I have rode various new bikes into London, commuting all year around for over a decade. Never had a bike stolen by using two solid chains and two disc locks. The unfortunate truth is, if the bike next door is easier to take, the bastards invariably will go for the easy option
Great video mate, a tip from me is, if you're leaving your heavy almax at work overnight make sure it hasn't been tampered with in the morning, thieves cut one side of the middle link of my friends 25mm Almax overnight and took the bike with ease the next morning. Always feel your chain cover to make sure it's intact.
Thank you for all your anti-theft tips. I agree with you on multi - layering devices. I have one for the front wheel, one that is hidden inside my cover and I am buying a GPS tracker with a built in perimeter alarm (if you get too close to the bike an alarm will go off). Harley Davidson has 3 built anti - theft devices if you lock you steering, if the ignition switch is tampered with it shuts down 3 of the main components required to start the engine.
Great advice!!... My bike was stolen recovered as it had a tracker the alarmed disc lock was broken. I've bought a highly rated disc lock and have a Oxford Monster lock and chain but will now upgrade to a higher rated chain and lock like pragmassis or d1000 d-lock.
I use two big chains in shed + two disc locks when at home, and one big chain and two disk locks when on the move, always try chain it to something + one chain perm at work so don't have to cart it about. I would also suggest if you don't have the budget for single expensive security double up on the cheap ones. Air tag a great cheap alternative for subscription free tracking
I’d like to add a list of what I think are the best locks you can get. /Detecto 8077/ Detecto 8008 / victory 68 / Kovix KAL14 / Xena XX14 / Oxford boss alarm disc lock / Abus granit quick / Abus granit x-plus extreme 59 chain/ Oxford nemesis / And of course any chain above 19mm
Basic und free advise (same applies for bicycles): Better park out on the street where there are other people looking at your bike than in the backyard And the cover is also a great way to keep the (criminal) elements away from your bike
I think this is one of the saddest videos I have seen about motorcycles. The amount of effort that has been put into thinking about ways of not having your bike stolen is just sad. What's going on in London? Is it so bad?
Crazy to think that the situation in London , at least considering parked bikes, is probably worst than everywhere. But I noticed this behavior ( putting heavy chains around wheels) in quite other cities around Europe. I have never for a second thought about placing multiple locks, a chain , etc it is just madness. I live in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Most bikes are parked without even a brake lock around here. But again, probably here we have 10 times more bikes stolen at gun point.
For home security i use an almax chain, 22mm links, they recently released a monster 25mm link chain which combines with the squire ss100cs, about the very toughest lock chain combo you can buy.
I had my GSXR 1000 nicked and damaged 2 days before Christmas just gone. Never chained it but did alarm it. Learned the hard way and still going through insurance. Got my self the Oxford beast chain and lock and the next bike I get will be getting tracked and alarmed. Don’t be people. Because it CAN happen to you.
Great video. There are some places I won't take my bike, I'll just go in the car. I know not everyone can do this, esp if your bike is your only for of transport. I have a disc lock with a reminder cable for those moments where I need to stop.
I love living where I live. People caught in the middle of stealing a bike will probably end up with a few extra holes or beat to death. Helps keep it from happening.
Main problem is motorbike manufactures do not include security as standard all bikes should come with GPS, ignition and disc/brake/mobility locks - meaning the bike could only be broken and sold as parts, this alone would stop 99% of thief cases !...personal bike security averages around £350 if you include a tracker if bike manufactures included these features and charged know one would complain !
The truth is if your bike is destined to be stolen then you can’t do anything about it just make sure you have proper insurance coverage in the event it happens. Just enjoy every moment of it and be free from the fear and worry of things that may not happen anyways.
I was going to suggest that the best theft deterrent was something old or boring or both that nobody would want to steal in the first place, but then there's the Domino's Pizza delivery scooter getting lifted in the video.
Just had my MT09 SP taken from my garage… foolish me just had the steering lock and a disc lock as I was going back out! Now I’m on the new bike! I have each one of these… expensive haul but seems more reasonable than a new set of tyres… keeps me mentally healthy too when at work
@MotoBob Is there a rucksack you recommend that makes transport easy? Big enough to fit cover too but not the size of a steamer trunk? Also, is that your flat? Super cool set up.
