Glen Woods had to play detective when his $15,000 motorbike was stolen and his investigation led to charges being laid but feels he has been robbed justice with a recent court decision.

A victim of crime turned detective to retrieve his stolen property after what he describes as police inaction over the case.

A thief stole Glen Woods' $15,000 motorbike while he slept at a Taupo motel last year but he says the real crime was being robbed of his sense of justice by police.

Taupo farm hand Brendan Jay Hewitt, 23, pleaded guilty to charges relating to receiving the stolen bike at Taupo District Court on Monday but Woods will not be satisfied until police have laid theft charges on whoever is responsible for breaking into the motel and stealing his gear.

After battling police to take his case more seriously he turned detective himself and lay the ground work for Hewitt's arrest.

"I did all the police work for them. They've been worthless," he said.

"There were CCTV cameras all over the place. I went through eight hours of CCTV footage and saw the thief on camera."

"I put that on USB for police to see but they didn't seem that interested in it."

After making enquiries Woods' search led him to a Wainuiomata, Wellington, house after he heard a bike similar to his was up for sale.

"The bike is Italian and they only make about 2500 world wide," he said.

"It is likely to be the only one of it's kind in New Zealand so when I heard one was up for sale cheaply I went and checked it out."

Upon inspecting the bike Woods noticed it had been repainted and "thrashed out" but it was definitely his.

He took it from the seller and contacted police.

The subsequent police investigation led to Hewitt being charged with burglary charges but these were dropped by police prosecutors and receiving stolen vehicle charges were later laid.

Judge Snell indicated a prison sentence, after taking into account Hewitt's criminal history.

Hewitt has 19 dishonesty convictions to his name - six are in connection to receiving stolen vehicles.

"He is certainly looking at a term of imprisonment of two years or less," he said.

"Members of the public need to be protected from people who are thieves."

Prosecutors called for reparations to be made to Woods, who was uninsured for the theft, but Hewitt's defence said it was unfair for the full amount of compensation be awarded as Hewitt was not the one who stole the bike.

Woods said that decision was unfair.

"I now know why people keep stealing bikes," he said.

"Even if people get caught they get away with it. They've done more to protect those responsible than me."

Taupo Senior Sergeant Fane Troy said police appreciated Wood's investigative work which led to an arrest and return of stolen property.

"A lot of people end up investigating their own cases," he said.

"Police take all crime seriously but we have to prioritise things."

When talking about Wood's dissatisfaction with Monday's outcome Troy said it could be difficult for victims of crime to think objectively about the situation.

"It can be tough when people get personally involved," he said.

"I understand people can be emotional when a crime is committed but you have to take a step back and think objectively about it."

Hewitt has been remanded on bail with a curfew until sentencing on December 16.