Bike Security

Quiddelbach · May 23, 2012

Should I consider any security device for my new FE 450, I never really thought about it until a mate mentioned today does it have a key, which of course it doesn't only a start button so if i nip to shops or stop at a pub, bar etc someone could be away on it in seconds.

It's only a issue for me when I'm out and about not as bike is safely stored at home.

What do you recommend?

Ruger · May 23, 2012

Since a dirt bike can be loaded by two people and gone in seconds, a street bike-type disk brake lock would be of little use. I use and recommend a cable lock. They're quite versatile - you can lock the bike to a stationary object, you can lock the front and rear wheels together to keep it from being pushed or ridden away if there isn't a handy stationary object, you can run the cable through the sleeve of your jacket or the chinpiece of your helmet, etc. You don't have to pay nine prices on a motorcycle specific cable lock either. Any hardware store or home improvement center will have a selection, and at a fraction of what you'll pay from a motorcycle source.

maKe · May 23, 2012

I was also wondering what I should use. It only has a steering lock wich doesn't function anymore for somewhat unknown reason. Maybe because I changed offset from 16mm to 14mm so I had to spin the steering stem shaft 180degrees and now the lock won't engage when I try to twist and push the lock with the key.

Must have a notch on the steering stem where the lock engages, and now it's on the opposite side of the bike. :lol:

arkley123 · May 25, 2012

Thieving B%#s@ards are generally cowards & opportunistic.
I had my shed broken into earlier this year in daytime - my wife had just gone down the shops 30minutes - perhaps we were being watched.. anyway, they were in & out with no damage...in less than 30 mins.

Obviously heavily secured / locked shed - thought that was enough...doh..

Husqvarna WR250 no bike security...up & gone..
My boys KX65 no bike security...up & gone..this was the real gutter - lad was devastated and bike not covered under house ins.
Husaberg FE501 had £5.00 disc lock on the front - obviously tried to push bike out - hit disc lock - threw bike on ground & left. (Either that or they thought ..Husaberg...ummm!)

Anyway - my point is - if they want it they'll take it - but you can slow them down.

Obviously I now bolt everything to ground anchors with bike chains & locks & rim locks, but I always take the rim lock out with me for just nipping into the shops - even though the 501 has an ignition Key.

Garrison · May 25, 2012

Arkely is bang-on; if they want your bike bad enough they will get it. Locks will just slow them down. Hopefully it's enough of a deterrent to make them look at someone else's bike.

Cable locks are convenient, and they mean the bike can't be carried to the back of a van, but they are easily defeated with bolt cutters in one snip. U-Locks are tougher, but older ones are easy to pick the lock on. Newer ones are beaten with hydraulic jacks, or by using liquid nitrogen to freeze the lock and make it brittle, then smashing it with a hammer.

Disk locks are pretty good. They make them with motion alarms too, so it'll make some noise if someone's beating on it or using a grinder. I used to keep a little magnet on mine when not in use. When I put it on the disk I'd cover my ignition with the magnet to remind me that it was there. I've seen way too many people try to ride off with those locks on!

BTW - I know this info about locks because I ride some pretty pricey bicycles, not because I'm some dirtbag thief!!

Arkley - That's tough about the boy's KX. Were you able to replace it?

Bergini · May 25, 2012

Garrison said:
Hopefully it's enough of a deterrent to make them look at someone else's bike.

This gave me a thought, make your bike really ugly so nobody would even think to take it, brilliant!!

I know of a lot of people who do this for there home, not saying it works just people do it, get a security company sticker and put one on all the doors of the home even though they dont have a security system, maybe you could get a "this bike equipt with tracking device" sticker? along with a simple lock method metioned by others. anthough you dont have a key you could place a hidden toggle switch somewhere inline with the ignition kill switch so you can disable it and possibly prevent somone from driving off.....maybe large animal steel leg traps placed strategically around the bike, or if money is no object you could hire an armed guard! i could keep going but they get pretty unrealistic from here anyway so i think ill stop now :bounce3:

Garrison · May 25, 2012

Sure. And if you don't have an ignition switch, just remove the cams when you park it! Good luck hotwiring it now suckers!

berger · May 25, 2012

http://www.digitalguarddawg.com/keyless.html

arkley123 · May 25, 2012

You know Garrison, if you've ever been burgled you get angry - you get paranoid.......will the ba$*ards wait a month for the insurance to cough up then come back & do you again....... shouldn't post anything on forums...oops ...doh WTF!!!!
But what the heck...you just got to keep riding and not let them get to you.
Luckily the Husky was road legal & insured so that covered the boys bike replacement - gone Honda CR85 this time. (The berg was unharmed).

Cant imagine how you'd feel though if your house get violated though...bad enough knowing twats been on your land & in you shed, let alone your home.

Bergini · May 25, 2012

berger said:
http://www.digitalguarddawg.com/keyless.html

ooooh man, i work on keyless and wireless vehicular crap all day, i couldnt deal with it on my bike i would just flip out, thats just me it may be a good system i have no idea, i would be worried key get wet or wouldnt work or fob battery would die or module just wouldnt detect the signal and get stranded, if it was easy to disbale it may be cool but that defeats the purpose too. maybe its a bulletproof system too i dont know. it was a rough day at work and i got worked up when i heard the word module sorry bout that

jeffk95z · May 26, 2012

I ride my 08 450 to work each day and while Reyjkavik isn't a major theft center i was concerned with security as well due to the no key...

