Should Ihave BMW alarm fitted ?

[Bendy toy]

Most folks ignore loud alarms so they all seem pointless to me.
My factory factory alarm has been reliable but it's just too inoffensive. People on the other side of the road don't even raise an eyebrow when it's going off.

 

[Mr K]

My 2004GS has the OE alarm fitted.
I take notice if the alarm sounds and I also use other physical security measures.

 

[Norfolk Tiger]

I also use other physical security measures.

would that be your collection of tactical stabby items

 

[Mr K]

would that be your collection of tactical stabby items

I meant locks etc

 

[Nabbler0]

Many thanks for the input, I originally posted this thread as I traveled alone last year touring the east coast of Scotland/England and felt that the bike even though chained and disc locked looked a little venerable outside hotels/Travelodges and just thought if somebody did tamper with the bike I would have a better chance of intervening. I appreciate the alarm is not the best but is compatible with the canbus system and probably the easiest to use when set up correctly.
Any ideas before I phone BMW how much one would be installed ?

 

[Bendy toy]

Question - Will you hear the alarm(?) and if you do will you respond in time?

A tracker will do the same job but (mobile phone signals allowing) will tell only you so any scrotes trying to have your bike away wont be on the look out.

in the 1990s, I used NavTrac on a caravan and got it recovered. This is their bike system http://www.biketrac.co.uk

This looks interesting for those with a spannering mentality. http://www.fastbikesmag.com/fastbikes-forum/showthread.php?t=441

 

[Roymondo]

Having worked for a quarter of a century in front line policing (God I feel old!), I feel qualified to opine that *anything* that makes a fuss (audible and/or visible) if the bike is moved is A Good Thing. Personally I don't particularly like the idea of devices which quietly alert the owner while leaving the scrote blissfully unaware - the end result will invariably involve a panicked/desperate scrote and a pumped-up owner - the fall-out from such a scenario is very likely to involve a great deal of reflection and legal argument and potentially lengthy prison terms. Or just a smack round the head with a [name of heavy object].

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Having worked for a quarter of a century in front line policing (God I feel old!), I feel qualified to opine that *anything* that makes a fuss (audible and/or visible) if the bike is moved is A Good Thing. Personally I don't particularly like the idea of devices which quietly alert the owner while leaving the scrote blissfully unaware - the end result will invariably involve a panicked/desperate scrote and a pumped-up owner - the fall-out from such a scenario is very likely to involve a great deal of reflection and legal argument and potentially lengthy prison terms. Or just a smack round the head with a [name of heavy object].

All well and good and I have no idea what force you work for but in police Scotland a 999 saying my xyz is getting nicked will result in someone showing up next day if your lucky. More likely a phone call and someone coming to the door 3 weeks later as happened to me a year ago. Absolutely no reflection on the officers themselves, the dicks running it though leave a lot to be desired.

 

[Roymondo]

Who said ring 999 and hope that someone will be close enough (and available) to catch the perpetrators? Not me.
My suggestion was to have something to make enough noise (and light, if it can be arranged) to cause the would-be thieves to feel sufficiently uncomfortable that they bugger in an off-wards direction, leaving your bike more-or-less unharmed.

It's a numbers game - you can't prevent *all* bike thefts, nor can you hope to catch all bike thieves. All you (as a punter) can do is attempt to encourage them look to another, easier target.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Who said ring 999 and hope that someone will be close enough (and available) to catch the perpetrators? Not me.
My suggestion was to have something to make enough noise (and light, if it can be arranged) to cause the would-be thieves to feel sufficiently uncomfortable that they bugger in an off-wards direction, leaving your bike more-or-less unharmed.

It's a numbers game - you can't prevent *all* bike thefts, nor can you hope to catch all bike thieves. All you (as a punter) can do is attempt to encourage them look to another, easier target.

I really don't know whether to laugh at your comments or feel angry about them. Don't ring 999 but rather hope they run away because you have caused enough noise!

I will leave this here for me before I end up in rant mode.

 

[Bendy toy]

Presumably one of these is also a bad idea http://www.bikesecure.co.uk/pages/alarm_mine.html

 

[Roymondo]

I really don't know whether to laugh at your comments or feel angry about them. Don't ring 999 but rather hope they run away because you have caused enough noise!

I will leave this here for me before I end up in rant mode.

Are you terminally thick or what? I didn't say "Don't ring 999" did I?

 

[Rockred]

I think it's perfectly good advice , if you have a good alarmed disk lock that will make a hell of a lot of noise, it will help to keep your bike safer., and it's light to carry when touring. Scum bags are more likely to bugger off when it go's off.

 

[Bendy toy]

I have one of those. Its a bit trigger happy (false alarms) but must be 10x the volume of the OEM alarm.

 

[er-minio]

You can install the alarm and use a quality disc lock and/or chain to secure the bike somewhere. The more stuff on the bike, the longer it takes for someone to disable every single bit. (Given that if they lift it, or if they really want it... it's gone).

As someone noted already, the BMW OEM one isn't Thatcham approved, so it won't affect most policies.
Even though, the alarm is probably more effective against people sitting/messing around the bike rather than someone who is actually stealing it.
People in London ignore alarm sirens, but the idiot touching/moving your bike will most probably leave.

 

[Steptoe]

Wow, that there London sounds grim and defeatist, might as well leave the keys in the ignition and a pile of money on the bike seat. You are most probable correct in that case but an alarm and chain fitted to a bike parked up while in a small town/village while on a European tour may mean your bike is left unmolested.
Alan R

Now i feel really depressed.

I'm going to have another beer, but I'll pop back first and put the keys in the ignition


Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk

Alarms and locks will stop scrotes from riding your bike away. But will not stop the professional tea leafs.

 

[Bendy toy]

The pros will angle grind the chain and be away before you've woken up to the alarm noise. The good ones will jam any tracker device.