Disk Locks/Security

[ToGGoT]

Searched for this, but didn't find anything recent;

I'm off touring in May, and am considering what I need to take. I'm going to be camping most nights, but I do like a good walk, so there are likely to be hours where the bike is unattended.

I was just going to buy a Disk Lock like an Oxford Boss or similar, but I was told by a mate that they should be fitted to your rear wheel, as its so easy to pop off the front wheel. Having already had the rear wheel off on mine for servicing, I actually think my rear wheel is probably easier to remove by Mr. Crim with his wheel brace than the front ones, and its got me dithering.

I don't really need extra security at home - the bike is always in a locked brick garage, so its just portable stuff for when i'm on the road - and I do use the steering lock, for what its worth.

Any suggestions for a light, portable thief deterrent lock or similar product that with fit my R?

Cheers

T

[riceburner]

I tend to use a U-Lock rather than a disc lock - I have an old ABUS that fits nicely under my top-box for carrying about, and slots nicely over the rear wheel spoke and the Paralever bar.


Has to be said though - I often don't bother - my bike generally looks so scruffy no one would bother....


I once left the keys in my old 550 Zephyr in Central London for a full day - it was still there that night. Thieves are fussy buggers it would appear!

[kirby]

My .02c
No lock.
Just be careful where you park it and when in a motel use a cover. They are cheap and I have found over many years of touring/traveling by moto its a good idea to cover it up and not to leave anything like tank bags or strapped on items on...carry into the room.

Only thing I have ever had stolen in may years was a helmet which was neatly removed from the lock on the moto by sniping the D rings from the strap. I came back and found the D rings were all that was left by the thief. (it was a high end helmet)

Make sure your insurance is paid up!

[Keppelj]

I lost an R69S on the Berkeley campus on day when I'd forgotten my chain. Bad day! Now, traveling on the road, I lock the steering head and cover it.

[Tundra Dweller]

There was a great article from a professional Motorcycle thief. The main theme was what you can do to prevent theft. The vast majority are ridden away. The best deterrent is the steering lock, which few of us use. He claimed disc locks are useless (I own several).
Another anti-theft measure I use is a hidden kill switch. Trace the wire lead from the handlebar switch further back in the harness and install a SPST switch on one wire. Under the gas tank is a good location. These are typically a closed loop = run circuit. Even if the ignition is comprised the motor will not run.

[sweatmark]

Info:

1. The crappy-looking bike cover trick: http://www.adventureriderradio.com/adve ... t-security; note to self - buy a black moto cover. Podcast recommended.

2. Good web site for bike lock info: http://thebestbikelock.com

3. Great web site for reviews, fun article with feeback from bicycle thieves: http://thesweethome.com/reviews/best-bike-lock/

And just realized that my latest lock purchase was crap! Another note to self...

[kirby]

I always use the steering lock even when covered. My cover is 30 years old and patched in a couple of places and I do have a secret switch for the ignition and I always tape/hide an extra key on all my machines.

I only use the helmet lock if I am only leaving the machine for a few min otherwise I carry the helmet with me. If I stop to eat one of my rules is to park where I can see the machine from inside.

:-)

[EasyBee]

The steering lock takes about 10 seconds to break https://youtu.be/I1CGb4G0nOQ All you need, is some blunt force.

So, yes use it but use another lock as well. I use an Oxford Boss disc lock http://www.oxford-shop.co.uk/item3630.htm for short stops in plain sight where a lot of people are + an Abus Granit Extreme Plus https://www.abus.com/eng/Mobile-Securit ... me-Plus-59 when it's an over nighter. Preferably locked to a lantern or something like that.

[riceburner]

Only thing I have ever had stolen in may years was a helmet which was neatly removed from the lock on the moto by sniping the D rings from the strap. I came back and found the D rings were all that was left by the thief. (it was a high end helmet)

I've never understood the thinking there - a helmet without an operable strap is just a bucket - who's going to buy it??

[swamper]

We use Abus cable locks.

[ToGGoT]

Cool, thanks everyone. Another friend has offered me the loan of a decent padlock and chain for the trip - my cover went AWOL last time we had some high winds, though it was only a very cheapy one. Might be worth another one just to get it out of sight.

T

[swamper]

Chains are heavy and people use to freeze them to break them easily. Really if someone is going to take the trouble to steal a bike it's most likely not going to be an older model like the R1150R. I would get a new cover to use, I like a half cover when on the road, they pack small.

[riceburner]

Cool, thanks everyone. Another friend has offered me the loan of a decent padlock and chain for the trip - my cover went AWOL last time we had some high winds, though it was only a very cheapy one. Might be worth another one just to get it out of sight.

T

Probably a good thing tbh - I once had my Ducati TL600 blown over because it had a cover on it. The cover acts like a sail if the wind is hard enough - it'll blow anything over. For reference - the Ducati TL600 main-stand was probably MORE stable than the main-stand on our BMWs.

[kirby]

Covers usually have eyelets and its a good idea to use some like a bungee cord to tie it to the machine. Also if traveling its wise (if windy and we get some high winds out west here in the states on a regular basis), to find a somewhat sheltered area and park into the wind.
If no eyelets then tie it some way if wind is expected.