Parking by Bond Street & security advice

[Jefr0]

Hi all

What’s parking like around Bond Street?

I’m using a Honda CB125F 2018. Should I stick with this or buy a different bike?

I can only find a few road bays with nothing to chain a bike to. The price of a annual train ticket is ridiculous so I want to commute again. Is it relatively safe?

I’m looking to spend good money on security. From what I’ve read on here, it’s Alma’s or Pragmasis. I’ve also got to think of carrying it.

So I need:

Practical chain, pragmasis 13mm? What length?

Squire padlock? Which one to work with it?

Disc lock but one that will actually fit on my bike. My 2 I have don’t fit
Tail pack to carry both the chain and disc lock which will hold up the weight and also fit to the bike well. Kreiga? Would be good to keep a set of waterproofs in. If it can be attached the bike so it doesn’t clip off that will be helpful.

Any advice would be great please!
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Rides: Honda XR 125 ('03) Honda CBR 600F ('91), Ducati 916 Biposto ('95)

[hellkat]

When I worked up at 118 Piccadilly there was a fair few bays with locks up round the back of there, like off the top of Curzon. Bit of a trot down to Bond, but there always seemed to be an empty one when I needed it.

Otherwise, go underground I guess, is it more expensive than a train season ticket to park under Park Lane or Cavendish Square?
I think there's a bit down under in St James somewhere, too, under the hotel (American Bar)?
Its been a while since I was working in that manor, to be fair.

Can't comment on locks and chains.
Nothing's "safe" in Mayfair. Or in London in general, as you are probably aware. It's a bit of a lottery really.
Covering it over slows them down or puts them off, mine usually have a hand-brake lock as well these days, just to slow them down, but if they want it, they want it.

Bike safety in London is really just an illusion.
Your bike is as safe as the next, until it isn't.
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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[droog]

There is dedicated bike parking in Brewer street NCP Soho - I used to park there when I was working in the area.

Q-Park do free parking for bikes and have sites in Soho and Leicester Square.

[Ste]

I'd go for something bigger than 13mm so that it can't be bolt cropped by hand. They're not cheap so consider it an investment.

Park next to a more desirable bike that's got worse security than your bike has.

Almax sell all their chains with the Squire SS65CS lock so I'd say that's the one to go for.

You're never going to be able to stop someone from cutting a chain using an angle grinder or they could always jump you after you've unchained your bike and put the key in the ignition as well. As long as the chain is big enough that it can't be cropped with bolt cutters then you'll be stopping at least some thieves.

[NJD]

[Robby]

Theft from bays or NCP car parks isn't as common as you may think. Often CCTV and witnesses, so the thieves need to be brazen and quick - or the bike needs to be desirable.

A chain is good if you have something to chain the bike to, and you can be bothered to lug it around and use it. For the cost of a really good chain and padlock you can buy a disc lock and tracker. It is better to have several weaker security devices than one good one, because it needs more tools and techniques to get around them. Anyone with an angle grinder can get through a chain, getting through a disc lock is an entirely different proposition.

Don't spend more than the value of your insurance excess on security. Only use the security devices you can be bothered to fit.

Your bike is far more likely to get knocked over by someone else being clumsy than it is to get stolen.

[Jefr0]

Thanks for all the replies, can always rely on BCF!

@hellkat - Season ticket over £3k for train. Parking is free underground at Cavendish square (walked there today for a look) or parking in bays nearby is approx £150 a year.

Very true about security, London sucks.

@Droog - Thanks. I've taken a look at Q parks near Bond Street and can see a few dotted about, I imagine might be first come first serve.

@Ste - Thanks for the advice. There's not really a right answer is there. I was mugged for my bike in Greenwich 13 years ago, they waited till I removed all my security.

By the way, can you link me to the vid of your avatar, used to crack me up

@NJD - Strong advice, thank you. RE the chains, I didn't realise there was so much choice! I only have a front disk, rear is drum.

Thanks for your advice on the bags. Ive never actually used a tail bag so I appreciate what you've mentioned as it'll come in handy!

@Robby - I didn't actually know how secure they were or not, after visiting one today (underground) it would take a braver thief to take it on (not ruling theft out)

I'll be using a few devices I think, as you say, to make it more time consuming to nick. Hopefully doesn't get knocked over, that'd be depressing to come back to!

Trains/tubes seem to be getting busier lately so looking to go in on the bike ASAP!
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Rides: Honda XR 125 ('03) Honda CBR 600F ('91), Ducati 916 Biposto ('95)

[hellkat]

I've learnt something.

Pleased to know Q park let bikes park for free.
Nice one!
____________________
Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[droog]

[Ste]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6L1d7PbILw

[Robby]

Also worth mentioning having a disc lock bracket. I made up a bracket for my bike to hold my disc lock so I always have it with me, and don't have to rummage in a bag for it, or put it in my pocket (really bad idea if you crash).

I am lazy. I won't remember to pack my lock every day, or bother, so I make sure it's always on the bike.

[ThunderGuts]

On luggage, I've got a US-20 and it's brilliant. Used it to cart around my 14mm 1.5m chain and lock/disclock. Could take a 16mm. Advantage of a tailpack is as long as the loops are solid, you can strap heavy stuff to the pillion seat as it's designed to take that weight. Strapped down well it'll also stay solid with the bike so won't noticeably affect handling either (unlike a chain sliding about in a topbox). I also have a smaller US-05 which I use to keep a disclock and spare gloves in on winter rides out (cafe stops etc. where a disclock is adequate); if I want to carry more, the Kriega system means you can easily attach the different packs to each other.

If you go with Kriega, worth taking the seat off and properly attaching the loops to the frame. They're unobtrusive when not needed but a proper fixing place will make all the difference when you do need them. I had a piece of old camping mat (the karrimat type foam stuff) in mine to stop the chain leaving dents in the seat.
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TG.

[droog]

Regarding carrying a chain - I bought a renntec rear rack for my cbr - perfect for looping a heavy chain through plus a couple fo bungees to stop it moving about.

[ThunderGuts]

[droog]

[Pete.]