Which security device(s)

[tiger blue]

I'm about to buy my first bike, and I'm after some advice as to what the best option would be in terms of security. The bike (a 125) will be garaged at home and in a secure underground car park at work; 90% of journeys will be commuting.

When I've run some insurance quotes there's been a bewildering array of options in terms of specifying security devices. Is there a consensus on which products are the best value? Do I need a disc lock and a padlock/chain? Something else instead? What to insurers rate most? Which brands are highly regarded?

[anthony_r6]

Almax chains have the best reputation. You're obviously going to want to chain it to something secure in the garage - so a ground anchor might need to be installed.

I wouldn't declare any security if you're not going to use it religiously, because it'll likely be the day you don't use it that it's taken. When I ran through my quotes, there wasn't a massive difference in cost between declaring and not.

A cheap alarm might be worth it, too.
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Dougal : "Jack scared of fighting? I don't think so, Ted."

[Ben90]

General consensus is to only declare what you will absolutely use every time you leave the bike, for most that's a disc lock.

My first premium came back 8p more expensive with no security declared. Worth every penny.

Disc locks are only visual deterrents at best, as a thief determined enough to get your bike will throw it in a van rather than attacking the disc lock anyway. It should stop most opportunists though.

A 16/19mm super case-hardened chain al la Almax/Pragmasis/Squire will be your best bet, locked with either a Squire SS50 or SS65 or PJB unstoppable disc lock (as the name implies, can also be a disc lock = £ saved)
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Yamaha FZ6 S2

[tiger blue]

Cheers. I'll have a look at Almax/Squire/Pragmasis. A ground anchor is possible, but I'm guessing they're not particularly easy to install? I could alarm the garage pretty easily, and my bedroom is directly above it, so I'm not too concerned. Besides which, I live on a very quiet close and my neighbour has a lovely new Norton that he parks in plain sight...

[Rogerborg]

Ah, good. For you, that is.

I'd be a bit ORLY? about the "security" of the car park. Don't get complacent.

When I put an Almax and Squire on the proposal for my Nazi Tractor, the cheapest quote went up by 1/3rd. Yes, up. Do not try and apply logic to insurance.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[tiger blue]

I'll run some quotes with and without security to see how it fares. As for the car park, it's underground, secured by swipe card access, CCTV and has fairly constant vehicle movement past the motorbike bays. That, and due to the nature of my work, means any would-be thief would have to be high or insane to try and nick anything, plus my colleagues are extremely vigilant for randoms walking around.

[tiger blue]

What's the consensus on these? Too tricky to conceal properly?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-GPS-Tracker-Magnetic-Car-Vehicle-Spy-Mini-Personal-Tracking-Device-TK102-/111201679112?hash=item19e422f708:g:5ngAAOSwNSxVQmry

[dannymassive]

[MCN]

+1 for an ALMAX system. I can recommend Pragmasis too.

Ground Anchors are not difficult to install and a girl could do it.

No one explained but if you declare the lock in return for a 10% discount and the beast is nicked you will have to explain how they got through your security device. If it is found that you didn't use the additional security your claim may be affected and only a partial payment offered.

It's a bit like your bike being nicked at a place not registered as where it is 'kept'.

Funny that there is no such concern for cars.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[J.M.]

Run quotes both with and without security devices attached.

My quote for the R1 was exactly the same with and without my 19mm Almax specified as being used.

So as far as my insurance is concerned, they don't know I have a chain. I use the chain 99% of the time, but this was I can't get shafted if it gets stolen the 1% of the time I don't use it.
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[NJD]

Last year and my first year when I phoned MCE to declare I had more than one security device they said it didn't mean any further discount and that they'd add it on to the notes *cough*. So, don't go overboard for saving money in the future but more for piece of mind.

Also a year on getting dummy quotes for renewal and security makes 0% difference in cost, seems the one years no claim has taken up all if any discount possible.

On the subject of almax I said I wanted to get one but have been put off by how heavy people say they are and how there's a reason not everyone commutes with them, would a 16mm 1.5m be to heavy to put in a backpack and use daily?

edit: is almax more a stay at home chain if so what's an upgraded decent portable chain?

[MCN]

https://securityforbikes.com/security-chains.php#MobileAndBicycle

The deal is anything under 16mm can be cropped easily.

Maybe you saw this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozppzywsLsk

Those are/were all 'sold secure gold' and or Thatchams approved Made of Pasta.

There is not much to thwart the dedicated t-leef but the opportunist can be put off more easily.
A lighter chain may be OK for a temporary measure.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[J.M.]

Wouldn't put one in a backpack... But my 19mm 1.5m Almax (around 10kg) sits in a tailpack on my pillion seat. Barely notice that it's there - when I notice it's because I didn't attach it very well and it slides forward a little. But no big issue.

Carrying my Almax is of no concern to me for my commute. Only awkward if I want to take a passenger.

That said, I have carried the Almax in my backpack when I took the missus out a few times. I wouldn't advise it.
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[Musketeer]

In my case the insurance is 5 quid or so cheaper with Almax per year than without. So the only security I declare is a disc lock (easy do carry everywhere).

At home I use Almax chains with Sqiure and Abloy padlocks, ground anchors and additional disc locks (Xena, Oxford).
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Current Bike: Yamaha XSR900 Previous bikes: Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade, Kawasaki ZX-6R Ninja, Aprilia RS125 2-stroke

[MCN]

Don't carry a chain on your person. In an off it will cut your nuts off or worse.
Some chains are supplied with a strap-on case like a tail pack. They do tend to disintegrate with constant abuse though.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[FlightRisk]

[Joncrete Cungle]

Declare nothing, use something. Put Almax / Pragmasis chain and padlock in a backpack and strap it to the pillion seat.

[Northern Monkey]

I'd leave a chain at work (almax 16mm) left locked to a post or similar, then have a second one for at home.

If the garage is fairly secure and attached to the house, I would use cheap 13mm lifting chain, if its less secure or seperate from the house, it would be 16mm almax. You need a ground anchor in your garage
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