[UltraHeadCase]

I was reading another post were Hippo said his ride sleeps outside and it got me wondering about locking the bike up. I have a disc lock I use on my VFR and usually don’t worry too much about it sitting outside when I’m not around. I had a big plastic coated cable with the coke machine lock that I used on my Guzzi. Like I said, I never really worried about these bikes because I had insurance and figured it would cover the loss. My attitude has changed with the outlay of serious cash for the Ultra and I don’t think the alarm installed on the bike will be much help. How do you protect your investment? Disc lock? Big ass chain? What? How can you sleep in a hotel with your scoot in the parking lot?

Dave

 

[Bruce]

When I purchased my bike, I called the insurance company and asked if there was a discount if I installed an audible alarm on the bike. They said no. I assume this is because they are ineffectual against a tow truck with a winch.

 

[Higmo]

Do you live in an apartment, Dave? If so, looks like you are stuck with the outside storage thing. If you can, I'd recommend just a cheap shed to keep your ride in. Lock that, lock your bike, and you got much better assurance of it not getting swiped.

 

[Boismier]

Bruce said:

> When I purchased my bike, I called the insurance company and asked > if there was a discount if I installed an audible alarm on the bike. They > said no.

My insurer does offer a 'screamer' alarm discount. Not much but every little bit helps ...

 

[UltraHeadCase]

Sorry, maybe I misled, I have a garage and I'm not worried about it at home. The bike already has an alarm installed from the factory too. What I was talking about is when you're on the road and parked at a hotel, campsite, buddys house, that sort of thing.

Dave

 

[shooterhog]

Anyone dedicated enough will make off with your ride. Most cables/chains are easily cut with the right hand-held tools. I did see a news report on some new chain that's supertough, but can't think of its name... do a little research to get the best you can buy. An audible alarm may help, but like the other guy said, you can load a bike up fairly quickly though it is a level of deterrance.

I would try to stay at places that aren't completely in the middle of nowhere or in a higly urban area, as well as ones that are well lit and have patroling security. You might end up paying a higher rate...

When going to your buddies' houses, park in their garage or back yard if they have them.

The idea is to minimize the risk of scumbags coming around, and if they are around, put as many time-consuming and high-risk barriers between them and your bike to deter theft.

 

[flycasterjoe]

chains & Locks

http://www.abus.com/abus/

Look @ the super Magnum, will stop just about anything but a tow truck.

 

[pasadenajim]

A number of months back, Motorcycle Consumer News ran an article about how to install a locking system into the floor of your garage. IMHO, that's a bit of overkill. If someone gets into your locked garage, your bike is toast whether it's locked or not. And if they don't get your bike, your car or truck is gone.

I know some riders are very happy with a very heavy duty chains and heavy duty locks from a hardware store. I have a Cobralink 6' chain that I'll be taking down to Mexico next weekend. I've used that lock when I've gone to big rallies. The Cobralink chains have varying inside diameters; however, the bigger the diameter, the heavier the chain. And transporting a heavy chain, is a bit of a pain.

All the chain/lock will do is discourage some thieves. The "minimize your risks" suggestions are very sound.

 

[skydoc]

Nothing is 100% protective. I had my 47' knuckle stolen several years ago. It was chained with hardened chain and a BIG Harley lock. It was obviously planned out the way it was taken. Get a big damn mean guard dog and chain it to it. It may slow em' down, but if they want it bad enough......

 

[Bruce]

Does anyone chain their bike up at these big rallies? [ie. Bikeweek, americade, laconia]

 

[pasadenajim]

Yes, Bruce. I commented in my prior post that I chain my bike using a Cobralink when I go to bike rallies. Bikes can be stolen anywhere, but you're just asking for trouble when you get a lot of people together.

 

[Higmo]

I designed a anti-theft device that would stun-gun your balls into oblivion if anyone but me got on the bike. I forgot and left the device on one time, and my wife sat on it. Now she won't stop sitting on my bike everynight. She even sits on the bike in the garage when there is four feet of snow outside. Where did I go wrong?

 

[Roadking96]

Lock It Up.

Bruce,

I have always locked mine up at rallies, get togethers even at the KOA sites on a road trip. Possible it is luck, but I have not had one stolen, but I do believe that there are people who can get it if they want it bad enough.

Ride Safe.

 

[Bruce]

Re: Lock It Up.

Bruce,

I have always locked mine up at rallies, get togethers even at the KOA sites on a road trip. Possible it is luck, but I have not had one stolen, but I do believe that there are people who can get it if they want it bad enough.

Ride Safe.

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to bike week for the first time and would like to avoid any problems.

 

[Straydog]

Old thread - revisited (Locks, chains, or cables)

I noticed that my local dealer had a much better cable lock than the one sold at Homey Depot. The dealer's is black and has the Harley logo on it. PLUS - it's only $48! Homey Depot's is the exact same cable lock, but it is yellow, it doesn't have the logo, and it only costs $28! Makes you wonder how Homey Depot stays in business!

Seriously, Home Depot is selling this as a 5/8" Kryptonite cable lock. I believe that it is 6' long. Didn't sound to bad to me.

 

[Devildog101]

Have you considered something like a thunderpager, It has gotten pretty good reviews.

 

[PTParks]

I recommend a lock, a chain around something permanently anchored, and one of the best theft deterent devices on the market today for a Harley......

A bike cover labeled "Honda Goldwing"

 

[electrified]

locks,chains..

higmo......did you say "where did you go WRONG????youve just found the best idea for encouraging all the "mrs" out there to have the husbands BUY a harley. Maybe you can sell the idea to Harley for future commercials..and what demand skyrocket.......LOL...

 

[ImOnMyWideGlide]

A friend of mine had his bike stolen this year at bike weeks, he had a cable lock and a brake caliper lock. Police showed him a film of a "box type"truck that pulled up, the back door opens, an arm with a cable comes out, a guy jumps out of the back puts a strap around the bike, hooks it up to the cable, hoists the bike in.......Bike gone in 43 seconds! His thought was to find something big or several other bikes to join togather!

 

[HIPPO]

Sure. Four guys with a couple of pieces of pipe can pick them up too.

After a while you learn to read the street. Where and how you park the bike makes as much difference or more then all the locks in the world.
You try and park it in such a way that it is as far and as blocked as possible from four wheel vehicle access, or you park it where only someone suicidal would dare try to steal a bike.

All you can do is play the odds.