Can you snap a steering lock?

[Macstar]

Hi guys,

We've been getting a bunch of bikes pinched form Auckland Uni lately and it got me thinking on an improvement idea for bike security. Just wondering if anyone can comment on how robust the stationary key steering lock is on a typical bike?

Is it like in cars (and on the movies) where if you wrench the steering wheel from side to side you can snap the steering lock?

The idea is on the theory that if you can't turn the handle bars, you can't ride the bike away. Obviously though, a screw driver is a pretty effective tool for overcoming the standard key barrel on a bike... So my idea is centred on improving this weakness.

Also, my Suzuki has an engine kill switch if the stand is down and you're in gear. Is this common on many other bikes?

[The Stranger:Me]

Hi guys,

We've been getting a bunch of bikes pinched form Auckland Uni lately and it got me thinking on an improvement idea for bike security. Just wondering if anyone can comment on how robust the stationary key steering lock is on a typical bike?

Is it like in cars (and on the movies) where if you wrench the steering wheel from side to side you can snap the steering lock?

The idea is on the theory that if you can't turn the handle bars, you can't ride the bike away. Obviously though, a screw driver is a pretty effective tool for overcoming the standard key barrel on a bike... So my idea is centred on improving this weakness.

Also, my Suzuki has an engine kill switch if the stand is down and you're in gear. Is this common on many other bikes?

Unaware of how effective the steering lock is, however there are many simple, cheap and easy to carry lock/security systems already available.

People aren't using them now, what would induce them to use yours?

[Macstar]

True true, BUT this baby could be activated when you remove your key from the ignition without having to bend over and put a disc lock on etc. It would always be attached to the bike so more likely to be used and no burden of carrying it around.

[vifferman]

Steering locks are next to useless, and are a theft-deterrent for only amateur bike thieves. As mentioned, as soon as you defeat the crappy budget ignition lock, you're away, but the steering lock pins themselves are readily snapped - probably more easily than those in cars. A determined or professional thief will simply pick up the whole bike anyway.

[imdying]

Of course you can, just put a piece of pipe over a bar and wrench that beyatch. Thieves aren't interested in being nice to your bike.

[nodrog:Me]

True true, BUT this baby could be activated when you remove your key from the ignition without having to bend over and put a disc lock on etc. It would always be attached to the bike so more likely to be used and no burden of carrying it around.

are you talking about the standard steering lock on a motorbike, or something aftermarket like a "club" steering wheel lock?

eitherway they are both piss easy to break.

a disklock is a better portable option, remember to fit it with the key facing the inside of the wheel, this makes it harder (but not impossible) for sombody to remove.

[Macstar]

The idea would be to block entry to the key hole (ignition) preventing objects like scew drivers from being able to force the lock and then relying on the bike's existing steering lock to prevent the bike from being rolled away.

This concept could be flawed though if the "locking pins" on the bike's steering lock are easily snapped as one KB member believes, which is why I'd like to know more about how strong the steering locks are...

Of course without securing your bike to an anchoured object like a lamp post, you can't do much to stop a group of theives from carting a bike away, though this process would be a little more obvious to the public bystander than a simple screw driver in the lock.

[cowpoos]

stilson [plumbers wrench] and a big flat head screw driver [in slightly modified form] is pretty much what most theives use for nicking bikes and cars with out alarms...smash the flat head screw driver into the ingnition barrel...and then wrench in around to on...using the leverage in a stilson...bingo...10 sec and a new bike!!


Get a wire type locakable rope with round style combination lock...disk locks are still removable with a stilson sometimes.

[breakaway]

Or, put in some hidden kill switches.

[FFS]

Hi guys,

Also, my Suzuki has an engine kill switch if the stand is down and you're in gear. Is this common on many other bikes?

Yes, my bike (Hyosung GT650R) shuts off if stand is down and I put it in gear

[cowpoos]

Or, put in some hidden kill switches.

now theres a thinking man!!

[tri boy]

As cowpoos says, wire rope type security leashes are one of the best security systems. Damn near impossible to cut with bolt cutters(gas axe is one of the few ways).
Krytonite used to do a great one. Spend a bit extra, and rest easy knowing the theives will bypass your difficult to steal bike, and will move on (sadly) to one with a cheap security lock.
Hidden kill switchs are ok, but the bastards will skull drag it onto a trailer, van if its not teethered to a bollard or railing.
Just like one night stands, protection is still the best option.

[vagrant]

The idea would be to block entry to the key hole (ignition) preventing objects like scew drivers from being able to force the lock and then relying on the bike's existing steering lock to prevent the bike from being rolled away.

This concept could be flawed though if the "locking pins" on the bike's steering lock are easily snapped as one KB member believes, which is why I'd like to know more about how strong the steering locks are...

Of course without securing your bike to an anchoured object like a lamp post, you can't do much to stop a group of theives from carting a bike away, though this process would be a little more obvious to the public bystander than a simple screw driver in the lock.

This idea is already done. There are a couple of bikes on the market with a covered ignition lock. You have a second key, one of these notched barrel security type ones to unlock the blanking plate.
It is only a gimmick, a good kick on the handle bar end will snap most steering locks anyway.
The best way to prevent theft is to make it harder to steal yours than the guy next door. A disc lock or U lock as a minimum, and as Cowpoos says, a heavy wire cable lock securing the bike to some large and immovable, or a small angry dwarf with a shotgun that you can keep in your topbox.
Alarms and kill switches won't stop your bike being loaded into a van, and bypassed later.
I know this for a fact. I have done it to my bike when I lost my keys and remote for the alarm. I got a mate to pick me up with a van, we picked the bike up and put it into the van, alarm nutting off, and the couple of pedestrians nearby didn't even look twice.

[thehollowmen]

Er.
Mine is bent, almost snapped. I'm pretty sure it could go without too much trouble now.
Happened three days after I got it when some drunks chucked it down a hill. They may have jumped on the frount wheel when the bike was on the ground to get it like that. Shoe prints were on the bike ...

[Speedo-cop]

Pick up a d-lock, or heavy duty chain and padlock - that's as good as it gets - unless you buy a satellite tracking system as well.

Bike theft is so easy - you have to lock it down.

And park it somewhere it's notice-able if someone serious takes a hack-saw or torch to your lock.

Thieves are losers who can't get up in the world by working - so they tend to be lazy and stupid which means you don't have to work to hard to protect your gear