Just wanted to drop everyone a note regarding a problem that has been going on here in Argentina. There has been many cases where vehicles and motorcycles are being taken at gunpoint. In fact, there was an article in the Buenos Aires Herald that 40 % of all murders in the capital of Buenos Aires these days are due to theft arising from the economic situation. It is too expensive to import parts now, so any good vehicle is being stolen and parted out. Although any major city is a concern, the economic desperation in Bs As is of concern. I was told to only drive in the mornings - never at night, and not to stop at signs or lights. Simply slow down to check for oncoming traffic.

I have my own little story. It all happened one night at around 8PM as I was moving the bike from a gated yard to a friends garage around the corner. Anyways, as I was moving the bike up the driveway, two guys came racing up on a motorcycle, the guy on the back jumped off and presented a gun....asking me to give him the bike. Not really sure what he was saying...I replied that I did not understand.......I guess the english really stumped him.
At this point I dropped the bike and stepped away. The good part is that he was too weak to lift the bike. Realizing it was a lost cause, they sped off. The next day I had an alarm installed. It is a type of alarm in which the remote is also a proximity sensor. If someone steals the bike while it is being ridding - the most common type of theft these days, it automatically shuts the bike off when it gets out of range from the remote.

Since then I have been much more aware....so far so good.

Ciao - Chris


[This message has been edited by Chris Crash (edited 21 May 2003).]