Motorcycle Security

sunama

sunama

sunama

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So, I just done my CBT and I'm on the verge of buying a new motorbike (Honda CG125 or CBR125).

I intend to park the bike in my driveway and also take it to work, where it will be parked on the road.

Can anyone give me some tips/advice on what security devices I could buy and use to protect the bike?

Thanks

Edit: I have now bought a 2nd hand bike: CBR125.
 
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Wheel lock and alarm and huge great big chain attached to a concreted ring in the floor/lampost/other large immovable object.
 
RDM said:
Wheel lock and alarm and huge great big chain attached to a concreted ring in the floor/lampost/other large immovable object.
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Ok, so we have

Wheel Lock - will a cheapo D-Lock do or should I go for something more expensive?
Alarm - can I fit this myself or will I need to take it to the mechanic for fitting? And again, can I go for any cheap alarm or is there one that is recommended?
Big Chain - any recommendations?

Thanks
 
There was a clain posted on here a while back. It was quick thick that it meant most cutters would really struggle to get any leverage on it. I can't remember the name though.
 
Personally, I'd scrtach the wheel lock. More trouble than it's worth.
Go with a really big chain. Pay good money for it. £100 ish. And get an decent alarm.

If you want an alarm that will lower your insurance premium, then it will have to be fitted by a registered dealer. A cheapo alarm that just makes a sound when the bike is moved will be a DIY job.
 
Dont bother with an alarm. Waste of time and money . Flatten yer battery and nobody ever takes any notice of them .

Get an Almax chain which will last you yer biking career and lock it to something solid . I also tend to fit a hidden ignition cut out switch . I dont think disk locks are a lot of cop without the backup of a big chain but if u get an Almax by all means get a disk lock as well as a visable deterent . If you are going to leave it in your drive get a ground anchor of some type and use a lampost at work .

Persil
 
For a big chain you're looking at an Almax or a Pragmasis. No less than £100 without a padlock.

My personal suggestion is to buy two decent chains (one for an anchor at home and one for chaining the bike to some street furniture at work) and leave them where they are. I'd then use a disc lock and keep it under the seat for when you're out and about (because I personally cannot be bothered to cart around a huge chain nor can I guarantee I will have anything to chain the bike to).

The idea of these security measures is to deter, not to prevent. If you have a disc lock on the front, they will simply lift up the front and wheel it away. Same goes for the rear. If you have locks on both wheels they will simply pick it up and put it into the back of a van. If you have a chain through your wheel and around a lamppost, they will simply take your wheel off and put it into the back of a van. If you have a chain/Anti-Pinch Pin through your frame and around a lamppost you've done your best. If they angle grind through that, there's not a lot else you could have done!

The point is that each level provides an extra deterrent that the thief may not wish to bother with. A good idea is to try and leave your bike next to another bike with less security than yours. They are then a lot more likely to leave yours alone.
 
I find a disc lock and a d-lock is ok for takign the bike into town, but for home a big fat chain works better. Ultimately if someone wants it, they'll take it. I could single handedly bung my bike onto the back of a van (albeit not without damaging it) - so if you have 2 or 3 of them it won't take long. As has been said, it's preventative, not guaranteed.
 
Persil said:
Dont bother with an alarm. Waste of time and money . Flatten yer battery and nobody ever takes any notice of them .
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Persil has a point about them flattening the battery- but if you get a good one, then that's unlikely to happen if you're commuting on it. A cheap one probably will kill your battery because they draw more current and the generator on a 125 won't be all that great.

As for nobody taking any notice of them, well that's true. But you will, and the theif will. If you're within earshot of your bike at work, or there is somebody who will notice, like a security guard, then its good for peace of mind. And it'll immobilise and at least make it difficult for them.

Rilot said:
Go with a really big chain. Pay good money for it. £100ish.
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BIKE mag had a test on a few months back and rated an oxford hardcore (£50) as the best in test. It lasted a whole 3 minutes.

I think a reasonable chain to stop opportunists and ****** with vans, a couple of cheapish (but still sold secure @£25 each) ground anchors, an alarm/immobiliser (datatool system 4 @£250 fitted) and datatag (£25) and you'll have a better than average security set up that would put most people off.



Things to avoid IMO are:

Cheap ebay alarms - Draw too much current and can be fitted (and therefore un-fitted) by anyone

Disc Locks - Steering lock and alarm will stop it being pushed away, annoying hassle when you're only stopping for a few mins.

