Motorcycle Locks
It is an unfortunate fact but if you a rider then one of the things you absolutely must have in your possession are motorcycle locks as these can help to prevent theft. Being able to freely ride your motorbike when the weather is excellent outside is something that not a lot of individuals are able to do. Just the feeling of breathing in the air while cruising can really make you feel alive.
Always secure your motorcycle
However, the sad truth is that motorcycle theft is actually really common depending on what city you live in so using motorcycle locks or even purchasing motorcycle security systems is an excellent idea. The purpose of these is to deter someone from stealing your precious bike. Of course, if someone really wants your motorcycle then there are still ways to steal it.
But if you put those preventative measures in place by purchasing high security padlocks and motorcycle locks then you can drastically reduce the chances of getting your bike stolen. Depending on which model you have, protecting your assets at all costs is very important. One thing to remember though is that these locks can easily cost several hundred dollars.
Put multiple security measures in place
While you could purchase a motorcycle disc lock or even chain locks, these tend not to be very effective for the simple reason that they are easy to break. All a person would need is a heavy duty cutter and they would be able to cut through the chains in no time. The only way for this to really be effective is for you to use a ton of chains in a way that would make it near impossible for someone to take your bike.
However, this can be rather tedious for you to unhook everything especially if you need to quickly get on your motorcycle to run some errands. Another thing also when you purchase those motorcycle rotor locks is that it can be very easy to forget that they are there. For example, you might have a wheel lock in place and if you drive to ride with it on then you could easily drop the bike.
Different brands to choose from
This might sound ridiculous but this actually happens quite often and it could be rather embarrassing for obvious reasons. In addition, if you do not have any frame sliders then it could easily damage your fairings or even your cowlings. You should know that purchasing OEM items from the dealership can be extremely expensive to the point where it is actually cheaper to get aftermarket motorcycle parts.
So when it comes to motorcycle locks there are actually a ton of choices that you have available to you so it is important that you understand the different types before purchasing. One thing to remember also is that you can layer a ton of safety devices. This means that you can install Kryptonite locks in addition to a Xena motorcycle disc lock alarm system and even chains.
Just using a wheel lock is not effective
So even if someone did want to steal your Yamaha R6 or Harley Davidson then they would have to go through a lot of work just to remove all those safety devices. Keep in mind though that it is definitely a lot better that you actually hook your motorcycle up to a pole or to another object that cannot be removed. This will definitely help out a lot more when it comes to security reasons.
Installing just motorcycle locks either on your front forks or in your rotors often times is not enough to deter individuals from stealing your bike. The reason is because all a person would need to do is simply get a few people and lift up your bike to place on a pickup truck. Then if there are any locks in place, they can always have those removed later on.
Use a motorcycle cover also
This is exactly why you need to have a ton of safety measures in place or even installing a security camera where your bike is. Fact of the matter though is that these days it is very hard to trust people so you need to take action to ensure that such theft does not occur. One of the best things you can purchase is a motorcycle cover.
It is a known fact that thefts occur as a result of parking your motorcycle outdoors where a lot of people can be able to see it when driving by. However, if you use a cover then other individuals will not be able to know what motorcycle you know whether you have a Honda or a Suzuki. Even with a cover it is still a good idea to invest in motorcycle security systems just to be on the safe side.
Keep your bike in a garage for better protection
Another alternative that may be available to you is to simply house your motorcycle in a garage space where it is kept out of sight of would be thieves. And if you really wanted to be safe, then you should still use motorcycle locks just as an extra preventative measure. Keep in mind that you can never really be too safe these days as implementing caution is extremely important.
You might be tempted to purchase some type of lo jack for your bike instead of using an ignition lock or a motorcycle throttle lock but these can still be ineffective. One thing to remember is that motorbikes are not like vehicles. In an automobile there are a lot of different areas where the lo jack can be hidden but there are only so many places where you can hide one of these devices in a bike.
