bike security

[madmammoth]

disc lock or padlock and chain?
any recommendations would be helpful

 

[twisticles]

disc lock or padlock and chain?
any recommendations would be helpful

Can't lock your bike to an immoveable object with a disc lock. Stands to reason a padlock and chain will slow them down a little longer if they can't just lift up your bike into a van.

A disc lock is really only an expensive way of ensuring you fall off at some point

"Sold Secure" and "Thatcham Approved" rated chains may get you 5% discount on your insurance (but they will only pay out if its in use when the bike is stolen).

And just because it is "Sold Secure" or "Thatcham Approved" doesn't necessarily mean that its a good chain/padlock.

Personally I own an Almax: http://www.almax-security-chains.co.uk/ He claims its not possible to cut them with bolt croppers (the quick, quiet thiefs tool of choice). Using an angle grinder is a whole other business...

And whatever lock you buy, make sure it is bigger than the lock on the bike you park next to. That way the thieving scum will take his bike and not yours...

 

[Mutley]

I have a disk lock / chain combination.

I leave the chain at home and use it in the garage. It's just too big and heavy to take on the road with me.

I have fallen off a couple of times because of the disk lock though

 

[Rushy]

I have a disk lock / chain combination.

+ 1 Have also used this method to link two bikes together when touring, both had the same disc lock but only one chain was needed.

I have fallen off a couple of times because of the disk lock though

+ 1 Original CBR600, brand new . Wrecked the fully faired mudguard and made me look a right muppet outside the snooker hall in front of a bunch of mates

 

[madmammoth]

thanks guys, anyone got any pics on how to lock up a bike properly, tips and tricks

 

[Mutley]

For preference pass the chain around part of the bike and a solid object / another bike. This makes it harder to move. If you can avoid using the obvious wheel it helps as the front wheel is easily removed.

If there is no solid object then pass the chain through a wheel and the frame if long enough. This makes it all the harder to get free.

Try to make sure that none of the chain touches the floor as the quickest method to break a chain is to pour liquid nitrogen over it then shatter it with a hammer (takes seconds and is very quiet). This requires the chain to be on the floor.

The most important thing is to make sure the bike has more security on it than the next bike, most thieves are opportunist.

Secondly don't park it out in the open and in the same place every day (or at least put a cover on it. You'd be amazed how many bikes get parked in the same bay in major city centres every day without even an alarm on them

TBH your are on to a winner riding a GS because they mostly want small trail bikes, Harleys or sportsbikes. As long as you deter the opportunist you've probably done enough.

 

[zico]

Use both all the time. This should cut out the possibility of leaving the disc lock on. If you can only use the disc lock in town due to the carraige of lock and chain then use an elastic band or similar and tangle around ignition key and disc lock key together. This way you should remember to remove the disc lock when you untangle the band and see both keys. If not then Ive run out of ideas.

 

[ricardo]

When travelling I have a lock that uses four solid bars with hinges and a built in barrell lock. We then lock two bikes together. Apparently one trick with chains is to keep them off the floor as it makes them harder to smash with a sledgehammer.

At home, the bike's at the back of the garage, with a Land Rover blocking it in.

 

[LankyRider]

Funny seeing a thread on bike security tonight, I've just had the AnchorMan guy over to fit a ground anchor tonight because I couldn't be bothered trying to do it myself and knackering up my drill in the process.

Can't remember where I saw him being recommended, I thought it was on here but I can't find it now.

Anyway, he did a top job, looks very neat and by the look of the effort required to get the thing in, it should at least cause some bugger a problem if they try to get it out again

www.anchor-man.co.uk if anyone is interested, not affiliated in any way, just happy to recommend.

Lanky

 

[lampwick]

I have a disk lock / chain combination.

I leave the chain at home and use it in the garage. It's just too big and heavy to take on the road with me.

