To Lock or Not To Lock? That is the Question

[nikon70]

Currently I use a Master chain with links about 10mm and a built in lock.

There is no room under the rear seat to carry it so I have to use either a rucksack or a top box either I would rather not use...

so... when I leave it at work...

do I leave it unlocked, as the sv is not the most saught after bike and hope for the best...

or do i continue to lock it with the chain and use to top box...

or should i use this oxford patriot (http://www.getgeared.co.uk/OXFORD_Patriot_Barrel_Motorcycle_Brake_Disc_Lock_1 4mm_Thatcham) ???

submit your answers on the back of a post card in 50 words or less to, PO Box Please don't Steal My Bike

[speedplay]

If someone wants to take the bike, they will take it even if its locked.

But the general idea is that if its locked to something, it stops opertuinists and makes your bike less of an easy target.

Drive by pikeys love unlocked bikes as they are easy to lift into a van in seconds ;)

[yorkie_chris]

Use a disc lock and the chain too, just make your bike harder to steal than the next one.

For the chain wind it around the grab rail or get a cargo net to stick it to the seat, easy.

[Owenski]

Use a disc lock and the chain too, just make your bike harder to steal than the next one.

For the chain wind it around the grab rail or get a cargo net to stick it to the seat, easy.

+1,
at least use a disc lock if its parked on a public highway/open carpark

oh and make sure you park next to a bike that isnt using any security, then if its a choice the scummys will choose the easier lift and leave yours alone.

[Juju]

Or buy a Triumph Rocket 3, which is so heavy no pikey will be able to lift it, and if they did, will fall through the rusty floor of the transit they just nicked to steal your bike with.

Seriosuly, is a heavy chain not attached to anything much less of a risk than a bike with no chain at all, if lifting into a van is a consideration?

[Ruffy]

Buy a second lock and leave it at work. (Assuming you park in roughly the same place each day, leave it fastened to the nearest railings - or is it too public?) That way you don't have to travel with a lock.

What's wrong with a small topbox anyway? For commuting there's little better!

[Teejayexc]

Buy a second lock and leave it at work. (Assuming you park in roughly the same place each day, leave it fastened to the nearest railings - or is it too public?) That way you don't have to travel with a lock.



+1

and if it's a work car park ask about work chipping in to secure it, if you don't ask you don't get ;)

[appollo1]

Buy a second lock and leave it at work. (Assuming you park in roughly the same place each day, leave it fastened to the nearest railings - or is it too public?) That way you don't have to travel with a lock.

What's wrong with a small topbox anyway? For commuting there's little better!


i have heard in the past that opportunist scum could notice the bike there and the lock being left overnight. They then disable the lock by putting glue or something else in the key part of the lock so when you arrive at work to lock up your bike you can't. You then have to leave your bike sitting all day unlocked.

[Teejayexc]

i have heard in the past that opportunist scum could notice the bike there and the lock being left overnight. They then disable the lock by putting glue or something else in the key part of the lock so when you arrive at work to lock up your bike you can't. You then have to leave your bike sitting all day unlocked.


Then leave it at work if it's near enough to where you park.

[yorkie_chris]

i have heard in the past that opportunist scum could notice the bike there and the lock being left overnight. They then disable the lock by putting glue or something else in the key part of the lock so when you arrive at work to lock up your bike you can't. You then have to leave your bike sitting all day unlocked.

I've heard of this, but if they're that serious they'd cut it, and if not they'd go and nick an easier target.

[tom-k6]

at the end of the day, the only way to stop a pikey stealing your bike is to not own a bike.
if they want to steal it, they will, but all you can do is make as much of a ball-ache for them as possible, shame we cant beat the living bejesus out of them, legally, if we catch them at it.

[toby_smith]

Just stick a disc lock under your seat.

I have an abus alarmed one and its great. Loud too

[keith_d]

I'd consider three categories:

1) Joyriders

Usually young and looking for something to have fun on. A disk lock and electronic immobiliser will probably send them looking elsewhere.

2) Opportunist Bike Thieves

Better equipped than joyriders, they will probably have bolt croppers in their van. It's difficult to stop them completely, but a heavy chain and a noisy alarm might encourage them to look elsewhere.

3) Professional Thieves

These guys have things like angle grinders, hydraulic cutters and liquid nitrogen. They will break into buildings and cut through serious chains for the right bike. So if you have an expensive bike make sure your insurance is up to date.

If you don't want to take your chain with you, consider a disk lock and a steel cable to secure it to something solid. That should deter group 1 and maybe group 2.

