See the
wBW Motorcycle
Theft page for more information and statistics on
motorcycle theft | See below for information
on which chains passed the chain torture test!
Alarms: Talon
Alarm Systems; see the
wBW
Talon T-2200
motorcycle alarm and immobilizer review |
The cool-looking
Scorpio
motorcycle alarm is a FM two-way
security system that sends and receives data up to 1/2
mile away |
The
Cyclone 866F Motorcycle Alarm (wBW
review) is claimed to be the "smallest
'full-featured' motorcycle security system in the world
|
Armed Guard systems have portable motorcycle alarms
with perimeter sensors available for many different
motorcycle brands and models |
Acumen Electronics makes motorcycle alarms,
immobilizers and individual alarm parts in addition to
the Acumen battery charger | Cruze-a-roo
"talking" motorcycle alarm available at
Elite Security Supplies |
Armed Guard Electronic Security makes the Sport and
G-Force alarms; the deluxe models have remote pagers
|
Internatrix TW-400 motorcycle alarms have paging via
an FM radio connection
Motorcycle
Alarm Parts: Make your own motorcycle alarm
with motion sensors, sirens and other parts from
Motoguide Products | Here are
instructions and wiring diagrams for what is claimed to
be a "simple" (if you're an electronics wiz!)
home made motorcycle alarm system
Locks:RoadLok
locking system is permanently mounted to the motorcycle
frame to securely lock the motorcycle | Motorcycle locks made by
Abus
in Germany; available in the U.S.; pretty good stuff
|
Emgo
is an Asian manufacturer of bike locks and zillions of
other bike parts |
Kryptonite Lock Company makes regular locks, chains
and disc locks; users say good things about their
KryptoDisc DFS; there are links to a few of their online
retailers also |
OnGuard Lock makes zillions of different styles of
impressive looking motorcycle locks |
RoadLok custom motorcycle locks are permanently
mounted to the swingarm; only available for select
motorcycles |
Squire Locks (Now
also available in the USA) has been in business in
the UK for 230 years; their locks have won the Ride
magazine "Recommended" awards several times |
Trimax
locks for motorcycles
Disk Locks With Alarms:Xena
has regular locks, disk locks and many more motorcycle
security and anti-theft devices; they also make an
alarmed disc lock, see the
wBW
review of the
Xena XX14 Disc Lock Alarm and the
Xena XN15 Disk Lock Alarm
GPS Tracking Devices:
Digital Guardian is a GPS anti-theft tracking device
for motorcycles or trailers that includes intrusion
detection and perimeter guarding |
LoJack
is a device that can be activated to transmit the
location of a stolen motorcycle
Motorcycle Motion
Sensor Alarms: The
NuvoGuard Clip Pro is a device that attached to a
cell phone; it can be set at various levels of
sensitivity and will auto-dial a number and will even
transmit sounds through the microphone. However,
it means that the cell phone must be kept somewhere on
the bike.
Immobilisers:
Target Technology carries Oxford, Meta and
Taurus immobilizers
|
Datatool
is claimed to be the leading motorcycle alarm brand in the U.K.; they
have immobilizers, alarms and even electronic transponder
tags for motorcycles |
Phantom Tracking has a very sophisticated ignition
disabler and a monitored 24-hour tracking system
Video: Interesting
YouTube video illustrating how quickly chains can be
compromised
Preventing
Motorcycle Theft: Now on the
wBW Motorcycle
Theft page
Ground Anchors - Floor Anchors: These are
popular in the UK, where many bikes are stored in
outside sheds. Anchors can be installed in floors
or walls, and don't forget the trailer or van! But
be careful how it's installed - chain links touching the
floor make a good backing for a chisel and sledgehammer
|
Torc Anchors (UK) has rotating and folding ground
anchors that score a Sold Secure Gold rating; these look
like serious products |
Oxford
has several ground anchors sold in both the U.S.A. and
UK |
Abus
(DE) also makes ground anchors sold in the U.S.A. and UK
|
Kryptonite (US) above and below ground anchors
Motorcycle Security, Locks and Alarm Retailers:
LockItt Motorcycle Security Company carries ABUS
locks, Xena alarm locks, OnGuard locks, Oxford locks and
products, Griplock, Hammer Chain, Trimax trailer locks,
Taffynackles ground and wall anchors, Luma and Bike
Anchor floor anchors |
Bike
Lock sells motorcycle ground anchors, disk brake
rotor locks, chains and locks |
Bike
Bone Motorcycle Security sells wireless motorcycle
alarms, GPS tracking, RoadLock, motorcycle trailer wheel
locks and other motorcycle security devices
Thatcham Approval (UK):
Thatcham is "an automotive research and
technology centre that provides the automotive and
motor insurance industries with valuable commercial
information through research and development,
consultancy, training and publishing services".
