UK insurance approved alarm with proximity sensor

[david h]

Hi everyone, first post here. Just got my self my first big boys bike. i want to get it alarmed. i would really like to get an alarm with a proximity sensor, so potential thieves get some low level audible warning that the bike is clearly alarmed before they even touch it.

I have found ones in America like the Scorpio SR I900 but from what i have googled i don't think they have any standing with UK insurers.

If anybody knows of any UK alarms with proximity warnings that would be great.

Any advise would be great

Cheers

[anthony_r6]

Personally, I'd prefer them not to know the alarm was there until they touched it. Otherwise they could find a way for that alarm to become irrelevant.
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[weasley]

What's wrong with a blinking LED or a sticker?
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[G]

If this is for use in a public place it's an ideal way to get people to DEFINITELY ignore your alarm - any one around will get used to it going off any time anyone goes near.

Personally I really want an alarm system to alert ME if it detects an issue and not have too many false positives.

An alarm system that goes off regularly will alert potential thieves to what they need to do to disable it, or have it in the back of a van quickly etc.

[arry]

My GPZ had a Datatool S3 which had the proximity beeps. It just peeved people - stick it in the corner of the car park and whenever anyone goes to drive out it would bleep like nuts at them.

My Sprint came fitted with the Datatool S4 which didn't bleep. That was nice. Then it burnt out, bleeped a lot, set the indicators flashing, powered the bike down and immobilised the ignition circuit. That wasn't nice....

[iooi]

[Wonko The Sane]

personally, alarms are a waste of time and a pain in the arse
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[arry]

[david h]

Wow, thank you for all the replies guys, everything you've said makes perfect sence, I've been looking at the alarm from compleatly the wrong perspective, it probably is best for them not to know about the alarm until it's going off at the right point, and like you all say the constant beeping in a busy area will not only drain battery but also make people numb to the noise.
Thanks again for the great advice.
I suppose the next question would be what is the best alarm for £200-£300 and any thoughts on the trackable ones?

[smithyithy]

I'd prefer a tracker over a traditional alarm, but if you're getting one, proximity sensors are more hassle than they're worth, as mentioned they'll just annoy people and nobody will take much notice.

You're better off with one with a tilt sensor, so it makes warning sounds when the bike is moved slightly eg. if someone tries to turn the bars or stand it up.

[gavbriggs]

It's not been invented yet but if they had a lock on the stand it would make an excellent anti theft device and probably cheap to develop.

Something like the seat catch maybe. Even just somewhere to put a padlock. It's not like you would forget as most bikes these days have a side stand interlock so you wouldn't go anywhere until you disabled the side stand lock but it would be better on a main stand.

Probably not so convenient for short stay stuff like popping in the shop but overnight locking would be a benefit. If you did manage to wheel the bike away it'd be a twat to try and ride. Just a thought.

[G]

Not nearly as effective as a disc lock for a side stand as you COULD roll it away and get it to a side ally to kick/cut/etc.

Actually, on that. Would be seconds with a decent battery angle grinder to cut it, quite likely do it with bolt croppers too.

[gavbriggs]

[lukamon]

not a bad idea. I'm picturing a frame bracket that lines up with a hole in the main stand / sturdy piece welded to the stand that you then put a short pin uncroppable disc lock through.

hell, why has no-one done this before?
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[G]

The main stand locked gives them the same issues as a disc lock or steering lock - they need two people to lift one end up to wheel it away.

A sidestand lock without a steering lock means they could just wheel it away.

I don't really see what a side stand lock would do that a steering lock doesn't already.

[-Matt-]

If you're after a general alarm [all theyre good for IMO], these are fairly good in a lot of peoples opinions, and very reasonably priced [believe a few people have had electronic problems with them though]. I've used these about 7 years on all my bikes without any problems

www.motorbikealarm.co.uk/shop/ncs-v2-motorbike-alarm-and-immobiliser-system/

Nothing fancy and not recognised by a fair few insurers [not that it usually makes a difference if you mention alarms anyway], but as loud as it needs to be and serves its purpose as a general alarm if the bikes disturbed.

Battery drain is fairly minimal although if you're leaving it on over winter, especially outdoors and aren't using the bike for a couple of weeks it might be best to give the battery a little charge at some point.

[BrownTrousers]

Have you considered an alarmed disc lock or alarmed padlock for your chain?

I would guess Cheaper than wiring in an alarm and no risk of draining battery. Also can be used on more than one bike or switched over easily if you sell and even if the alarm stops working one day, its still somewhat useful as a lock.
Most wouldn't have proximity beeping but would be covered in warning stickers and are bloody loud.

As ever, nothing will stop a determined professional but depending on the value of your bike vs insurance costs and money available to buy an alarm, might be worth considering as an option.
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[defblade]

[waffles]

[TheCatSatOnTh...]

My ex had a Biketrac on her bike. Worked fantastically, I found piece of mind about the 'rider down' feature which alerts you if the bike is dropped. It was also quite neat to review your journey occasionally too. Her bike was stolen and most of it was recovered just over 24 hours later, partly stripped for parts though.

Downside of the system is as soon as it's reported stolen, you cannot track it any more, so the police have to recover it. More outlay Personally I'd rather save the initial outlay and put the money into a big chain.