[BOBGOLDING]

at the end of the day, the only way to stop a pikey stealing your bike is to not own a bike.
if they want to steal it, they will, but all you can do is make as much of a ball-ache for them as possible, shame we cant beat the living bejesus out of them, legally, if we catch them at it.

Pikey, do you mean traveller? I own and have owned in my years of biking lots of bikes (have to do something in retirement except fishing, non of them are expensive by the way) but none have been stolen by travellers, but i think the SV isnt the most desirable bike either so maybe thats why.

If they want it, they will have it and so long as its insured, cest la vie!

[tom-k6]

i am using the word pikey as a term for theiving little get's who will move around looking things to steal, such as vehicles, lead flashing and children that arent bolted to the ground overnight =D

[BOBGOLDING]

Ah! Yes we have had the lead stolen off our porch roof for gods sake, most of the houses in the street where done in a couple of nights, they came up cut it with a stanley type nife, rolled it up and were off!

[yorkie_chris]

Friend of mine had some trouble like that, someone peeled the corners back and embedded some razor blades in there.
Went out to work one morning and noticed blood all over the roof :smt082

[tom-k6]

Friend of mine had some trouble like that, someone peeled the corners back and embedded some razor blades in there.
Went out to work one morning and noticed blood all over the roof :smt082


FANTASTIC! about time something like this happened, wouldve loved to see the theif's face as he lost at least 3 finger tips while balancing on a porch roof.

[Stonesie]

Friend of mine had some trouble like that, someone peeled the corners back and embedded some razor blades in there.
Went out to work one morning and noticed blood all over the roof :smt082


Excellent!!!

We had simmilar with hanging baskets of all things, some wire to lock them to the hangers with the ends left about 1/2" long and pointy cured it, there was blood on the points after only 1 night :smt046



Back to the OP, how about a spare pillion seat with the top box bolted to that? Nice and handy for commuting and quick change to the other seat for pillion carrying, plastic pod for solo weekend use;)

[Geodude]

Currently I use a Master chain with links about 10mm and a built in lock.

There is no room under the rear seat to carry it so I have to use either a rucksack or a top box either I would rather not use...

so... when I leave it at work...

do I leave it unlocked, as the sv is not the most saught after bike and hope for the best...

or do i continue to lock it with the chain and use to top box...

or should i use this oxford patriot (http://www.getgeared.co.uk/OXFORD_Patriot_Barrel_Motorcycle_Brake_Disc_Lock_1 4mm_Thatcham) ???

submit your answers on the back of a post card in 50 words or less to, PO Box Please don't Steal My Bike
You could use one of these lock carriers http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MOTORCYCLE-STORAGE-POUCH-LOCK-CHAIN-SEAT-BAG-CARRIER-/270667412507?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item3f0508f41b

[yorkie_chris]

FANTASTIC! about time something like this happened, wouldve loved to see the theif's face as he lost at least 3 finger tips while balancing on a porch roof.

He wants to be glad nobody saw him, the mate in question is a complete bloody head case who'd probably have shot him.

Another good one was a local boy had a window over the stockroom door of his shop. He got p*ssed off with being broken into so wired the bars over it to 230V :)
Apparently he had a right collection of hammers, crowbars and ladders the pikeys donated after getting a belt :smt082

It's sick that you can't defend your livelihood and property, should be allowed to dangle, strangle, mangle and maim any scum trying to nick owt.

[tom-k6]

hahaha thats class, electrify the perimeter and have a handful of angry badgers, they are vicious little bleepers.

[nikon70]

i think that settles it, im parking next to a new gsxr 750 and bolting it to the floor!

[speedplay]

do I leave it unlocked, as the sv is not the most saught after bike and hope for the best...



Dont forget, that although you dont see the SV as the most sought after bike, there are loads of people out there who would try and nick it just to make a few quid.

They could be breaking it for spares, track use or just to be a pain in the ass..

The best option, is always bung a lock on the bike.

Saves unneeded hastle further down the line with insurance companies too if it does get taken.

[boot]

Even though I lock my bike at home, I insure as though I don't. Not had an issue so far, fortunately.

Chap at work had his bike insured for locked and garaged. Before christmas, he was followed home and had his bike nicked from his driveway while he nipped inside the house for a few minutes. Insurance not paying out. Unlucky.

Have not heard the glue in lock scenario before (although it doesn't surprise me), another guy at work leaves a lock there permanently, shall pass on this nugget of info. :)