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How do you secure your bike? How do you secure your bike?
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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 Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



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  #1  
Old 16 Mar 2013
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How do you secure your bike?
I´m planning a trip, if not multiple travels here in méxico and central america and I´m just wondering how do you secure your bike? (so as not to be vandalised-stollen). I was thinking of taking a strong chain and lock with me, but that might just be uneeded weight. A wheel brake etc might help, but from what I´ve heard here they pretty much just lift the bike up and put it into a truck and haul it away usually....so an alarm perhaps? Then again my bike is going to be a cheap Honda CGL 125 TOOL. Anyways, any advice?
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Old 17 Mar 2013
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There is a long thread on this if you search for it. The consensus seemed to be that a chain you can lock to an object is the best but as you mentioned there is the weight issue and for determined thieves with bolt cutters, grinders they are a minor inconvenience. Some like audible alarms if no off street parking is available but you have the issue of kids setting it off purposely etc.
A lot of people feel having an old looking cover is the cheapest, most effective form of security. Out of sight out of mind. Combining that with a motion alarm on the cover seems to work for others.

As I would take a bike similar to yours I would go with the cover and take a cable and lock you can use to lock your helmet, jacket to the bike and then to another object for when you have to leave the bike for a while. Might stop the opportunistic thief. You can also use the cable to secure your helmet,luggage to a bed etc if you are staying in Hostels without secure lockers.
Once your new bike dirty's up a bit it will blend in with the locals except for the luggage and plates I guess.
Have you bought the bike yet?
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  #3  
Old 17 Mar 2013
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Never been an issue for me in Latin America. My bike has always been inside at night. Lunch on the road I can see it. Rarely I leave it parked in front of security or a ticket office at some tourist attraction. No locks, no cables, no cover. But the bike does look dirty and well used. KLR650. 17 months now in Latin America....
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  #4  
Old 17 Mar 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by realmc26 View Post
There is a long thread on this if you search for it. The consensus seemed to be that a chain you can lock to an object is the best but as you mentioned there is the weight issue and for determined thieves with bolt cutters, grinders they are a minor inconvenience. Some like audible alarms if no off street parking is available but you have the issue of kids setting it off purposely etc.
A lot of people feel having an old looking cover is the cheapest, most effective form of security. Out of sight out of mind. Combining that with a motion alarm on the cover seems to work for others.

As I would take a bike similar to yours I would go with the cover and take a cable and lock you can use to lock your helmet, jacket to the bike and then to another object for when you have to leave the bike for a while. Might stop the opportunistic thief. You can also use the cable to secure your helmet,luggage to a bed etc if you are staying in Hostels without secure lockers.
Once your new bike dirty's up a bit it will blend in with the locals except for the luggage and plates I guess.
Have you bought the bike yet?
No I still have yet to buy the bike, but I`m hoping I`ll make the purchase here within a week. I`ve just got quite a few other ¨problems¨ right now, so I`m not 100% sure when. Also a cable is pretty light wieght right?
I was planning on taking a tarp with me either way, too put over my things when I`m riding, so I might as well use it to cover the bike as well....although I could also see that as an atraction to some...thinking that it might be something nice due to the cover. (Being as I`ve never seen a cover on a bike anywhere in latin america that is in the street.)
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Old 18 Mar 2013
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My vote is for a light cable that is long enough to tie two bike together or around a post/tree. I made mine from plastic coated cable, (makes it look bigger than it is). Then I wrap in around my bag when on the road so someone can not grab and go. For a cover I would recommend one Aerostich has that packs very small. The value of the cover is "out of site out of mind" and it also covers all the reflective stuff if you need to wild camp.
I have never had a problem in 39 countries, but that does not mean you can be careless.
Bob
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  #6  
Old 18 Mar 2013
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Thing is where I am now I don`t think I`ll really have much more of an option than a simple tarp...hopefully I can find one that is forest green or brown, but most are blue.

As for the cable, not really sure either, but I don`t think I`ll be able to find something that is ¨ideal,¨ but I`m sure I`ll come across something.
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