T0SA
Guest
Is there any alarm that works paticularly well with the R1100GS ? Or even any that should be avoided, also remember I like things that have small price tags as I have short arms and deep pockets (or, i'm a scrooge).
Bateman
Registered user
Best thing I ever did was get my alarm ripped out of my GS1150 - it was a datatool system 3. CWs told me that they cause all sorts of electrical problems and I'd agree. Faulty relays and shorts can immobilise the bike and leave you stranded all for the smallest of reasons. No alarm for me from now on, but obviously a good lock.
T0SA
Guest
ok, was thinking it might bring down my insurance a bit 
...but I suppose I can be careful, do they give a discount for being careful? 
...but I suppose I can be careful, do they give a discount for being careful?
Bateman
Registered user
Assuming it gives a 20% discount, an alarm has saved me about £40 quid last year. But the breakdowns due to blown alarm fuses have left me stranded twice, in need of a recovery truck once and taken up plenty of my time (and other peoples) trying to fix it.
I suppose it is like anything - when they work it is great, but when they go wrong it can be a real pain in the ass.
I suppose it is like anything - when they work it is great, but when they go wrong it can be a real pain in the ass.
I have been using an Acuman Pager Alarm for over a year as a stand alone system with a tilt switch from Maplins. Very simple to instal (4-wires IIRC). Mine is fitted to a 1150 and sits inside the fuse box. You get a seperate pager, and in almost 2-years it has been 100% reliable with no battery drain problems. It may not sound an alarm (but who reacts to them anyway) but instead gives you the opertunity to confront whoever is tampering with your bike . Got mine of ebay a while back, but there are some on there at the moment, see 250038547376.
. Got mine of ebay a while back, but there are some on there at the moment, see 250038547376.Tasy's BIGJIM
Registered user
Cheap alarm?
Australian Red Healer cattle dog! Rides Bikes
( with a bit of a hand )? My Alice will attack and run down a moving, yes moving Landcruiser flat tray up to 40 km an hour!! And, drinks from a Stubbie ( Beer, scotch? Can't live with her next morning )? She bleeds a PitBull in seconds. Part Dingo different than any other dog? More cat like. Being from a Native dog they actyualy think, plan and hunt. Then KILL! Can't kick em too fast, Hit it? Good luck. Last trip to the Vet? Cat leg and claw stuck up her A.s. ? Next property still going " Eer cat, cat? Eer..."? Spose I 'll have to tell em? Did you know the Dingo Beat the Police? Dingo took my Baby... Chamberland? Cunnin as an outhouse rodent!! Oh alarms? Ok ok,
Hey I got hold of one of those door knob alarms? The type when you move the door it goes off? Its for letting me know at Rallys and pubs if anyone picks up my bike. Only for me being near the Bike. I agree with Tarka good locks, Ground Bolt in the concrete. Also cover your bike with a full Bike cover. Bikes are stolen by order, well? Last but not at all least, Insurance!!
Tassy's BIGJIM. Yeah I'm back.
beerjug:
Australian Red Healer cattle dog! Rides Bikes
( with a bit of a hand )? My Alice will attack and run down a moving, yes moving Landcruiser flat tray up to 40 km an hour!! And, drinks from a Stubbie ( Beer, scotch? Can't live with her next morning )? She bleeds a PitBull in seconds. Part Dingo different than any other dog? More cat like. Being from a Native dog they actyualy think, plan and hunt. Then KILL! Can't kick em too fast, Hit it? Good luck. Last trip to the Vet? Cat leg and claw stuck up her A.s. ? Next property still going " Eer cat, cat? Eer..."? Spose I 'll have to tell em? Did you know the Dingo Beat the Police? Dingo took my Baby... Chamberland? Cunnin as an outhouse rodent!! Oh alarms? Ok ok, Hey I got hold of one of those door knob alarms? The type when you move the door it goes off? Its for letting me know at Rallys and pubs if anyone picks up my bike. Only for me being near the Bike. I agree with Tarka good locks, Ground Bolt in the concrete. Also cover your bike with a full Bike cover. Bikes are stolen by order, well? Last but not at all least, Insurance!!
Tassy's BIGJIM. Yeah I'm back.
beerjug:dazco
Guest
just wire a socket in the loom that supplies the ignition, just make sure you make it easy to get at so you can remove it when the bike isnt in use.no bugger will start it without having the loom apart, but they might still put it on the back of a truck if no ones looking. 
T0SA
Guest
I could of course go somewhere in between the two and get one of those alarm/lock things. What do you reckon? 
STUBBS
undead
dont use one, you can get good discounts on a good chain and alarmed lock
Don't put an alarm on it they are a pain in the bum. If mine wasn't wired in so well I'd rip it out. Sat on the roadside for 2 hours last weekend because of it throwing a wobbler. For no apparent reason it decided I could carry on my journey and fixed itself 
Insurance companies offer discounts for datatagging and certain types of locks and chains. They'd be my first choice.
Insurance companies offer discounts for datatagging and certain types of locks and chains. They'd be my first choice.