I have fallen off a couple of times because of the disk lock though

another simple method to prevent the above
fit a piece of plastic tube i.e. earth sleeve or similar to the key not in use
Ignition key when disc lock is on , disc lock key when ridding
Easy peesy cant insert bike key with a plastic tube on it.

only good if you got a straight key

 

[Steptoe]

Never lock your bike through just a wheel. It takes moments to remove a wheel and replace it with another wheel and "wheel" your bike away.

Same with disc locks, undo the disc, pull the spindle half out and the disc is off, you can even ride with only one disc. Again, less than a minute.

Ground anchors, only as good as the chain used to lock the bike to it. Again absolute waste of time if chaining a wheel to it.

If i have to park in town, i use a U lock through the front wheel, and a chain around the rearwheel and through the subframe loops.
And always try to park in a bay with another GS. Because that'll usually just have a disc lock or a pushbike lightweight chain securing it ( it's not heavy so easy to carry). So that means the other GS will be nicked and not mine.

 

[cocokid]

I use an oxford alarmed disc lock (just a nudge is enough to set it off) that deters the fiddlers,-- in the garage I hang the alarmed disc lock on the rear of garage door lock,this will drop on the floor and go off as soon as low life try the locks in my street,(only works with another exit door) at the same time using a chain and ground anchour as much as possible off the floor. When touring Ive used chain,disc lock and best of all a large cover which makes the bike magically disapear , I do agree that carrying a heavy chain around is a pain,but what else can you do?

 

[craig jay]

16mm shackle U-lock to bike - around paralever arm forward of wheel, then
fix large chain from this to immoveable object with no slack to rest on the
ground. Too difficult to spread U-lock and slide off paralever (measure it)with
wheel removed. If extra chain length, go through pillion footrest hangers too.
U-lock doubles as "disc-lock" - insert laterally around fork,through hole in mudguard mount, around spokes, and out the same way on the other side.
Won't damage brakes if you drive off with it in situ. If real keen, use U-lock at
both ends linked with heavy chain around immoveable object. Use bike cover
to obscure method of security - if they do a recce they'll have to leave because of taking too long to figure out that it would take too long and cause too much damage to remove it. U-locks easily secured to/through rack
with bungees. Cheap,small toolcase for chain can be bungee'd to rack. Too heavy to take travelling, but it's more likely to be nicked back home where it
spends most of its time. Speaking from experience, get the full monty first and
use it religiously. It's kit that lasts for years, so £200 over >10 years is good
value, if just for reducing anxiety. Recommend Squire,English chain,Almax.

 

[g.s.john]

you could allways get the most horrendous manky pile of shyte on two wheels that nobody would touch with a health officer in attendance or make it hard work whitch will put off most of the scroates,

 

[madmammoth]

thanks, some good advice there i think. any recommended bike covers?

 

[Bronco Billy]

If i have to park in town, i use a U lock through the front wheel,

Abus Granite Extreme = Best

and a chain around the rearwheel and through the subframe loops.

Allmax Chain + Squire Padlock

If you can get the U Lock round a post or railings thats about the best you can do ..

 

[cocokid]

thanks, some good advice there i think. any recommended bike covers?

A big one (HG)

 

[digga]

As was said before ...lock to an immoveable object, keep the chain off the floor.

Was once told by some 'scotes in Worksop that their mates!! use a skateboard to wheel
bikes away to somewhere easier to work on :0

 

[mpjbiker]

If you go to the www.ktmforum.co.uk and click on the bike security bit, you'll find a link to a youtube clip of lots of thatcham approved and sold secure approved chains being bolt cropped by one person with the links off the ground in as litle as twenty seconds-very worrying, we are being ripped off!

 

[Voyager61]

At home lock it and cover it:

When away always chain the bike to an immovable object (lamp post, telegraph pole, city bike park security frame) with a couple of Abus chains (always carry two to make the length to said immovable) ... always run the chain through the rear axle as shown above ... had an R1 nicked in broad dayight in Central London seven years ago ... apart from loss of a treasured bike I got crucified by insurance company it ain't gonna happen easily again!