How many of you have some kinda security for when you're out and about? Until now I've not bothered, mainly because if I go to London I leave it in my uncles garage, nearly everywhere else I am with the bike the whole time (ace/bike shop etc) or at work where it is outside the window all day blocked in by cars. 

 

I've just read some reports of some attempted bike thefts fairly locally and I think I should consider using some security. At the end of the day if someone wants to nick it they will but something as a deterrent that I could keep under the seat I'm thinking. 

 

The Xena disc locks seem to get good reviews, I had a big chunky oxford alarm disc lock before which worked well, these Xena ones appear to be quite versatile and compact. 

 

Thoughts? 

Ive got an Xena alarmed disc lock. Xx14 i think it is. Its brill.

I havent used it with the vfr too much yet, but all thr time if i was leaving the SV for a duration, and will when the Vfr has its alarm removed on wednesday. The xena has been really good. It alatms fast enough so you cant even get upright with it on, so no need for a chain to the bars.

Dads struggled before on his Gs, but only in other countries. Its had a bent pannier from some **** trying to move it into (i guess) a van. But then realised a strapped together fully loaded 1200gs ADV, and ducati multistrada are too much for 3 bellends.

I get a disc lock (€350 one required by my old Dutch insurers ) and a Oxford HD chain and mini shackle disc lock under the pillion seat. It's a bit of a mission to lay it all in there with the tool kit etc and weighs a good bit. I always like a big beefy obvious chain as a deterrent. Disc locks alone are ok unless someone simply lifts the bike into the back of a van in seconds. PMSL when I see bikers forget they have one on and scratching their head as to why the bike wont move when they try riding off  

I get a disc lock (€350 one required by my old Dutch insurers ) and a Oxford HD chain and mini shackle disc lock under the pillion seat. It's a bit of a mission to lay it all in there with the tool kit etc and weighs a good bit. I always like a big beefy obvious chain as a deterrent. Disc locks alone are ok unless someone simply lifts the bike into the back of a van in seconds. PMSL when I see bikers forget they have one on and scratching their head as to why the bike wont move when they try riding off

Or tears when they set off abit fast and the bike suddenly stops.

Im very wary of disc locks. So i wouldnt have one unless its an Xena Tbh.

A disc lock without a chain or alarm, is like a sidestand without a switch. An accident waiting to happen imo. Which ive seen, and my god the thud of hitting a car is a horrible sound

Edited 24 August, 201510 yr by fabiamk2SE

Xena disc lock always carried under my seat. If I have my rack on then a u lock strapped to it.

Something is better than nothing. If they're professional it won't matter it'll be gone, sad but true.

Yeah, if you get a disk lock make sure you use the rubbery reminder string.

 

It's always best to hook the bike to something if you can, only take a couple of guys to pick a bike up and lob it in a van even with a disc lock.

Have heard stories that gangs often use fridge vans with tail lifts to take bikes, as tail lift makes lifting easy & quick, insulated back and fridge motor mask the sound of the alarm, so would suggest always using a chain to something solid, as a disc lock would not stop this.

 

Just remember, a lock will only stop an honest person..

Disk locks are a mixed bunch. I use a Luma lock and chain that doubles as a disc lock and was bought on the back of a test winner in a magazine review it's never been tested so can't comment on how good it is.

I have previously had an Oxford disc lock which was very expensive and crap. I forgot it was fitted on my old Ducati 900ss, very loud bang, sudden stop. Just as I'm about to topple over the bike moves forward again and I end up laying the bike down cracking the fairing. Stupid of me not to have fitted the yellow plastic spring reminder thing but more shocked that the disk lock had literally exploded within 3/4 of a turn of the front wheel. Not a mark on the forks or any damage to the disc.

My mother has a Vespa and we bought her an alarmed Xena lock. Found the thing full of expanding foam but no damage to the lock or bike. She still uses it and prefers it now as she always struggled with the alarm.

I read a link to another forum a while ago from a bike thief who was answering people's questions. His top tips were park the bike under a light and use a bike cover. The bike cover made sense once he explained that they have to get the cover off to see what bike is underneath it, which might trip the alarm. Time spent on getting the cover off increased the chances of getting caught. Once the cover was off they still had to deal with any security on the bike. In the end any bike with a cover was regarded as too higher risk. He regarded a bike in a garage as less risk as they couldn't be observed by neighbours, passer people etc. Also stated any bike they wanted enough they would simply pick it up and take it away in a van, dealing with the security later.

A couple of times I have set off (or tried to) with my lock and chain still around the back wheel.  First time it was still dark and I couldn't get it undone then so had to go to work in the car!  Second time I just pushed the bike backwards and out it popped again.  I agree with chaining it to an unmoveable object if you can though.

 

Fact is if someone is determined enough they will have it away in seconds and you will know nothing about it until you go out and see a space where it used to be. 

 

It isn't limited to nicking it whilst you are away from the bike.  It has been known for nerdowells to nick your keys whilst you are sat in traffic and leg it.  You leg it after them and they have handed the keys to someone else who calmly walks up to your bike and rides away with the keys.  Hence why I always carry my spare set with me in my pocket.