T0SA
Guest
The bike is already datatagged so that's good. On the subject of alarm locks, do any of you know if this one is any good? http://www.nippynormans.com/prodinfo.asp?number=XEN-XN14&variation=&aitem=1&mitem=1
STUBBS
undead
the best bet would be phone your insurance company and see what they offer discounts on
T0SA
Guest
STUBBS said:
oh yeah, that would be the best thing to do....
thanks everyone, i'm a little slow, but I get there in the end
I was not offered a discount on my last GS and that had a catA immobiliser fitted and was reliable.
New bike has no alarm and when I changed over ins I asked again and they came back with the same price.
Couple of good locks and a decent bike cover it is then....
Jon.
New bike has no alarm and when I changed over ins I asked again and they came back with the same price.
Couple of good locks and a decent bike cover it is then....
Jon.
Mick O'Malley
Registered user
Have to agree with the above. When I first got mine five years ago (it was all shiny and clean then ) I asked Carole Nash what the discounts were for alarms, ground anchors etc. and was told there was none, as it wasn't a very very nickworthy bike (their words!). Since then I've accidently left the keys in the ignition overnight umpteen times and of course no one's had a bite. All this in retarded pikey chavscum minimoto quadbike no helmet central.
Must prove something.
Regards, Mick
) I asked Carole Nash what the discounts were for alarms, ground anchors etc. and was told there was none, as it wasn't a very very nickworthy bike (their words!). Since then I've accidently left the keys in the ignition overnight umpteen times and of course no one's had a bite. All this in retarded pikey chavscum minimoto quadbike no helmet central.Must prove something.
Regards, Mick
Mine has a Spyball - it's probably about 6 years old and has worked perfectly. Immobilises/alarms.
Paul G
Paul G
Remove 1150GSA Factory Alarm Immobiliser?
Bateman, I believe my factory installed alarm has developed a short (inside the siren - found it by following the giant puff of smoke after i replaced the Driver Info Display 15amp fuse that was fried. The bike will turn over but won't start so I'm assuming the immobiliser is the problem as the disabling key on the fob does not seem to do the trick. Haven't had time to go at it further yet so any advise on how to go about it?
thanks
Kelly
Bateman, I believe my factory installed alarm has developed a short (inside the siren - found it by following the giant puff of smoke after i replaced the Driver Info Display 15amp fuse that was fried. The bike will turn over but won't start so I'm assuming the immobiliser is the problem as the disabling key on the fob does not seem to do the trick. Haven't had time to go at it further yet so any advise on how to go about it?
thanks
Kelly
Most insurances wont give discount unless you have a thatcham approved alarm/immobilise fitted. This precludes you fitting it yourself.
If you go for a thatcham/insurance lock approved to get a discount then should you have your bike stolen without it fitted your in for a fight to get your money.
I went for the immobiliser route on my current and previous bike, if you take time to research a good installer you should not have any problems. Saved more than the cost on the first years discount.
If you want piece of mind and not going for insurance discount then anything is a deterrent to some but not all thieves so its your choice. The first time you drive off without removing a lock gives a bad feeling, I expect we have all seen the damage it can cause for a moment of inattention. Wont happen to me? how many thought that before they did?
If you go for a thatcham/insurance lock approved to get a discount then should you have your bike stolen without it fitted your in for a fight to get your money.
I went for the immobiliser route on my current and previous bike, if you take time to research a good installer you should not have any problems. Saved more than the cost on the first years discount.
If you want piece of mind and not going for insurance discount then anything is a deterrent to some but not all thieves so its your choice. The first time you drive off without removing a lock gives a bad feeling, I expect we have all seen the damage it can cause for a moment of inattention. Wont happen to me? how many thought that before they did?
Alarms can be a pain. Generally on an 1100GS they will cause ABS lights to come on, because they draw a little closed circuit current and we all know how sensitive ABS II is when it comes to battery voltage...
My rule of thumb is that if the bike i have has an alarm, then it stays on until it fails. I have bought bikes without an alarm and to be honest, dependant on postcode, its rarely worth having one fitted. I was quoted £345 to fit a Thatcham CAT1 alarm once, and taking the discount on my premium into account it would have taken me over 10 years to get my money back!
You can get almost as much discount, again dependant on postcode, with Datatag/ground anchor etc....
I have an Acumen on my GS, at the moment it arms, immobilises, goes off if you turn on the ignition but the movement sensor has failed...
Still, the insurance company asked me did I have an alarm, not is it fully functioning...
My rule of thumb is that if the bike i have has an alarm, then it stays on until it fails. I have bought bikes without an alarm and to be honest, dependant on postcode, its rarely worth having one fitted. I was quoted £345 to fit a Thatcham CAT1 alarm once, and taking the discount on my premium into account it would have taken me over 10 years to get my money back!
You can get almost as much discount, again dependant on postcode, with Datatag/ground anchor etc....
I have an Acumen on my GS, at the moment it arms, immobilises, goes off if you turn on the ignition but the movement sensor has failed...
Still, the insurance company asked me did I have an alarm, not is it fully functioning...
