Bike Security - Horizons Unlimited

**Finian** · #1 21 Nov 2002

Please can anyone tell me what the best thing to take travelling is for locking a motorbike. I have a disc lock and a chain lock. The chain is very good but heavy and maybe not necessary.

Thanks, Finian

**Werner** · #2 23 Nov 2002

Hi Finian,
I travelled on all continents, and never had security problems. Why? I always stayed in upscale hotels with 24-hour guards. I use the steering lock on my BMW, a padlock throught the front brake disk, a Gorilla alarm, and most important of all, a black bike cover which I throw over the bike as soon as I park it in their parking lot. Out of sight, out of mind. If they touch the cover the alarm will go off. That will stop them.

**A.B.** · #3 23 Nov 2002

hmmm.. I never though of taking a cover...

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A.B.

OasisPhoto.com – Images from the Magical Sahara.
ShortWheelbase.com – Jeep preparations.

**ChrisK** · #4 23 Nov 2002

Hi, I find a cable lock usefull aside from locking the rear wheel I also pass it through my jacket sleeve and chin peice of my helmet when visiting a monument or shoping for food or whatever as it saves lugging these items around when the weather is hot, another good idea is parking by a restaurant and eating a meal and then ask the folk to look after your bike and gear, they will. I also have an alarm fitted, its most usefull for scaring kids away who always fiddle with the bike when its parked, even when you are standing right next to it. A bike cover is a good idea and I wish I had thought to bring mine. Regards Chris

**y_kiwi** · #5 26 Nov 2002

I have a cable (really a fancy bicycle cable) and a disklock - neither of which I ever use as my bike is almost always in view from a restaurant, parked inside a hotel (and they are not that expensive) or next to my tent. My luggage is all locked to the bike.
Never had a problem in any country. Once out of Europe (esp. the UK) that is... .
L

**Finian** · #6 27 Nov 2002

Thanks for the advice, the cover sounds like a good idea.

Finian

**Macca** · #7 13 Dec 2002

Having just purchased a Tiger 955i, I went through the normal 'new car' syndrome and 'interrigated' the shop attendant to death re: bike security> He advised me (we are talking Australia here) that the current bike thefts involve skateboards (?) what they do is when they come across a bike chained (Not to a hard stand) or disc locked the put the bike wheel on the skateboard and wheel off!

So the moral of the story is to chain to a hard point, and that is my current security system.

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Macca & Lynda
Tiger955i

**Bruno Valeri** · #8 15 Dec 2002

Macca wrote:
He advised me (we are talking Australia here) that the current bike thefts involve skateboards (?)
So the moral of the story is to chain to a hard point, and that is my current security system.
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Good point! However, wheeling off a bike, particularly if the wheel is locked at a full lock position, is not an elegant thing to do. It would take atleast 2 individuals to keep the bike balanced. Even at this, it would be a shaky and clumsy undertaking. Plus, how far would they go like this?

**Werner** · #9 18 Dec 2002

In Australia, you say? Of course from the scateboard they would transfer the bike onto a surfboard, and off they would go, very elegantly.

**cmwingfield** · #10 23 Jan 2003

Regarding motorcycle security; I don't believe there is any such thing. If a thief or group of thieves want your bike, they will get it. Thieves operate on timing, so anything that slows them down will help thieves to decide to pass up your bike and steal something else. A thief is a thief. It is how they survive. Here is a suggestion that I've used with some success: If you're unable to secure your bike to something stationary, (ie. Metal post, concrete fence, etc.) lock your front wheel using the standard motorcycle locking mechanism, run a hardened cable or chain with lock through your rear tire and frame so the rear tire won't spin. This is useful for heavier bikes, as three thieves can easily steal any bike that doesn't have it's rear wheel locked by sliding a 2X4 piece of lumber through the front wheel, lifting it off the ground and walking away with the bike, with the front wheel locked, letting the rear wheel roll normally. This is quite easy and takes only seconds to roll away your bike to a location where they can work in secret on the front lock.

Hope this helps!
Mike