 

Agree about the cover. Most decent thieves won't bother as it is too risky and you don't even know if what is under it is worth the risk!

That reminds me, I read it was best to use a crappy looking cover. Again it implied the bike underneath wasn't worth bothering about.

 

In the garage I had the bike with a heavy chain through the frame to a solid ground anchor. But it would be true enough to say that in the garage they could shut the door turn the lights on and use the wall sockets for their own tools. It would probably be nice and convenient if it wasn't alarmed as well.

Mine is a crappy looking cover!  It wasn't when I bought it about 2 years ago but it has been bleached by the sun, battered by the wind and shat on by the birds.  It does look crappy literally!

Thanks for the replies everyone, some top tips in general. 

 

At home my bike lives in the garage with the car in front of it. It might be a false sense of security but my mate lived in the next road up until recently with his Fireblade on his drive locked to a ground anchor so I feel comfortable with the bike as it is. That said, if they want it, they'll pop in for the car key and take it, if they're going to that trouble then I dont think anything will stop them. I saw some CCTV footage of 3 guys taking the keys to a guys car, garage and 2x bikes at knife point so like everyone has said, if they want that bad, a extra chain isnt going to stop them.

 

My OP was more aimed at out and about security, when we went on our 4 day tour of the south coast we took 2 chains and locked all 3 bikes together at each hotel, I'm not going to carry a chain and cover each time I go to work or nip to the shops while I'm out on the bike. There is space under the seat for a disc lock or maybe at a push a D lock but it'd be a short one, doubt it'd go over the wheel and something solid tbh so I think I'm limited to a disc lock or nothing. I'm not likely to leave the bike for hours on its own, I'm thinking more nipping into Tesco or the shopping centre for half hour. Thinking about it, in those situations I doubt a disc lock will do anything, if by some mega bad luck someone arrives with a van to take it, a disc lock isnt going to do much, although if there was 2 bikes sat there one with and one without, I assume they'll go for the one without. Hummmmmmm

If I am just going to the shops I take the key out and walk away.  Mind you my area probably isn't as rough as yours Matt!    I am quite laid back about it all and if anything happens I have Insurance and will deal with it then.  Not to say that everyone should be the same nor make it easy for scum to nick you heard earned but if I park my bike up in a public place it is never locked with a chain. 

I saw some CCTV footage of 3 guys taking the keys to a guys car, garage and 2x bikes at knife point so like everyone has said, if they want that bad, a extra chain isnt going to stop them.

 

 

 

In computer security it's sometimes called "Wrench decryption". Works very well for getting past the best security measures.

 

I have an Oxford HD chain for using when out and about when I know I am going to be leaving my bike for any period of time. It weighs roughly 5kg and can easily be carried in a ruck sack.

http://www.jsaccessories.co.uk/of160-hd-chain-lock-2-0m.html

 

And one of these which means that I can secure both the front & rear wheels:

http://www.jsaccessories.co.uk/of54-quartz-disc-lock-yellow.html

 

Definitely gives you a bit more peace of mind when leaving your pride & joy somewhere.

I'm not going to carry a chain and cover each time I go to work or nip to the shops while I'm out on the bike. There is space under the seat for a disc lock or maybe at a push a D lock but it'd be a short one, doubt it'd go over the wheel and something solid tbh so I think I'm limited to a disc lock or nothing.

Just a matter of choosing which disc lock then. The staple shaped type are generally the weakest - most can be shattered by a quick whack with hammer and chisel. My own preference is one of these (well, two of them actually had one in use for donkeys years, and got another a while ago):

Much stronger than the staple types, and doubles as a padlock too. My Street Triple doesn't have enough space under the seat for one of those though, so for that I got one of these (which uses the same lock mechanism):

Neither will stop your bike being lifted into a van, but disc locks are more about stopping opportunist thieves, not professionals. No doubt either would succumb to an angle grinder, but not a hammer and chisel, like many others will.

I don't see the need for any of the various reminder things - in 20 years of using one I've never tried to set off with it still attached, and never really understood how people do that.

If you buy a Xena, keep the receipt - we used to get loads back with faulty alarms.

I have a helmet box on the scooter, so I just take my chain with me. Saves carrying my gloves and helmet about too.

I have an Oxford HD chain for using when out and about when I know I am going to be leaving my bike for any period of time. It weighs roughly 5kg and can easily be carried in a ruck sack.

http://www.jsaccessories.co.uk/of160-hd-chain-lock-2-0m.html

 

And one of these which means that I can secure both the front & rear wheels:

http://www.jsaccessories.co.uk/of54-quartz-disc-lock-yellow.html

 

Definitely gives you a bit more peace of mind when leaving your pride & joy somewhere.

Those are more suited to securing a scooter worth a few hundred quid than the GSXR in your picture, and definitely wouldn't give me any piece of mind on a bike of that value.

