Disc Locks - worth it?

[CurveDawg]

What do you think of using disc locks? Have looked on several sites and there a alot to choose from. Anyone have a recommendation? Suggestions? The price range is like $20 to $50. Would appreciate info and suggestions on a good brand.
2018 R1200RT is what I ride. Do they fit all bikes or are some brand / model specific?

Thanks in advance.

aka "curvedawg"

 

[MotoToph]

I don't think they are necessary. If someone wants your bike it will be gone in 30 seconds. Or maybe even less. When bikes are stolen they are picked up, not rolled.

My motorcycles used to always live outside and have been outside of many questionable motels throughout the years. I have insurance.

I say if it makes you feel better, get one.

Sent from my SM-N975U1 using Tapatalk

 

[r0ckrat]

Most are pretty universal for fit. Like any lock, they can be picked. Check weights and reviews - remember that you are going to be carrying it around, so bigger and heavier is not always better. Pick one with an alarm, as any any lock can be picked, but an alarm gives it a deterrent level above just stopping the bike from being rolled. Also, either get one that comes with a tether or get a tether for one - the tether goes from the lock to the throttle to help remind you that the lock is there, as a lot of damage can be done if you roll the bike with the lock installed.

All that said, oscs is kind of right - although the RT is a little heavy 4 guys and a couple 2x4s can move the bike onto a truck or into a van pretty quickly.

If it's parked close enough for you to hear the alarm, it might make a difference, and might deter a more casual thief.

 

[brownie0486]

Have one, won't use it. If someone tries to roll the bike away at all and fails due to the lock, when you come out to leave, the bike is damaged to the point of unrideable.

My full cover on the bike, imo, works better as a deterrent.

One can also buy an alarm that goes off if the bike is moved and will give you notice on your phone. I haven't looked into that that deep, but know others can set the alarm and if the bike is moved, they get a near instant notice.

 

[omega man]

Many discussions on this topic. Check the bottom of the page in the “similar thread” pane.
OM

 

[easy]

If a pro wants your bike, he will get your bike. But, you can make it as difficult as possible. A good disc lock with a built in alarm is one tool you can use.

E.

 

[akbeemer]

Annie won a disk lock in the Coddiwomple ride last year. I used it once while traveling on my rig and will in the future I imagine. It will take some very, very beef lads to load it on a truck.

I disabled the alarm. They don’t seem draw much attention and false alarms are common.

Annie’s is an Abus and retails for around $150; not sure I would trust a $20-50 lock.

 

[cabnfvr]

Disc locks work. I've seen two different owners over the years attempt to steal their own bikes only to be thrown to the ground for their offense.

 

[motormike]

I use one when I travel. The string or ribbon to your grip is a must so you don't forget to remove it. Careful placement on the brake disk as close to the fork tube as possible will prevent anyone from rolling the bike more than a few inches. Nothing is going to stop a pro, but things like a disk lock might deter an amateur or a foolish kid.

 

[rickdm]

It seems that motorcycles thefts are a really big deal in England. So Bennet's Bike Social has done a whole series of tests on bike locks on YouTube. These are quite well done. He also tests bike cleaners, and all kinds of other stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eosFWnE9oaE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk6XGv29RRI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKO1yudGVNg

 

[joecbr]

Never Again

What do you think of using disc locks? Have looked on several sites and there a alot to choose from. Anyone have a recommendation? Suggestions? The price range is like $20 to $50. Would appreciate info and suggestions on a good brand.
2018 R1200RT is what I ride. Do they fit all bikes or are some brand / model specific?

Thanks in advance.

aka "curvedawg"

I am embarrassed to admit this but - after a long day at work, I go out to my bike reviewing the day's events in my mind, and guess what? I remove the bike cover. Get suited up. Put my stuff in the tail bag. Replay the last meeting of the day in mind theater, hop on the bike, and forget to remove the disc lock. Nothing is more pleasing than accelerating away from the curb and coming to an immediate hard stop. Does wonders for your brake rotors. After doing this twice in 6 months, I through my disc lock in the trash!

 

[drneo66]

A couple bucks of curly plastic can (hopefully) solve the forgot-about-the-lock-and-rode-off problems

 

[easy]

A couple bucks of curly plastic can (hopefully) solve the forgot-about-the-lock-and-rode-off problems

I tie a red bandana around the throttle.

E.

 

[craydds]

abus

I have an Abus disc lock and I use it when my bike is parked outside overnight; https://mobil.abus.com/int/on-road/...s-Motorbike/GRANIT-Sledg-77-grip-red?type=pdp .
I also use a bike cover - https://www.shopbmwmotorcycle.com/p...xwfrjyECsrrqdckJygn6X_VqAuVbrPoIaAiCkEALw_wcB .
and a Monimoto GPS tracker - https://monimoto.com/product/tracker-monimoto-7/ .
Yes, I do carry full coverage insurance, too.

