Security Devices - what do people use/recommend?

[AdventureCleverly]

Hi all, I am having a Datatool alarm fitted to the GS, the first alarm since the one I had fitted to a YZF750 about ten years ago

I haven't fitted them since 'cos that one was a complete liability, ensuring that I was the one unable to use it more often than not!

Are they better now? What else do you use? Any other insurance reducing ideas (that's why I've got to have one now!)?

Thanks for your help.

 

[BigNige]

Not a fan of Datatool alarms have to be honest.
Their constant bleeping in Workshop mode drives me nuts.

I've got BM's own alarm/immob fitted to my GS and it's fine.

Not had the bike nicked so I guess one could say it works fine.

 

[MikeO]

Meta

...I believe that's BMW's approved alarm. It was fitted accidentally to my bike when new (mechanic was told 'go & fit a alarm/immobiliser to that GS' - there were two to choose from.....). Got it for the knockdown price of £120 (list is £300, I think, although Lind are doing a special rate at present). Works fine - bike's still here . Got 10% off BMW Insurance for having it fitted (I believe that's only true if you have it fitted by an approved bloke).

I'm monitoring its long term reliability before making a decision as to whether to keep it or remove it for my RTW trip in 04.

MikeO

 

[Andy Leeds UK]

Acumen alarm, Datatag, 16mm mother chain and CISA lock, squire disk lock.

Datatag is cheap, idiot proof, gets the insurance off your back and makes most theives nick another blokes bike.

Big chains to solid objects do the real work. If some scrote wants to cut the 16mm chain or take the swing arm off, I still hope they die horribly, but there you go, you've wasted some of their time. Get a lock down point in your garage.

5 minute rated disk locks solve those quick parking/travel light requirements we all have from time to time. I've even used mine in petrol stations where odd types have been hanging about.

I don't use the ignition lock. The local theiving scum will break that first then try cutting the chain! Look, if they were bright enough to recognise security they'd stick to stealing from the DSS.

Alarms go wrong or flatten the battery and leave you stranded. If they go off, the only person who'll respond is you or maybe another biker or the Police. Lots of police (ie the West Yorkshire Metropolitan White Supremicists Gun Club) and public ignore them. Get the garage alarmed sooner than the bike. A simple hidden switch in the ignition circuit and an LED is probably as good. If you have a good alarm, know how to overide it.

Leeds BTW is a major bike theft black spot. If you ever come here bring a big lock and make use of the proper bike parking (they have tie down rails).

There is a solution that would work 100% of the time. .

Andy

 

[iaintook]

alarming

I had a datatool on my ZXR750, it was generally very good. The beep in service mode is a pain in the ass, also if you put you bike away for the winter you have to take the battery out of the alarm or wait for it to run down, or keep the bike's battery well charged. Only problem i had was that the battery leaked a little and rotted some tracks from the PCB... I just repaired it O and the keyfobs are rubbish ( but you can get new ones easily)

O yeah it only counts for the insurance discount if you have it professionaly installed.

<---- much better idea.

 

[Simon Eassom]

AC:
The new Datatool you'll have is an improvement over the Veto Evo. I've got the latter, my missus has got the new system. After about twenty-four hours it goes into sleep mode and the LED stops flashing to conserve battery power; you can programme it to switch off using a coded set of turns of the key (just in case you ride off without the alarm fob - you're supposed to keep key and fob separate right?). It's easy to disable the movement sensor for when you're filling it up or moving it around servicing. Valet mode is easy. All in all it's a good bit of kit. Only problem is that fitting them under the tank for better security dampens the decibels a bit.
But . . . none of this is a substitute for a ground anchor, garage door protector, monster lock and chain, and two rotweilers.
Enjoy!

 

[(RIP) willstatt]

Alarm over-rides

SNIP......"If you have a good alarm, know how to overide it."


I've got a BMW factory alarm immobiliser on my 2001 GS, and whilst it does seem to work perfectly, I would be more comfortable if I did know how to over-ride it in the event that it malfunctions..... which of course it will inevitably do, when I'm miles from help, with no phone signal won't it!!?

