Stolen last night (May 14th), my trans Africa motorcycle

[BikerClaire]

Last night my blue Suzuki DRZ400s was stolen from outside my home on Rosendale Road. She was attached with a chunky chain to a strong wall anchor but bolt cutters were used. She has massive sentimental value to me as last year I took 12m to ride her solo from London to Capetown on a charity trip and she never let me down. Please keep your eyes out for her. Reg no: RO56 ENF. The police have been informed. Photos attached - please take a look, she is a very distinctive looking bike, only difference to this photo is her seat is now black leather not sheepskin.

Can I also recommend that anyone else with a motorcycle gets a tracker fitted - I didn't have one and would have made it much easier to find her now if I had.

Many thanks

Claire 07850 951 614

www.clairegoesbikeabout.com

https://www.suzuki-gb.co.uk/atv/my-suzuki/girl-torque/blogs/cape-town/claires-solo-ride-to-cape-town-final-chapter/

[hazelnunhead]

Sorry to hear about this, I will keep a look out .....

[moneysaver99]

I feel sorry for your bike. Hope the police will find the culprit.

[ianr]

I hope they find the _bike_.

It was good to read the last chapter of Claire's trip blog on the suzuki page. I'm leaving the other pages for later.

[vandam]

As a fellow biker I was really sorry to see this thread!

Will keep a lookout and fingers crossed.

My bike was taken once but got recovered so you never know!

Your trip looks amazing, Well done for doing that- Inspiring.

[nicknhannah]

Just seen one very similar to yours with lots of writing all over it on Barry Road outside the hairdressers!!!!! Or have you found yours?

[BikerClaire]

Thanks you nicknhannah for the spot, sadly by the time I got there she wasn't there....please everybody keep your eyes out for her, I'm v grateful for the help!!

[PeckhamRose]

Truly devastated for you. Will keep a look out also.

Put a note on MAG (motorcycle action group) website also (if you're a member!)

[BikerClaire]

Thank you, thats a really good idea, will check it out! And thank you to everyone for your support...I'm just praying hard to the gods of motorcycling that she comes back soon...

[MelonSmasher]

Did you narrow it down to a specific time frame and check the local cctv ot something, nearby shops etc?

[BikerClaire]

The sighting of the bike on Saturday was around 4.30pm, sadly there is no street CCTV and no local shops have CCTV (ironically the estate agent there used to have it but it was stolen!). I asked at the pub and a few of the punters corroborated that an adventure style bike had been there, just now trying to get hold of the barbers themselves to find out what they know (bike was parked right outside their shop so may have been a customer).

As for the theft itself, no CCTV at all on my street or shops, no residents heard anything...

[Tigres Pride]

Any good news re your bike yet?

[muser]

Dreadful, Really wish you luck on bike returning to its rightful owner. Especially after that amazing charity trip.

[BikerClaire]

Morning, sadly no news and having spoken to the barbershop owner on Barry Road, it sounds very much like the sighting on Saturday morning probably wasn't my bike after all (Apparently it had NZ numberplates, solid box luggage which my bike didn't have any of the brackets etc for and knobbly tyres...none of which my bike had last time I saw it and doubt those would be the changes a thief would make). Please do keep your eyes out though as she may well still be somewhere!

Thank you for your support and good wishes, makes this horrible situation feel slightly less awful :-)

[BikerClaire]

PS on a more positive note, the Evening Standard are interested in writing a story about whats happened so if that happens, that'd really help spread the word and get the message out there. Fingers crossed! I need all the help I can get now I've had the official letter from the Police that the "case is closed" due to lack of evidence, CCTV coverage or any other leads...

[Greengramaphone]

So sorry to hear this :( ! On the lookout for your bike! I saw a similar one in tulse hill on the weekend & took a photo of the plate to check when I got home but it was a different number to yours. Unless you think they might have changed it?

Best,

Gg

[BikerClaire]

Its def possible they have! Any chance you can put the photo up here, or email it to me? my email is [email protected] Did you also have a pic of the bike itself? Many thanks!

[Greengramaphone]

I've emailed you :)

[BikerClaire]

Hello, thanks so much for the email - very sadly that doesn't look like her as this bike has indicators (mine have long since broken off!) and a rear rack that doesn't look familiar, so pretty certain it can't be her. Thank you so much for looking out though, I really appreciate it! :-)