Which Alarm

[Klunk]

Hi

I fancy putting an alarm on the bike, without an imoboliser just something simple so that if it is parker up out side work and someone moves it - it goes off.

I had a Datatool Veto on my last bike and eventually it went wrong and left me stranded hence no imoboliser...

Any suggestions.

Andy

 

[Narcoda]

Datatool system 3 is good, I am wondering what BMW factory alarm is like?

 

[Slowdown]

http://www.motorbikealarm.co.uk/

Not used them personally, but they look good and got recommended on another forum....

For £24 it's worth a punt, perhaps?

 

[Owen Snell]

Datatool system 3 is good, I am wondering what BMW factory alarm is like?

Factory alarm is pretty good. It's not too sensitive, so does not go off if you just bump against the bike in the garage or just because it feels like going off. It was on the bike when I got it, so no idea of the cost.

 

[stonetown]

Factory alarm on an 08 12GSA is approx £150 when bought new. So far no problems, not as sensitive as some as I've had in the past (Datatool, Meta) which is a good thing, but still goes off if you move the bike. Also the loudest alarm I've had. The remote is not as good quality as a Datatool, but it's still good.

 

[Greg Masters]

I fancy putting an alarm on the bike,

Why bother?

People ignore them when they go off and they cause loads of problems with flat batteries (do a forum search!!).

Greg

 

[Klunk]

I agree people do ignore them but I park my bike outside my office during the week and I would be able to hear it if it went off - hence not fussed about imobolising the bike or anything just want a dead simple touch the bike and it makes a racket.

Andy

 

[stonetown]

Why bother?

People ignore them when they go off and they cause loads of problems with flat batteries (do a forum search!!).

Greg

I did have a problem with my battery going flat following fitment of the alarm, but it was coincidence, turned out the battery was at fault. The dealer (NOG) also commented that they have fitted hundreds of the factory alarms and had no problems with them ! I suspect that out of the thousands fitted, there are very few that continue to cause problems.

I pondered about the alarm and it's usefulness - I came to the conclusion that if the bike is in the garage and the alarm is on and some scroat decides to attempt to move it, it is so loud that they might do a runner, also if I am at home and the alarm goes off cos its dark and I don't have 24 hour watch on the garage it's so loud that I will hear it and be outside in a flash to see what's going on. I don't use mine all the time when out and about just the same way as I don't put a lock on the bike all the time, I use when I think it might be useful. Having used alarms for years I think this is probably one of the best as it does not beep at the merest touch or gust of wind, it needs a good bit of movement to set it off.

Personal choice and judgement. Obviously an alarm will not stop a pro stealing the bike (and neither will any other security device), but I'm sure alarms have put off scroats and opportunists when there is a load of noise surrounding them in the dead of night, I'm sure scroats don't like Tossers bearing down on em when their bike is being messed with.

It would be interesting to hear of any foiled bike thefts and why the attempt was foiled. Scroats can lift bikes if they are not locked with a chain to something, if you just have a disc lock and/or chain and the bike is not anchored, the bike could be lifted relatively quietly and put in a van. Try doing it with an alarm going off and that will be causing them more stress and they've gotta work quicker, otherwise someone (eventually) might investigate. If the bike is in the back of a van and the alarm continues to sound it will easily be heard outside the van, someone, somewhere might be suspicious (a neighbour) and make a mental note of whats happening. Certainly where I live, my neighbours are passively looking out for suspicious events and have reported them. Overall I think it's a value for money investment.

 

[stonetown]

I agree people do ignore them but I park my bike outside my office during the week and I would be able to hear it if it went off - hence not fussed about imobolising the bike or anything just want a dead simple touch the bike and it makes a racket.

Andy

I think you need to check the sensitivity levels of the alarm you are thinking of buying as some may not be adjustable. If you want to stop curious people sitting on it or moving the handlebars, then you will need it to be quite sensitive.

My factory alarm needs a good movement like moving it from the sidestand to upright, if it's on the centrestand I can easily sit on the bike and nothing will happen. A friend of mine's XJR with a Datatool will beep as soon as you touch the thing, never mind try sitting on it !