To be fair my bike is normally locked in my garage and blocked in by my car so it's not going anywhere and it's very rare that it's left on it's lonesome, e.g. it was left at the TT and at the Moto GP for a few hours but then why nick mine when there are lots more expesive / flashy bikes around?   

 

On a serious note I have been looking at buying one of these chains - anyone got any experience of them?

 

http://www.getgeared.co.uk/OXFORD_HardcoreXL_High_Security_Motorcycle_Chain_and_Padlock

If I am just going to the shops I take the key out and walk away.  Mind you my area probably isn't as rough as yours Matt!    I am quite laid back about it all and if anything happens I have Insurance and will deal with it then.  Not to say that everyone should be the same nor make it easy for scum to nick you heard earned but if I park my bike up in a public place it is never locked with a chain. 

 

This has been my current choice, I was thinking I should either not be too shocked it's not there where I return or stick something on it, even just as a visual deterrent. I'm certainly not loosing any sleep over it. 

 

In computer security it's sometimes called "Wrench decryption". Works very well for getting past the best security measures.

 

 

True dat!

 

Just a matter of choosing which disc lock then. The staple shaped type are generally the weakest - most can be shattered by a quick whack with hammer and chisel. My own preference is one of these (well, two of them actually had one in use for donkeys years, and got another a while ago):

Much stronger than the staple types, and doubles as a padlock too. My Street Triple doesn't have enough space under the seat for one of those though, so for that I got one of these (which uses the same lock mechanism):

Neither will stop your bike being lifted into a van, but disc locks are more about stopping opportunist thieves, not professionals. No doubt either would succumb to an angle grinder, but not a hammer and chisel, like many others will.

I don't see the need for any of the various reminder things - in 20 years of using one I've never tried to set off with it still attached, and never really understood how people do that.

If you buy a Xena, keep the receipt - we used to get loads back with faulty alarms.

 

Hummmm, heard good things about abus in general, I'll have a look at them both. I was liking the Xena because it looked smart, but I guess this isnt a situation where we buy on looks.

 

To be fair my bike is normally locked in my garage and blocked in by my car so it's not going anywhere and it's very rare that it's left on it's lonesome, e.g. it was left at the TT and at the Moto GP for a few hours but then why nick mine when there are lots more expesive / flashy bikes around? 

 

On a serious note I have been looking at buying one of these chains - anyone got any experience of them?

 

http://www.getgeared.co.uk/OXFORD_HardcoreXL_High_Security_Motorcycle_Chain_and_Padlock

 

Dont bother with Oxford, from what I've read it's all about Abus, Almax or Pragmasis for chains. In fairness though, you sound like you have similar needs/use as me regarding security. 

I wouldnt particularly bother with oxford either tbh. Nothing ive seen seems particularly high end. Ive got a tank bag, x50 soft panniers, waterproofs etc etc and its all good, but nothing that high quality.

We had something like this and a ground achor holding a trailer down at our old house, but it wasnt that portable. Infact, it was feckin heavy.

http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/28656

Not sure if it was that model, its hard to tell, but you certainly wouldnt want it behind your ear for a pencil as Guy would say

 

Dont bother with Oxford, from what I've read it's all about Abus, Almax or Pragmasis for chains. In fairness though, you sound like you have similar needs/use as me regarding security.

Even an Oxford Monster chain (more expensive than the one in that link) can be cut in a few seconds with bolt croppers. The only chains worth having to deter anything more than a casual opportunist are from Almax or Pragmasis, they're the only ones that can't be cut with bolt croppers.

Even an Oxford Monster chain (more expensive than the one in that link) can be cut in a few seconds with bolt croppers. The only chains worth having to deter anything more than a casual opportunist are from Almax or Pragmasis, they're the only ones that can't be cut with bolt croppers.

Thats good to know..

*off to shock myself at prices*

To be fair my bike is normally locked in my garage and blocked in by my car so it's not going anywhere

Don't bet on that. Most bikes taken by professionals are stolen from garages. They'll quite happily spend a long time in a garage (and it takes all of a couple of seconds to get into a garage with a normal up and over door) since they're out of sight and can take their time. And even if you've got a chain and ground anchor that can't be cropped quietly with bolt cutters (and the big 42" Irwin Record cutters that they favour will go through that Oxford Hardcore chain as easily as cheese), then most garages have power points for them to plug power tools into (don't keep your angle grinder in your garage...).

Thats good to know..

*off to shock myself at prices*

The 16mm (or the real big bast*rd 19mm ones) aren't cheap, but they cost less than your insurance excess, and little more than many chains that can be cropped in a few seconds. Thieves are lazy (they'd have proper jobs otherwise) - it's all about making it difficult enough that they'll move onto an easier bike. If you've got it properly secured to a good (and properly positioned) ground anchor by a proper chain and lock then, unless you're really unlucky, or it's some rare exotica that's on their list and not easy to find, then you'll probably be ok. If your garage is attached to the house with an internal door then fit deadlocks on the inside, to make it difficult for them to even get in in the first place.

Edited 2 September, 201510 yr by StripleR675