thought for a second it was going to be used by the thief. He immediately contacted the local pawn shop and told them to stall the thief when he showed up and the officer would be there to take him into custody. That never happened. A week later some guy dropped off the helmet at the police department and said he found it rolling around in the back of his truck. The police speculated when I walked out to check on the bikes (I had that spider sense something was wrong and walked out to the bikes before our order came to the table) it spooked the guy and he put it in the back of a nearby truck.
 

gunner

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I use a Helmetlock

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/helmetlok-ii-helmet-lock

You can carry it in the pocket of your jacket and can us it to lock your helmet to your handlebars, crash bars or hand guards.

I put a plastic coated steel cable loop under my seat and hang the lock from it. When I stop, I simply hang my helmet on the lock.

Steve
 

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regder

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I'm really saddened to hear about this. I had my car broken into about ten years ago and had a laptop stolen. Felt absolutely violated in that moment.

I'm a similarly trusting person, and rarely think twice about leaving my helmet and/or jacket on the bike as long as I'm somewhere in the vicinity. I do not want live with a mentality of fear.
 

EricV

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Sorry this happened to you, but I am curious what helmet costs $1500?? Even Canadian I can't think of one that expensive.
It's in the first link - "Schuberth C3 Pro with a smoke shield and a high-end communications system." Can run about $1000 USD depending on your choice of comm system. The C4 with comm can easily run you $1k. Wife spent close to that for her 1st C3W and the Sena 20S.

Some of the carbon helmets are easily more $$.

In the past, I usually didn't worry too much when my helmet was dirty and used, comm taped up, etc. When I had a new Arai, it got locked up to the bike.

@TBcrisco - Sucks. Check your insurance policy. Maybe time to lower your deductible for comp. (theft off the bike should be a comp claim). If you had a zero or $50 comp deductible, would you still have chased the guy? Or as long? At some point it becomes a risk Vs reward issue. No one likes being robbed. All we can do is make it easier to steal someone else's stuff.
 

Cycledude

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It’s really sad Yamaha doesn’t put a decent helmet lock on the Tenere at the factory, I believe it’s the only motorcycle I’ve owned in the past 30 years that didn’t come equipped with a decent helmet lock.
 

towboatcrisco

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That really stinks! (not intended to be a pepper spray pun.. ).
If its any consolation I think a lot of folks who read your story (myself included) will be much more careful about locking up their helmets.
Wow cant believe the responses !! The whole reason for me posting was exactly what is happening , dialogue , experiences , and opinions . When this happened I wanted to share to get peeps like me or others to think twice about leaving gear behind or on the bike " when in site" . I for the most part would pack or lock my gear ( cable lock as others have mentioned ) . Actually this very day I had that spidey sence tingle but ignored it or diffused the thought knowing I would be very close by and in sight .
 

towboatcrisco

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It's in the first link - "Schuberth C3 Pro with a smoke shield and a high-end communications system." Can run about $1000 USD depending on your choice of comm system. The C4 with comm can easily run you $1k. Wife spent close to that for her 1st C3W and the Sena 20S.

Some of the carbon helmets are easily more $$.

In the past, I usually didn't worry too much when my helmet was dirty and used, comm taped up, etc. When I had a new Arai, it got locked up to the bike.

@TBcrisco - Sucks. Check your insurance policy. Maybe time to lower your deductible for comp. (theft off the bike should be a comp claim). If you had a zero or $50 comp deductible, would you still have chased the guy? Or as long? At some point it becomes a risk Vs reward issue. No one likes being robbed. All we can do is make it easier to steal someone else's stuff.
Great points Eric ( I see your profile pic all through the different threads ) I do have insurance and they did cover 750$ my deductible was 250$ I now know I'm under insured ha ha I will rectify this as I started to add up all the costs to replace jacket, pants, helmet ,etc and I need more coverage. As you stated it was a comprehensive claim .

Risk VS Reward , you know I probably still would have pursued the guy because dammit stealing peoples stuff is wrong mine or others ! I actually have a history of doing this for other's but when I was a tad younger , Nabbed a car thief after causing a horrific accident he bolted I got out of my truck ran him down ( he fell a few times ;) ) A purse snatcher in a grocery store parking lot .. guy stole an old ladies purse he fell a couple times too.... until security arrived. I also caught a guy breaking into my truck , that poor fella met up with my 8 iron until the police arrived for all intents and purposes he few too ..several times .

Locking stuff to your bike this to can be debatable , Yes it is a deterrent , Yes it makes your locked stuff harder to steal than someone else's . Here is another way to see it , if a low life wants to steal it he will regardless and in the process maybe rips off your throttle cable or your mirror.. maybe destroys some electronics now this starts to get very costly not to mention immobilizing your bike .
I guess the best is to pack it really
 

towboatcrisco

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As for price I bought the helmet for 900$ including tax I had a Sena SC10U in the helmet which cost 400$ with tax also I had on my Smoke Shield worth just under 100$ All Canadian dollars so all in it was a shade under 1500$ but you guys know the media and there "fake news" ;)
 

towboatcrisco

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I'm really saddened to hear about this. I had my car broken into about ten years ago and had a laptop stolen. Felt absolutely violated in that moment.

I'm a similarly trusting person, and rarely think twice about leaving my helmet and/or jacket on the bike as long as I'm somewhere in the vicinity. I do not want live with a mentality of fear.

I would say I'm not a trusting person , my wife is though and over the years she has softened me a little . After this incident I think she was more shocked than I was , that a person could do something like this steal , assault with no regard . I don't like saying I told you so but I really believe this may have altered her opinion just a tad
 
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ballisticexchris

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I'm very sorry for you sir. This is a lessen for me to be more careful. Thank you for posting. Most of all I'm glad you are ok.
 
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