Motorcycle alarm info please

[Starky307]

I'm thinking about getting an alarm for my bike, just to help me sleep a little bit better, and to give me a reason to muck around in the garage stripping my bike and putting it back together.

Now before all you people come running out and blast me with "use the excellent search function" posts, I have spent the last hour trying different combinations in the search feature but only came up with a couple of recommendations.

What I am after is posts from people who actually have an alarm on their bike and have some sort of pros and cons of your experiences.

I have found a link for Cyclone C-11 (http://www.motorbikealarm.co.uk/node/26)
A link for a Mongoose MCA500 (http://www.mongoose.co.nz/vehicle-security/vehicle-security-systems/motorcycle.aspx) unit.
An now I've been given a link for a Talon (http://www.talonalarms.com/products/) unit.

These two units have been talked about by some members so hopefully I can get some constructive advice.

Thank in advance.
Starky

[Toot Toot]

I had the Mongoose ?Striker I think it was called, on my TLR1000. Worked really well with adustable sensitivity movement sensor, good loud alarm, no false alarms (once I got the sensitivity right), remote start... which I could never work out the use of.... untill I was getting ready for a ride and it dawned on me that I can start my bike in the garage from my bedroom and warm it up. Wont start in gear so no probs there.
Good alround alarm.

[Starky307]

I had the Mongoose ?Striker I think it was called, on my TLR1000. Worked really well with adustable sensitivity movement sensor, good loud alarm, no false alarms (once I got the sensitivity right), remote start... which I could never work out the use of.... untill I was getting ready for a ride and it dawned on me that I can start my bike in the garage from my bedroom and warm it up. Wont start in gear so no probs there.
Good alround alarm.

The mongoose unit is the one I was thinking of after trolling through the internet. Thank you for your feed back.

[blackkatana]

I have the Stryker on my Blackbird and it has proved to be a reliable and useful alarm. Has not given me any trouble and has a good, easy to use remote and instructions.
Has a pager too, 500 metres range if I remember right.

[YellowDog]

I see your bike is quite new. Does it have an ECU Port?

If it does then there are better plug and play alarms to choose from, like the Talon range.

http://www.talonalarms.com/products/

[Starky307]

I see your bike is quite new. Does it have an ECU Port?

If it does then there are better plug and play alarms to choose from, like the Talon range.

http://www.talonalarms.com/products/

Have you got one of these on your bike, does it give you any grief, is there anything to watch out for with them?

[Kinje]

I've recently installed the mongoose MCA500

Was an easy wiring install (for auto-electrician flatty :woohoo: ), but tricky to find space for the module and siren- already have a power commander installed, so now no room for tool kit in tiny space under the rear seat.

Sensitive to knocks, but I can climb onto the bike carefully without it going off. It does have an input for extra sensors, so mercury tilt switch is probably a good add on. I think you can get them at places like Jaycar.

The remote start is a bit of a laugh, however, not much point if you have an ignition security system. It works if I press the start button with the key in ignition, but not if it's not there.

[Starky307]

I've recently installed the mongoose MCA500

Was an easy wiring install (for auto-electrician flatty :woohoo: ), but tricky to find space for the module and siren- already have a power commander installed, so now no room for tool kit in tiny space under the rear seat.

Sensitive to knocks, but I can climb onto the bike carefully without it going off. It does have an input for extra sensors, so mercury tilt switch is probably a good add on. I think you can get them at places like Jaycar.

The remote start is a bit of a laugh, however, not much point if you have an ignition security system. It works if I press the start button with the key in ignition, but not if it's not there.

When you say ignition security system do you mean like when the keys are electronically coded, I understand my zx6 is like this. I'm guessing it makes the remote start a waste of time?

[YellowDog]

Have you got one of these on your bike, does it give you any grief, is there anything to watch out for with them?
I am on the Tiger1050 forum and this seesm to be the alarm most of the Tiger owners use. The feedback is very positive. You just plug it in and the bike's microprocessor recognises it and uses any on board features (flashing 'armed' light on the Tacho display). I haven't bought it yet because I am waiting for their paging version to come out. If you look on their forum, some have added a universal pager however I don't want to do this and will wait for the in-built one.

I like the idea of not having to mess about with the bikes wiring and using a minimal amout of space.

[Starky307]

Bump.

Any more motorcycle alarm users out there got any comments?

[Max Preload]

See my experiences here (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?p=1546349#post1546349).

[Indiana_Jones]

I'm in the same position as Starky atm

Looking for an alarm, though I'm not sure if the Daytona has a plug 'n' play socket.

Where do you get the alarms from, just Super cheap auto etc?

-Indy

[Kinje]

When you say ignition security system do you mean like when the keys are electronically coded, I understand my zx6 is like this. I'm guessing it makes the remote start a waste of time?

Bingo. We thought it was all sweet as we wired it up, tested it, worked, laughed at how awesome it was that bike started by itself...then realised key was in ignition :doh: Took key out, press button, lights come on, goes thru pre-start ritual, starter moter whirrs but no start.

