Recommend me an alarm.... please :)

maria383 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 09 Feb 2010 Karma :

Hey guys,

I was wondering if someone could give me a few ideas on a decent alarm/lock for my bike. As I've only used chain locks previously, I'm not really sure where to start!

Thanks, Maria
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ollieholt · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Apr 2010 Karma :

I have a data tool top of the range thing, dealer fitted it when my other went bang (toad)

It does slowly drain battery (took 8 weeks to drain to a point of no start) so not a lot. Works great not to sensitive, auto arms the immobiliser after 30 seconds. Would recommend it.

A physical deterrent is always best first line. the data tool has a flashing led on the tail of the bike which is good.

A big dirty lock and chain is a great deterrent but they are easily foibled within a couple of minutes with a massive pair of bolt cutters. thieves are opportunists though, if you bike has a lock and the one down the road doesn't you know which they will be more likely to go for.
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Imonster · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Oct 2006 Karma :

Don't get an alarm - poxy things that can go wrong and as said above drain the battery. While a lot of "sold secure" chains can be cropped relatively easily, have a look on youtube for demos of Almax chains. They're expensive, but ridiculously tough. Though only as good as the thing you're chaining it too.

I really want to get rid of the Datatool that came with my bike, but scared of immobilizing the thing for good if I mess it up.
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Ingah · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 Apr 2009 Karma :

P.addy · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Bought 2 of these over a week ago

Cant say how well they last obviously, but they are both VERY loud and simple to install.

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200379831192&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Very sensitive too!

weasley · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Oct 2010 Karma :

I don't subscribe to this "something else to go wrong" mentality. If we all thought that we'd still be on Velocettes and Bantams, none of this new-fangled fuel injection and electric starters.

If it is designed, built and (crucially) installed correctly then there shouldn't be a problem. I have had a Datatool System 3 on my bike for 8 years and it has worked flawlessly, and still does. It will 'sleep' if the battery gets below a certain level and has never left me without power. I do now use an Optimate but that's because I can and the bike does go for long stints unridden.

I'm not saying alarms and immobilisers are perfect, but if you know how to use them and what they do, they shouldn't get in the way of you biking pleasure.
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ollieholt · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Apr 2010 Karma :

My data tool has been great and it wasn't a toad as I said in a earlier post, I used to have a meta. Hunk of junk that turned out to be.

Mine also has the sleep modes when the voltage gets lower but eventually it goes drain enough off so as not to be able to press the starter and go. Like I said it did take weeks for that to happen though.
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The Tot · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Karma :

I had a cyclone alarm on my ZX6R - foolishly wired in the remote start/immobiliser function. Something went wrong with the wiring and it took out 2 very good batteries! Took it to my mechanics and he said, despite using the relay, this alarm draws way too much current from the main ignition feed when it's active. It lasted a month after I realised I had to keep buying new batteries! Even an optimate wouldn't revive them! So if you ARE buying a cyclone alarm, just wire it into the terminals and use it as a motion sensor alarm.

I wired in my Acumen 911 alarm onto my bike. Worked fine for a year then on the way home from work, my hazards started flashing - realising I don't have a hazard switch, it got me thinking, the only thing I've got wired into the indicators is my alarm. Rightly so, I got home and it refused to arm!

So rule of thumb for me is to now just use chain, cover and disk lock. I've got one of those Xena Alarms but they're just for show. The batteries wear out too quickly when it's cold so I don't bother with it now. Result is that I've cracked my mudguard twice!

So my 2 cents is, just get a cheapo alarm and combine it with your other security! Keep a smart charger at bay too. I'm glad the Blade has a factory fitted immobiliser so I don't have to rely on a combo alarm/immobiliser. At least with my self-fit Accumen 911, I just whipped it out without having to dissect my wiring loom. Same story goes for the Cyclone alarm.
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ollieholt · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Apr 2010 Karma :

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/possession-of-motorcycle-theft-tools-illegal-in-california-29057.html

They have made there way over here. Be alert, a factory immobiliser isn't that much of a problem these days. Always use a big dirty chain, puts the TWOCers on the back foot but they are not fool proof.
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