Home-made modifications ie, secret cut-out switches - Would you buy one with these?
 
sunama said:
You guys are beginning to make me feel that it would be best to opt for the uglier CG125, as opposed to the racier looking CBR125.
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To be honest, if you are planning on taking your test in the not too distant future then the CG125 would be the sensible choice. Bomb proof engine, cheaper to buy, cheaper to run, very easy to sell when you upgrade and as you say somewhat less attractive to the average scrote. The more upright riding position will be an advantage in traffic as well.

Ok it's not exactly a sexy looking bike, but for budget, reliable commuting it's a good choice.

You should still consider some level of theft prevention though, opportunistic scrotes will take anything they can lay their ***** thieving hands on.
 
Don't bother with the CBR 125 if you have any intention of doing your test, it's not worth the extra money. Most people start out thinking a 125 will be fine and they'll keep it for a few years then move up, the truth is you get bored quickly and need something bigger/do your test.

The key is to make it look like it's not worth the effort. A disc lock and chain go some way to doing that. When my garage was broken into they didn't take a thing as all 3 bikes were chained together wheel to wheel front and back, had chains round the seat/rear wheel, rear sprocket locks and front disc locks. If you were stupid enough to move one all three would go off. Only buy Thatcham approved security, it's the only thing that will reduce your premium, use alpha dot or datatag or smart water, a large chain and disc/sprocket lock.

I'd not bother about a decent alarm on a CB125 but it depends where you live/work. Also a cover can be worth getting as it stops people scouting out your security while it's parked up, puts people off sitting on your bike in general and you getting a soaking wet rear end if it's raining.
 
Dogbreath said:
To be honest, if you are planning on taking your test in the not too distant future then the CG125 would be the sensible choice.
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I'm thinking of sticking with 125cc for the time being. I need to first get experience of road use and then may decide to go for a full test. At present though, it doesnt seem worth it as I will seldom go over 50-60mph (commuting within Central London) and donot want any points on my license.

Also, from what I've read, the Honda CBR125 is just as reliable as the CG125 and holds its value well.

Right now, I've got my eye on a 2006 CBR125, on sale for £1300.

I actually prefer the riding position of the CBR125, as opposed to the upright position of the CG125. This is probably because I come from a cycling road racing background.
 
sunama said:
I'm looking at the The "Protector" 16mm professional series of chain:

http://www.elitesecuritysupplies.com/locks_and_chains.htm

1.5m + lock = £143.95 (is 1.5m ok?)
ground anchor = £40

I'm thinking about this alarm:

http://www.motorbikealarm.co.uk/node/26

...as its cheap and better than nothing.
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I don't understand spending £150 on a chain that will only stay in one place and can still be destroyed using brute force or a portable angle grinder in minutes.

Silencing an alarm and unwiring the immobiliser is a much more complicated and tedious task that cant be solved with power tools.

Don't spend £25 quid on an alarm/immobiliser - it'll be more trouble than its worth and you take it out (in 5 mins). If you do for whatever get a cheap and nasty alarm, then don't wire in the immobiliser - the unreliability of the electronics combined with the power drain could leave you stranded.
 
most people stealing will be opertunist teenagers though who dont carry around angle grinders and bolt cutters.

any padlock that can withstand a screwdriver + brute force will stop most chav.
 
monkey_boy said:
I don't understand spending £150 on a chain that will only stay in one place and can still be destroyed using brute force or a portable angle grinder in minutes.
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What brute force would destroy one of them? Do you think you could break it with a crow bar? They are very difficult to even cut with a grinder, though you can do it given long enough.
 
My house has a ground anchor in the garage that the previous owner not only made at work. (he was a steel worker) but it is also a 1 piece solid thick metal rod that has been bent over and cemented 3 foot into the ground when the garage was made then metal rods all above it and cemented over. You would not be able to get this out without some serious equipment.

My bike has a Datatag and Datatool System 3 alarm fitted. When the bike is in the garage it has steering lock on and a disc lock fitted to the back wheel. A 'Mammoth chain' through the back wheel and swing arm then through the ground anchor.

The house is fully alarmed and the garage is highly secure with thick bars over the garage windows and door and steel rods through the bottom of the garage door.

I will even make sure I am not being followed when I am heading home 'just in case' someone is 'watching where I live'

You can ONLY do your best. If someone wants it badly enough they will get it. You just have to make it harder for them. It is just a god damn shame we live in such a world where we have to spend £100's of pounds on security for our belongings.

If anyone should break in when I am in.
They will feel pain like they cannot ever imagine!

I shall then deal with the consequences!
 
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