Best Motorcycle Security and/or Locks

Tanere

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Figured this might be an area of debate or at least opinion so I thought I would put this topic here.

I travel a great deal for work, and my Tenere will be left out in Hotel, Restaurant etc type parking lots.

What is the best method for securing the bike? (Wheel Locks, Security Cables, etc?)

Thanks
 

OldRider

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I like to use a cut-resistant chain. The problem with a chain is they are heavy and you have to have something to chain it to. Chains, disc locks and cables can all be defeated if the thief is determined and has time. I would try and park in a well lite area with plenty of people around, lock the fork and run a good quality cable through the wheels and frame. I think another good thing would be to have an alarm on the bikes that contacts you and makes a hell of a lot of noise.
 

Kyle_E

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This is what I use on trips or parking on street in big city overnight.
Good 10mm chain, hard to hit with an angle grinder , defeats most portable hydraulic cutters. Bolt cutters wouldn't touch it. Lock picking resistance is above average, would take someone with skill, no bypass, no simple rake attack will work. Weight is its downfall about 10 pounds.

https://www.amazon.com/Kryptonite-Evolution-Integrated-Chain-Orange/dp/B009IH7RR0


If looking for simpler/lighter security a disk brake lock is an alternative. Disclaimer of I have not measured this one to see if it will fit the S10. If it fits this is the one I would buy.
https://www.amazon.com/Kryptonite-720018003212-Compact-Disc-Lock/dp/B07B4GF1G9

Whatever you do, do not buy one made of zinc, or that has an alarm. Those types are stupid easy to bypass with a brute force attack (bolt easy out and a ratchet I can have one off in about 20 seconds). Make sure it is all steel whatever you buy.
 

EricV

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I've left my bike in parking lots all across the country overnight in hotels, etc. You need one thing more than any lock, a cover. Thieves go after low hanging fruit. It's not worth the effort to look under a cover 90% of the time, they just keep going. And not a full cover, but a half cover that still shows the wheels so it's obvious it's not a Harley or other high end cruiser or fancy sport bike.

I used to use a disk lock with an alarm. They are great until the wind picks up and it starts going off in the middle of the night. Or worse, the time the battery got low while I was on a trip. In the middle of the night it starts chirping, (low battery alert). I ended up taking the battery out after removing the disk lock from the bike since I didn't have the tiny allen wrench to easily replace the battery. I still have that disk lock, but never use it any more.

If someone really wan't your bike and is prepared to steal it, they will. A little liquid nitrogen and a hammer and no lock, chain or cable will survive. If it's not locked to something solid, they can just pick it up with 4 guys and toss it in a van and be gone in seconds.

Lock the forks and cover the bike. When possible park where you can see your bike at restaurants. Don't leave easy to grab items unsecured. I lock the helmet to the bike if any doubt exists with a cable lock. My panniers are locking. After that, it's up to your insurance.
 

Sierra1

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I like the Brinks cable with the lock built in. It's a variation of what Kyle put a link to. It's self coiling, relatively light, one piece, and less than 20 bucks at Wal-Mart. But, Eric, Kyle, and OldRider are right....if they REALLY want it, they can get it. That's why I have comprehensive insurance. It's the stuff ON the bike I worry about; that's why I don't leave anything.
 
B

ballisticexchris

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For me it's all about the area I'm in. On my recent trip I opted to not stay in one town and payed more for lodging in another. I look around and see what kind of people are around. It's not a perfect solution but has worked for me over the years.

An example is Flagstaff. The crime is over the top in that town. There is no security at all at any of the hotel options other than cameras. In Williams I paid a lot more but there are not only cameras but 24 hour roving security guards. The crime is almost unheard of in that town. They want tourists to come back. I'm one of them!! LOL The disadvantage is you pay a lot more for your stay.
 

Sierra1

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Funny you should say that about Flagstaff. It hadn't been there in decades, but thought it had kinda changed. Saw a '70s Honda trike....on the road....with a license plate. Apparently they'll let you drive anything on the road.
 

Kyle_E

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Funny you should say that about Flagstaff. It hadn't been there in decades, but thought it had kinda changed. Saw a '70s Honda trike....on the road....with a license plate. Apparently they'll let you drive anything on the road.
Probably RV plates. They require that all off road vehicles have plates. You are allowed to run them on pavement for limited use. You can also get motorcycle plates for ATV's if they are modern enough to have some smog stuff. Then you can run them on roads with no problem.
 

Checkswrecks

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A heavy chain
Locked to something solid
In the light
Where the person in the office can see the bike.

Most thieves will steal dirt bikes for a fast buck in the city but seem to pass on adventure bikes anyway.
 

azb

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A heavy chain
Locked to something solid
In the light
Where the person in the office can see the bike.

Most thieves will steal dirt bikes for a fast buck in the city but seem to pass on adventure bikes anyway.
Bingo. Fork locks and disc locks don't even slow down pros. They just toss bikes into the back of a van or bix truck and take off. Takes 6 seconds. Locking the bike to a solid object with a decent chain or armored cable lock is the only physical deterrent. Parking in a conspicous location is also mandatory.

I ride with a couple of friends who just say "I've got insurance" ( i do too) on thier expensive European bikes. I figure a well locked up Yamaha next to those bikes will be completely ignored. (Although at this point if it was stolen, it would be worth more than if I sold it. ;)
 

OldRider

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I wouldn't ride those Honda trikes ANYWHERE. There's a reason they were discontinued.
There was nothing wrong with Honda three wheelers at all. The problem was the fools riding them and a lot of dads were buying their 10 year old a 200 atv and just turning them loose on it with no training. Honda built the first four wheeler in 84 and by the time the government consent decree was signed in 87, the four wheeler market had taken off and the Big Four didn't care about 3 wheeler sales. The ban expired years ago and they could make 3 wheelers again if they wanted to. I still have a Honda 250 Big Red.
 

Madhatter

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have full coverage on the tenere , and the honda crf 450x (not required by honda , but if its stolen or falls out of truck its covered ) I lock the forks and that's about it on the tenere.
 

Tenman

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I know it can be done, but I would love to see how many it takes to steal a tenere with the steering locked
 
B

ballisticexchris

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I know it can be done, but I would love to see how many it takes to steal a tenere with the steering locked
It takes 2 people less than 30 seconds with a van and swing out portable crane. It helps to park your bike in such a way that another vehicle cannot get next to it.
 

dannyv

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In Portugal, I was often invited to park the bike right in front of the window, where the night clerk would see it. Here, I use a disc lock with alarm. And I pay my insurance premiums on time!
 
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