[steve_t]

I recently got an alarmed disc lock. Anyone wanna comment on their experiences with these - good or bad?

[p.dath]

If you have a garage do you really need an alarm as well?

I have a friend who had an alarm fitted to his bike. If he doesn't go riding every week the battery tends to go flat now. Very annoying for him. No, it's not the battery.

He's looking to rip it back out now. Don't know what kind of alarm it is.

[Starky307]

If you have a garage do you really need an alarm as well?

I have a friend who had an alarm fitted to his bike. If he doesn't go riding every week the battery tends to go flat now. Very annoying for him. No, it's not the battery.

He's looking to rip it back out now. Don't know what kind of alarm it is.

This is a good point about the battery drain caused by the alarm.

Has anyone else experienced this sort of trouble?

[Icemaestro]

Any comments on what to fit to a cbr250r? cheapest thing that will take the insurance premium down?

[p.dath]

Any comments on what to fit to a cbr250r? cheapest thing that will take the insurance premium down?

Don't know about your motorcycle insurance, but mine only cared about weather it was stored in a locked garage or not.

So don't expect your premium to come down.

[Morcs]

I had a cyclone C-11 installed by a shop on my RVF.

I washed my bike on a sunny sunday.
Rode to work on a sunny monday morning, alarm blew up.

Recommened getting a fully waterproof unit.

[Indiana_Jones]

Any comments on what to fit to a cbr250r? cheapest thing that will take the insurance premium down?

How much are u paying? My insurance was like $30 for full cover on the CBR250. I doubt any alarm was gonna bring that down at my age.


also does anyone have an Alarmed disc lock? An Oxford or Xena one?
Are they any good etc?

Cheers

-Indy

[Silage]

I recently got an alarmed disc lock. Anyone wanna comment on their experiences with these - good or bad?

I have one I put on the bike when parked unattended in public or while at work. Overall they must be better than an unalarmed disc lock but not loud enough for me to hear it from my office (50m in sight).

Secondly, mine was going off all through the day randomly. Then realised that they have different sensitivities depending on how much metal is between the bars of the lock. So I was locking it on the top of the disc and now hang it off the bottom and don't get false triggering but is still quite sensitive to any movement.

The "cheapest" alarm I have used consists of an on/off switch, a mercury switch, a fuse and a length of wire. Take a lead off the battery, through the fuse to the mercury switch (that does not connect when bike on side stand but does connect when near upright) to the switch hidden but accessible on the bike to the horn. Bike goes on side stand, switch on - no noise. If anyone stands the bike up - horn sounds. Not too flash but cheap.

[Kinje]

I have one I put on the bike when parked unattended in public or while at work. Overall they must be better than an unalarmed disc lock but not loud enough for me to hear it from my office (50m in sight).

Secondly, mine was going off all through the day randomly. Then realised that they have different sensitivities depending on how much metal is between the bars of the lock. So I was locking it on the top of the disc and now hang it off the bottom and don't get false triggering but is still quite sensitive to any movement.

The "cheapest" alarm I have used consists of an on/off switch, a mercury switch, a fuse and a length of wire. Take a lead off the battery, through the fuse to the mercury switch (that does not connect when bike on side stand but does connect when near upright) to the switch hidden but accessible on the bike to the horn. Bike goes on side stand, switch on - no noise. If anyone stands the bike up - horn sounds. Not too flash but cheap.

Thats clever...way cheaper than the ahem cough cough that I spent to do pretty much the same job.

[crazyhorse]

My SV650 came with an alarm - great idea I thought. Except you cannot help it when people just have to stroke the bike - and it goes off! Yes it came with two settings, but after a while it just kept going off randomly, so disconnected it.

Alarms can actually make you paranoid too - not sure I would ever get another one - easiest option is to ensure your bike. Classic cover are very reasonable - cheapest I have found.

A radar detector would be more useful than a bike alarm...... My thoughts only

[Indiana_Jones]

Guess I'll give a disc lock alarm a go, if it proves to be a hassle, just take the batteries out and it's a normal disc lock.

-Indy

[NighthawkNZ]

http://www.caralarm.co.nz/go2/Mongoose_alarms_MCR500/

[Starky307]

My SV650 came with an alarm - great idea I thought. Except you cannot help it when people just have to stroke the bike - and it goes off! Yes it came with two settings, but after a while it just kept going off randomly, so disconnected it.

Alarms can actually make you paranoid too - not sure I would ever get another one - easiest option is to ensure your bike. Classic cover are very reasonable - cheapest I have found.

A radar detector would be more useful than a bike alarm...... My thoughts only

I like the idea about a radar detector.

My bike sleeps inside the garage, the house (and garage) are alarmed when no one is home so it is only when on a overnight ride, for that I will invest in an alarmed disc lock and put the rest towards a radar detector.

Thanks to all posters for all the comments about experience with alarms.

[p.dath]

The "cheapest" alarm I have used consists of an on/off switch, a mercury switch, a fuse and a length of wire. Take a lead off the battery, through the fuse to the mercury switch (that does not connect when bike on side stand but does connect when near upright) to the switch hidden but accessible on the bike to the horn. Bike goes on side stand, switch on - no noise. If anyone stands the bike up - horn sounds. Not too flash but cheap.

