best security feature for bikes?

[zee-659]

i only really have the money to buy 1 security feature so should i go for a chain, disc lock or alarm? any recommendations for specific brands

[Simon Davey]

12 minutes ago, zee-659 said:

i only really have the money to buy 1 security feature so should i go for a chain, disc lock or alarm? any recommendations for specific brands

 

Something like this is easy to keep under the seat.

The advantage of a disc lock is, it offers good security, without being a big lump to carry around. This means you're also more likely to use it.

Don't be put off by the name, they're not huge, they're just strong.

Oxford Monster disc lock

[zee-659]

12 minutes ago, Simon Davey said:

 

Something like this is easy to keep under the seat.

The advantage of a disc lock is, it offers good security, without being a big lump to carry around. This means you're also more likely to use it.

Don't be put off by the name, they're not huge, they're just strong.

Oxford Monster disc lock

thank you! 

[KiwiBob]

I use this when I'm out and about ... https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/539523

 

And keep the bike hidden away i my garage when at home!

 

[Fender1515]

Whilst I agree with Simon, up eer, we have a massive problem with bike theft, thieves smash disk with hammer or cut off with portable grinder, I am only trying to point out, whilst disk locks are a deterrent, I use two when I am on my travels, they are fallible. 

 

I hope you and your bike stay safe.

 

 

[KiwiBob]

8 minutes ago, Fender1515 said:

Whilst I agree with Simon, up eer, we have a massive problem with bike theft, thieves smash disk with hammer or cut off with portable grinder, I am only trying to point out, whilst disk locks are a deterrent, I use two when I am on my travels, they are fallible. 

 

I hope you and your bike stay safe.

 

 

Sad but true!... If a thief wants to steal it then nothing will stop them... 

[ChrisBiggsUK]

If I am parking up anywhere, I always have a disk lock on the front and a big hefty chain through the back wheel and around the suspension. A nice audible motion sensitive alarm too.  Means carrying a backpack with me, but if I'm planning on parking it I'm usually planning on grabbing some bits while out or going on a merry jaunt and so will have my bag with me anyway.  If I'm just going out for a ride, I always take my disk lock with me in my leg bag on the off chance I need to quickly run into a shop for a drink or something.

The disk lock and rear chain has seen my bike be kicked over by a bunch of miscreants who decided that since they couldn't quickly nick it, they would instead spite me.  Jokes on them as the only damage was a bent clutch lever which was a mere tenner to repair.

Get yourself a disk lock as a bare minimum though.  If nothing else, it will serve as a visible deterrent for the opportunist.  Not so much for the determined thief with tools, but if it is just a scallywag looking to quickly wheel a bike away, it'll do the job.  As others have said though, if someone is determined enough, they will have off with your bike.  Just do what you can to make it more of a pain in the backside for them to do so they look at some other bike instead that isn't locked or anything.

Side note;

Being 6'3" and with a perma-scowl and shaved head also helps ward off potential miscreants.  

[rob m]

4 hours ago, Simon Davey said:

 

Something like this is easy to keep under the seat.

The advantage of a disc lock is, it offers good security, without being a big lump to carry around. This means you're also more likely to use it.

Don't be put off by the name, they're not huge, they're just strong.

Oxford Monster disc lock

I have one of these, they're very strong. Great price too, I paid more than that for mine. At home I have an Oxford monster chain/lock along with an Abus chain/lock both through a wall anchor. On top of that I have a Monimoto tracker too. My bike isn't particularly valuable (probably worth about £3.5k as it stands) but I worked hard to buy it and don't want to lose it.

Edited January 26 by rob m
Spelling

[zee-659]

1 hour ago, KiwiBob said:

I use this when I'm out and about ... https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/539523

 

And keep the bike hidden away i my garage when at home!

 

thanks for the reco! dont have a garage so i just keep the bike inside the house a pain in the ass to take in and out but ill take that over having it stolen

[zee-659]

51 minutes ago, Fender1515 said:

Whilst I agree with Simon, up eer, we have a massive problem with bike theft, thieves smash disk with hammer or cut off with portable grinder, I am only trying to point out, whilst disk locks are a deterrent, I use two when I am on my travels, they are fallible. 

 

I hope you and your bike stay safe.

 

 

thank you! really is a shame how much of an issue bike theft is, in the area that I live its incredibly common. I literally met a bike thief at my cbt

[zee-659]

17 minutes ago, ChrisBiggsUK said:

If I am parking up anywhere, I always have a disk lock on the front and a big hefty chain through the back wheel and around the suspension. A nice audible motion sensitive alarm too.  Means carrying a backpack with me, but if I'm planning on parking it I'm usually planning on grabbing some bits while out or going on a merry jaunt and so will have my bag with me anyway.  If I'm just going out for a ride, I always take my disk lock with me in my leg bag on the off chance I need to quickly run into a shop for a drink or something.

The disk lock and rear chain has seen my bike be kicked over by a bunch of miscreants who decided that since they couldn't quickly nick it, they would instead spite me.  Jokes on them as the only damage was a bent clutch lever which was a mere tenner to repair.

