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  #1  
Old 27 Jan 2010
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locks and chains

getting my bike tmrw and dont have space to put it in my garage.
so wanting to get some security and i found this

anyone know what the deal is with this. i have read the product description but there not going to say anything bad about it.

anyone used this product? or anyone got better ideas.

what locks/chains do you use?

cheers ears
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  #2  
Old 27 Jan 2010
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Wall of Shame - The Almax Wall of Shame

I got an Almax chain for my BMW after my DR650 was stolen. My bike was never recovered and the insurance payout wasn't exactly stunning either. The Almax is bloody heavy but probably worth the slight extra hassle. Make sure you chain the bike to something solid, preferably with the chain not lying on the ground where it can be bolt cropped more easily.
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BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...
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  #3  
Old 27 Jan 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmyboris View Post
anyone used this product? or anyone got better ideas. what locks/chains do you use?
Hi Jimmyboris
I use the Oxford Boss on the front wheel of my bike but it's not parked out overnight. The alarm is quite loud but it stops after 10 seconds. I think it's useful for stopping a casual thief from wheeling my bike away while I'm away from it shopping etc.

However, I wouldn't rely on it for peace of mind and when I return to the UK I'll also be getting Almax, like Mike.
Stephan
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  #4  
Old 27 Jan 2010
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thanks mikeS. did you not have any security for your dr?? what size chain have you got?
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  #5  
Old 27 Jan 2010
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It's been said before but your best bet is to use a couple of different systems.

Some fat-neck, pikey, scum with no right to exist on this earth tried to lift one of my bikes from in front of my house. They popped the two very substantial (looking) chains but didn't cut the cable lock. They squashed it and frayed it but couldn't cut it with bolt croppers. If they had spent some time with some electrician's side cutters they could have nibbled through it quite easily I'm sure but luckily they didn't sus that.

Locking the brakes on works quite well if they have to get it some distance to their van.

A few years ago, one of the bike mags did an article on theft. They parked a bike in a town centre for a few hours then turned up with an un-marked van. They used a petrol disc cutter on the chain and then lifted the bike into the van with the alarm going and weren't challenged.
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Old 27 Jan 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmyboris View Post
thanks mikeS. did you not have any security for your dr?? what size chain have you got?
It was chained to my BMW 1150 which is a big heavy lump but they just cut the chain. I won't go on about how I'd just ridden it from Australia and had just managed to get it imported to the UK at great cost/hassle etc. Anyway, I got the heavy Almax IV chain for the Beemer (as even those get stolen here) but I think the III is probably fine. Its so heavy I just leave it chained round the lamp post when I'm away on the bike and take a lighter chain plus disc lock plus alarm...etc.

Bike thieves, aren't they just great!
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BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...
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  #7  
Old 27 Jan 2010
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Originally Posted by MikeS View Post
Its so heavy I just leave it chained round the lamp post when I'm away on the bike and take a lighter chain plus disc lock plus alarm...etc.
I wouldn't leave the lock round the post. It has been known for theives to glue up a lock so you can't use it on your return. I realise that you wouldn't park your bike in the same spot if the lock had been messed with but that won't make you feel any better about them buggering up your expensive lock.
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Old 27 Jan 2010
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Yeah, heard about that trick too. I'm more concerned with the people who repeatedly let their dogs piss up against it though....mmm Britain, lovely Britain.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Yellow Tractor View Post
I wouldn't leave the lock round the post. It has been known for theives to glue up a lock so you can't use it on your return. I realise that you wouldn't park your bike in the same spot if the lock had been messed with but that won't make you feel any better about them buggering up your expensive lock.
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www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
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My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...
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  #9  
Old 27 Jan 2010
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Watch out for leaving chains in regular places as thr prev thread, but also the plastic covered ones where theives will snip a link then pull the plastic cover back over it so it looks ok.
Steve
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  #10  
Old 27 Jan 2010
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Some of those Oxford locks have had very poor reviews.... I remember reading about them a few years back.....!!!
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  #11  
Old 28 Jan 2010
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Xena make some good products, I use the Alarmed disk lock in addition to a chain. Loud enough to wake you if the bike is tampered with, does not drain bikes battery and few if any false alarms.

XENA Motorcycle Security
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  #12  
Old 28 Jan 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeS View Post
Wall of Shame - The Almax Wall of Shame

I got an Almax chain for my BMW after my DR650 was stolen. My bike was never recovered and the insurance payout wasn't exactly stunning either. The Almax is bloody heavy but probably worth the slight extra hassle. Make sure you chain the bike to something solid, preferably with the chain not lying on the ground where it can be bolt cropped more easily.
CHRIST !!!

I have an almax 16mm 1m chain with lock and it weighs about 30kg !!

You're gonna travel with this ?? LOL !!
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  #13  
Old 28 Jan 2010
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As for locks... I think the Oxford Kaybuls are PERFECT for overlanding.

They dont rattle, weigh about half of what a chain does, look REALLY beefy and you can use them to secure 2-3 bikes together or just your helmet to your bike. They usually fit nicely under a topbox, on the rear rack or tied somewhere.. Like I said, they dont rattle and are fairly rigid.

About £25-30 quid !

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  #14  
Old 28 Jan 2010
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Hah! Nah, just for here to keep the thieving scum away.

Never had this kind of problem when travelling though!
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www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
www.argentina-alaska.blogspot.com
My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...
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