std bmw alarm - how sensitive?

swissrob

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hi all, due to a recent issue i would like to know how sensitive the standard bmw factory fit alarm is?

Could the wheels be removed without the alarm going off and anyone know if it has a tilt sensor?

thanks in advance....
 
Hi,
the alarm seems pretty sensitive in my view (whatever that tells). Initially I had it set up so that it got activated automatically when removing the ignition key.
When riding here in the area where I live I often have to take ferries to get accross a fjord. Usually it only is 10-20 min accross virtually flat water and little wind. Even though the alarm went off almost every time triggered by the hardly noticeable movement of the ferry. Therefore I went away from the automatic activation of the alarm.

Not sure if that is of any use for you. You could always try remove the wheels yourself with the alarm on and see if you can do it :nenau
 
Hi,
the alarm seems pretty sensitive in my view (whatever that tells). Initially I had it set up so that it got activated automatically when removing the ignition key.
When riding here in the area where I live I often have to take ferries to get accross a fjord. Usually it only is 10-20 min accross virtually flat water and little wind. Even though the alarm went off almost every time triggered by the hardly noticeable movement of the ferry. Therefore I went away from the automatic activation of the alarm.

Not sure if that is of any use for you. You could always try remove the wheels yourself with the alarm on and see if you can do it :nenau

cheers for that, i would try it myself if the bike was still here, it grew some legs, hence the reason for the posting
 
I had one on my K1200S and it was pretty insensitive. You cold lift the bike off the side stand without it going off, although it usually worked once the wheels started to rotate.

I didn't bother on the GS as it seemed to be a lot of money to pay for a flashing red light on the dash :(
 
I've never bought a bike with an alarm....not since I had a Datatool fitted years ago that proved such a pain in the arse it put me off alarms for life!!

Alarms are a waste of time in my opinion, and a good disc lock and/or chain is a far more tangable security device.

Alarms give a false sense of security......pepper the bike with enough hard mechanical devices and it's far more of a deterant for a thief.

Sorry that it sounds like you've unfortunately found that out too late. :(
 
unfortunately true... big steel security doors forced open with a hydraulic jack, front wheel removed and angle grinder used on the chain thru the rear wheel/frame and anchor.... someone wanted it badly.

other guy had a mint vmax taken also and an old shitter XL
 
I managed to set mine off the other day just cleaning bugs off the fairing so quite sensitive. Also if I lift it off the side stand the alarm will invariably go off.
As to others comments about security, I for one don't get a false sense of security. I know if someone wants your bike they'll take it regardless of security. I always have alarms to scare off opportunists, that's all. I know it won't put proper thieves off :(
I have my bike in an alarmed garage, with disc lock and chain on. I know it could still go walkies but anything I can do to slow the thieves down is an advantage.
 
unfortunately true... big steel security doors forced open with a hydraulic jack, front wheel removed and angle grinder used on the chain thru the rear wheel/frame and anchor.... someone wanted it badly.

other guy had a mint vmax taken also and an old shitter XL

Jeess!! :eek

They seemed determined!!! :mad:

I've got to be honest, I'm thinking if that lot didn't stop them, then the alarm didn't stand a hope in hell!!!

Sorry to hear about that!!
 
Don't think an alarm would've made any difference in your situation, if they were that determined and it sounds like they were. If they had an angle grinder going and nobody heard it can't imagine an alarm which would have been silenced fairly quickly, would've been heard either,

Lets hope the thieving scum responsible get what they deserve now or in the future
 
I find mine pretty insensitive compared to the Datatool I had on my VFR. Breaking wind near the VFR could set the alarm off whereas with the GS I can kick the tyres, rock it a bit and it still won't go off until I drop it off the main stand.
 
An alarm wont make any difference in this case. If they got away with using angle grinders and all sorts then what is the beep from an alarm going to do.

Sorry to hear about this, its never good to hear stuff like this :(

FWIW I cant lift my bike off the stand without it going off.
 
ta 4 the replies, didnt think the alarm would have made a difference, it was more out of curiosity on my part.

The bike room is located approx 10m underground and has huge thick walls as its an old nuclear bunker... :ronno guess thats why no one heard anything.
 
Sorry for your loss.

I find the BMW alarm sensitive enough. I like to have an alarm fitted. When I'm on holidays, and the bike is chained to a pole and parked close to my room, I sleep better knowing I'll hear anyone tampering with my bike. Same thing when it's parked near my pub. It's for MY peace of mind. I don't count on anyone intervening if it goes off.

Cheers !
 
Sorry for your loss.

I find the BMW alarm sensitive enough. I like to have an alarm fitted. When I'm on holidays, and the bike is chained to a pole and parked close to my room, I sleep better knowing I'll hear anyone tampering with my bike. Same thing when it's parked near my pub. It's for MY peace of mind. I don't count on anyone intervening if it goes off.

Cheers !

I find a disc lock with a built in alarm the best alternative.
 
On the DWA6, if you press the 'arm' button on the fob within 15 seconds after arming it with the fob, it'll beep and flash three times and deactivate the motion sensor.
 
Had the alarm fitted on my 04 GS and it was pretty sensitive, only problem was, after afew hours it would flatten the battery so wouldn't work anyway. I only ever used it when it was on charge in my garage to avoid any embaressing jump start situations and grief from riders of jap crap.
P.S. the 04 is now gone and replaced by a 2010 gs with no alarm but a F**king big chain and ground anchor:beerjug:
 


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