Best bike locks? - Ducati.ms

JCM5 · Jan 12th, 2012, 10:51 am

Unfortunately my new bike will be spending a lot of it's life outside. I am going to get a nice cover for it but was wondering if anyone has some advice on good bike locks - been looking at a few rotor disk brakes. Are they any more effective than usual cable locks?

I live in a good area and my bike and car are off the road - I don't really have to be worried about theft or anything like that but I want as much peace of mind as possible. Thanks!

**scott** · Jan 12th, 2012, 11:01 am

I have a CobraLinks cable lock that has always seemed pretty damn strong. Worth looking at for your need.

Cerberus · Jan 12th, 2012, 11:08 am

I wouldn't really bother with locks as much, but I guess having one might deter a potential thief from stealing your bike... Keep in mind if someone wants to snatch your bike they will (and pretty much all locks/chains can be broken).

XENA is a disk lock and I was going to get one (more for the visual warning than anything else), but after readings some reviews the alarm can be "silenced" by putting your hand over it. Also, the bike can be wheeled on a skateboard...

My suggestion: insurance. The best lock / protection there is.

JCM5 · Jan 12th, 2012, 11:17 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cerberus

I wouldn't really bother with locks as much, but I guess having one might deter a potential thief from stealing your bike... Keep in mind if someone wants to snatch your bike they will (and pretty much all locks/chains can be broken).

XENA is a disk lock and I was going to get one (more for the visual warning than anything else), but after readings some reviews the alarm can be "silenced" by putting your hand over it. Also, the bike can be wheeled on a skateboard...

My suggestion: insurance. The best lock / protection there is.

Yeah I pretty much feel the same. I know a lock isn't fail safe and if someone wants to steal a bike it's not that hard but, like I said, it adds some peace of mind and at any level a certain degree of deterrence one way or another. Regardless - the odds of anyone vandalizing or stealing my bike where I live is very low.

I don't know about other states, but motorcycle insurance in Washington is not required - I'll still be getting it though.

Cerberus · Jan 12th, 2012, 12:27 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCM5

I don't know about other states, but motorcycle insurance in Washington is not required - I'll still be getting it though.

Neither are locks

All joking aside, I would first and foremost get the insurance. If anyone snatches your bike, they will most like do some damage to it which insurance will cover (unlike your lock).

As for the actual lock, if you're going to a disk lock, I would get something that's very visible (bright red XENA or maybe even yellow, definitely color that's different than your bike). However, if you're planning to cover your bike, I find the disk lock kind of useless (the only cool feature on XENA lock is the alarm so that might work). Just don't forget to remove it before you take off...

If going for the chain, I would get something that is thick and I would make sure a foot or so is laying on the ground that is not covered by bike cover (this way it will add a "visual warning"). This again is quite useless since if the lock is laying on the ground, it can most likely be smashed open.

**amullo** · Jan 13th, 2012, 7:32 am

I have several locks on my bike and I´m also one of the few here who have had the bike stolen. The reason is probably that my bike lives in a mutlicar garage next to my apartment buildning, So i dont have my "own" garage. My recommendation is to get a good alarm and a GPS tracking device installed. The best thing is to disable the bike by removing something that the will render the bike unstartable.
And i had FULL insurance.. Didn´t do me much good, since I then had to try and tell the insurance aganet what was so special about the bike and getting back my blood, sweat and teers wasn´t going to happen.

I currently have two ABUS locks and two chains securing the bike.
one alarmed ABUS Detecto for the front. This is probably the best lock for sale today. Very thick and also a motionsensitive alarm. hard to cut through with a grinder. Rear - Abus Victory and Abus lockchain. I´ve also installed a GPS tracker.

Before getting the bike stolen, i used an ABUS Granit "Quick" front with chain and an older type of Abus Victory and lockchain rear. The thiefs made light work of both using a grinder.

MTScott2 · Jan 13th, 2012, 8:02 am

Yeah the locks will keep the honest thieves away.
But some may see it as a challange .

With battery operated Drills grinders etc you got no chance...

Even with a Lo-Jack system ifin a crook gets your bike to a Steel shipping container , the signal is not able to be picked up...

I have had good success with the DOG Alarm system...

I HATE THIEVES....

Cerberus · Jan 13th, 2012, 10:07 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTScott2

Yeah the locks will keep the honest thieves away.
But some may see it as a challange .

With battery operated Drills grinders etc you got no chance...

Even with a Lo-Jack system ifin a crook gets your bike to a Steel shipping container , the signal is not able to be picked up...

I have had good success with the DOG Alarm system...

I HATE THIEVES....

+1

I remember reading a thread a while ago regarding Lo-Jack and in short, if a pro is going to steal your bike, s/he will do it and it will not be traced (steel container or not). Plus I remember reading about how to remove it (not to mentioned there were cases where Lo-Jack installers were caught stealing bike since they knew how to remove them -- and you need to provide all your info when getting it installed since it's liked to your vehicle's VIN so that cops and Lo-Jack reps can identify you).

Virtually all locks / chains can be broken... however, to make it harder, there should be very little or no room for leverage (such as when trying to use a long pole / rod and a hammer to break the lock) or for using the grinder though I have yet to figure out what will resist liquid nitrogen...

Jwind · Jan 15th, 2012, 5:42 am

There was a video on youtube way back when, it showed how even the most thickest chain you can buy could be cut with bolt cutters. The only difference was how long it took to cut through them. Best being "if memory serves right" a minute and 30 seconds.

Disc locks, I would be careful, I've seen a few riders forget they had em on, and it just doesn't end well.

**amullo** · Jan 16th, 2012, 4:56 am

Thats why i like my alarmed disclock.. It´ll remind me if i move it without unlocking it.

Best option I´ve seen is the VHF trackers that will work through shipping containers and works on a diffrent frequency then the cheapo trackers that use cellphone technology. the unit doesn´t need free line of sight and the inboard battery is good for 12 months.

But as you say.. If they want it that bad, they´ll have it. Just gotta give yourself the best protection for what you can spend