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Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

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  #1  
Old 23 Jan 2008
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Bike Security
As my trip draws close the little things start to bother me...
There are going to be times when I leave my bike unattended, my question is a simple one... Do i need to take a bike chain and lock?
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  #2  
Old 24 Jan 2008
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I carry a bloody big one, it goes through my back wheel and ties up around my pannier racks if there's nothing else to anchor it to. I tend to use street lights trees etc but it’s only for show as it’s just to stop the opportunist thieves, the real ones will take your bike if they want it or not.

With a can of computer screen cleaner, and a hammer I can have pretty much have any padlock off your bike in about a minute, I don’t care what padlocks on there be it a £5 one or an £80 quid one. And chains can be cut with bolt cutters just as quickly how do you think the AA deals with lost padlock keys?

A packsafe is great for stuff that’s on the back of your bike, but only again as a deterrent to the opportunists.
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  #3  
Old 24 Jan 2008
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This is a interesting site for those into locks and chains
Almax Security Chains Limited



Trophymick
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  #4  
Old 25 Jan 2008
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Im using a thick wire lock about 1,5 m long, which I normally route from the backwheel and luggage racks to something solid like a lamppost. Plus a sturdy brake disk lock in the front. They dont weight too much or take up too much space.....

And they probably wont stop a professional thief, but then I usually always try to put the bike away in such a place that the thieves wont see or wont dare enter. I think the place you'll park the bike for the night will be the most important shield against thieves. If your on a long trip, the hotel and guesthouse owners normally understand quite well, that you want protection for your vehicle, so they allow you to put it away from the street.
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  #5  
Old 25 Jan 2008
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My bike was locked and chained in my locked garage, my car was locked in front of my bike inside the garage. The BS broke in, shunted my car out of the way, broke the bike locks and were pushing the bike up the drive when my wife let our dogs out and they still got away. The Police had the attitude " your insured arn't you " err no, my wife pointed out that I was away in Saudi and wasn't using the bike.
So if they want your bike they will get it,you can only guard against the opportunist.
The Police even warned my wife that if the scumbags reported us for setting our dogs on them we would be in trouble.
Cheers
Ian
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Old 25 Jan 2008
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In South Africa the police advise that if you catch a burglar in the act it's better to kill them than injure them in case they try to make a claim against you or try to extract revenge against you once they are released.
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Old 26 Jan 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dessertstrom View Post
My bike was locked and chained in my locked garage, my car was locked in front of my bike inside the garage. The BS broke in, shunted my car out of the way, broke the bike locks and were pushing the bike up the drive when my wife let our dogs out and they still got away. The Police had the attitude " your insured arn't you " err no, my wife pointed out that I was away in Saudi and wasn't using the bike.
So if they want your bike they will get it,you can only guard against the opportunist.
The Police even warned my wife that if the scumbags reported us for setting our dogs on them we would be in trouble.
Cheers
Ian
I agree that if a theif wants it bad enough they will get it. However, if you make it hard for the theif they will likely pass your bike up and go for the easy one. I brought a lock for my bike. It is the thickest cable combination lock that I could find at HD. I opted for lighter weight than heavy security. I have seen guys with gigantic locks down here, but your talking about an extra 15 lbs of weight. I think your better off going light weight and doing common sense things like not leaving your bike overnight on a dark unprotected street.

If you are really paranoid I would say lock your rotors through the holes with pad locks. I am too forgetful to remember to always unlock something like that. (a cracked rotor makes your bike non usable.)
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Old 4 Jan 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trophymick View Post
This is a interesting site for those into locks and chains
Almax Security Chains Limited



Trophymick
I have one of these.. They weigh about 20 kilos and are total overkill for overlanding !!

AND they cost a fortune ! Good though
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Old 4 Jan 2009
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What you need is a thick but hollow motorcycle lock..

Big chains are SOOOO heavy and rattle about furiously. I cant think of anything worse to carry on an Overland trip.

I used a motrax Kabul lock.

Motrax Kaybul Stainless - 1.2M (Motorcycle Cable Lock))

It looks HARDCORE but infact its hollow and doesnt rattle about at all. Its not even that heavy. It fitted nicely around my rear rack.

I think its more than enough to deter all but the most determined thief. And rememeber, if they want it, they will have it.. No matter what lock you use.
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Old 5 Apr 2009
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Your link is dead


Motrax Kaybul Stainless 1.2M

Hmmm.
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  #11  
Old 11 Feb 2008
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Originally Posted by MetusUK View Post
As my trip draws close the little things start to bother me...
There are going to be times when I leave my bike unattended, my question is a simple one... Do i need to take a bike chain and lock?
I use one of those steel cables with a magnetic lock all the time here in Brazil.
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