Security

[coansha]

Only just got a Gen 1 Fazer 1000 and looking into security for it. Was planning a chain and lock to a clamp on the garage floor and probably a disc lock for ease when riding.
Was expecting to find plenty info out there on best type of locks and how they rate but really struggling....
I have the ride magazine test from August 2008 edition but quick frankly since they wouldn't actually recommend any of them, where do I go from here?


Any suggestions welcome either to a quality lock/chain set that's worth the cash or better still any review data which discusses the pros/cons of each set up.


BTW, scoring best on the ride test data was the OXFORD XL HARDCORE but even then it scored 9/30 and succumbed in 3 mins 20 secs without power tools...[size=78%]


Thanks in advance...[/size]

[Slaninar]

Abus chain. The most expensive you can afford.

This one is good, but expensive:
http://www.abus.de/us/main.asp?ScreenLang=us&sid=783916652152248170720121099397206&select=0105b02&artikel=4003318565588m

If you can find that quality of chain (in rockwell hardness as well as thickness) 2nd hand, that would be a more reasonable price.
All you need then is a good Abus lock - which is also expensive.

Alarms and disc locks are for false sense of security.
As well as cheap fat strong looking chains-locks.

[Pat]

Abus is distinctly 2nd division stuff these days, their chains can be hand cropped in seconds.

For proper security you need something that can't be cropped which means either an Almax chain & an anchor or a Protector chain & one of their own anchors from these guys - http://www.torc-anchors.com/index.php

I've used both companies in the past & both will provide you with what you need.

[AdieR]

I've got 2 Squire chains joined end to end (I found a single one a bit short), forget the exact model name but its available from Halfords priced about £140 - although how it stands up to attack I'm not totally sure.

Almax chains seemed to be widely hailed as the best (google them). That said, any chain is only as good as its weakest link.

Where possible, try and keep chains above floor level - that way a thief can't get so much leverage on bolt croppers to cut through it (although nothing will stop an angle grinder if they *really* want your bike). Obviously, try and put the chain through a solid part of the bike (frame if possible). A chain through a wheel is defeated by removing the wheel....

Any lock / chain will deter an opportunist, but a professional thief will have it whatever you do.

[tomjimtom]

Any lock / chain will deter an opportunist, but a professional thief will have it whatever you do.

True, just whack a disc lock on it to stop the opportunistic buggers and get a low excess, crap looking bike cover and an alarm

[AyJay]

Any lock / chain will deter an opportunist, but a professional thief will have it whatever you do.

+2


I have the remains of an ABUS Granite Plus somewhere in the garage. Made no difference to the pro who whipped my VFR.


Honestly, unless you can get it in the house with you, all you can do is buy the best protection you can afford, keep it out of sight, chain it to something immovable and hope.


I've heard some amazing stories of bikes being lifted over cars in garages and suchlike.


I was talking to my insurer about their latest wheeze which is to invalidate your insurance if the bike is left on your drive after dark. It would appear this is simply because it advertises it's presence. If a thief sees it whilst passing, they'll come back later. Makes sense I suppose.


Oh aye, and the best anti theft device is keeping your bike looking like a right shed. I'm sure opportunists would have a go at mine just for joyride which is why it's always disk or chain locked, but a pro would walk because it looks like it's worth about £10.

[coansha]

Thanks for the replies.
Looks like I am still struggling to find a decent comparison/review above the 2008 Ride magazine info. Struggling to justify paying 10% of the bike price for a chain (£280) which I fully agree, although may be the most solid is only really a deterrent.
The b**tards will no doubt get it if they really want it.
Right now I live in a sleepy retirement village and fortunately my garage is overlooked by the blue rinse brigade across the road, great to have them looking out for us. I get daily updates of van movements in my street!
I can see me touring alone and using campsites but I am very unlikely to park up the bike overnight in any high risk area.
Decent deterrent under £100 is what I'm after from a chain & lock....
Something decently portable which doesn't fall apart with a single hammer blow, no doubt will also use a disk lock for show given they are so portable.
Squire stronghold lock seems to come out well, but the chain not so well. Oxford XL Hardcore also gets a decent write up in 12mm guise, felt too small chain size but came out well in Ride test. Not sure if I can get the Oxford XL Hardcore but with a 14mm chain.
The search goes on....

