Security Equipment

[Beemer Joe]

What equipment eg. chains, disc locks etc is worth having. I fully appreciate that if someone really wants your bike, they will take it but, there must be some guys/gals out there who have experience of the effectiveness of equipment available in preventing the theft of their most important asset.

I am sure that the amount of space such equipment takes is an important factor.

 

[ovenpaa]

What equipment eg. chains, disc locks etc is worth having. I fully appreciate that if someone really wants your bike, they will take it but, there must be some guys/gals out there who have experience of the effectiveness of equipment available in preventing the theft of their most important asset.

I am sure that the amount of space such equipment takes is an important factor.

In my opinion the only chain is ALMAX - I use mine with a Squire SS65CS lock

http://www.almax-security-chains.co.uk/

Pricey but very good

EDIT - They do a CISA lock as well that is around half the price of the Squire and is also very well made and seems robust, I use one on my KTM, I just had a quick look but could not see it on the Almax site. If you do go for the Almax stuff let me know as I should be able to wangle you some discount (I got a free lock bag worth 25 quid)

Another Edit: CISA and chain:

http://www.almax-security-chains.co.uk/shop/index2.php?cat_id=15&catname='Chain%20&%20CISA%20locks

 

[Bigtwin]

I got 2 Abus Grantie Gold Secure chains. A 2m at home anchored to the garage floor. A 1/2 m one that stays on the bike - goes through the F wheel and forks (above brace), or locks wheel to anything handy. Disc locks F & R too.

I'm going to give someone a bad back at the least if they try to pinch it.

 

[Beemer Joe]

In my opinion the only chain is ALMAX - I use mine with a Squire SS65CS lock

http://www.almax-security-chains.co.uk/

Pricey but very good

EDIT - They do a CISA lock as well that is around half the price of the Squire and is also very well made and seems robust, I use one on my KTM, I just had a quick look but could not see it on the Almax site. If you do go for the Almax stuff let me know as I should be able to wangle you some discount (I got a free lock bag worth 25 quid)

Another Edit: CISA and chain:

http://www.almax-security-chains.co.uk/shop/index2.php?cat_id=15&catname='Chain%20&%20CISA%20locks

I checked out that site and they sure look good. I did see the CISA lock with the Series III chains.

 

[Beemer Joe]

I got 2 Abus Grantie Gold Secure chains. A 2m at home anchored to the garage floor. A 1/2 m one that stays on the bike - goes through the F wheel and forks (above brace), or locks wheel to anything handy. Disc locks F & R too.

I'm going to give someone a bad back at the least if they try to pinch it.

Excuse my ignorance but would a 1/2 m chain be long enough for the 12GSA? I reckon you are spot on with your security concept of a fixed security device at home and a smaller lighter system when you are out and about.

 

[ovenpaa]

Excuse my ignorance but would a 1/2 m chain be long enough for the 12GSA? I reckon you are spot on with your security concept of a fixed security device at home and a smaller lighter system when you are out and about.

I use a 1.2m chain on my 1150 for when I am out, at home I have a wall anchor that is so secure you would have to pull the wall down first, beware of what you tell the insurance company, I told them I had the Almax, Anchor and Squire and they said great, you are only insured for theft when they are ALL being used - now taking a ground anchor with me is a problem So I took it off the insurance again.

 

[Janie]

my worry is not the bikes gettin pinched..................but me hubby catchin who ever is tryin to have it away with his bike..........all you can do is make it as difficult for them to get your bike..........ground anchors, chains, alarms............roller shutter door on ya garage..........big mean dog...........

 

[ovenpaa]

my worry is not the bikes gettin pinched..................but me hubby catchin who ever is tryin to have it away with his bike..........all you can do is make it as difficult for them to get your bike..........ground anchors, chains, alarms............roller shutter door on ya garage..........big mean dog...........

Plus Baby Alarm, IP camera, second big mean dog etc.

I do tend to favour extreme violence as the ultimate deterant

 

[Beemer Joe]

Fortunately I have two large dogs, one giant dog and two that bark a lot and can bite ankles. The down side is that the b******s would eat the bike after they had had the thieves for starters. Thereafter the local sheep population would be sytematically culled for after dinner games. Seriously though, the ideas that are coming up are simple but cost effective measures to provide an adequate level of deterrent in most scenarios.

I am having the BMW anti-theft alarm factory fitted which, coupled with a good lock and chain plus disc lock(s) should keep the beast where I left her when I eventually get out and about.

 

[Padge]

The bike comes with an electronic immobiliser so unless they come equipped to bypass this, they will have to roll the bike into a van or something.

Your goal is to prevent them rolling it away... So good chain/anchor seems to be best solution... Still not convinced about the alarm though.. Good for alerting you something is going on, but if you're not around will anyone take notice?

