A BIKER has urged other owners to secure their motorcycles after his was stolen and later found set on fire just a hundred yards away.

Kirk Mason returned to his home in Westhoughton last week after a few days away to discover that his bike had been taken.

He reported it stolen to police on Sunday, March 19 but believes it could have been taken as early as March 17.

The bike was being stored on a neighbour’s driveway in Southfield Drive as the vehicle was off the road.

Mr Mason, 19, said that he had acquired the bike by swapping it for another one and was currently working on it.

He said he hoped when it was back in ‘pristine condition’ it would be quite desirable as it was a distinctive purple and yellow colour.

It is believed that it may just one of three of its kind in that colour in the UK.

He said that it was a shame that the thief had not appreciated its value.

After it was taken the bike was found barely 100 yards away on fire.

Mr Mason had only owned the bike a number of days before it was stolen and he had never had the chance to ride it after work had been carried out on it.

The bike was found dumped on the field at the top of Green Fold Lane and set on fire.

Despite his anger at the person who took the bike, Mr Mason said the theft was a lesson to himself and other bikers not to leave their machines unsecure.

He said: “The bike was left unsecured and this is all really a harsh lesson and is proof all motorcyclists should invest in a chain or ground anchor and a disc lock as a minimum.

“Motorcycles are so easy to steal, a handful of kids could do it.”

However, despite the damage the bike suffered, Mr Mason is still trying to repair it, saying that he will not let the thugs beat him.

Before it was set alight, several parts were taken off the bike, including the exhaust end can, the petrol tank, the air box, filter, clocks and potentially the radiator.

Mr Mason, who recently left college, said that whoever took it had basic knowledge of stripping a machine and it is likely it was not the first time they had done this to a bike. More technical parts, such as the carburettor were left on the bike.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said that it was called to a report that a motorbike had been stolen at around 1.10pm on Sunday, March 19.

They said that the bike had been taken between March 16 an March 19 after it had been left on a driveway.

Police said that the bike was later recovered nearby after it had been set on fire.

Their advice for keeping motorbikes safe includes parking in a well-lit area, using a number of locks, locking it to something secure and using audible alarms.