DO NOT put your steering lock on. Ever. It takes one single kick to break it and it's always the first thing thieves do. I've had to repair 3 broken steering locks in the past and the repair costs were between £1600 and £2100 EACH. For absolutely zero added security. If your insurance requires the steering lock to be on - either lie to your insurance or switch to a better one. Good list otherwise, thanks!
Thanks for the vids. Listen, I have a Street Twin and was wondering if a very small wind shield like yours (4:50) did any thing...? I get hammered a lot by winds above 100kmh. Can it get me to 130 without too much wind? If so what’s your model? Thanks!
Great vid, although please don't leave your chains at a regular spot. I've seen an instance where thieves have gone when the bike was away, pulled back the cover, pre-cut the chain, and then glued it back together. The owner didn't have a clue and when the bike was there, no tools were needed and it was rebroken in seconds.
We have visited London many times but stopped going there more than twenty years ago after being robbed on two consecutive visits. London is the most unsafe city of all in more than 40 different countries and states we have visited. Good luck visiting London on a motorcycle.
Any words of wisdom about carrying chains, disk-locks etc when going to a non-regular location? If you have no top box or panniers but do have a rack, what is the best way to loop and secure them to avoid mowing down pedestrians when they detach from the bike and slide down the pavement at 30mph!
I triple lock it, minimum, 1 U-Lock, 2x disc lock (front and rear). Then I also try not to park it on the road, unless I can't avoid it. It's a pain to do it on a daily basis but it's less painful than walking home. Also use tracker and alarm. Btw, don't use the steering lock, really, unless you want to end up paying about £600 worth of repairs just because some idiots want to mess with your bike. It happened to me, broken steering lock, vandalised bike, they did not manage to steal anything fortunately (all those locks did the job) but I ended up paying £600 to align the steering and replace the steering lock. Was not worth it! But you do have a good point on the insurance. For me, after spending too much on securing the bike, and given the excessive excess cost on my insurance, I don't steer lock it - they can simply kick the handlebars and break that, than you have to send it to the mechanic to repair and align the steering ... not really safe to be riding a bike with the steering off.
I had an Autotaser for the steering wheel of my Caterham Super 7. Shaken, a 50,000 volt spark rides up and down the bar. Could be clipped to a motorcycle. Would knock them to the ground if touched. I still have the Autotaser. The company is gone, but maybe one will show on Ebay. Search for RU-vid videos.
Good advice and would like to ask you about Triumph Track ( tracker for the triumph) I’m recovering from an operation and have about 4 weeks before I can get back to work and I’m unable to visit the Triumph dealership at the moment as you can guess and don’t seem to be able to find any information about it online? I think there is a subscription you pay for tracking and who is the company behind it ? I can’t find anything more than that and do they connect straight to the battery or is it plugged into the loom? Please can you find out as I’m looking to get a new triumph and would also ask your thoughts on PCP and HP other types of motorcycle purchase options available to customers. Love the videos and is one most go to channels when I get a notification for new content. Thanks again David
My friend install alarm sytem and gps on his bike.and replace the alarm horn to a much higher desibels,and has a features that you can start/stop the bike or wont star at all and connected to his phone via wifi,bluetooth or sim.so if somenone tries to steel or even move his bike it will just send text/notification on his phone.while the gps is tracking the bike realtime 24/7.his son once tries to ride his bike without permision so he send a command to the bike that it wont start at all even his son has the keys.he even planning to install a fingerprint scanner on his bike.
I live in an apartment complex with a parking garage, was thinking about keeping my bike on an upper level (I live on the 2nd level and the 5th level sees less traffic) and chaining it to a bike rack. Anyone have any more suggestions to keep it from getting stolen?
Great video I use my steering lock and alarm&immobiliser every time I get off my bike. If leaving earshot of alarm i use a disklock and 15mm chain. Plus a 22mm encased chain with ground anchor at home on cctv.
Buy a bike so ratty that no one in their right mind would steel it! That's what I do! Seriously (partly), I usually carry a quality disc lock for the front and a long cable chain (as it's lighter so your more likely to carry it) to fasten it to something solid. I layer up at home. Nothing expensive but lots (up to 7) of different types. It's all to make a thief say "sod that". Finally, I wouldn't leave a chain round a lamppost or anything. Firstly, it tells a thief where a bike is likely to park and what tools they need and secondly it's been known that a criminal will part cut a chain and then disguise the fact or even glue the barrel so that the lock can't be used.
