Riders who forget disk locks are dumb arses

[pzkpfw]

...and I'm one of them.

Frack frack frack. I always thought people who forget their disk locks are stupid, and the ones who use those plastic coiled cables as reminders dumb and dorky looking.

But last night I learned... frack... hadn't used my disk lock in ages and ages, so when I left a mates place and went to push my bike to the road (before starting, trying not to wake his kids) it took me a moment to realise why it wouldn't move very far. (At first I'm thinking I'd accidentally stuck it in gear).

Then I found I couldn't take the lock off. The barrel around where the key goes in, had been crushed a bit on the bike frame. Eventually, with a bit of pipe-wrench squeezing and screwdriver levering, I managed to get the key into the lock - by hammering it in (with that pipe wrench). It turned well enough, but wouldn't pull the plunger out. Luckily it wasn't quite into its receiving hole, so a screwdriver (yes, no finnesse last night) was able to lever the plunger back far enough to let the lock slide off the disk. It then went into the bin.

Luckily no damage to the bike or brakes that I've been able to find.

Anyway, the point of my minor tale of woe is:

1. Those locks (perhaps manufacturer based) are not all that strong, really. Didn't take much to get it off the bike. Yes, I did use the key in the end, but looking at the crush damage around where the key goes in, I reckon with the right gear some scum would have broken the thing easily. Plenty to stop an opportunistic thief, but a determined thief will have your bike.

2. This happened in front of a mates garge, and was enough of a pain in the neck. If this'd happened somewhere obscure it could have been very painful. Pays to remember how easily these locks can get damaged, and how that can muck up the legitimate owners day.

[Blackshear]

Done it a couple of times just wheeling my bike from the garage.
Pretty annoying, because you bloody put it there ha ha. Poor forks.

Also, yesterday, I stopped to help a (distressed and almost crying) cute chick on her scuddle, being pushed up the road.
What was wrong? She somehow hit the kill switch and didn't even know what it was for.

[Mom]

Invest in a bungee cord reminder. About $5 from any accessory selling place. Sticks out like dogs balls. Never been caught

[spanner spinner]

least you didn't damage the disk or calliper, I have seen many bikes with bent disks or damage to forks and callipers due to disk locks. A chain or cable lock is the better option to secure your bike, disks locks are completely useless in my opinion as they are too easy to break in to.

[SMOKEU]

I reckon with the right gear some scum would have broken the thing easily. Plenty to stop an opportunistic thief, but a determined thief will have your bike.

A couple of strong people is all it takes to lift the bike into the back of a van anyway.

[FJRider]

A couple of strong people is all it takes to lift the bike into the back of a van anyway.

A small truck/ute with a hi-ab crane ... a one man job.

But for most crims ... they (disc locks) change a simple push away ... to require tools.

[Gremlin]

A couple of strong people is all it takes to lift the bike into the back of a van anyway.

You haven't seen my bike then... it would need more than a couple... Usually needs a couple just to get it upright

Yes, ultimately security is a problem. But you don't have to make it theft-proof. Just make it less desirable than the one next to yours...

[EJK]

Yes I've also heard some stories where people broke the brake calipers off.

Glad you didn't break your brake. Goodness sake, the stake of mistake can make such ache like quake by the lake!

[sinfull]

Someones poetry sounds a tad fake !

[Maha]

The dumb shit thing comes into question when you dont have a reminder cord ....
A Disc lock only, is asking for the inevitable.

[Str8 Jacket]

I use a disc lock and a reminder cord. My bike is so awesome that no one notices the cord so he doesn't feel so dorky...... it's about the bikes self esteem you see. The FXR would've just looked plain stupid wearing a reminder cord.

[oneofsix]

I use a disc lock and a reminder cord. My bike is so awesome that no one notices the cord so he doesn't feel so dorky...... it's about the bikes self esteem you see. The FXR would've just looked plain stupid wearing a reminder cord.

It's all about image. If you are comfortable in yourself image doesn't count as much.

[Str8 Jacket]

It's all about image. If you are comfortable in yourself image doesn't count as much.

I am comfortable with my image and so is my Goose. My porr lil fixxer on the other hand......

[bogan]

I always put the disc lock closest to the fork in the direction of travel, 20degrees wheel rotation until lock is a lot slower than 300 degrees!

[avgas]

Got caught 3 times with the bloody thing on with the GB.
All three were when I was riding off........then the who bike suddenly stops.

Never damaged the discs etc. Nor the lock (what brand were you using - I couldn't break mine if I tried, even threw it down the road at 100 kph once).

Next one I will buy will have that alarm in it so it 'chirps' to remind me its still on.