I like this the best! No battery drain. Will give an inexperienced thief a bit of a scare. Doesn't stop them putting it on a trailer or truck, but hey - great value for money.

[Indiana_Jones]

I like this the best! No battery drain. Will give an inexperienced thief a bit of a scare. Doesn't stop them putting it on a trailer or truck, but hey - great value for money.

Nothing will if they really want the bike, just to stop the oppertunists.

-Indy

[IdunBrokdItAgin]

Hi,

I've got an alarm on my bike. Had it disconnected today.

Reason is that it keeps draining the battery. A fully charged battery seems to be drained after about four days (even with the alaram not activated).

Anyway, would only re-connect it if there was a spate of bike thefts in my area etc. For now it won't be draining my battery anymore.

If your bike is an garage then you should think about alarming your garage door before the bike. Unless you have to park it in dodgy areas when you go out. In this case then a lock (with or without an alarm) is preferable to just an alarm.

On a side point - just read a UK bike mag which rated bike locks. Oxford XL Hardcore came top, followed by oxford monster and oxford nemesis.

[Cheshire Cat]

My SV650 came with an alarm - great idea I thought. Except you cannot help it when people just have to stroke the bike


Exactly why I need an alarm. Some one sat on my bike, played with the clutch and gear lever and moved the mirrors so all I could see was the sky.....:mad::weird:

[skidMark]

Hi,

I've got an alarm on my bike. Had it disconnected today.

Reason is that it keeps draining the battery. A fully charged battery seems to be drained after about four days (even with the alaram not activated).

Anyway, would only re-connect it if there was a spate of bike thefts in my area etc. For now it won't be draining my battery anymore.

If your bike is an garage then you should think about alarming your garage door before the bike. Unless you have to park it in dodgy areas when you go out. In this case then a lock (with or without an alarm) is preferable to just an alarm.

On a side point - just read a UK bike mag which rated bike locks. Oxford XL Hardcore came top, followed by oxford monster and oxford nemesis.

or like... you get a battery because your one is fucked?

[IdunBrokdItAgin]

Nah battery checked out fine - was just the power drain from the alarm.

I thought the battery was buggered as well at first - would've cost about $180 for a new one - glad it was ok.

[Max Preload]

Nah battery checked out fine - was just the power drain from the alarm.

I thought the battery was buggered as well at first - would've cost about $180 for a new one - glad it was ok.

Then the alarm has a fault.

[skidMark]

Then the alarm has a fault.
`wh`a`t` he said`

[Muppet]

Bump.

Any more motorcycle alarm users out there got any comments?

Yeah I had one on my Fireblade, what a pain in the ass! It was too good, it would beep at you if you even looked at the bike and as for getting it serviced, it drove the mechanics nuts, with it's 'service mode' etc It was a Datatool alarm, BTW. I've got a meaty disc lock for my new bike now.

[Starky307]

Yeah I had one on my Fireblade, what a pain in the ass! It was too good, it would beep at you if you even looked at the bike and as for getting it serviced, it drove the mechanics nuts, with it's 'service mode' etc It was a Datatool alarm, BTW. I've got a meaty disc lock for my new bike now.

Yeah I think I may just get an alarmed disk lock and use it when my bike isn't sleeping inside.

[Muppet]

Yeah I think I may just get an alarmed disk lock and use it when my bike isn't sleeping inside.

An alarmed disk lock???????:shit:

[Starky307]

An alarmed disk lock???????:shit:

You know, the ones that make horible screeching noises when they feel movement, it will help stop me from getting on and trying to ride of with it fitted:doh:

[steve_t]

My Xena Alarmed Disc Lock is pretty sweet. Just make sure you don't forget to take it off. You can get a reminder cable from Xena, or I saw one guy had a sign that sat on his bars that said "DISC LOCK!!"
Saying that, a big yellow disc lock is quite hard to miss :niceone:

[Muppet]

You know, the ones that make horible screeching noises when they feel movement, it will help stop me from getting on and trying to ride of with it fitted:doh:

Ok never heard of those. When I bought my blade from Auckland I rode it home to CH-CH. I secured it onto the ferry and put it in (no I'm not joking) "ferry mode" I obviously cocked it up because it beeped all the way to Picton, and when I say beep I mean BEEP. I could hear the bastard as I made my way down the stairs and thought "oh ferchrissakes!!!! The ferry staff weren't impressed.

[toddyz]

I had a problem with battery drain on the uniden alarm that was fitted to my tigerblade when I bought it, thought it was a facozled battery so had it tested - sure enough, so got a new one but still had the problem, battery went dead if I didn't ride it every week or had to jump start it when ever I wanted to go for a ride! (what a pain in the arse). took it to a sparkie and someone had put a car alarm in it! car alarms drain too much juice even when not activated for the wee bike batterys.
Problem fixed no more car alarm = no more dead batteries