Motorbike GPS Tracker Comparison Guide

A good quality motorbike tracking system uses a combination of GPS satellite technology and mobile technology to ensure complete tracking coverage, whether the bike is on the road, or hidden out of view. However, many now go above and beyond even this, to include VHF tracking. You can even get vehicle tracking apps, too.

VHF stands for Very High Frequency, and is tracking using radio waves in their most basic form. This form of tracking and communication is in fact the ‘tech’ behind the maritime band at sea, and is used in all sorts of applications including Air Traffic Control.

The reason VHF tracking is ideal for motorbikes is that it works even when GPS and mobile technology fails. Through a small antenna on the device it can transmit over an enormous area. Given the small and concealable nature of motorbikes, most importantly, a VHF tracker can transmit reliably through walls, concrete, and even metal. In short, these trackers can still work when others have their signal jammed – either intentionally or not.

Furthermore, a good motorbike tracker will use geofencing and movement detection to keep an eye on the bike, or a fleet of bikes, at any one time.

Motorcycle theft is a big problem in the UK. According to the British Motorcyclists Federation, one in every 46 registered motorbikes were stolen in 2018, with motorcycles being six times more likely to be stolen than any other vehicle.

That’s why it’s so important that motorbike tracking systems can adequately safeguard your bikes against theft. There are a handful of ways in which they can do this:

• Location tracking. If one of your motorbikes is stolen, you can use your GPS tracking system to accurately keep tabs on its location, and tell the police exactly where to go to recover it.

• Motion sensors. Some motorbike trackers come with motion sensors that sound an alarm or send you an instant alert when one of your motorbikes is moved – even if the ignition stays off.

• Geofencing. Lots of vehicle tracking systems enable geofencing – that is, the ability to set up virtual boundaries around your fleets’ expected routes. If a motorbike is taken beyond those approved boundaries, your tracking system will send you a real-time alert so you can investigate. Some systems can also send you alerts if a motorbike is moved outside of its driver’s work hours.

• Remote controls. Some tracking systems enable you to remotely control your motorbike, immobilising it if you suspect that it’s being stolen – thus preventing the thief from getting any further away with your bike.

• Anti-tamper measures. Some trackers come with anti-tamper casing or cables that prevent them from being easily removed from your motorbike. A thief is unlikely to make off with your bike with a working, immovable tracking device staring them in the face.

As we touched on earlier, the best vehicle tracking suppliers offer motorbike tracking systems and the tracking devices that come with them need to be different to those designed for vans, cars, and HGVs and lorries.

Here are the main ways in which they differ:

• When a hardwired tracking unit is installed in a car, it’s wired to the car’s power and ignition wires. This is all hidden within the dashboard – however, on a motorbike, that isn’t possible. Motorbike trackers end up exposed to the elements, so they and their wiring must be much sturdier, and weatherproof too.

• Speaking of exposed, there are fewer places to hide a tracker on a motorbike than in a car – so motorbike trackers must be compact and discreet if they’re to avoid being spotted and forcibly removed by thieves.

• It is possible for a thief to steal a motorbike simply by physically maneuvering it away. Therefore, motorbike tracking systems need security features that can combat this, such as motion detectors that sound alarms or send you alerts when the motorbike is moved.

• Stolen motorcycles are easier to hide in areas with limited GPS signal, for such as shipping containers or underground car parks. That’s why good motorbike tracking systems tend to have supercharged GPS capabilities, or make use of VHF tech.

Motorbike tracker prices will vary depending on the sophistication of the system and monthly subscription charges are normal.

Motorcycle Tracking Devices Prices

The price of a GPS tracker for business bikes can vary depending on the way it is purchased and what features are available. Motorcycle tracking devices are not limited to simply being tracking devices, as they can also include messaging systems, an integrated alarm and the ability to remotely disable any stolen bike. Prices to purchase an individual tracker can start from under £100. If a company has a number of bikes, it may look to leasing trackers for the company.

The main benefits of leasing are that the cost is spread over several months and that the business can upgrade or increase the number of trackers as the needs of the business dictate. Leases are available for between two and five years with the former being the more expensive. For a five year lease, prices can start at under £1 per bike per day with options such as remote disabling facility adding to the cost. GPS trackers can also be purchased for any bicycle the company uses for less than £100 per tracker.

For more detail on how much vehicle tracking might cost you, check out our complete guide to vehicle tracking costs.

Prices For RFID Trackers for Motorbikes

RFID trackers can be purchased for motorbikes and bicycles. In London the so called “Boris Bikes” are fitted with RFID tracking technology. RFID tracker systems require a tracker to be fitted to the bike and then a scanner is required to locate the vehicle. RFID can give a much more accurate location of a bike than traditional GPS trackers.

The costs vary; some more expensive trackers include GPS and RFID technology. The most basic RFID trackers can cost from under £100 increasing up to £300-£400. There will generally be an annual payment to be made to the suppliers for the system too.