 

[Beemer Joe]

I totally agree Padge. Alarms are only effective if they bring about a response to the action that triggered it in the first place. They do however, help to ensure that only the better class of criminal steals your bike , as opportunist thieves tend to get spooked very easily. So even though their effectiveness is limited, every little helps.

The same applies to immobilisers; the better class of criminal will most likely have the knowledge and equipment to bypass the immobiliser but that takes time. The use of chains etc also increases the amount of time needed to steal your bike. Short of staying with your bike 24/7 there is not much else that can be done.

At home, we find that we have very few uninvited guests and no-one arrives without the dogs letting us know. As our visitors have no idea where the dogs are, we find they are a very effective deterrent.

Many thanks for all your responses. This site is fantastic for finding out all the facts and for helping an inexperienced person like myself arrive at sensible cost-effective decisions.

 

[Bigtwin]

Excuse my ignorance but would a 1/2 m chain be long enough for the 12GSA? I reckon you are spot on with your security concept of a fixed security device at home and a smaller lighter system when you are out and about.

It might actually be 3/4m - can't see it from here - anyway, It's just long enough to go through at the top of the wheel, then between the forks over the brace to lock in a loop - means they can't roll the wheel. Small/light enough to stow on the bike (I use the rear pannier rack - just thread it round a section and lock it).

 

[bmwboy]

alarms total waste of time and money.. also eventually cause problems starting whether flat battery or faulty alarm over time. as above use decent chains and ground anchors. if out try to chain to something fixed.. ie. lamp post. at end of day out of sight out of mind...!!! if people dont know you have bike in your garage.. hopefully no one wants to nick it.. always remember if they want it.. no matter what chains.. alarms you have they will still take!!!! thats why we all pay the insurance...

 

[STUBBS]

was looking at getting one of these for home a big u lock that goes over the seat.
www.dmimetaltech.co.uk

 

[ovenpaa]

alarms total waste of time and money.. also eventually cause problems starting whether flat battery or faulty alarm over time. as above use decent chains and ground anchors. if out try to chain to something fixed.. ie. lamp post. at end of day out of sight out of mind...!!! if people dont know you have bike in your garage.. hopefully no one wants to nick it.. always remember if they want it.. no matter what chains.. alarms you have they will still take!!!! thats why we all pay the insurance...

Yes and No - An alarm is good for me at home as the bike sits outside my bedroom window so I will hear it if it goes off, at work it would just make a noise and probably be ignored by 99% of people passing, but might just frighten the scrotes off. I have never had an issue with a flat battery on the BM but I do use it for 11.5 months of the year for commuting etc.

Biggest reason for having it is insurance - traditional insurance companies expect/demand an alarm system. When I first insured mine with BMW they even asked if I had a tracker fitted, when I said no they told me it might be a problem.... turned out it made no impact to the premium in the end.

 

[Beemer Joe]

alarms total waste of time and money.. also eventually cause problems starting whether flat battery or faulty alarm over time. as above use decent chains and ground anchors. if out try to chain to something fixed.. ie. lamp post. at end of day out of sight out of mind...!!! if people dont know you have bike in your garage.. hopefully no one wants to nick it.. always remember if they want it.. no matter what chains.. alarms you have they will still take!!!! thats why we all pay the insurance...

I cannot comment on the problems that an alarm system may or may not cause. I do, however, totally disagree with your assertion about alarms. They can form an important part of an effective deterrent system. I say deterrent because, like you, I fully appreciate that a determined and well equiped thief will always find a way to steal your bike; they however, are not the major problem. Opportunist thieves are the people who see a bike without chains etc and think let's have a go at stealing this baby. When the alarm sounds they are more than likely to run like f***.

An alarm on its own is not a solution but it is still better than nothing. Used with the rest of the gear available and with a healthy dose of common sense thrown in, alarms do serve a purpose in making the scumbags look for bikes that don't have caring and loving owners.

 

[Timolgra]

I used a chain that was just the right length to go through the front wheel and the main stand.
It makes it very difficult to even get the bike off the stand.

 

[pedmo]

If you get one of these the bike will always be right where you left it

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55013

 

[DAKMAN]

The bike comes with an electronic immobiliser so unless they come equipped to bypass this, they will have to roll the bike into a van or something...

Do all GS's come with immobilisers? I had mine (55 reg) pinched and recovered recently after having the cylinder barrel removed and the insurance inspector said they managed to start it with a screw driver!

Confused...

 

[(RIP) Shenzi]

I used a chain that was just the right length to go through the front wheel and the main stand.
It makes it very difficult to even get the bike off the stand.

And me