Is the alarm worth it ?

[Deadskin]

I've contacted a couple of dealers about purchasing a 1200,
both have given a price,
One is £50 pounds more than the other but includes an alarm,
i had a datatool 3 alarm on my last bike and it was a pain,
the dealer who's not offering the alarm is my favorite and
i know they wont budge and match the others price.

Is the alarm worth it ?

 

[Ottoman]

Well, I don't know what you mean by whether it is worth it (insurance discount or as a deterrent?) but it is really practical.
I don't have to carry the keyfob thingybob as the ignition key is good enought to disalarm/silence (provided that the auto arming is set so that the bike is alarmed when not in use). With this set up only thing I would need the keyfob is for "ferry mode".

If it is only 50 UKP I'd say go for it.

HTH
Omer

 

[Allroad]

when i insured my bike i did not get any discount for an alarm so is it worth it

 

[Mr K]

If somebody tries to move your bike it makes a noise and the indicators flash........it's worth it.

It isn't so sensitive that it false-alarms all the time either....and priced pretty well for OE BMW (Guaranteed) parts.

Spend £400 on a ******** and get 10% discount...? Not me.

 

[Fanum]

when i insured my bike i did not get any discount for an alarm so is it worth it

I think that's because the BWM alarm isn't Thatcham approved (because of the canbus system..it can't fulfill their standards on wiring), so Insurance companies won't recognise and discount for it.


It might be worth trying BWN insurance- it's their product and although underwritten by someone else, You'd expect them to back up their products with a reward.

As for is it worth it- £50 quid over several year's ownership.......I'd say that was worth 50 quid in peace on mind terms, 'specially on a flippin expensive bit of kit.

Just my opinion though

 

[Ottoman]

Allroad,

In all honesty, I do not choose to have the alarm to get any discount.
I tend to change bikes for every 2-3 years and the amount of discount offered does not return the investment for the alarm, but rather have the alarm to hear the scroots if they are messing with my pride & joy and disscuss the errors of their ways with the help of mr baseball bat.

Of course YMMV.

Ottoman

 

[Deadskin]

Bike Alarm

Peace of mind i guess is chained and locked in the garage,
and some decent mechanics working on your pride and joy
if i see anybody at work messing with the bike i'll run em over
with the fork lift

 

[chippelmike]

BMW alarms

I could be wrong but I think you'll find the excellent Insurance scheme run by BMW accept the alarm , certainly my insurance reflects a good scheme...under £140... cant be bad
Mike.

 

[Pukmeister]

The BMW alarm is not Thatcham listed as BMW haven't paid Thatcham to test it and give it a category rating for insurance discount purposes. Apparently this costs tens of thousands. My bike came with the factory alarm and I think it is great, much less sensitive than the Datatool System 3 on my other bike, and easier to use and more discrete (no loud beeping etc, it just recognises the encoded ignition key chip to disable the alarm and off you go).

 

[Pukmeister]

I forgot to add that Datatool alarms can now be fitted to the R1200 series of bikes' CANBUS wiring, SPC BMW near Alton are advertising a fitment service for those without the factory BMW alarm.

 

[Davel]

It's useful for those nights when the bikes not locked up in your garage but, there again, I think on balance that a 'Thatcham Approved' one would be a better buy.

 

[Joyseeker]

Is the alarm worth it ?

it beats carrying a heavy chain around to deter. the beep when it arms and the accidental letting off gives me peace of mind.

got to remember to take it off auto arm on the ferry though