Members have contacted the AMA about a rise in the number of motorcycle thefts, with dirt bikes being a prime target.

In Maryland, for example, members from AMA District 7 said thieves have been increasingly bold, posting photos of themselves riding stolen bikes on Facebook and Instagram.

The AMA, along with AMA District 7 members, have been meeting with law enforcement officials in the area—including the Baltimore Police Department’s Dirt Bike Task Force—to seek solutions.

While few home protections will deter a highly skilled thief, there are some steps owners can take to make their bikes less attractive.

Here are a few.

Lock It

Keeping Your Bike 101, the first day of class, lesson one: Lock it, or you just might lose it. A determined, professional thief may get your motorcycle, no matter what you do, but plenty of motorcycles are stolen by opportunistic miscreants.

If possible, use a strong, motorcycle U-lock and a chain to attach your bike to a solid object, or another motorcycle. Looping the chain through the frame is better than draping it through the wheel because the wheel can be removed.

A lever lock on the clutch adds another layer of inconvenience for a thief, especially if you leave the bike in gear, unbolt the shift lever and take it with you.

Cover It

No, a motorcycle cover won’t stop a determined thief. But it might mean your bike attracts less of the wrong kind of attention. So after you’ve locked it, cover it.

A plain cover is best. After all, the purpose is not to advertise your loyalty to a particularly valuable brand of motorcycle, but to avoid letting thieves know what you’ve got. A cover with metal grommets can be locked in place to help keep prying eyes away and to prevent the cover itself from being stolen.

Don’t Be a Show-Off

Always park your bike inside a garage, if possible. Keep the door closed and consider covering the windows.

If you must park it outside or in a carport, use a cover.

Don’t put decals on your vehicle or trailer that might tip thieves to the fact that you own motorcycles and that they might be in the trailer.

And think twice before you post that sweet bike pic on social media.

Unless you’re a sponsored racer who’s obligated to have a social media presence, think about who can see your posts and decide whether posting is worth the risk.

Mark Your Territory

If all else fails and your bike is stolen, at least don’t make the thief’s job easier.

Professionals nab bikes so they can break them down into parts, obliterate the VIN numbers and resell them here or overseas.

If the thieves get caught, you stand a better chance of getting your bike or its parts back if you’ve marked them so police can identify them. Consider marking your driver’s license number or other identification in hidden locations on key parts, such as the engine and frame.

Also, make sure you can quickly put your hands on all the pertinent information about your bike, especially the VIN and any license plate numbers (if it is a dual sport).

Keep the bill of sale and any other documentation that can help prove the bike is yours, if it is recovered.

And take photos of your motorcycle, highlighting any unique features that can be easily identified later.

Insure Your Property

Make sure you have theft coverage on your bike and accessories.

Don’t assume your homeowners or renters insurance will cover a vehicle stolen where you live—it likely won’t.

Insurance won’t keep your bike from getting stolen, but at least it makes the aftermath a little less traumatic.