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Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by Danielle Murdoch, riding to Uganda - Kenya border

The only impossible journey
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Photo by Danielle Murdoch,
riding to Uganda - Kenya border



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  #1  
Old 3 Feb 2011
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Motorcycle Security

We planning a 4 month trip through Europe (France, Spain, Italy, Germany) on our 2009 Goldwing and I'm wondering if I need to take any special security precautions like one of those heavy duty hardened steel chains. We're going to be pulling a trailer with all our gear so I am fairly weight conscious.
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  #2  
Old 3 Feb 2011
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Yes

Hi, unfortunately yes is the answer, i have friends that have had their bikes stolen in Holland and Spain, better safe than sorry. Andy
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  #3  
Old 3 Feb 2011
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Originally Posted by Andysr6 View Post
Hi, unfortunately yes is the answer, i have friends that have had their bikes stolen in Holland and Spain, better safe than sorry. Andy
+1

Take the precautions you can. Don't leave the bike without locking it. Don't leave anything on the bike that is not secured.

Incidentally, the highest theft rate of motorcycles is in highly developped countries like (in no particular order) Spain, Italy, France where there are a lot of bikes and the resale is garanteed.
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  #4  
Old 3 Feb 2011
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+1
Europe is the worst of all continents I'm afraid. The more security the better.
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  #5  
Old 3 Feb 2011
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Your're riding a Goldwing with a trailer... you can't be that weight conscious?

This is my suggestion, obviously minus the ground anchor:

Quote:
Originally Posted by stephen.stallebrass
The Almax are the best chains out there! They are the nuts, unlike the others which make claims that are just bollocks frankly. Used in combination with a Hardie Ground Anchor and a Squire Lock your bike is virtually theft proof! The scumbag(s) will need power tools to get through this bad boy!

Almax Series III has never been bolt cropped by ANYONE EVER!


Unlike the other big name chains that are cropped in seconds - literally!
(Abus City X-Plus, Abus Granite, Oxford Monster, Datatool Python, English Superlink, Squire MC4/6 and Kryptonite Fahgettaboutit)


They come in various lengths, which will obviously affect weight. The Series III Weighs 4.34kgs (9&1/2 lbs) per metre

0.7m (2'3") 3.04kgs (6.6lbs)
1.5m (4'11") 6.51kgs (14.3lbs)
2.0m (6'6") 8.68kgs (19.0lbs)
2.5m (8'2") 10.85kgs (23.8lbs)

Diameter of each link 16mm (0' 6/10ths")
Inside measurement of each link 100mm (0'3 9/10ths")
Outside Measurement of each link 132mm (0'5 2/10ths")
Outside Width of each link 56mm (0'2 3/10ths")
Aperture needed for the chain to pass through 58mm (0'2 2/10ths")

The chains have a long 16mm diameter link design with a square profile. Best used with a closed shackle.


The only 16mm quadruple tempered security chain, Case hardened (not through hardened), Carbon manganese alloy steel enhanced with boron, Thatcham approved Cat 3, Impervious to hand bolt cropper attacks, Hacksaws useless, Zinc plated with gold passivation for maximum corrosion protection, Almax's long link system allows you to lock your chain off tight, stopping sledge, wedge and freeze attacks dead in their tracks.


Uniquely designed and engineered to deter even the most foolhardy thief. Virtually indestructible British design. DIY instructions allows easy fitting within minutes. Comes complete with all fixing required including the drill bit!


Carries Europe's highest security Rating of CEN6, Boron alloy hardened steel 13mm diameter closed shackle – Solid hardened steel body, 65mm wide – 6 pin tumbler lock mechanism – double locking – Anti-drill module. This lock is manufactured in Britian from 32mm thick solid hardened steel giving maximum protection from sledgehammering, drilling, sawing and other forms of attack. The closed shackle design provides TOTAL protection against boltcroppers. – 10 year guarantee – Sold Secure GOLD

I have the Immobilser III chain, Squire SS65CS Stonghold Lock and the Hardie Ground Anchor as outlined above. I have ZERO buyer remorse and cannot reccomned them highly enough. I even got a small Kriega bag thrown for free, which that attaches to the seat and holds my chain and lock when I do take it out. :thumb2

Cost for the package £210-240 depending on chain length. This is the ONLY physical security you'll need... Here's a video of a lorry hanging by the Hardie Ground Anchor!