[FuZzBoM]

I have an Onguard Boxer D disc lock. managed to get it fairly cheap from the bay and its insurance recognised. The nice lady at the insurance company said that gives a better discount than a Cat 1 alarm believe it or not..
so i decided to not waste my money on an expensive alarm and fitted one of those cheap HAWK ones. i wired it in such a way i could have the alarm off in minutes if it was to fail.
http://www.hawkcaralarm.com/X50ProMotorcycleAlarmsRemoteEngineStartImmobiliser.aspx

It is bloody loud. i knocked into the bike the other day whilst in my garage and had to rush out to grab the keyfob and un-arm it. ears were ringing for a while.
It does siren, flashes indicators, immobiliser and remote start (didn't wire that in for obvious reasons)
wiring in as fairly easy, yam have plugs under the seat for the yamaha alarm which is plug an play so just used those connectors and didn't cut any wires.

was perfect for my tour of Ireland this year. although my mate went with his 12 plate 1200GS adventures so it made mine less desireable lol

[Slaninar]

a)
A bit about chains, steel:
http://lockitt.com/chaininfo.htm

b)
Good chains:
http://www.abus.de/us/main.asp?ScreenLang=us&sid=297725857110613180720121099274152&select=0105b02&ArtikelGrID=151


Some security tips:

1) Make sure bike is out of sight. When they don't notice it, they don't steal it. Worst garage with doors falling apart is often better than the best lock/chain/alarm. When going to park, especially from places where bikers hang out, make sure nobody follows you. They do sometimes follow bikes that look good, or are needed for parts.

2) Alarm and disk lock are for kids. Take a van, put the bike in and drive on. NOBODY will pay any attention most of the time. Alarm is useful for kids not climbing on your bike to make Facebook photos - NOTHING else.

3) Lock your bike with a good chain to a solid object, through frame (NOT just e.g. the front wheel).

4) Make sure the chain does not hang on the ground if possible at all. Ground makes a great lever. Make sure also that lock is in a hard to reach place. If it is awkward for you to lock it with a key, it will be hard to reach and pick the lock.

5) Never leave the bike in the same place for longer than one night if possible at all. When people see what they want and come well prepared, nothing can stop them. Busy, well lit streets are sometimes even less safe, because nobody will suspect and pay attention to a man in the crowd, picking something on his bike.

6) Chain AND lock are as good as the weakest link. I can only recommend Abus again, the 20  security factor by their standards. Don't know about other manufacturers that do it as good (I'm sure there are, just couldn't acquire, test, see...). Can it be hacked, cut? YES. Can it be done with small, easy to conceal tools, used 99% of the time by opportunistic thieves? NO, definitely not. Seen lots of Youtube videos of 1  meter cutters braking chains in no time. But they were 1  meter long levers, used against the ground (see point 4). That does not happen often.


Sources for all this mumbo-jumbo: local police, a retired locksmith who I've seen do wonders more than once and an experienced man from "the other side of the law".

[sadlonelygit]

Almax series 4  and a ground anchor for garage/home
motrax vishas for a disc lock
there are no other options.
as tested by zanx on 'another' forum.
thatcham sold secure means diddly when it comes to chains
a good watch

.

[FuZzBoM]

Like most things it depends on the situation and budget.. i am happy with my disc lock and cheap alarm because the bike is either in the garage or places i know are fairly safe.
That video was interesting but i am not surprised given the size of the bolt cutters.. if people are going about with them i would say they are a pro thief lol.
also i would rather not carry a big ole chain about either.

[AyJay]

Very interesting video, thanks for that. But dear god, the best lasted 63 seconds! Anyone know of a chain made out of that bolt cropper?

[Pat]

Neither the 16/19mm Almax or Protector chains I linked to earlier can be cropped & both are guaranteed as such (the only ones on the market that I'm aware of) .  Abus used to be the market leaders (I've had a couple of their motorcycle chains for years & use one for my pushbike), but as can be seen in that vid, when it comes to motorcycle protection they are distinctly average these days.

