Security isn't a dirty word

[japes1275]

Hoping to get out and about a bit more on my TA this year and currently have no form of lock/immobiliser other than the standard HISS and steering lock. Leaving my pride and joy in a hotel car park overnight fills me with dread so would be interested in any ideas for locks etc. I don't want an alarm system but some other form of engine immobiliser (perhaps DIY) might be good as well.

I am thinking of maybe front and rear disc locks or a chain to go through both wheels. I figure if both weels are locked it will be harder to manoeuvre to a van etc. Obviously a chain around something is a good idea but you can't always find something substantial to use. Also some of these locks are pretty heavy/bulky so that would have to be a consideration. Any thoughts? Thanks, John.

[davsato]

my LH footpeg comes off to form a disc lock, cant remember the make but you cant forget its on because theres no footpeg!

i bought an abus U lock to store either under the seat or on the topbox adaptor, nice touch by honda, and that goes through the wheel and swingarm with a decent chain either round a convenient post or a mates bike

[jarl]

HISS is enough of an immobiliser IMO, aftermarket ones tend to cause more problems than they're worth. I would be interested by an audible alarm fitted to a vibration/tilt sensor, though, so that if you're in the immediate vicinity you can come running.

Lock, how about something from almax? Phone them up for a discount

[Austin]

I use either a Zena disk alarm or an of abus U lock. Both fit under the seat.

I know a bike could be pinched at any time, but frankly you are pretty damn unlucky to get it stolen from a hotel car park. You should always be able to park either right outside reception (or if in Morocco, in reception - see pic) or outside your room A lock will prevent the casual thief, but so will the HISS. A determined theif will have the tools to cut off whatever lock you put on it. I work on the basis that a simple lock will stop a casual thief. If a pro really wants my bike he is probably going to get it anyway whatever you do.

[Boris]

No one except the owner pays any attention to alarms so unless you are always in earshot then don't bother. If you must do something then chain it to something stout (or another bike) but even these are fallible. Just search youtube to see how easy it is.

My advise, Don't leave it anywhere too dodgey and stick a disk lock on to stop it being wheeled away but face facts. If they want it they will have it so make sure the insurance is up to scratch.

[Dee Duble Yuh]

Don't be tempted to carry a chain or lock about your person. In an accident they can cause more injury than anything!

[davsato]

Originally Posted by Dee Duble Yuh

Don't be tempted to carry a chain or lock about your person. In an accident they can cause more injury than anything!

and dont be tempted to buy the first deal you see as you walk into the NEC bikeshow and then have to carry a 20lb chain and lock around all day like my mate, HA HA

one thing i remembered, about insurance;
HISS should get you the max insurance discount, so dont bother telling them you use any locks or alarms or whatever unless they are built into the bike and arms automatically etc. if you tell your insurers you use such and such a lock, and you dont this particular day cos you were running late and sods law the bike got nicked, they will double the excess you have to pay because you told them you use this lock.

this my disclock, quite good

You Tube

You Tube

[alanvendy]

having had a moped stollen from the side of the house secured with a bike chain locked around a fence post i almost gave up on security. the scumbags turned up with bolt croppers which failed to cut the cheap lock (3 cut marks) it would appear the chain cut like butter. after thinking for a while and considering alteratives i came up with 2 possibilities:-
1 steel wire hauser flexible really awkward to cut the wire is hardened and you would need amost perfect cutters to cut throughit.
2 industrial lifting strop made from a woven nylon type material, flexible incredibly strong again difficult to cut and very light.

just a couple of thought ultimately the choice is yours.

[japes1275]

Thanks for the replies so far, something to think about! I love the removeable foot rest idea - especially the vid.

I think the point about insurance is particularly valid, putting some of these locks etc on your policy doesn't seem to give much of a discount and you are 'locked' into using them every time you leave it, even for 5 mins.

I am going to look into a decent disc lock for a start and then think about a U lock to fit under the seat. Does anyone know if there is an alternative to the the Honda one that fits in the under seat stowage on a TA700?

[Yeti]

Leaving a bike looking scruffy tends to draw less attention to it but at the end of the day if someone wants it they will take it, although they will probably not get it started with the HISS and just leave it somewhere with a smashed panel and its wires hanging out!

Where you leave it is probably the most important bit rather than how you leave it. I have left my AT in the middle of various european and uk cities and by pure chance it has still been there when I got back an hour or two later with they keys in the topbox or seat lock!! doh!!

I left my TA outside a house in Corby with a disc lock and steering lock on whilst I went inside upstairs to get something, and then back to the bike. Less than 5 minutes. They had kicked the bars to break the steering lock, slammed it forward onto the disc lock and bust it off and made it to the local park before realising they couldn't start it with the HISS.

Don't loose sleep over it! I would rather they took the bike than come looking for me to get the keys. I would definately end up doing time!