 

[CurveDawg]

disc locks

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and replies. After further research and everyone's replies, I have decided to go without a disc lock. I do cover my bike when on a trip and it has the BMW alarm system. I try to park close to the entrance as well. And, as someone commented, it's insured. I would also forget to remove it as the one gentleman states.

Ride on my friends...Enjoy Life!

CurveDawg Ironbutt # 71285
MOA # 215208

 

[bc1100s]

Anything which inhibits or impedes the theft of one's motorcycle is a good thing.

 

[Rainman48]

Lock Picking Lawyer

I used to watch YouTube videos by the guy in my title. As that suggests, he has been able to pick nearly every commercial lock and is interesting to watch - if you're a geek.

https://www.youtube.com/c/lockpickinglawyer

In any case, it certainly helped me decide on a travel disc lock which I can't even find anymore. Oh well.

Mine was a Xena brand with alarm.

https://www.amazon.com/Xena-Intelligent-Security-0524002-Bloque/dp/B00IT5URF6/ref=sr_1_4?crid=18FL085P12Y07&keywords=xena+disc+lock&qid=1654645169&sprefix=xena+disc%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-4

 

[brownie0486]

I used to watch YouTube videos by the guy in my title. As that suggests, he has been able to pick nearly every commercial lock and is interesting to watch - if you're a geek.

https://www.youtube.com/c/lockpickinglawyer

In any case, it certainly helped me decide on a travel disc lock which I can't even find anymore. Oh well.

Mine was a Xena brand with alarm.

https://www.amazon.com/Xena-Intelligent-Security-0524002-Bloque/dp/B00IT5URF6/ref=sr_1_4?crid=18FL085P12Y07&keywords=xena+disc+lock&qid=1654645169&sprefix=xena+disc%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-4

Highly unlikely a professional lock picker is out grabbing motorcycles with locks on them. But again, I don't think a lock does much if anything at all, because most bikes are picked up and thrown in a van and gone in less than 1 minute. No lock will keep them from picking the bike up and shoving into a van.

 

[bc1100s]

Mine was a Xena brand with alarm.

As is mine.

 

[Rainman48]

Xena Disc Locks on Sale with Discount

Even if some guys keep remarking that even with a disc lock a couple of guys can pick up your bike and put it in a truck and zoom away, they are still a reasonable deterrent for the casual thief or bike "molester", and those disc locks with built in alarms just might scare them away or let you hear what's going on with your bike when they are moved - even in the slightest.

Like I said previously, I used to have a Xena brand disc lock and thought it was pretty good. I even found their web site again today and see they have now expanded their line to include bluetooth connectivity with your phone via an app that makes setting up parameters like sensitivity to movement, alarm volume, alarm duration, timing of repeat alarms, and even set the alarm armed or off from your phone. Note: it doesn't notify you when the alarm is triggered, but BT only works about 33 feet, so I wouldn't expect it to. It's just simpler to set up or change the parameters than carrying around a paper manual should you need to. I happen to like that idea as I set my alarm off a few times just trying to disable it with a key. The brand continues to include their "standard" versions that have all the setting available, just not the BT and therefore don't use the phone app.

Any hooey, I ordered one of their BT models this afternoon (XX10 BLE) and am looking forward to getting it. You can buy a number of the "standard" models from Amazon or Revzilla, but they don't have (or aren't authorized) to sell the new BT models. There is only one distributor for the USA & Canada who can, and that's Tristan at Lockandloud.com in Florida.

I'll give the standard disclaimer: I don't work for, get commissioned, or paid by this manufacturer or their vendor. I'm just trying to pass information on to those who might be interested.

Here is the manufacturer's web site:
https://www.xenasecurity.com/

Here is the USA Distributer's web site:
Lockandloud.com

I wrote Tristan about shipping and product availability (in stock or not) using their Contact Us page. Within an hour (probably quicker) he wrote back they use USPS flat rate prices ($6.75), he has the XX15 and XX10 models in Bluetooth in stock but doesn't have the XX14 model and won't get any more until next year. He recommended the XX10 and I bought it. It's the same specs as the XX14 just a 10mm diameter pin vs. a 14mm pin. Also, no sales tax charged to my state. So with a discount code he freely gave me, I got a 20% discount plus saved the 11% sales tax I normally would have. I don't feel like stating the code because I don't know the reason why or terms, but I'd use the same Contact Us on his distributor web site to see he he's handing them out when asked.

P.S. His price was better than Revzilla by $10 even before his 20% discount so that beats Revzilla's free shipping right off the bat.