[Candice]

I’ve been wondering if I should be locking my steering wheel when I park my bike at work, the gym, walmart, wherever. I have not been doing that basically because I can’t figure out how it works. I read the manual and did step by step but I can never get the key out so for now it remains unlocked. I didn’t really think anyone would take off with my bike, how they gonna start it up when they want to ride it, right?

[megaspaz]

who says you need to start up a bike to steal it? 2 guys, 1 van.

Anyhoo, i lock the steering. It shouldn’t be hard to do. Just make sure to push the key down while moving the key to the locked position. It’s been this way for all the sportsbikes i’ve ridden. It may be different for other class bikes, but i wouldn’t think so

So for me, this is what i’m doing for bike security.

1. lock steering wheel.
2. top of the line lojack service on all my bikes.
3. park close to building or on sidewalk/wide-walkways in front of windows with foot traffic.

planning on getting a disc lock screamer as well. That covers most of the bike. Although if people want parts, they’ll still be able to get ’em off your bike. not much you can do there.

Edit: key should just come out when it hits the lock position. you may have to “wiggle” it out a bit.

—
If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…

[ranette]

I can’t speak for all bikes but for my scooter and motorcycle, after turning the wheel all the way to the left to lock it, I then turn the wheel just a drop to the right and the key frees up. On both of my bikes if I leave the wheel as far to the left as I can turn it, the key will not come out of the ignition, maybe it is the same on yours.

[bob250]

I always lock the bars. I guess it makes it that much more difficult for someone to take off with the bike.

[Sangria7]

I lock it.

[Candice]

Ok, I better start locking it then. I will try again tonight. If I can’t figure it out I’m going to pick up my plates on Saturday so I can have them show me.

Megaspaz, thanks for the good tips!

Ranette – I think you may have solved my problem, many thanks!

[nau_lax21]

my bike doesn’t have a steering wheel, guess i cheaped out a little. i do lock my handlebars every time i get off the bike though

[Rupmisc]

I locked the Nighthawk in any marginally questionable area. As a practical matter, though, two people could have lifted it into a truck even locked. The 696 is a little heavier, and the lock is done just by turning the key a little further left in the ignition. So automatically unlocks when you start bike.

[Loki]

I lock my bike so no one steals it.

[Rab]

Using the steering lock should be the absolute minimum security you use. Even if you’re just going into the store at the gas station. It’s easy for a thief to run your unlocked bike up a ramp and into the back of a van.

Add a Xena disk lock/alarm for more security. A heavy chain or cable to lock the bike to something immovable is even better.

Ultimately, if they want it, they’ll get it, but if you make it difficult for them, they might just move on to the other guys bike.

The “professionals” are mostly interested in the high-end stuff though.

[Dagger]

I lock my handlebars and use a disk lock.. Like ranette said.. Once you get your key into the LOCK position.. Turn your handlebars back to the right slightly and the key should pop out fine… Then when unlocking (at least with my V-Star) I have to turn the bars slightly to the right to get the key to unlock the bars..

Dagger

I just want to make it out of this life alive…

[Andrew]

I lock the bike every time I park it. One thing new riders can do is forget to turn the ignition off so I lock it and know that the ignition is off. I live and work in safe areas but it’s good practice anyway. Mine is a push down and to the left. Just turns back when you want to unlock it. Never had a problem getting the key out.

[Matt]

I always lock it, just a good habit – like locking your doors.

It won’t stop a determined thieft, but it’ll dissuade a casual one.
—
“The two seconds between ‘Oh S**!’ and the crash isn’t a lot of practice time.”

[Candice]

I meant to say – does anyone lock their handle bars – but after I saw my mistake I figured everyone knows what I meant, hee hee. I figured it out by the way, had to turn bars to the left and then a little to the right like Ranette and some others suggested.

How about my helmet? I’ve been using the helmet lock on my bike so I don’t have carry it in with me but I’m thinking someone could really just cut it off quite easily. No problems so far but my helmet won’t fit in the locker at the gym.

[ranette]

Glad to see I was finally of some use.

Randy

[Author]

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