I also get a first floor room with a window (that opens!) view of the bike that if at all possible, second choice is a second floor with window view. I use a scorpio alarm with perimeter sensor and remote paging and a 6 ft coiled Krypto style cable lock through the rear wheel spokes and up over and around the passenger grab rail. I also leave the window cracked and keep the loaded 357 on the nightstand next to me. Third choice is parked by the front lobby door, where it is always in plain sight, and a request to the night desk clerk to please keep an eye out (most are cooperative, especially when you tell them the bike has an alarm and all you really want is for them to notice if it goes off or someone other you is spending too much time with your baby). Choice of motel also helps I think. Don't rent next door to a bar, especially a red neck or hardley bar. Pass on the $30 per night joint too; I figure if the guest can afford a better room, they probably have stuff and aren't thieves (at least not of motorcycles). As for professionals, I also try to park where the bike is obscured from the casual passerby on the highway or access road (unless I'm using the third alternative). So far, so good. Knock on wood and hope I don't have to leave a DB in the parking lot in the middle of the night.