Don't waste good money on shite, get the best. These are cheaper then the big name brands which pale into insignificance compared to Almax!

xXx
I don't tend to take the chain when I'm touring, it's too heavy with all the other gear. I just use a Xena Disc Lock Alarm and cover the bike. I think it's much safer and secure when its out of sight out of mind!

xXx
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  #6  
Old 3 Feb 2011
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Chain or disc lock

Thanks for all the replies. The theme is definitely consistent - make sure your bike is secure. My weight concern is because we have a motorcycle tent trailer that is fairly heavy which means we have to watch the weight of our contents. Stephen sent some great info on the Almax chain but then ended by saying that he only uses the Xena disc lock alarm when touring. My biggest concerns are when we are out sightseeing or out for dinner. At night the bike will be close at hand in the campground. Any thoughts?
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Old 3 Feb 2011
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Most bike thefts in cities now don't even bother with taking the lock off, they just nick a van, pull up and load the bike. Alarmed disc locks are a good plan and if using a chain lock remeber to lock it up in such a way that the chain (especially the padlock) isn't sitting on the ground - this makes it a hell of a lot harder for any thief using a club hammer and cold chisel (common M.O.) to get through it.

Annoyingly councils in the UK don't allow people to install lie-flat ground anchors in front of their houses but then they can be generally anti-bike
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Old 4 Feb 2011
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That's a serious chunk of chain! But.....any pro can easily defeat it, right? Battery powered grinders can't be any more rare in England than the USA.

You've got to decide who you're defending against. It is an opportunist who's just looking to steal anything which isn't tied down? Or a professional motorbike thief, who knows what he wants and is willing to go to a certain amount of trouble and expense to get it? The first you can defeat with almost anything; the second.....uh uh. If you've got what they want, your lock, chain, alarm and immobiliser are unlikely to stop them for long.

The standard-issue private Guatemalan security guard with the pistol grip shotgun might be a deterrent, however, as long as he remembers whose side he's on.

Mark
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  #9  
Old 4 Feb 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markharf View Post
That's a serious chunk of chain! But.....any pro can easily defeat it, right? Battery powered grinders can't be any more rare in England than the USA.


Mark
Rule 1: Know your enemy;

Steal to order: Comes in a van with untracable plates (CCTV will send plod looking for a similar vehicle in perfectly legal use 500 miles away), has plumbers nitrogen and an angle grinder. Steals new Ducati's, BMW GS's with the full TT set up, Harleys with paint jobs etc. Not interested in a X years old wing with a trailer.

Amature scrote: Steals the van full of builders tools, tries a chisel on good chains, just makes a mess. Still wants flash bikes.

Kiddies: Want a quick thrash on your bike, use bricks and screwdrivers, can't open a good chain.

Street scum: Only want your phone and GPS, can't open locks much better than a B&Q padlock.

You won't stop anglegrinder man, but chances are he won't bother you.

Tip: Don't use the ignition lock, scratters break that first then see the chain and **** off. A screwdrivered ignition will ruin your day.

Take care but don't worry.

Andy
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  #10  
Old 9 Feb 2011
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Please steal my bike.....

I had a very stupid moment when in Paris last year at the start of a months tour with my gf on an old pan european. We parked the bike opposite the hotel with alarm, disclock and hardened chain and padlock secured to a pole. We left for the day to do the tourist thing and about eight hours later when enjoying a pint i realised i'd left the keys in the saddle release lock!!!!!!! After a high speed dash back i found the bike in the same place minus the keys, the disclock and the padlock. The chain was left in position around the pole and the front wheel for some reason but thankfully the immobiliser had done it's work as i had the fob in my pocket apart from the keys. Don't underestimate the power of stupidity......
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Old 10 Feb 2011
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I read somewhere a cover is good for security. I went out and bought one..... first day the dogs all used it to pee on....damn dogs!
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Old 10 Feb 2011
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This is funny. Not to of course to the owner, but because I had the same thing happen to me, in my own home driveway.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Newbie View Post
I read somewhere a cover is good for security. I went out and bought one..... first day the dogs all used it to pee on....damn dogs!
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