- This topic has 13 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 3 months ago by Clay Dowling.
Motorcycle Anti Theft?
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January 12, 2009 at 6:48 pm #2453mjolnir85Participant
Hi, it’s me again, I had yet another question that’s been plaguing my mind for
months now.
I live in an apartment complex in a, I suppose, metropolitan area.
Although we do have an underground garage and security guards
(though I wonder how much good they do)
Vancouver being the world’s central for auto theft, I’m deathly afraid of purchasing my
first bike… only to have it stolen!Of coure, I plan on investing on some insurance and everything
but I was wondering what is the best method of keeping your bike
locked up?My fears are
1) I’ve only been able to find “bicycle” locks rather than some kind of
“BOOT” that would immobilize and hold down a motorcycle to prevent
someone from just cutting or removing the lock and making away with it2) I have seen one of the neighbors using wrought iron chain to wrap their bike to
a concrete pillar in the basement parking lots, but I’m worried that it’ll scratch
up a fancy new bike3) There have been incidents where a poor guy’s dirt bike was stolen (though he
didn’t keep it locked up) and my very own car broken into WHILE it was parked in
the basement.My hopes is that for months that I will not be riding (due to poor weather conditions..RAIN-COUVER)
I will see if one of my friends will grant me a small portion of their garage to keep my bike.However, in the case of everyday riding, I’m concerned with leaving my bike out in a
public parking lot for any amount of time, then I’m afraid of leaving my bike stationary in
my underground parking without a suitable method to hamper autotheft.Let me know what methods you all take to keep your bikes safe Thx~
January 12, 2009 at 7:27 pm #15628MunchParticipantOne thing I do with my 900 is under the seat is the control module for the fuel injection all I do is lift the seat pull the connector and it disables the FI which equals no gas no go. The seat also locks down into place via a key. Also keep the Handle bar locked any time the bike is parked. As a third precaution I use a plastic coated cable to wrap around my bike to make it even more inconvenient. Rule of thumb…if its inconvenient for you… it will be doubley worse for the would be thief who’s whole deal is based on speed.
Another precaution is Lo-Jack. This one is slightly expensive but for the piece of mind pays for itself. It doesn’t stop thieves but gives your chances of getting it back a tremendous jump.
There are locks and cables designed just for motorcycles that have “Disc Lock” deals on them and some even have an audible deterrent. Look in places like Cyclegear.com , Scootworks or motorcyclesuperstore.com ….they all should and do have some kind of security measures you can take.
Get to know the workings of the bike you chose and figure a way to mechanically disable it one way or another.January 12, 2009 at 7:40 pm #15629eonParticipantIf I was in your situation I would go for visible deterrents (like the big chain and concrete pillar). I believe there are chains out there that are supposedly *really* hard to cut through. Not sure how effective they are but I’m all for visible deterrents. Then I would have some type of motion alarm. You can get ones that send you a text message when they go off.
But what’s this nonsense about not riding in the rain? (I’m in Seattle)
January 12, 2009 at 9:29 pm #15632Clay DowlingParticipantYou might try this:
Unfortunately it’s an American company so you can’t get it with a Canadian flag on the background. But it sends the right message.
January 12, 2009 at 9:55 pm #15634MaxDadAKParticipantHa ha nice! I’d like to get one of those myself.
January 12, 2009 at 9:59 pm #15635mjolnir85ParticipantHA HA nice!
Can I get motion detector flame thrower turrets with that?
January 12, 2009 at 10:05 pm #15636mjolnir85ParticipantWell, I have considered it, but getting a whole new set of “waterproof” gear
plus the idea of having my bike sopping wet
fear of losing traction from hydro planing
and worst of all the terrible driving abilities of the locals…
I’m just not so sure I want to place myself through the “Gauntlet”But maybe you could fill me in on your rain riding experience?
January 12, 2009 at 10:35 pm #15637eonParticipantAs you can see from my avatar I have a slightly unusual ride, a 3 wheeled maxi-scoot. Having 3 wheels certainly helps stability in the wet and I have not had any scary moments despite having to ride across steel grated bridges in the rain. I do not have to commute so for the most part I chose when and where I ride. If I was commuting on the bike then I would think twice about having a car for the winter months. Having said that I would still ride in the rain on 2 wheels but it would probably have taken longer to get to the comfort level I am at now. But, I will admit riding in the rain just sucks. It’s the reduced visibility that gets me.
I did not buy any special rain gear but I did make sure my jacket would be up to the task. A textile jacket works well in these conditions. My Teknic Freestyle jacket is pretty good in the wet.
January 12, 2009 at 11:06 pm #15639MunchParticipantAs far as rain gear goes…nothing over the top, simple… frogg toggs is what I use…. they are pull overs. I keep them in my saddle bags all the time. Here in the south… an afternoon rainstorm is all but guaranteed. You will have a rather short riding season if you let rain stop ya. As far as hydroplaning…. I have yet to get mine to do it…just slow your speed a touch and you should be good. Your tires are more pizza cutters for water then a cars tires are. Just stay in the left tire track of the car in front and drop that 2 second following distance to about 5+ .You will need to watch painted spots and steel covers, grates, draw bridge segments etc too if you plan on turning.
Other then that… the riding is the same for me. Visibility only gets limited if your following too closely. That and I use a water repellant on my face shield.January 13, 2009 at 12:41 am #15640AnonymousGuestMy theft deterent system is riding an ugly, 20 year old bike. If I had a bike that worth anything and was in your shoes, I’d buy:
1. One Xena disk lock w/alarm. $70.
2. Make my own ignition kill switch. $10
3. For home use, I’d follow this guy’s advice from another forum: Go to Starr Product’s website and get some of their Peerless, 16mm, grade 100 chain. (about $8 USD per foot). Go and purchase a good ABUS lock (about $20). You will have as good a chain lock assembly as anything that you can purchase on the retail market and for a lot less money. For some good, inexpensive, sleeve material to put over the chain go to hsarmor.com and check out their offerings (about $20 for 5 feet). Total cost for a 5 foot chain would be a little over $100 after shipping.January 13, 2009 at 1:38 am #15641mjolnir85ParticipantThanks for the great advice, the Xena alarm looks perfect.
Any ideas on what brand is good for a lock that pages you when someone
tampers with your bike?Also, what do you mean “own ignition kill switch”?
January 13, 2009 at 5:36 pm #15648AnonymousGuestIgnition kill switch – An on/off switch placed on a wire that must supply power in order to start the bike. You could install this on a wire coming from the battery, going out to the starter button, or going from the starter button to the starter. Here are some instructions: http://www.instructables.com/id/How_to_prevent_thefts_steal_your_motorcycle_for_le/
January 13, 2009 at 6:22 pm #15651DaggerParticipantThis is similar to what I have.. I just slip it on the disc when I park and that bike ain’t moving more than 6″ without a tow truck…
http://www.rockheadbikes.com/Bully_10mm_Disc_Lock_Chrome_p/132230.htm
If they have a tow truck… You should have made your bike payment..
Dagger
January 13, 2009 at 7:49 pm #15652Clay DowlingParticipantThe new wings have a rear collision alarm, I don’t know why you couldn’t rig that to a flame thrower. Frankly I think it’s a great idea. Might as well give a little while you’re getting.
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