[Zore]

Hi guys,
So it looks like I am actually going to buy a Honda Rebel. Most of the deal is in place but I have a few things that I need help with. Specifically this time about locks (chain locks or pad-like locks). I am wondering what kind of locks I should be looking at and how much they are. I will do a lot of research myself but nothing quite compares to a personal story.

Same goes with other things. I know about gear and insurance, but otherwise, what do I need to get? This is my first bike and I know none to few other bikers nearby me that could really help me out. Anything would be great.

Thank you guys!

[megaspaz]

with a honda rebel, i don’t think you need to worry much about getting it ripped off. But you can get all the locks you want but that won’t deter the most determined thief. chain would be the best if it’s long enough to wrap around something that can’t be moved. I myself, just go with a xena screaming disc lock and lojack. Either way, when you do get insurance, make sure to get the coverage that will handle your bike getting ripped off.

[Rab]

First of all, congratulations and welcome to motorcycling.

One of the easiest locks to tote around, which offers pretty good security, is a disk lock for the front wheel. You can also get them with a built in movement alarm (made by Xena). The bike will already have a “steering lock” built-in and you should use that too. The only drawback is that the bike (being relatively light weight) can still be physically picked-up and taken away by a couple of burly guys or with some kind of a winch.

The only way to prevent that would be by chaining the bike to a lamp post or something like that however, I think that professional motorcycle thieves are more likely to be interested in more expensive bikes than the Rebel though, so I wouldn’t worry about it too much. A sturdy disk lock like a Xena, is likely to deter most opportunist thieves I would have thought.

Regarding “everything else”, get yourself a copy of “The Complete Idiots Guide to Motorcycles”. It’s a wonderful primer on all things motorcycle and can be had very cheaply (new or used). Check Amazon.com, eBay or your local new or used book store; the slightly older editions are pretty much as good as the newer ones (just that the reviews will not be so current, and the reviews are not that great anyway). The only negative I have about this book is that they recommend some bigger engined motorcycles as “beginner bikes” that I personally think are much more second bikes than first bikes.

Also look back through the posts on this web site. I’ll bet that most questions you can come up with have been answered already.

The Rebel is a great bike to learn on by all accounts and depending on your circumstances, might be all the bike you’ll ever need; “want” is a different animal though

[Rab]

Oh yeah, another good purchase is a cable lock or cable and lock combination to secure your motorcycle jacket (through an arm) and over-pants (through a leg) to the bike and then all snugged-down with a cargo net (a.k.a. bungee net).

If you go somewhere in the Summer, you don’t want to have to tote around (or wear) a heavy motorcycle jacket and pants. An accessory helmet lock is good too, but your bike may already have one so check first by asking the salesman.

[Author]

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