Security Chain Question

[buellzebub]

My 1150GS is fitted with an ageing Datatool alarm/immobiliser which I know is going to fail at some point and potentially leave me stranded. I'm therefore thinking of getting an Almax Series III chain to use when away from home. My question is, what length do you guys recommend as the best comprise of weight verses usable length? They are available it 0.7, 1.5, 2.0 & 2.5 meter lengths. Thanks.

 

[haditlowered]

I would make sure you have enough to lock the bike to something like a railing or lamp post so it cant be "lifted", i use the Abus granite extreme which i think is just over 1.5m.

 

[buellzebub]

I would make sure you have enough to lock the bike to something like a railing or lamp post so it cant be "lifted".........

That's exactly what I'm thinking
Obviously it's got to be long enough to pass through something on the bike then around something solid. 0.7m is neither use nor ornament and 2.5m is a bit over the top!

 

[beemer pimp]

Yeah 1.5 is plenty

 

[RedRick Esq.]

The Almax chain is superb but be warned it is very very heavy

 

[Wapping]

....the best comprise of weight verses usable length? They are available it 0.7, 1.5, 2.0 & 2.5 meter lengths.

Can you not work this out for yourself?

Take a piece of string 2.5m long. Tie knots in it at 0.7, 1.5 and 2m points. Offer the string up to your awesome steed and imagine that you are:

1. Having to tie the bike to itself, for instance just looping it through a wheel. Some might say useless by way of security, it being too easy to lift the bike up and carry it away.

2. Looping it through the bike, around something solid (a lamp post, say) and back again to the shackle. What's the minimum length YOU imagine you'll need to do this, having in mind that the solid object might - to some degree or another - be at varying distances from your bike?

Which length feels like it will suit YOU best, remembering that the string is a bit more flexible than a heavy chain?

Doing this will affirm your position as a self-reliant Adventure motorcyclist of the first order, able to buy a chain (weigh them up by hand in a shop, using imagination) without help. Only start another thread if you are really unsure how to carry the length of chain whilst out hooning.




PS The true Adventure motorcyclist will of course have chains of all lengths, ready for use as circumstances dictate. Popping out to Tesco: 0.7 Badlands of North Sudan 2.5m.... And a guard.

 

[Slipperyeel]

There's also Pragmasis 19mm chain (not 19mm long! ).

But as said, these chains are flippin heavy (15-18kg for 1.5m of 19mm chain).

 

[JoeC]

I've been using 1.5 for years and is plenty long enough.

 

[Littledumptruck]

Almax chains are superb, I have two in my garage, a 1.5 and a 2.5, used to lock multiple bikes together. But they are way too heavy to carry on a bike, even a GS. I use a Kryptonite cable with either the matching Kryptonite disc lock or an abus granite disc lock.
I work on the theory that you're aiming to encourage the scum onto easier pickings, cos if he must have your bike, nothing will stop him. Even Almax chains can't resist a petrol disc cutter, or an 18v angle grinder.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I've been using 1.5 for years and is plenty long enough.

Me too - 1.5m is enough to go through the front wheel and Telelever arm or through the Telelever to a lampost

 

[Wapping]

PS The true Adventure motorcyclist will of course have chains of all lengths, ready for use as circumstances dictate

I have two in my garage, a 1.5 and a 2.5....

Told you so, OP.

A chain for everything and everything for a chain. It's the way to go.

 

[Steptoe]

I work on the theory that you're aiming to encourage the scum onto easier pickings, cos if he must have your bike, nothing will stop him. Even Almax chains can't resist a petrol disc cutter, or an 18v angle grinder.

Buying chains and locks that cost a fortune is a complete waste of time.

If the bike is picked up and chucked into a van it doesn't matter what chain/lock combo you have fitted.

If the professional scrotes are going armed with a cutter or small portable cutting torch it doesn't matter what chain you have fitted, it'll be toast. It won't make any difference to the thieves who deal in motor crime that your £*** chain that comes endorsed by what ever association against crime or PC Dibble.

So the only useful point of a chain is to stop neds, amateur scrotes or elbow scratchers from stealing your bike who see it as a visual deterrent, so any chain or lock is enough to stop the types with the brain of a slug, where as the pro scrotes see it as just part of the job.


So save your money and buy a length of chain and decent padlock from a hardware store.

 

[Wapping]

I keep a pound of butter in the fridge to deter elephants. It works. It also deters all bike thieves.

 

[buellzebub]

I keep a pound of butter in the fridge to deter elephants. It works. It also deters all bike thieves.

What have you been smoking?????.......

 

[buellzebub]

Deleted cuz I'm a cranky mong!

 

[Wapping]

Sweet Jesus on a bicycle, is it no longer any fun on UKGSer, even in the 1150 section, the last bastion of self reliance in a world of (allegedly) numpty 1200 owners? I even put the little cheers thing at the end, to show it was a joke. Didn't the PS help to give anything away?

Of course I could have said 1.5m is fine... Unless that is whatever you need to chain your beast to requires a longer length. But you could probably have worked that out for yourself, Adventure bike ridermate style.

Enjoy your day, I shall.





PS Related to OP's post above... Now withdrawn. Peace and love abounds.

 

[Wapping]

What have you been smoking?????.......

That too was a joke, following on from Steptoe's post that all chains are but ornaments.

But you seem to have got that one, without help.

 

[buellzebub]

Unfortunately the cheers thing didn't show up on my phone. If it was meant as tongue in cheek and good humoured then I apologise unreservedly for my crankiness, I've just finished a 12 hour night shift.

 

[Wapping]

All good here. I won't tug your chain any more.

 

[Steptoe]

"Tis" indeed a sad chain of events...