They have developed standards for immobiliser
systems and they conduct tests to determine
compliance. Unfortunately, they seem to be
ignoring motorcyclists, because most of the
information on their website is directed at
automobile owners.
The minimum requirement for an
approved vehicle security system is a Thatcham
Category 2 immobiliser. Insurance companies in
the U.K. use the Thatcham system to set insurance
premiums for motorcyclists. The categories
are:
Category 1: Alarm and Immobiliser Systems
Category 2: Immobiliser Systems
Category 2.1: Existing Cat 2 Immobilisers
upgraded to Cat 1 systems
Category 5: Tracking units using GPS
Sold Secure Approval (Edited from
information provided by Sold Secure): Sold
Secure (UK) provides test and assessment services of
effective security products. They are a non-profit
corporation "dedicated to reducing the
risk of theft by the assessment of security products".
Sold Secure was established in 1992 by the Northumbria and
Essex Police with the help and backing of the Home
Office. It is now administered by the Master Locksmiths
Association in the UK.
UK
constabularies and insurers provide
information on the methods of theft and the tools
utilized by criminals in their area. This helps to
maintain an up to date specification and means security
products can be assessed in the light of the risk they
are likely to encounter when in use.
Sold Secure performs "attack-tests" on security
products to determine how well they work. Products which pass
the tests have to survive a concerted
series of attacks for a minimum of five minutes.
They claim that this
is twice as long as most criminals are willing to spend
trying to steal a vehicle.
Of the approximately 400 devices tested so far, less than 100 have passed the
rigorous standards. This is the truth on
motorcycle security chains the major manufacturers don’t
want you to know.
Which Chains Are Best?
Tony Lewis from
Elite Security Supplies writes "In recent testing it
was found that the top 5 chains all failed within 63
seconds with the Irwin Record 42” bolt croppers.
One in particular lasted a mere 3 seconds!
Oxford Monster Hand Bolt cropped by Peter Walker
of M.A.G (who had never cropped a chain before) in 3
seconds
Squire MC4 Chain (Ride Best Buy) Hand Bolt
cropped in approx 63 seconds by Zanx Luma Kit
Solido Duo (Ride Recommend) Hand Bolt cropped in
approx 35 seconds
Abus Granite City Black X Plus (Ride
Recommended) Hand Bolt cropped in 8 Seconds
Abus Granite Extreme Hand Bolt cropped in approx
12 seconds
Oxford Boss Hand Bolt cropped in approx 22
seconds
Kryptonite Fahgettaboutit chain hand bolt
cropped in 42 seconds
Almax The Immobiliser Series III un-croppable
The Almax Immobiliser Series III has never been bolt
cropped by anyone, ever.
All of the above chains were also cut with the
hydraulic bolt croppers at the NEC International
Motorcycle & Scooter Show in between 8 - 12 seconds. The Immobiliser Series III cannot be cut with the portable
hydraulic croppers.
The Immobiliser Series III is the only chain that has
passed Sold Secure GOLD in all 6 categories. ATV, Car,
Caravan, Motorcycle, Motor Scooter, Commercial &
Industrial Vehicles.
