With motorcycle theft on the rise, security solutions are getting more extreme but this idea from the UK might be the most extreme, not to mention expensive, yet!

BaultSOS Puts Motorcycles In A Hole

The recent rise in motorcycle theft has given rise to some interesting anti-theft solutions but this one in the UK might have to take first prize for desperation! Or should that be innovation?

Called Bault (as in Bike Vault), it is the brain-child of a father and son team, working during time off from their jobs in the off-shore industry - oil and gas rigs and the like. Their website claims that 'Bault@sos is a market leader in Underground Motorbike Vaults.' I don't want to belittle their achievements but is there a large market in Underground Motorbike Vaults?

The premise is to prevent bike theft by a) removing the bike from sight and b) making it impossible to move even if the cover could be lifted.

The principle is all very Thunderbirds! The bike is lowered hydraulically on a platform into the very bowels of the earth, before a lid is swung shut over the pit. To do this, naturally a pit has to be dug and the mechanism installed, comprising, presumably, electric motors to raise the steel lid and raise and lower the motorcycle. The platform has a weight limit of 1000kg, which is enough for even the grossest fully-dressed cruiser or touring bike.

It is an interesting solution to motorcycle theft and even to limited storage space but there are a couple of issues that I foresee.

Firstly, the cost of installation, given that anything up to 15 tonnes of dirt and rubble has to be dug out and taken away, not to mention the mechanism, is likely to cost more than the bike itself! And, if you can afford a Bault, isn't it likely that you have more than one bike to protect? How much space would that take up?

Secondly, it is rather permanent! What happens if you move house? You can't realistically take it with you and leave a gaping hole in the garage!

However, in spite of those childish attempts to pour water on someone else's hard thought-out ideas, we remain rather impressed with the Bault. Thieves are finding ways of getting through even the strongest locks and chains to the point where no bike is safe and any innovation that helps prevent that has to be applauded. It might not be practical for everyone to have one installed but it is a solution of sorts.

Now, if they could just invent a lift that will raise the bike up into my bedroom, that would be great. Not sure the wife would agree but......