Security when touring

[esullivan]

I'm lax on security when commuting from home to work, because if the worse happens, I'm a tube ride from home. (And I make it a life rule never to own anything I would be gutted about losing...) I do use a heavy Almax chain connected to a thick sewer pipe while parked overnight at home. At work, I just lock the steering, and the bike has an immobilizer.

However, I'm going off to Scotland for 10 days, starting on Thursday. If the bike gets stolen, it's a bit more problematic since I'm not a tube ride from home (I'd guess I'd rent a car or something...), so I'm considering my options.

The Almax is way too heavy to bring with me and would only be worth all that weight if there were something to connect it to, which is not at all guaranteed at the various bed & breakfast places we'll be staying. I'm considering a disc lock, but don't want the uncertainty of an alarmed one (discovering that butterfly wings set it off). I'm also wondering if such a lock would be as useless as my Almax if you can just pick up the bike?

Should I worry? I didn't bring any extra security during last year's tour (and I had the same non-thief-magnet bike), but that was entirely out in the boonies in Yorkshire and the Lake District. This trip involves some overnight stays in York and Edinburgh. Can anyone recommend me something that I can get via Amazon or something before Thursday?
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Current: '14 VFR800X Test passed 31/10/12.
Previous: '12 NC700S, '11 CBF 125, '04 SH 125.

[Northern Monkey]

I'd take a 10 or 11mm x 1.5m chain. Sure you can cut through it with bolt croppers, but it means an opertunist walking about cant pick it up and do a runner

[Bendy]

It seems you're more worried about how to get home than actual theft. Scotland does have public transport so I really wouldn't worry.

[esullivan]

[Monkeypony]

A simple disc lock will deter the casual "grab it and run down the high street" thief.

I generally don't bother with anything more when touring, as the nature of it means by the time someone has clocked the bike and organised cutters, a van to load it into and someone to help load it, you'll be on your way and not returning.
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Current bike - 2018 H2-SX, 2004 SV1000s, 2016 Aprilia RSV4 RF, 2017 Sherco SERF 300, 2003 Suzuki DRZ400 (stolen - AY53 JUU)

[esullivan]

[chickenstrip]

Think I'd put a cheaper, lighter chain and lock on it, maybe a small disc lock too. And you can get some cheap, very lightweight bike covers that pack down pretty small too, helps as a deterrent a bit, as they won't know what bike it is if they're just passing by.

[Bendy]

I'm with Monkeypony on this one. Chances are so slim that I wouldn't bother. Too many planets need to align.

Last time I was travelling I watched the group of various 600s spend literally 10 minutes locking, covering and generally faffing around securing their bikes in the CCTV-covered parking space right outside the 24/7 manned reception. Life is too short for all that on your holidays.

[pepperami]

In my limited amout of tours and trips I have taken , I have only ever used the steering lock and a disc lock.
Luckily I have never had a bike stolen that has been locked with the steering and a disc lock.

Disc locks take seconds to put on and the steering lock is part of the ignition lock.


I think that if the baddies want your bike, they WILL get it
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[Mark 37]

I'd suggest a bright yellow disk lock in partnership with a 5mm flashing blue LED on a 1.5v pencil battery. Who would know its not alarmed until they try steal it.
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No matter how fast light travels, darkness was always their first.

[FrankGill]

I just take a disk lock, I've never really had or heard of any of mates having any problems especially if you are staying in more rural areas. When I.ve toured in France again when visiting smaller towns and villages it's not un common to see bikes parked up complete with camping gear and riding kit left unsecured.

[Moo.]

Last week i popped into halfords and noticed they had the Squire ML2L Disk Locks on sale for a tenner, down from.. £25ish? So i bought another

I bought one a few years back for around £40 and its been the best lock i've had. Its one of the highest security ratings on their scale of 1 to 16, its 15 (probably means shite all..)

But the U-bar piece looks around 15mm thick (has thick rubber over it), which is pretty hard to crop, and can be placed in a difficult space on the rear disk where it would be hard to get a cutter at it.

Double locks on both sides of the U bar and has a nice meaty reassuring key that doubles up as a nice knuckle weapon in a back street brawl.
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A2 Passed 18/6/10

[defblade]

If you're going with another biker, lock the bikes together with a fairly short chain. each bike becomes a ground anchor for the other. Disc locks on the front and that's pretty much it.

I do quite like the look of the griplock. Again, not going to stop your bike being lifted, but visible security that doesn't involve brake dust on your hands (and maybe not commonly seen enough for average gits to know how to get it off).
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Honda Varadero 125cc => Suzuki Bandit 650 33bhp => 77bhp =>
BMW K1200R Sport 163bhp => Aprilia Shiver GT 750 95bhp

[MacZurbi]

We already have been with our bikes on tours in Austria,Slovakia, Poland, Hungary and in France for example. We parked normally nearby the accomodation, sometimes on normal public parking areas or on monitored or locked parking spaces.
For my own bike I only got and used a steering lock, nothing more - until now
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Greetings from Zurich/Switzerland
Enjoy your life - it is always to short
Actual bike: BMW R1200 GS Liquid cooled

[delsol]

[esullivan]

In the end, I've gone with the griplock. It's super easy to put on, impossible to forget and ride away, and it's a *visual* signal for the passerby/opportunist. The immobiliser on the Honda's apparently is good, as is the steering lock (better than on a 125cc anyway), but the griplock is something that you can see from a distance. It'll be useful on my commute to London, too, so probably worth a try.
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Current: '14 VFR800X Test passed 31/10/12.
Previous: '12 NC700S, '11 CBF 125, '04 SH 125.

[Casper]

Imaging thinking we will nick your bike. Come round my area I will nick your lock ya cheeky git

Enjoy your trip. Shit weather here tomorrow but its to be dry Friday with the sun back for the weekend

[stinkwheel]

I bet you're more likely to loose your ignition key than have your bike stolen if you leave it in the ignition where it's easy to find.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Casper]

[Nexus Icon]

[J biker]

Been through France, Holland, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Scotland without extra security.
I consider it worthless unless it is super heavy duty and the bike can be chained to something ''solid''.
I am careful where the bike is parked over night though

[Lone-Wolf]

[Rizzix]

[Hamish Healys]

I’d go with a chain lock. By the way, could you be overly concerned.?

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