Which Locks Do You Use, For Safety When Parked?

I am looking at taking a week long road trip solo. What Locking mechanism do I need when I am away from the bike?

I use a Xena disc lock which has an audible alarm.  I do try to be realistic about what it can do.  Determined professional thieves will simply pick the bike up and toss it in a van.  Being unable to roll the bike probably only stops the punk thief looking for a joy ride.  My hope is the racket caused by the alarm will have them looking at the weaker victims.  Fortunately the Viffer is not a hot ticket so probably isn't at the top of the thieves list to start with.  I figure something is better than nothing, but any locking system will have its limitations. 

edit - if using a disc lock, use some sort of flag or reminder system on your top clamp.   More than 1 owner has forgotten the lock was in place and done a face plant when attempting to roll away with it installed.

Ideally use 2 disk locks (one on each wheel) but if not put the lock on the rear disk. With the front steering and the rear disk locked it is double work to roll the bike. Thieves are lazy by nature and any blip in the plan is usually enough to make them keep looking. You eventually might want to look at an alarm with a remote notifier. I picked up a Scorpion on ebay for $60.00 that disables the ignition and rings the remote if activated. Gorilla alarms are also a good brand. 

I have a 1/2 inch bicycle bar lock I am using on my rear wheel, I'll look into disk locks now. Also any be benefits of a hidden kill switch?

I use a Xena disc lock which has an audible alarm.  I do try to be realistic about what it can do.  Determined professional thieves will simply pick the bike up and toss it in a van.  Being unable to roll the bike probably only stops the punk thief looking for a joy ride.  My hope is the racket caused by the alarm will have them looking at the weaker victims.  Fortunately the Viffer is not a hot ticket so probably isn't at the top of the thieves list to start with.  I figure something is better than nothing, but any locking system will have its limitations. 

edit - if using a disc lock, use some sort of flag or reminder system on your top clamp.   More than 1 owner has forgotten the lock was in place and done a face plant when attempting to roll away with it installed.

what you mean is an amateur will do this. a pro will pick the locks on the bike and drive away.. a bike is WAY faster than a van or truck. and much easier to ditch if necessary.

 however.. locks and a 2nd hidden  power/kill switch are the way to go..   :fing02:

I have a 1/2 inch bicycle bar lock I am using on my rear wheel, I'll look into disk locks now. Also any be benefits of a hidden kill switch?

 yes. some one jimmys your ignition. turns it to ' on ".. and NOTHING COMES ON!!  they cant ride away.

I have a disc lock on the front and another on the rear and lock the steering.  I realize they could still pick up the bike and steal it that way, but at 500 pounds, that makes it much more difficult.  I figure anything to make it harder and take more time will make them move on to try and steal something that is easier.  

My 1200 is a pig. If they want it that bad they can have it. But, up here in TN, stealing is a really quick way to get shot.

At home I have some truly monstrous locks and 16mm chains by Pragmasis.  Too heavy to carry on the bike!  I don't often leave the bike anywhere other than the high-security underground parking garage at work, but when I do I use a decent lock and chain, e.g., when I took the bike to Assen last September.  The VFR's easily removable rear wheels don't help in a security context, so I prefer to run a chain through the wheel and over the seat--with a mini-u-lock locking the chain through the bike's frame.  Of course, the bike could still be lifted into a van, but there aren't a lot of secure things to lock a bike to that would prevent this.  Which is why I have Third-party + Fire and Theft insurance...

Ciao,

Full Coverage.

At home I have some truly monstrous locks and 16mm chains by Pragmasis.  Too heavy to carry on the bike!  I don't often leave the bike anywhere other than the high-security underground parking garage at work, but when I do I use a decent lock and chain, e.g., when I took the bike to Assen last September.  The VFR's easily removable rear wheels don't help in a security context, so I prefer to run a chain through the wheel and over the seat--with a mini-u-lock locking the chain through the bike's frame.  Of course, the bike could still be lifted into a van, but there aren't a lot of secure things to lock a bike to that would prevent this.  Which is why I have Third-party + Fire and Theft insurance...

Ciao,

Nah......     JZH has his personal "watchdog"......   :goofy:

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