Reporting a stolen bike is definitely a hassle
With that said, these systems are usually easily disarmed within minutes so investing in them is generally not a very good idea. Of course, they can still work sometimes especially if the thief is not very knowledgeable but chances are it can be very difficult to recover your bike once it is stolen. If this does occur then you will definitely have to go through a lot of hassle just to report it.
For example, you would need to contact the local police station to let them know that your Honda or Yamaha was stolen. Then you would need to have them file the report and you would then need to contact your insurance company. If you have good motorcycle insurance then they might just quickly reimburse you and send over payment.
Always use motorcycle security systems
However, this process can still take a very long time so using motorcycle locks or other security systems is definitely worth the investment. There are still those individuals who will make the argument that if someone really wanted your bike, then they will make sure they do. While this is definitely a valid claim it does not mean that you should just leave your motorcycle unattended with no locks in place.
This is just like leaving your vehicle parked in a shady area with your windows rolled down and all of your doors unlocked. This is definitely asking for someone to either steal the stuff in your vehicle or to completely take it altogether. Obviously, this is probably the last thing you would want especially if you worked hard to make payments on the motorcycle that you own.
Shop online to find the best prices available
So with that said, a recommended brand you can consider are Xena motorcycle locks and you may even want to purchase a Scorpio motorcycle alarm just for good measure. There are many other brands also like u lock and Viper but these ones are probably the most popular. If you are not sure which ones to purchase, then you can always go online to take a look at the different brands and models.
The good thing about checking out online retail stores also is the fact that you can literally be able to compare prices in literally minutes. So if you are on a budget and only want to spend a certain amount of money, then keep in mind that there are alternatives available where you can save money. You can also check out auction sites where you can save even more by purchasing used items.
Be sure to check out local stores as well
Prior to making the purchase though, always make sure that you are dealing with a reputable seller as the last thing you want is for someone to take your money without you getting anything in return. Sadly, this does happen often but most sites have a feedback system. If you do not mind spending a little extra then you can always shop at local stores like Cycle Gear or any place that sells motorcycle stuff.
The good thing is that you can purchase your Onguard motorcycle locks and even a motorcycle helmet lock cable right away so you do not have to wait. Unfortunately, this does mean that you have to pay full retail price in addition to the sale tax depending on your area. When you are actually buying your motorcycle, you can always bargain with them to include these items in for you.
Other alternatives to consider
Most of the time they will so it definitely does not hurt to ask since motorcycle locks and security systems are absolutely crucial these days. Despite this, there are still many owners who will not lock up simply because they believe that it will not happen to them. Just keep in mind though that the theft rate for motorcycles is double that of actual vehicles.
The reason should be obvious since bikes can literally be stolen in less than a minute if the person knows what they are doing. Besides getting a rotor lock or an alarm system, you can also try to relocate your kill switch in a location that is very well hidden. Of course, this requires that you do some modifications but it should not be too difficult if you take it to a shop.
Keep your helmet stored somewhere else
If you have a side door in your garage, then be sure to keep it properly locked as you definitely would not want any intruders inside. Another helpful tip to prevent motorcycle theft is to actually not park in the exact same space at the exact same time. If you have anybody that is following you around, then you can bet that they know your exact schedule when it comes to your bike.
So they will probably act according to what they know based on your movements so it might be a good idea to switch your routine around. Another thing is not to lock your helmet onto your motorcycle as these items can be stolen just by cutting the chinstrap. It is a sad fact but there are people who will do anything just to make your lives that much harder.
Read reviews online prior to purchasing
With so many different motorcycle locks to choose from, it can be rather overwhelming to find the best ones that fit your needs. If you are going to purchase a motorcycle disc brake lock then be sure to read reviews online so you know exactly what to expect. The same also goes for any other brand so doing your research is crucial and it is always better to just stick with name brands.
You can also browse forums as well just to see what other motorcycle owners have purchased for their own bike and what they do to ensure it is secure. There are actually a lot of things you can do if you really start to be creative so try to explore other alternatives. With that said, investing in motorcycle locks is a great decision as you absolutely need these to prevent thefts from occurring.