Bike security...Ulocks disc locks?

[trill gear head]

I really wan something that will make a woodbe thief think twice about going on a joy ride. I'm just looking for the most affordable way to effectively stop the average thief. Can somebody enlighten me? I have a Suzuki Marauder if that helps at all.

[inspiron]

It depends what kind of thief you are worried about.

For the record - you can't stop determined thieves. If a group of thieves want your bike, they will take it. No chain/cable/alarm/whatever will stop them.

Ignoring the professional thieves, if you want to stop someone from "borrowing" your bike for a joyride, then you have a couple of options.

A disc lock is cheap and effective, but must be visible. I had a disc lock on one bike, and hopped on the bike to ride away and forgot to remove the lock. The disc lock wasn't visible from the rider's position, so I started rolling a couple of feet, then dropped the bike when the disc lock came around an hit the brake assembly. That was an expensive lesson.

A thick cable or chain (about 6 feet long) that you pass through the rear wheel and around the frame is another option. If you have someplace to add a tiedown, then you can lock the bike to the ground (where you park it at home, for example). This will slow down a professional thief, and will discourage most amateurs. The disadvantage is that you need to to carry the chain, so it adds weight and takes up lots of space in your sattlebags.

An alarm system with an immobilizer will prevent someone from riding away with the bike, but won't stop thieves who just lift the bike into a truck and drive away. It may make some noise, but a professional gang can lift the bike into a truck and be gone within 30 seconds.

Lo Jack is an expensive option. It won't stop your bike from being stolen, but at least the police will know where it is, and can usually recover it.

The "ultimate" option (short of moving somewhere where the crime rate is lower) is a combination - a disc lock or a heavy cable to discourage amateurs combined with a Lo Jack to get it back if it gets taken anyway.

[womper]

I'd love to add something but i think he covered all the points

I've heard of a heavy harley being taken within 5 mins of a guy getting off the bike. it they want it, they'll take it.
That's why if i get another house (line in an apartment now) i'll get a house with a garage... just added security.
at the apartment the garage is locked and we have security cameras. not a bad setup

[pitzz]

Use multiple locks that all require different measures to defeat. You can break a U-lock if you can get inside it with a small bottle jack or pry bar. A heavy padlock needs serious bolt cutters or a grinder with a cutting wheel to go thru. You have to pop the cylinder on a disc lock (remember the Bic pen trick with round keys!!). A heavy chain takes a lot longer to break than cutting a cable does. Using a combination of theft deterents means a casual thief has to go thru multiple procedures with a variety of tools to get your ride. That may make taking your bike an investment in time he's not willing to make.

Also a locked cover radically reduces theft. You don't covet what you can't see.

Pitzz

[blackie1491]

A disc lock does work, my son's ZX6R survived 3 attempted thefts with only minor damage on one attempt.
My Disc lock has an alarm, just standing the Bike up and it goes off.
That solves the problem of riding off your self.
I also have an on board alarm with pager. It kills the starter.
My bikes have always been kept in carports with a cover over them.

So I would have at least a Disc lock and cover.
See E-bay for the Disc lock and Walmart for the cover.

[DrBob]

Disk locks are a good way to discourage the casual thief, and they are probably all you need, as a professional thief is going to go after a high-dollar sport bike or a Harley/ Goldwing.

The trick to disk locks is to get one that is highly visable, so theifs see it and you don;t forget it. I like This Kind with the orange cord that goes to your handlebars or This kind with a magnetic warning light for your tank. Or some have a long, yellow "Remove before flight" banner, like the Air Force uses on jets.

[womper]

I personally like the cord type. I put my cord around the throttle near the starter switch, I really can't forget it at that point.

[pinky44]

These poeple do a good disk lock I have the oxford defender disk lock Plus i have another lock that goes round a post.
Here is a link so you can have a look at what they do.
Oxford Products

I agree with Inspiron that you will only deter the amature thief and not the proffesional no mater what you do, All you can do is make it difficult for them to steal your bike so that they move on to an easier target.

[Elvis]

Originally Posted by womper

I personally like the cord type. I put my cord around the throttle near the starter switch, I really can't forget it at that point.

Can you buy the cord only or do you know something else that would serve the same purpose?

My friend lives downtown and he locks his bike even in his underground parking and needs one of those cords. [he forgot the lock on at least once, he was in pain].

Thank you.

[pinky44]

Originally Posted by Elvis

Can you buy the cord only or do you know something else that would serve the same purpose?

My friend lives downtown and he locks his bike even in his underground parking and needs one of those cords. [he forgot the lock on at least once, he was in pain].

Thank you.

Try looking at the link in the previous post i put here for oxford products look at the one they do and see if you can find one at your local dealership ??

[KD57]

As mentioned, those locks work for a joyrider, or casual theif, but not the determined ones. I witnessed a Harley theft one nite at an outside restaurant. This guy had the locks, and alarm. The thiefs pulled up in a pickup, 4 guys jumped out, physically picked the bike up and tossed it in the back, and took off. Elapsed time: 10 seconds. They were caught less than a mile away, but it just goes to show you how easy it is to steal a bike, locks or not.

I have another friend that had his truck stolen, along w/ a Harley and BMW that were in his garage. He had a big chain on them, but the thiefs cut it w/ a bolt cutter. How bad is that? Have your bikes stolen in your own truck?

I just keep insurance, and park the best place I can, preferably near $20K Harleys. Maybe they won't want mine.

[womper]

Originally Posted by Elvis

Can you buy the cord only or do you know something else that would serve the same purpose?

My friend lives downtown and he locks his bike even in his underground parking and needs one of those cords. [he forgot the lock on at least once, he was in pain].

Thank you.

you can tie a string around your finger

honestly, it's only for a reminder, so a little string from the lock to the handlebars would work... it just needs to remind you of the lock...

[Elvis]

Originally Posted by womper

you can tie a string around your finger

honestly, it's only for a reminder, so a little string from the lock to the handlebars would work... it just needs to remind you of the lock...

yes, i know but it happens, isn't it ironic you damage your bike while trying to protect it.

[womper]

oh i know... i make sure i put the reminder cable around my throttle even before putting on the disc lock... too worried breaking something / dumping the bike

[tbsS50]

Besides the internal fork lock, I sometimes also use just a regular padlock as a disc lock, together with a disc lock reminder hooked to the left hand grip.

[trill gear head]

Anybody know where I can get a disc lock that has an alarm that will sound when it is moved?

[womper]

nope... i don't know
the alarm and the disc lock are two different types of detterents..

i personally wouldn't want both intergrated...

you want it really safe? use different deterrents...
disc lock
alarm
lockable cover
chain lock

[trill gear head]

Anybody got any good websites to buy this stuff at? I want to buy a disc lock, U-lock w/ alarm(that goes in between the spokes of the wheel.

[womper]

two are on this page...
don't know anything about them though
Accessories > Locks / Alarms :: New Enough Motorcycle Hard Parts

couple more here...
Phat Performance Parts - Great Parts, Great Prices, Great Service, Great Website


and there's probably more here...
Locks, Alarms, Covers for Cruisers

[sarjent]

this kinda goes in this thread. .
what do you all do to also cover the bike if you have ridden it to work for the day?

I personally would do disc lock, and a chain. But am thinking that I'd like to keep it dry in case of rain too. Just can't put the cover on hot pipes! Lockable covers or any would just fuse to the pipes correct?