Best Alarm for GS?
- Thread starter Waratah
- Start date
Devil
Registered user
I have a BWM alarm, on my new GSA, Dealer fitted. And to be honest the movement sensor is crap. i can take the bike, out of its shed, and push it down the road. No alarm will sound. I dont know, if theres a sensortivity switch on it, or a way to improve it. 
My last bike had a factory fitted one, and that was great.
My last bike had a factory fitted one, and that was great.
The biggest chain an padlock you can afford ,put it through the hole in the rear driveshaft and lock it to something substantial as if it has jst an alarm itL flatten your battery and if someone pulls up in a van an loads it up no one will give a shit if the alarms going off or not !!! 
just get a decent lock and chain 
just get a decent lock and chain 
morty
Registered user
factory fitted alarm on mine works a treat as good as any i've had on other bikes but it's my almax 4 chain & beast of a squire padlock with defender ground anchor that does the hard work. Alarm is good if your traveling about &
out of area & kipping at a b&b & the likes.if a pro wants it they'll take it,it's only for ned alert.
out of area & kipping at a b&b & the likes.if a pro wants it they'll take it,it's only for ned alert.
Hi,
Thinking of having a BMW alarm fitted to my GS, however is there a better option for me to consider and why?
C'mon Team Great Britain
A large dog
Berkshire_Mike
Registered user
For what it's worth, I don't think Bike Alarms are worth much, they always flatten the battery and generally either don't go off when needed or do when you don't want it, mostly the alarms are ignored by the public anyway, I have trusted in the biggest lock and chain I could find for years and attach it to the most solid item I can find, worked so far.
What I would consider is a tracker, the local tea leaves tend to push the bike around the corner for a day or 2 to "cool off" - if it isn't claimed by then then others cart it away. Saved my friends KTM 990,
What I would consider is a tracker, the local tea leaves tend to push the bike around the corner for a day or 2 to "cool off" - if it isn't claimed by then then others cart it away. Saved my friends KTM 990,
Don't bother is my advice
I agree, unless it's an insurance stipulation, in which case you need to reconcile the cost of the alarm against the financial saving
Personally speaking, I wouldn't have an alarm as a matter of choice
BigBeard
Registered user
A BMW salesman told me yesterday that the factory alarm isn’t Thatcham approved.
arrybash
Registered user
Don't bother. The BMW version is not Thatcham approved and therefore not accepted by the insurance companies.
This means you need to fit an after market version and consequently chop into your wiring. This will invalidate your warranty, and lead to potential for electrical faults (loose connections, wiring corrosion, flat batteries).
When an insurance company wanted me to fit an alarm on a new GSA I told them it would invalidate the warranty and they backed down but insisted I use a mechanical lock.
Chris
This means you need to fit an after market version and consequently chop into your wiring. This will invalidate your warranty, and lead to potential for electrical faults (loose connections, wiring corrosion, flat batteries).
When an insurance company wanted me to fit an alarm on a new GSA I told them it would invalidate the warranty and they backed down but insisted I use a mechanical lock.
Chris
When I want my bike to be alarmed I fit my Thatcham approved Xena alarmed disc lock........it might not stop a determined thieving b****** but it will certainly give them a headache if they try and take the thing of!
Mike
Jamesons
Registered user
Query why you want an alarm - whats its purpose.
At home, bike is pretty secure, wanted something that would warn off 'admirers' when parked up elsewhere. Totally agree that if your bike is wanted then they will find a way. Interesting Datatag and the likes are now working hard on all new Bike sales and looking to get older bikes on the register too - recent interview on the wireless.
Went with BMW FF option. Love the settings, auto on/off setting, 'no' need to carry the FOB. No annoying BEEPs just as you get your hat and ear muffs off - unless you want them.
£200, tidy job. No Thatcham approval mind - last bike had a pro fit Thatcham approved £400.
Curious why BMW (bike) don't carry Thatcham Approval - is this similar with its 4 wheeled tin cans?
At home, bike is pretty secure, wanted something that would warn off 'admirers' when parked up elsewhere. Totally agree that if your bike is wanted then they will find a way. Interesting Datatag and the likes are now working hard on all new Bike sales and looking to get older bikes on the register too - recent interview on the wireless.