So, do any of you electronics whizz kids know how to do it?

 

[THE PICT]

Even if someone does know, I think it would be better sent as a PM rather than posted here for all the world to see,otherwise you might wake up tomorow without a bike.And so might the rest of us.

 

[roger miles]

I've got a Spyball Patriot which was recommended and fitted by Park West BMW, 2 years ago, as the best at the time for large twins re vibration etc.?

It did go wrong after 14 months but was replaced FOC as it had a 2 year warranty.

 

[AdventureCleverly]

thanks for all your thoughts, a couple of other friends have got the new Datatool and seem quite pleased with it, hey ho it's being fitted anyways!

Snip "But . . . none of this is a substitute for a ground anchor, garage door protector, monster lock and chain, and two rotweilers.
Enjoy!"

I have also found the automatic machine guns I reclaimed from the Inner German Border very useful, they are motion sensitive so have caused a couple of squirrel related deaths and I'm onto my third post man but the bikes are all still there if a bit pock marked.

If I could I would...

 

[(RIP) willstatt]

oooops

The PICT wrote:

"Even if someone does know, I think it would be better sent as a PM rather than posted here for all the world to see,otherwise you might wake up tomorow without a bike.And so might the rest of us."



Yes, you're dead right of course, so if anyone does know how to do it, then I'd appreciate the information in a private email. It's just something that I think is worth knowing.... because these things DO go wrong


Thanks will

Incidentally, my shed is 'booby trapped' with poacher scarers, that fire 12 bore blank cartridges........... I'm sure it would literally scare the sh1t out of a potential tea leaf!

 

[Jimb]

Alarms

Alarms in the £300 range are a waste of time on a GS.

1. A £300 alarm will only get you £10 off your insurance, an Accumen 911 at £60 will do the same.

2. A £300 alarm will not stop anyone picking the bike up and putting it in a van while the alarm is sounding, an Accumen 911 will make the same noise for £60

3. A £300 alarm will self set at the fuel stop causing you much anoyance, an accumen 911 will not.

4. A £300 alarm may fail as did my mates thereby imobillising the bike until you figure out how to de-install it, an Accumen 911 without immobilliser at £60 will not.

5. The only way to stop your bike being nicked is to anchor it to an immovable object with a bloody great chain, I got a 3m length of 12mm hardend sling chain that had failed the load test so was scrap as far as the lifting was concerned, I cut it with a Stihl saw to 1.8m and sheathed it with heatshrink sleeving and got a suitable lock.
If tampered with the alarm will make a noise and a 12mm chain is too big for cutters it would need a power tool.

6. Alternativly a gurkah with a 12 guage.

So in conclusion a basic alarm will do the same as an expensive one, and get a BIG chain & lock. If possible lock the bikes together at work.

 

[Simon Eassom]

Re: Alarms

Alarms in the £300 range are a waste of time on a GS.

Presume you mean a waste of money ???

 

[DavidHolmes]

Big chains to solid objects do the real work. If some scrote wants to cut the 16mm chain or take the swing arm off, I still hope they die horribly, but there you go, you've wasted some of their time. Get a lock down point in your garage.


Now I know why me bike handles so badly - some feckers nicked the swing arm

PS What is a swing arm

 

[guitarman]

Hate bloody alarms. I had one on the Guzzi (it was fitted before I bought it) and just found it a bloody pain. Mo -one pays any attention if it does go off, switching it on and off , waiting for it to disarm. flashing bloody indicators, run down battery, stranded in the middle of nowhere... oops sorry, I got a little carried away there.

Andy's right. Big chain/lock to something solid.

Anyway, does anybody ever steall BMWs ?

 

[Andy Leeds UK]

Somebody stole an E reg MZ (in Leicester I think). I always thought the killer kickstart (rams your heal into the pillion peg if you kick it sitting on the bike) was security enough. Yes, people do nick BMW's.

Another good trick is to park to the right of a nice new Ducati or Blade. If nothing else, kiddies will sit on that phuck up his paint and switches not yours. Don't park to the left. When the decoy falls off its stand it'll get yours. Not nice, just practical.

Andy