Locking up your Bolt

[Justaerin]

I see a lot of people recommending that people lock up their bikes - is the stock "lock" position not enough to deter theft? My good friend just had his Aprilia stolen from his front yard, and while I keep mine garaged it's definitely got me considering...

 

[blacksmith]

If someone wants it bad enough, the bike will be stolen. You just gotta get something that will be enough of a deterrent based upon where you keep your bike and what kind of neighborhood you live in.

I bought a Xena XX6 disc lock and park my bike behind my car in my garage with the forks locked. For 80 bucks, that little alarm gives me a lot of piece of mind though... that's for sure (since I don't have theft insurance).

When I first bought the alarm, I was trying to take the battery tab out... and the damn thing went off... I'm surprised my ears didn't start bleeding. It is insanely loud.

 

[snrusnak]

It's somewhat easy to break an ignition lock.

I garage mine and use the ignition lock and use a disc lock(usually on the rear because of how I park my bike It's hard to get to the front rotor). I'd like to use a disc lock on both rotors but haven't got to that point yet.

Any more than that and IMO if they are that determined then they are going to get it no matter what. I think if someone broke into my garage, broke the ignition lock, and broke a disc lock, they'd break the second disc lock if I had one, etc...

The best deterrent is out of sight out of mind. I also have a target hanging in my garage in plain view so that when I have my garage open and random people drive by(that might be scoping things out) they can see how well I shoot . And it could even be your neighbors that are scoping you out...

Some people don't agree with this attitude but I like to make it obvious and known that I have firearms. I don't use it to escalate a situation or use it as leverage, but I let people know I will defend myself and my property.

As far as when I'm out riding, I can almost always see the bike so usually just use the ignition lock(if that). If I leave the bike I'll put it as much of out of sight as possible, or in a very public area(seen by everyone). And I use the disc lock. Sometimes I'll put a cover on it too, people will be less likely to look because they don't know what's under it.

 

[theMelvster6]

If you have to park it...well lit, high traffic areas. Some kind of alarm or disc lock helps. But like blacksmith said...it'll get gone if wanted bad enough. Luckily, I don't think Buells are a prime target...but still! I get anxious everytime I leave it unattended!

 

[marko138]

If someone wants your bike (or anything else) bad enough they are going to get it. I keep good insurance on mine. Locks just keep honest people honest.

 

[Justaerin]

You guys are absolutely right. I'm generally a fairly security-conscious guy, and I didn't know how unsecure the ignition lock was. This is my one and only vehicle so a disk lock is definitely in my future, especially with an alarm! Thanks for the recommendation.

I'm also a guy who likes to let it be known that I'm willing and able to defend my family, friends and property. I live in a 4-unit building with a shared garage, but everyone in there knows I'm a krav maga instructor and more than willing to ruin someone's day in the interest of justice and protection, though I'd say with the families in my building I'm more protective OF them than defending FROM them. That could always change though, better to be safe.

 

[blacksmith]

I also have a target hanging in my garage in plain view so that when I have my garage open and random people drive by(that might be scoping things out) they can see how well I shoot.

It's all about deterrence. [up][up]

 

[Justaerin]

Absolutely, show people that there are safer/easier targets if they look elsewhere.

 

[theMelvster6]

We all love our guns! I conceal carry myself...i guess only a deterrent if high jacked. Lol but I know of a guy who used to ride his BSA up the stairs and park inside his 2nd floor apartment. That guy being my father...haha You could try that too...lol

 

[djohnk]

I bought a Xena XX6 disc lock

+1 on the Zena, I use it religiously ... I know they can still get the bike, but I just want to send the thief on to easier pickings.

 

[djohnk]

By the way, lock that Zena on your rear disk instead of the front, the theives for some reason dislike it more when its located there.

 

[xtreme]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu4FhvU02dg

These are loud as hell!

 

[blacksmith]

Absolutely, show people that there are safer/easier targets if they look elsewhere.

Yup. If it came down to it I wouldn't shoot someone who was just stealing my bike... but they don't need to know that.

 

[Justaerin]

Yup. If it came down to it I wouldn't shoot someone who was just stealing my bike... but they don't need to know that.

Ha, they might get my bike, but they're gonna need some new shorts and potentially some reconstructive surgery There are certain risks in all activity, they pretty much signed the waiver when they chose to engage in said activity.

But yup, thanks a bunch everyone for the recommendations. Just added that lock to my Revzilla wishlist (high viz is sold out for now), and I was thinking rear rotor would be best as well.

Now to figure out a good system for my helmet and jacket, possibly a combo of a helmet lock and a PacSafe bag, both for security from theft and villainous molestation. It just takes one random ass to spit in your helmet or slice your jacket to ruin your day.

 

[SWATcltch]

I watched Burn Notice on USA about a month ago and Micheal Weston(main character) stole a bike to get away for the bad guys. He narrates how to do certain things in the show. He said the fork lock was easy to break right before he kicked the handlebar and freed the lock. It was an older Buell. S1 or whatever it is I think.

 

[stensg]

This is what I got when I lived in Arizona and it saved my bike 3times in the first week I moved there. http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=370271051307&index=23&nav=WATCHING&nid=13605246769 came out of my bedroom with my shotgun and seen a guy standing by my bike he turned and seen me and jumped the fence

 

[Justaerin]

Man that would be sweet. Pretty spendy, but worth it in certain cases for sure.

Just put a LidSafe on order since they seem to be a little rare, wanted to get one while they're still around.

I watched Burn Notice on USA about a month ago and Micheal Weston(main character) stole a bike to get away for the bad guys. He narrates how to do certain things in the show. He said the fork lock was easy to break right before he kicked the handlebar and freed the lock. It was an older Buell. S1 or whatever it is I think.

I was reading up a little on some of these security vulnerabilities - I think they'll keep the honest people away, that's about it.

 

[Headbarcode]

It's alot easier to roll a bike away when a disc lock is on the front rather than on the rear, especially when your by yourself. Also, bikes are easier to steal from garages because theres alot more privacy and sitting time is typically the longest there = more time to work. Only a moron will make the attempt in public, but the one to really fear WILL follow you home and come back later, prepared. Best line of defense that won't earn you a felony is a loud alarm and a hardened chain and concrete anchor.

By the way, i'm not a bike thief and i despise bike thieves.

 

[Thaloc]

Ex Motorcycle Thief Speaks Out

This is a good read. Educate yourself on what and how they do it. I keep my bike in my garage and park my car infront of the door so it cant be opened. Problem solved on my end. But not everyone has a garage to keep their stuff safe. Rotor locks front and back with alarms, and a really good chain locked down to something equally un movable and solid.

 

[Justaerin]

I'll definitely read up more, thanks for the link. You guys are certainly right, though unfortunately I have only my bike, no car to park in front of it. I rent, too, so I can't anchor anything to the deck of my garage. At least my community is gted and I have a semi private garage. I'll start rotor locking ASAP.