Went with BMW FF option. Love the settings, auto on/off setting, 'no' need to carry the FOB. No annoying BEEPs just as you get your hat and ear muffs off - unless you want them.
£200, tidy job. No Thatcham approval mind - last bike had a pro fit Thatcham approved £400.
Curious why BMW (bike) don't carry Thatcham Approval - is this similar with its 4 wheeled tin cans?
WindyChuffer
Registered user
I have a BWM alarm, on my new GSA, Dealer fitted. And to be honest the movement sensor is crap. i can take the bike, out of its shed, and push it down the road. No alarm will sound. I dont know, if theres a sensortivity switch on it, or a way to improve it.
My last bike had a factory fitted one, and that was great.
You have a faulty one then...
I bought my GSA and the dealer(not bmw) fitted a datatool s4c RED, it is suprising good never had any trouble with it and even when i took the bike to BMW manchester the mechanic was suprised how loud the siren was
ihandyman247
Registered user
The best alarm is a warning sticker !
I have a BWM alarm, on my new GSA, Dealer fitted. And to be honest the movement sensor is crap. i can take the bike, out of its shed, and push it down the road. No alarm will sound. I dont know, if theres a sensortivity switch on it, or a way to improve it.
My last bike had a factory fitted one, and that was great.
My BMW alarm movement sensor is extremely sensitive, can't wash the bike with it on as the rubbing with a sponge sets it off. Have you de-activated the sensor? You can do this via the alarm fob so that the bike can be transported.
Unfortunately mine was fitted from new and BMW insurance insist it's activated as part of the policy. Mind you, don't know how they'd know whether it was on or off at the time.
Also the best thing about the BMW alarm is that "to protect drain on the battery" it shuts off after 7 days FFS
rodders
Registered user
I have a BWM alarm, on my new GSA, Dealer fitted. And to be honest the movement sensor is crap. i can take the bike, out of its shed, and push it down the road. No alarm will sound. I dont know, if theres a sensortivity switch on it, or a way to improve it.
My last bike had a factory fitted one, and that was great.
I assume if you think it is faulty that you haven't set the alarm on "Ferry" mode.
MEDICMAN
Registered user
I asked the salesman about that and he said that the reason its not Thatchem Approved is simply because BMW have never submitted it to Thatchem for testing.
Reason given for this is that they don't need Thatchem's approval to sell their wares.
Having say that, mine came with the bike and its works just fine. I had to fine tune it via the fob to enable washing and tinkering but take it off the side or centre stand and the neibours soon start looking and complaining.
Didn't know about the 7 day shut down rule though.
I asked the salesman about that and he said that the reason its not Thatchem Approved is simply because BMW have never submitted it to Thatchem for testing.
Reason given for this is that they don't need Thatchem's approval to sell their wares.
Having say that, mine came with the bike and its works just fine. I had to fine tune it via the fob to enable washing and tinkering but take it off the side or centre stand and the neibours soon start looking and complaining.
Didn't know about the 7 day shut down rule though.
I didn't know you could adjust the sensitivity of the movement sensor - how do you do that as I don't remember seeing that in the manual?
MEDICMAN
Registered user
Errrr, dunno! Put another way I can't remember. 
I've just read and re-read the book (which is as clear as mud) and still can't figure out what I did. All I can remember is that after speaking to the sales guy I went out and fiddled with the fob (on pages 8 to 10 (of my book)) and it's better (not as sensitive) than it was when I first got it.
I seem to remember as I write that the alarm used to come on automatically when I switched off the ignition but now I do that manually by pressing button one. Maybe that has something to do with it.
Golly, I need to go lie down in a darkened room for an hour now.
How come there's never a Schtum around when you want one!
I've just read and re-read the book (which is as clear as mud) and still can't figure out what I did. All I can remember is that after speaking to the sales guy I went out and fiddled with the fob (on pages 8 to 10 (of my book)) and it's better (not as sensitive) than it was when I first got it.
I seem to remember as I write that the alarm used to come on automatically when I switched off the ignition but now I do that manually by pressing button one. Maybe that has something to do with it.
Golly, I need to go lie down in a darkened room for an hour now.
How come there's never a Schtum around when you want one!
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