I have a hidden toggle switch under the seat to kill the power and use a disc brake lock. The bike is quite light however and if someone really wanted it, it would be gone.

But at least they can't ride off (hopefully not watching me engage the switch) and can't really push it away. Best i could do without it being even more inconvenient.

Otherwise, insurance will take care of it

odonnks · Jun 17, 2012

For years, on different dual sported conversions I've had, instead of a key'ed ignition I've only added a tether switch.
Its exactly like the type most ATV racers are required to use.

Something like this...There are many mfg's.
http://www.mpsracing.com/products/MPS/hc01.asp

Install it in a inconspicuous location, pull it when leaving the bike unattended and they'll never get it started.
When you are ready to ride, reinsert it and go.

These go in parallel with the kill button and are a 10 min install.

shooter114 · Oct 12, 2012

I use the xena alarm type disc lock ( damn its loud !! ) , if the wheel moves or some grabs the disc lock etc the alarm will go off, which means when you are in a public place they , the burglars,will be the centre of attention !!

There is also other brands variants etc this one cost me about $70 from a bike store but has been reliable. Otherwise you could try a padlock alarm which are about $12 off ebay.

hoosie5seventy · Aug 14, 2014

xena disc lock alarm review

some riders find the xena alarms work reliably but a lot of us have constant issues with false alarms that aren't fixed by the suggested tips on their site. plus they are very easy to break if you just roll the bike so the lock hits the caliper, or a thief could just crowbar it off.

if anyone was thinking of getting one, i'd suggest checking this review out first.

XENA DISC LOCK ALARM REVIEW: false alarms & poor after sales support - YouTube

personally i do think disc locks can slow down a thief a bit, but there are definitely more reliable brands of disc lock alarms out there for less money.

enginenumber · Aug 14, 2014

Hey there guys,
yes the bike security has always been a problem. In fact last year a mate lost a brand new dirt bike , people came into the property around the back whilst people were in the house , got a bike out the back shed and were gone, $10500 worth , never to be seen or heard of again.
Thieves follow vehicles back from offroad areas , watch houses and people movements.

Heres some of my practices-
Never transport bikes on open trailers or vehicles. I have a van , has tinted or blacked out windows. Never put dirt bike stickers on your vehicle , shed or outside walls.
Never leave the bike in the front yard or ride it around the block. Always chain it up at night , even out camping in the middle of nowhere.
Always park vehicle in discrete place when uploading. Never leave bike sitting around outside or work on it in potential view of people.

Cheers,
hope this helps

FredE · Aug 15, 2014

I recently bought a remote bike alarm off eBay UK for around $17. This device may be a half-arsed solution to bike theft but it acts an instant deterrent to the opportunist for when your bike is left unattended outside a pub or shops. I have one mounted pretty securely behind the headlight but it would still only take a minute to locate and disconnect. Bergs don't offer much spare room for these, but it could be tucked away elsewhere. They're incredibly loud, in fact much louder than the expensive disc lock alarms I also have on the bike so any clown who tries to steal it will at least be partially deafened. Not sure how long they last in after getting wet but after a few pressure washes it all still seems to work fine. If you intend to leave it on when your bike is stored for a while, you may want to stick it on the battery charger.

EASY FIT Only Two Wires Motorcycle Bike Scooter Trike Alarm- DIY Installation | eBay

Goose916 · Aug 15, 2014

The more difficult you make it for the would-be thief, the more likely he'll skip your bike and move on to easier hunting grounds. That said, if the thief really wants it, he'll likely get it. A truck with a mattress in the back, a pair of bolt cutters and a helper will relieve you of your bike in seconds, alarm or no alarm.

A disc lock takes only seconds to put on your bike. While not the greatest security, a thief is likely to take the bike next to yours if it doesn't have a disc lock.

Chain lock is cumbersome and heavy. Better than a disc lock but a good sized set of bolt cutters will defeat even the anti-cut versions. However, it's likely a pro thief if he has that particular tool handy and your berg is not a great choice for fencing stolen bike/parts.

Alarms, well, i'm not a fan so much - people ignore them and they go off all the time much to the chagrin of neighbors. Hell, your neighbors are likely to help the thief just to shut the damn thing off. A pro disables it or rolls the bike into a box truck and you'll only hear it for a second or two. Still, better than nothing.

Lojack - trackers are good but easy to find on a dirtbike and easy to defeat by pros.

Here's a good read:

EX Thief & "chop-shop" operator AMA : motorcycles

Wolfy · Sep 8, 2014

I got me a Berg Dog, and he loves Berg watching. Sneaky devil, if he hears someone coming over the fence, he simply hides in the bushes quieter than a church mouse. Once both feet hit the ground, he circles in behind the person, gets on their heels and growls. Hopefully the poor ******* doesn't try to run, or they get a 75 pound anchor attached squarely on their arse.

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