Think of the money you could make if you bought up spare ground at certain locations ..... soley for Bikes/Motorbikes .. offering season tickets .. that Carparks don't and won't offer .. You are on to a winner .. IMHO
Motorbike covers are underated. Thiefs are lazy and will pick whats easy. If they see a bike with a cover, there is a much higher chance they would not look under it. Where as a bike they know the model of with a chain/lock they know they can get through.
Given the high levels of electronics and high cost of modern motorcycles, manufacturers could and should, include higher levels of protection!! Yet somehow they even fail to provide a decent horn?!! Combined with lean sensitive/ gyroscopic sensors, ABS, gear indicators etc. It must be the simplest, cheapest, most efficient option, to combine all of these in a security system?!! Imagine a smoke alarm level of piercing shrill, combined with a juggernaut shaming horn, connected to gear selection, brake application ( hill hold), movement sensors, even indicators and lights. All working together or separately to deter theft in the absence of a key🔑 or pass code🏧?!! All are there already on Tech bikes apart from sound levels ( alarm/ horn), just a bit of extra programming and Hey Presto.. 📣"Step away from the vehicle!!🤔 This vehicle will self arm in..5..movement sensor alarm activated😰..4.. neutral gear disabled🕹️😩...3..hill hold brake lock activated🔐😤...2 ..anti theft alarm and lights activated..🎶✨🚨 this vehicle will self destruct your eardrums in 1..📢🔊😵🙉🏃🆘📲 "Come on Triumph!!" "Be the innovator!!"
Totally agree, you're wasting time and money on expensive devices and then you give away key information about where, when (doesn't take much to figure out) and what protects your expensive bike by leaving your chain in the same spot.. if it's so heavy that you have to leave it somewhere it defeats its own purpose and you can be an easier target. But.. many do, and THAT IS what makes other bikes more secure than yours. Brilliant.
You can't have nice things in📍London anymore. Police will not make any effort. -Police: inform insurance -Victim support call Bye.. Suffer and pay high insurance for the next couple of years.
I think that I am extremely lucky not to live in an area where you have to go to these lengths to secure your pride and joy. I leave my bike on the drive most of the summer with only a disc lock on it. Mind it does weigh over two hundred and eighty Kg, any thief would need to hire a crane to lift it!!
When I’m in charge I am going to make motorcycle theft punishable by being thrown under a speeding train, no second chances. This should cut bike theft down drastically.
Homemade vx gas release triggered by a GPS.and alarm sensor, and electrocution handlebars 200000 volts, and underseat hiv infected needles if the criminals don't get off after a 1.375 second warning. That's what you missed
If its inconvenient for you then it will be more inconvenient for the thief dont just put one lock on it use a few with different brands even if it takes you 10mins getting it all off if someones going to steal your stuff then make them work very hard for it either they will give up half way or somebody's going to notice cutting through locks and chains makes alot of sound specially multiple locks added alarms as well. people tend to be more relaxed in the day thinking nobody will come in the day day times noisy cars driving everywhere people playing music kids playing and shouting dogs barking if anything thats when they would strike all them sounds will block out someone trying to hammer a chain off night times your friend its quiet all your neighbours are home if they are trying to cut through chains and smash the locks off somebodies going to hear it and will be like wtfs going on out there and will be having a look once they know they been spotted they run off.
I think with the world more than likely to go into recession in the near future, there will be more people on motorcycles and bicycles and less on cars but with that, the theft of these two-wheeled beasts will most likely increased given their demand. From where I live, nearly all commuter-grade (inexpensive) motorcycles were out of stock since september, with pre-orders for 2021 variants beginning as early as that. This is in my local area as well, a guy on a BMW GS went missing last month and was never seen ever since. So stay safe out there guys. The safest place for your bike is between your legs while going at speed. A good security tip when your bike's at home is to park it as inside your house as possible and if you have a less expensive car, park it in front of the said bike close enough that nobody can work on the bike unless they move the car.