Non-Thatcham alarms

[Jonny_L]

I've been contemplating the idea of getting an alarm on my 12GS. Last time I had a Laserline Cat 1 alarm/immobiliser which gave me a load of hassle, decoded its' self from the keyfobs, went off randomly and even left me stranded. It's kind of put me off the idea, and I'd rather just get something to fit myself, and therefore remove/fix myself if it goes wrong!

The only reason I want an alarm is for an audible warning if someone's trying to nick my bike (handy if I'm in a tent next to it!). Insurance discounts would be nice, but not if it's gonna leave me stranded again! I'm thinking the BM has an immobiliser built in anyway, so why not just get one of these cheap jobs, like this one.

Anyone had any experience with any of them, or got any recommendations on which ones? I like the idea of the Taurus one above as it operates from the ignition key (though maybe that'd be a pain if I just want to work on the bike without the key in )
Main factor I think would be the current flow when armed, last thing I want is a flat battery!

 

[wessie]

I hate hard wired alarms too. I had a bad experience with a Datatool fitted to a VFR750 a while back.

The alarmed Xena disc lock has a few fans over on the usenet group uk.rec.motorcycles (see www.ukrm.net/faq for details).

http://www.xenasecurity.co.uk/home/current/lock/ has details.

 

[Tarka]

The only reason I want an alarm is for an audible warning if someone's trying to nick my bike (handy if I'm in a tent next to it!).

For what you want,it may be better to fit a hidden,key activated tilt switch operating the horn via a relay.
I`ve done this on my bikes,set to work even before the sidestand is actually off the ground....or it can be altered for the centrestand.

Main factor I think would be the current flow when armed, last thing I want is a flat battery!

Do what I suggested and there won`t be any current drain until the horn is sounding.

I firmly believe any 'normal' alarm is a complete and utter waste of money,being more trouble and inconvenience than it`s worth.

(Erm.....and isn`t the 1200 electrically dodgy enough without throwing an alarm into the equation...? )

 

[STUBBS]

get a 9v flashing led from maplins dummy alarm and a decent chain and lock.

 

[Jonny_L]

Ooh I'm liking these ideas. I always thought the alarmed disc lock was a bit of a gimmick, but those look pretty hardcore. My disc lock's ancient now, so it'd be killing 2 birds with 1 stone, and it won't have anything to do with my battery. I think you might be onto a winner there, provided I remember to put it on the bike every time

Tarka, that's a really good idea, can you set it up to stop after 30 seconds or so? I suppose you'd need some kind of timer, otherwise if it goes off when I'm not there it would drain the battery Can you adjust the sensitivity of a tilt switch?

Stubbs, I like your thinking, and I'll probably get a chain anyway, but I'm really after something that'll scream the place down if someone wants to nick my bike

 

[Tarka]

Tarka, that's a really good idea, can you set it up to stop after 30 seconds or so? I suppose you'd need some kind of timer, otherwise if it goes off when I'm not there it would drain the battery Can you adjust the sensitivity of a tilt switch?

Cheers

Yes,you can.

Yes,you would do...and it would.

Sometimes...but usually it`s down to the position/angle of it.

 

[2 zed]

cheap and simple

Hi,
I fitted one of these alarms and I am well chuffed with it, it's made in Britain totally legit and has a very useful tech help phone line for divs like me who connect to an earth that is'nt, anyway its all singing and dancing but I only wired up the live, earth and two indicators, so it's only on when I want it to be, it has a trembler and shock sensor and is operated by a small remote has a very loud small siren and fits a treat under the seat of an 1150gs. I am not sure how to do a link so the fleabay no. is 230111330568.

 

[ovenpaa]

Ooh I'm liking these ideas. I always thought the alarmed disc lock was a bit of a gimmick, but those look pretty hardcore. My disc lock's ancient now, so it'd be killing 2 birds with 1 stone, and it won't have anything to do with my battery. I think you might be onto a winner there, provided I remember to put it on the bike every time

I have the top of the range Xena and it has a tendancy to go off at random, I only noticed this when I started using it outside my house, I have never go to the bottom of this... So I also use an Almax chain and a squire lock - this is the best combination of lock and chain available in my opinion.

 

[Jonny_L]

Right, I've ordered one of the cheap xena locks from busters, mainly because I need a new disc lock and they're selling them for £20 instead of £40! Not a bad little bargain. I figure I'll give it a try for a month or so, if I have any problems I'll just take the batteries out and just have a nice disc lock that wasn't too expensive

2 zed, how long have you had yours for? That's extremely cheap, might be worth a go if you've not had any bother with it. I would only set it up as an alarm too, I wouldn't want an immobiliser, and the remote start thing tends to void insurance apparently. I think simplicity is the key with alarms, the less it interferes the better.