Which Alarm System
 

Now I have my new bike I am after a Cat 1 alarm system. Which of the following would you go for?

Datatool System 4
Acumen 1.1
Meta M357 V2

My last bike had a Datatool system 3. This would go off as soon as it was set but would then be fine after a reset. Also when it got to about -6 centigrade it would go off until I ran the bike for 10 minutes. Not much fun at 3am. This happened every time, even after I fitted a new bike battery.

Thanks
Tim.

Re: Which Alram System
 

None of the above.

Re: Which Alram System
 

I have a series 4 and had none of the above problems. Has changeable sensitivity so can be adjusted to suit....

Re: Which Alram System
 

I would buy an alarmed disc lock. It is more visible, has same advantages as alarm, is cheaper, with none of risks when it goes wrong.

Re: Which Alram System
 

Have to say +1 to that even tho i have an alarm. But do they have the same affect on insurance premiums as a Cat 1 alarm?

Re: Which Alram System
 

You mean that effect that costs you £200 to save a tenner?

Re: Which Alram System
 

hahaha something like that yeah

Re: Which Alram System
 

+1 to YC.

I've had Datatool System 3's on my last 2 bikes. Never again, I hate the things. I've just bought an alarmed disk lock for my new bike.

Re: Which Alram System
 

Except when you knock it with your breath and it goes off its a real scramble to get the key get to it and shut the damn thing off. My dads does my head in... other thing is batteries dont last long at all, and unfortunately are not cheap to replace.

I've had a system 4 red and I think its fine, id rather not have to have one but tbh with the world we live in (work in Sheffield...) we dont really have much choice imo.

So system 4, very adjustable for many things if you choose to play with it. Seems to be reliable, I've had mine over 2 years and the only problems i've had have been my own doing (shorting out indicators due to double earth blew the fuse a few times before I figured that one out. :rolleyes:

Re: Which Alram System
 

I've had a datatool and a meta. Out of the two the meta is much less irritating / intrusive and it doesn't advertise to whole world when it is service mode like the datatool does.

Re: Which Alram System
 

System 4 doesn't... I've had both and tbh I don't think there is much in it!

Will note, System 3 is a PITA! Dont go there if you can help it...

Re: Which Alram System
 

Oh yes did I mention what an EPIC pain in the tits the datatools are in service mode... every 40 seconds a bleep loud enough to hurt your ears.

If I ever meet the guy who designed that little feature I'm going to stick a screwdriver in his ear every 40 seconds and see if he likes it.

Re: Which Alram System
 

My bike had the Acumen Cat 1 already on it - I've come very close to uninstalling it quite a few times!

Service mode on the Acumen bleeps every minute for 24 hours and then the alarm light goes solid, so it doesn't seem as annoying as the Datatool

One silly thing with mine is that the fob isn't waterproof - so I keep mine in the top pocket of my jacket - they are 50-odd quid to replace as well.

Re: Which Alram System
 

A bike trac card does seem the way forward!
Slight problem 300 quid fitted and 70 quid a year service plan!! :(

I've been put off by the datatool units as two of my mates alarms have eaten batteries recently (one has disconnected his for the minute while he get an optimate).

Plan B: 18mm toughend steel chain and a lampost!!

Re: Which Alram System
 

Disc lock alarm plus effing great chain and a cover... makes your bike far more trouble than it's worth.

Also try put it somewhere you've got a line of fire to it.

Re: Which Alram System
 

I use a disc lock (not an alarmed one tho) and a hyooge chain as well as the alarm - but I've probably gone a bit paranoid since my last bike was nicked off my front garden!

Re: Which Alram System
 

OH YEA i forgot to tell you if you clear the fault then it halves the volume (at least) of the beep. Should have probably figured that out before hey... sorry

Re: Which Alram System
 

I was very much in the camp of cheap alarm with a physical deterrent, however there are some exceptions, some bikes come pre-wired for certain alarms, triumphs it's datatool and the KTM's it Meta, then they are just a simple plug in job.

But also it depends on the bike, I'll admit £10k of superduke has me more worried than £2k of Speed 4, both have big chains & locks on, the Superduke has a Meta 357v2 and a abus granite disc lock as well as a datatool snitch.

The S4 gets away with a hawk alarm unit which was £30 and I more than pleased with, I even took the time to use the triumph wiring so it plugs straight in, a solid Xena disc alarm on the front disc completes the setup.

as a rough guide I've about £500 worth of various protection on the KTM, and about £150 on the Triumph.

you fit what you feel you need basically, chris in your case just letting folks see it should do the trick.......;)

Re: Which Alram System
 

Maybe they should ride their bikes once every 1/4?

Re: Which Alram System
 

Fault of removing tank? Or seat? It was still bloody annoying second round when I had a magnet taped to the seat sensor.

Re: Which Alram System
 

That would probably cure the problem! Neither of them does more than 2k a year (and i've done that since march)

Re: Which Alram System
 

no when you set it off and then put it in service mode it gives you a series of beeps to tell you like 20 seconds, then 3 beeps. which is what we were having. If you go into service mode and back out again and start the bike it clears it so its only 1 beep. that 1 beep is then half the volume of the 3 beeps!!

Re: Which Alarm System
 

How about getting an Alphadot kit ?

Only £25 quid, not sure how much of a real deterant they are tho.

Re: Which Alram System
 

None!

When is last time you checked for alphadots when buying used fairings? Plus I think suzukis get them as standard anyway, not that I've ever heard of them helping much.

Re: Which Alram System
 

I've got a Cyclone alarm, had them on last three bikes. cost £20 and very good, loud and not anoying like most of the rest. Has also got remote start if you want to wire that in. With engine cut out with a range of 100 meters. So if you see someone riding off with it you can disable it.

Re: Which Alram System
 

datatag is more effective, I normal mark all the panels on the inside apart from one where it's clearly visable (rear light normally), and I do take notice of datatagged parts.

Cheers Mark.

Re: Which Alram System
 

I have a Xena XN14 Disc Lock Alarm with built in 110dB alarm.

Cost me 60 green ones and does the job

Re: Which Alram System
 

Datatool are alright. Had a system 4 (£350) and now a system 3 (fitted by dealer).

The 4 was faultless, and the 3 more than adequate. I personally love them as I can just hop in to a shop no problemos. Not only is it a theft deterrent, but it stops kids from climbing over it as you walk around the supermarket. As for battery useage, I can start my bike after 5 weeks no problemo.