Get yourself a disk lock as a bare minimum though.  If nothing else, it will serve as a visible deterrent for the opportunist.  Not so much for the determined thief with tools, but if it is just a scallywag looking to quickly wheel a bike away, it'll do the job.  As others have said though, if someone is determined enough, they will have off with your bike.  Just do what you can to make it more of a pain in the backside for them to do so they look at some other bike instead that isn't locked or anything.

Side note;

Being 6'3" and with a perma-scowl and shaved head also helps ward off potential miscreants.  

god some people are just so miserable but thanks for the tips! seems like going bald is the next move for me

[zee-659]

8 minutes ago, rob m said:

I have one of these, they're very strong. Great price too, I paid more than that for mine. At home I have an Oxford monster chain/lock along with an Asus chain/lock both through a wall anchor. On top of that I have a Monimoto tracker too. My bike isn't particularly valuable (probably worth about £3.5k as it stands) but I worked hard to buy it and don't want to lose it.

3.5k is still a lot of money! my bikes only around 1.3k but id still crash out if it was ever stolen. I still think about the £10 I lost 2 years ago..

[Yorky]

50 minutes ago, zee-659 said:

 I still think about the £10 I lost 2 years ago..

[Capt Sisko]

If you do go down the disc lock route, don't forget to buy (and use) one of the curly cable reminders.

Disc Lock Reminder Cable

 

 

Edited January 26 by Capt Sisko

[V650]

I also have the same oxford monster on the front wheel

I have a alarm disc lock on the rear wheel A Mammoth chain lock on the rear a second Mammoth lock around the seat through the rear wheel 

A wall anchor with a kohlberg chain around the front wheel & another beefy disclock on the front 

So 6 locks in all and I started to fit an alarm yesterday while I had the fairings off + my Darling wife has just bought me a tracker for my birthday  ( for the bike that is ) not me

[Gerontious]

If they don’t know where the bike is then they can’t steal it.

[zee-659]

22 minutes ago, V650 said:

I also have the same oxford monster on the front wheel

I have a alarm disc lock on the rear wheel A Mammoth chain lock on the rear a second Mammoth lock around the seat through the rear wheel 

A wall anchor with a kohlberg chain around the front wheel & another beefy disclock on the front 

So 6 locks in all and I started to fit an alarm yesterday while I had the fairings off + my Darling wife has just bought me a tracker for my birthday  ( for the bike that is ) not me

I guess you can never have too many locks

[zee-659]

15 minutes ago, Gerontious said:

If they don’t know where the bike is then they can’t steal it.

Can't really avoid public parking mate 

[Gerontious]

3 minutes ago, zee-659 said:

Can't really avoid public parking mate 

 Nor can I. I’m just careful about where I park it.

[V650]

Same here 

Mine is on the driveway as it wont fit down the side of the house 

Always keep it under a cover though 

[RideWithStyles]

A disc lock on its own is can be beaten reasonably easily par a few products and correct to the bike. Lift up and away, if prepared (its a regular parking spot for the bike) they could just undo, and put a slave wheel in.

If it’s a small bike then the pins are smaller to allow proper fitment but the weaker, and putting a big lock just expose the u bar of the pin to cut at.

 

If I had to choose only two of the best methods to combine: proper chain/lock and a tracker.

if they did somehow manage to get around the chain in under 10 making a shite ton of noise, at least you’d know where it is and get it back when they dump it in their snooping spot checking if it has a tracker.

 

the only biggie seen two ways, they know it has a tracker so to avoid it or if its really worth it do it again but be prepared quickly dump/van it and have another person to break it down to find the tracker which is time consuming, damages to bike more (lower value) and a lot higher risk to them.

 

[RAYK47]

Its really sad that bike thefts are so bad.  its the thieves that follow bikers and steal it in full view and in broad daylight that gets me.  

 

Personally i don't lock mine ever.  I do have a chain and a disk lock but I ride for fun so i usually ride to a café or something bike related so it is pretty safe.  And i am not usually too far away for very long.  

 

when i am at home it is in a shed in my back garden, when i am at work its in an underground secure car park.  Other than that i don't really leave it in random places i.e. town centres as i would use the car for those journeys.  .  

 

If someone wants your bike enough they will get it regardless of what you use, use a disc lock but always us the cable so you remember its there.  nothgin worse than forgetting and trying to ridde off with a disc lock attached still. 

Edited January 28 by RAYK47

[Capt Sisko]

The famous photographer Chase Jarvis once said “The best camera is the one that's with you." The same applies to bike locks. It's no good buying a chain that's more suitable for anchoring the Queen Mary if the thing’s too damned heavy to carry around with you. It's always going to a be a compromise and if a professional thief wants you bike they'll take it regardless, but the lump hammer & disc cutter mob are more likely to look elsewhere if you have something looking at least half decent securing your bike.

Edited January 31 by Capt Sisko