 

[mikepg]

Get one of these

Get one of these - much more effective:

 

[Owen Snell]

Why bother?

People ignore them when they go off and they cause loads of problems with flat batteries (do a forum search!!).

Greg

My bike is in a shed a fair way from the house and it wouldn't be too hard to push it out without me noticing unless there was an alarm going off, therefore it is useful to me as it will wake me up.

Also, I have been one occasion when the bike was not used for 2 weeks and it still started on the button, so the battery drain is obviously not too severe.

 

[Klunk]

My bike is in a shed a fair way from the house and it wouldn't be too hard to push it out without me noticing unless there was an alarm going off, therefore it is useful to me as it will wake me up.

Also, I have been one occasion when the bike was not used for 2 weeks and it still started on the button, so the battery drain is obviously not too severe.

Got to say the alarm posted by SLOWDOWN sounds great - I am thinking is it to good to be true £24 and it even talks to you?

Has anyone tried one of these - it is tempting!

Andy

 

[hubarb spong]

The new datatool range of alarms have a battery save mode where they sort of go into a hibernate mode if the battery is getting low. Left my VFR for 4 weeks plus and the battery was ok to start the bike up as the datatool had done what it was meant to.

Got the BMW factory fitted alarm on my GS and as others have said its not quite as sensitive as the datatool but thats a good thing for me as I was always setting the datatool off brushing past the VFR Good thing about the BMW alarm is that if you forget to dissarm it the system goes it for you when you put the key in the ignition and turn bike on, with the datatool if you do this the alarm sounds

 

[Blackal]

Phone around and see if you can get a Datatool Sys 3 at a knockdown price (installed). It is the older model and you may just get a bargain. I'm sure a pal of mine got one installed for around £200.

The good thing about Datatool compared to Meta, is that you can decide what override code you want, not stick to the issued one.

This means that you can use 13132 (for example) or a memorable number - whereas the Meta might come with 68592 which means that you have to count more flashing leds as you switch on and off the ignition.

It is relatively simple to install a manual override, in case the alarm goes tits-up (it's electronic - what do you expect) which is handy for the odd chance that the electronic override doesn't work.

I wouldn't go abroad now, with an alarm that didn't have a "hard" override. It sure beats the bike being trailered home.


Al

 

[hubarb spong]

Actually I think you will only need the datatool system 21.

This is basically the system 3 without the immob, since the GS already has an immob you dont need that feature anyway. The system 21 works in conjunction with the BMW immob and turns the protection on the bike from cat 2 to cat 1, hence system 21

I also think its cheaper than the system 3 too

 

[Silver Rat]

My 1200 did not have the alarm fitted when I bought it, so bought the BMW alarm for £90, installed it myself, which is relatively simply removing all the under rear seat paneling and seat lock but when you get there, it is simply a case of plugging it into the plug that is already there and securing it with the 3 self tappers into the holes that are also there!

The bike has then got to be told electronically that it has an alarm. This can only be done by the dealer, who charged me a tenner, so that was OK.

The pros for me are:

Much neater installation than an aftermarket alarm

It does not take up any of the under seat space, which is at a premium anyway

You don't have to use the fob as it can be set up so that it self arms and switches off when you use the bike key

You can have an 'arming' peep or like me, if you find that annoying, the indicators flash

Finally, did I say that the BMW alarm actually has META on the casing??

 

[karnevil]

Why bother?

People ignore them when they go off and they cause loads of problems with flat batteries (do a forum search!!).

Greg

I have the BMW Alarm and had it on my both bikes.I have not had any problems with flat batteries but i use the bike almost every day.

As regards to people ignoreing it I dont have it fitted for others I have it fitted to alert me ie parked at work,Hotels,my own back yard.

Its well loud and never gone wrong.

Also you can set it so that you do not need the remote to arm/disarm it.
It is so easy to loose a remote which is more likley than the immobiliser failing.

 

[Klunk]

Where did you buy your BMW alarm?

I presume you bought the alarm for £90 from the dealer??

 

[karnevil]

I presume you bought the alarm for £90 from the dealer??

Just specified it as an option when i ordered the bikes.Think they were around £150 ish but compares favourably with others alarms