The proper professional thieves will get around anything, but lets be honest they aren't gonna waste their time & risk getting caught lifting a £3k Fazer  when there's plenty of late model sportsbikes/Harleys/Ducatis/etc out there worth far more.

There's plenty of evidence that the chavs & scrotes further down the food chain do have access to the 42" bolt croppers shown in the vid & these are the people that will be most likely to try & nick our bikes.

Out & about, unless you have something solid & unmoveable to lock your bike to then even the strongest chain is simply a very heavy disk lock as the bike can still be thrown into a van.  The Xena alarmed disk locks seem to be well made & I know of a couple of people who've still got their bikes thanks to using them.

[coansha]

Neither the 16/19mm Almax or Protector chains I linked to earlier can be cropped & both are guaranteed as such (the only ones on the market that I'm aware of) .  Abus used to be the market leaders (I've had a couple of their motorcycle chains for years & use one for my pushbike), but as can be seen in that vid, when it comes to motorcycle protection they are distinctly average these days.

The proper professional thieves will get around anything, but lets be honest they aren't gonna waste their time & risk getting caught lifting a £3k Fazer  when there's plenty of late model sportsbikes/Harleys/Ducatis/etc out there worth far more.

There's plenty of evidence that the chavs & scrotes further down the food chain do have access to the 42" bolt croppers shown in the vid & these are the people that will be most likely to try & nick our bikes.

Out & about, unless you have something solid & unmoveable to lock your bike to then even the strongest chain is simply a very heavy disk lock as the bike can still be thrown into a van.  The Xena alarmed disk locks seem to be well made & I know of a couple of people who've still got their bikes thanks to using them.

Mmmmm looks like I may change my original consideration...
I got in touch with elite security supplies and they have also given me some pointers. 16mm chain does indeed seem the best option, going to pair with a Squire SS65CS lock.. I was looking at the Protector but this plus lock is £160, obviously I'll need the Anchor on top, Xena looks good but again another £60...
They have  a Squire 16mm package (16mm chain, SS65CS lock, Bull point Anchor) all for £140. At £80 cheaper is it false economy?

[sadlonelygit]

pjb are offering 1.5m x 16mm chain + a ss50 lock for £120.
to be fair, most theives would take one look at a 16mm chain and move off to easier pickings...........unless you own a desmoseidiechi or NR750

[Slaninar]

At £80 cheaper is it false economy?

If it's harder than 60 rockwell, it is good.

[Lonewolf]

Almax chain, squire lock and ground anchor (recommended by Almax) ........Chain and lock not very portable,
as it weighs a ton, unless you have a top box but a good combo for home use.

[Pat]

Mmmmm looks like I may change my original consideration...
I got in touch with elite security supplies and they have also given me some pointers. 16mm chain does indeed seem the best option, going to pair with a Squire SS65CS lock.. I was looking at the Protector but this plus lock is £160, obviously I'll need the Anchor on top, Xena looks good but again another £60...
They have  a Squire 16mm package (16mm chain, SS65CS lock, Bull point Anchor) all for £140. At £80 cheaper is it false economy?

Looks good value, but £140 is for a 0.7m chain which is very short, it'll just let you wrap around the wheel & go through an adjacent anchor which is fine if you are only ever going to use it in a specific location, but personally I'd go for a 1.5m one - it only cost's £15 more & gives you a lot more flexibility to use it when out & about or visiting people etc.

[coansha]

Mmmmm looks like I may change my original consideration...
I got in touch with elite security supplies and they have also given me some pointers. 16mm chain does indeed seem the best option, going to pair with a Squire SS65CS lock.. I was looking at the Protector but this plus lock is £160, obviously I'll need the Anchor on top, Xena looks good but again another £60...
They have  a Squire 16mm package (16mm chain, SS65CS lock, Bull point Anchor) all for £140. At £80 cheaper is it false economy?

Looks good value, but £140 is for a 0.7m chain which is very short, it'll just let you wrap around the wheel & go through an adjacent anchor which is fine if you are only ever going to use it in a specific location, but personally I'd go for a 1.5m one - it only cost's £15 more & gives you a lot more flexibility to use it when out & about or visiting people etc.

Oops, yes you are right... £155 plus postage.