bike security

**erik** · 13th February 2004, 23:34

I'll be starting at AUT in just over a week. It looks like I'll only be able to afford third party (no fire or theft) insurance.
What kind of lock should I get for my bike? I was thinking I'd get a disc lock, because they are compact and simple to use. But Mike at Mt. Eden Motorcycles said he didn't like disc locks much and he showed me a cable lock thing with 25mm thick cable that he had on special.
I guess since I'll have a backpack with me, I could get a cable or chain instead of a disc lock, but I'm not sure.

What do you use to lock your bike?
I did think about starting a poll, but I wasn't sure what options to use.

**boris** · 14th February 2004, 07:36

i have a disk lock which can fit in my jacket pocket.I am told people have tryed to ride off with theirs still on and fallen off.I haven't done this yet.

Boris

**Grumpy** · 14th February 2004, 07:46

Hey Erik,

I've got a Griplock, that goes over your throttle and brake. Locks your brake on so the bike can't be moved. It's nice and visible so folk can see it's locked but I don't use it over night. For that I'd use a cable lock but unless there's something to lock your bike to they be a bit bulky to carry around.
Disc locks are ok but there's always a chance some plonka's going to decide to try and shift your bike and not see that it's locked. Possible repair bill.
Am I being too paranoid?
At the end of the day if they want it bad enough they"ll take it . I figure to make it hard as I can for them. :sneaky2:

**MikeL** · 14th February 2004, 07:48

Whether you get a disc lock or a chain, chances are that sooner or later you will ride off with the thing still on unless you devise some fool-proof system. I used a chain with my RGV150 until I forgot one day that it was on and wrecked a spoke. Then I started looping the chain elaborately up and over the bars so that I couldn't miss it. Eventually I realised that nobody would want to steal a 150cc 2-stroke anyway so I didn't bother any more. Likewise when I got the old Honda which I now use for commuting and is almost always parked in a secure place anyway. The Suzuki is mostly used for weekend rides and touring and I take the chain with me but don't often use it as the bike is not left unattended for long usually. But Firefight I noticed puts his lock on every time, even if it's just a stop for coffee and the bike is in sight the whole time. But it is an R6...

**SPman** · 14th February 2004, 07:54

I use nothing other than taking out the key (most of the time)...........if someone wants to nick it, I figure theres not a lot I can do to stop them. Just make sure the insurance is up to date !

**figjam** · 14th February 2004, 08:02

I'm with Grumpy, I use a griplock and you'll never forget it's there like you might with a disc lock.

The best thing you can do for the security of your bike is find the closest carpark that offers free parking for bikes. Several do in town, I use the Civic and it has the added advantage of being open until at least 1 o'clock every morning.

**wkid_one** · 14th February 2004, 13:02

Best thing is the Xena Disk Lock with the Alarm - you can't ride off with it as it will make a hell of a noise if you forget about it and straighten the front wheel. Cheap alternative to an alarm.

If you want mine let me know Eric - I'll give it to you for nothing.

**ching_ching** · 14th February 2004, 13:15

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Hey Erik,

I've got a Griplock, that goes over your throttle and brake. Locks your brake on so the bike can't be moved. It's nice and visible so folk can see it's locked but I don't use it over night.
At the end of the day if they want it bad enough they"ll take it . I figure to make it hard as I can for them. :sneaky2:

Hi Grumpy. Yeh I used to have a griplock and thought it was good until one of the inmates at my last camp said that he'd just cut the front brake line and be able to wheel it away. But tis a good form of front line defence... like you said make it as difficult as you can for them.

ching

**Zed** · 14th February 2004, 13:23

Gidday Erik,

Firstly, if I was going to get 3rd Party insurance I would find the cheapest deal in town who include fire & theft in the cover! I have full insurance on all my vehicles for the record.

I have used a disklock for many years now and find them very practical. Basically I will lock the bike whenever possible because it's just so easy to take it on and off, and also because there are just too many rotten-to-the-core crims out there now!

...and yes, I have tried to ride away with the blasted thing still locked up! Awefully embarrassing when done in public

A careful choice of parking is definately one of the keys to keeping your bike safe. A co-worker of mine had his '97 gsxr600 nicked last year because he parked it on the roadside in front of his house, which was out of sight when inside the house- oh, and he didn't have a lock on it either!

Zed

**wkid_one** · 14th February 2004, 13:38

Safest is to bolt it to the ground or something immoveable.

9 times out of 10 - it is usually 2+ people stealing bikes with a van.....they are only after parts......they will just pick it up one at each end, dump it in the van and they are gone.

I have seen this done in Wellington at the bike park on Hunter St.

Took the guys 10 secs, from stopping to having the bike in the back to being mobile again.

Disklocks, GripLocks, Alarms all mean fuck all.......they can deal with them at the comfort of their garage.

All they do is deter the opportunists.

Grip Locks are useless, you just either cut the front brake or unscrew the front brake level as twist the whole throttle. No different the the Steering Locks on cars, 5 secs with a Hacksaw and you are thru the wheel and off it comes.

IF you use a disklock - put it hard up against the calliper in the direction you intend to move....this way the bike won't move and you won't ride off with it on and damage callipers or fenders.

**Andrew** · 14th February 2004, 16:32

Originally Posted by wkid_one

IF you use a disklock - put it hard up against the calliper in the direction you intend to move....this way the bike won't move and you won't ride off with it on and damage callipers or fenders.

Simple but totally effective!

**erik** · 14th February 2004, 16:35

I needed a lock by monday, because there is an orientation thing that I have to go to at AUT then. So I went out and bought a magnum disc lock from Red Baron this morning.
If I hadn't needed the lock by monday, I would have taken you up on that offer, wkid_one, very generous of you.

Zed, I originally wanted to get Third Party, Fire and Theft, but the cheapest quote I got was $312.62 per annum, which is more than I can afford. So I'll go with the $58.60 per annum that AMI quoted for third party only.

**Zed** · 14th February 2004, 16:59

Originally Posted by erik

Zed, I originally wanted to get Third Party, Fire and Theft, but the cheapest quote I got was $312.62 per annum...

Wow, they'll sting you for all they can get!

Zed

**Slingshot** · 14th February 2004, 17:35

Originally Posted by wkid_one

Best thing is the Xena Disk Lock with the Alarm - you can't ride off with it as it will make a hell of a noise if you forget about it and straighten the front wheel. Cheap alternative to an alarm.

If you want mine let me know Eric - I'll give it to you for nothing.

Hey Wkid, if you're giving it away I'll have it