How To Secure Your Motorcycle

Did you know that around 9,000 motorcycles were stolen in London last year?* It highlights how crucial it is to properly secure your bike. Whether you park on the street or in your garage, using the right lock for your situation can make all the difference. In this post, we’ll dive into some practical tips for securing your motorcycle and recommend some of the best locks to keep your ride safe.

Here are the topics covered in this blog post:

• Types of Motorcycle Locks
• Top Tips to Secure Your Motorbike
• Suggested Locks for Your Motorcycle

Types of Motorcycle Locks

The type of lock you choose depends on where you’re parking and type of bike. Whether it’s outside for a short trip, overnight on the street, or locked away in a garage, your bike is always at risk of theft.

To reduce this risk, consider using heavy-duty locks. Here are three common types to secure your motorbike:

Disc Lock: This lock attaches to your bike’s disc brake, preventing the wheels from moving and making it harder for thieves to ride off. It’s a popular choice for quick stops.

Chain: Thieves often break a bike’s steering lock and simply wheel it away. A sturdy chain lock wrapped around the rear wheel and a fixed object (like a lamp post) is an excellent deterrent. Always go for high-security options, such as those rated Sold Secure Gold or higher.

D Lock: D locks are compact and easier to carry than chain locks while still allowing you to secure your wheel. However, due to its smaller locking size compared to chains, make sure to measure your wheel to ensure a proper fit.

D Locks and Loop Chains: You can get the best of both by combining a heavy duty D lock with a loop chain, to offer high security with greater reach and flexibility.

Anchor: Even if your bike is stored in a garage, it’s still at risk. We’d suggest using an anchor (fixed to the ground or wall) along with a strong lock, to prevent thieves from simply lifting your bike away.

For your peace of mind, it’s always wise to consider extra security for your motorbike. Here are a few tips to boost your bike’s protection:

Use a Secondary Lock: Any lock is better than no lock. But two locks are better than one, three locks are better than two. You get the idea. The aim with bike security is to make life harder for the bike thieves.

Insurance: Should the worst happen, you’ll want to make sure your bike is properly insured. It’s also worth noting that most insurance companies will usually require you to use a bike lock of a certain rating (i.e. Sold Secure Powered Cycle Gold).

Make Your Bike Less Visible: something as simple as a bike cover can make your bike less visible and less attractive to potential thieves.

Top Tips to Secure Your Motorbike

1. Secure your bike’s wheel

When using a D lock, it is best practice to position the lock around the wheel, to make it harder for the thief to remove. Wheel spokes can be easily cut through. The DX1000 will fit around most motorcycle front wheels, and even some rear wheels.

2. Lock to a fixed point

Where possible, but particularly at home, try to secure your bike to a fixed point or secure anchor. This will stop the thieves from simply lifting the bike away.

3. Choose high quality locks

We’d always recommend using security that is rated Sold Secure Powered Cycle Gold or higher. These locks are built to withstand some of the toughest attacks and reduce your chances of your bike being stolen.

4. Don’t forget accessories

Some accessories can be attractive targets for thieves, so make sure you lock them down when left unattended. A lightweight helmet lock, such as Z LOK COMBO, is easy to carry with you, and will deter any opportunist thieves out there.

Suggested Locks for Your Motorcycle

Choosing the right lock is key to keeping your motorbike safe. Here are some solid options to consider:

DXXL: The DXXL features a heavy-duty D Lock (DX) and a loop-end chain (XL). It’s built to handle serious attempts at theft and comes with a Sold Secure Powered Cycle Gold rating. With a 14mm thickness and a long reach from the XL chain, you can rest assured your bike is secure.

DX1000: DX1000 offers the best defence against angle grinder attacks, and is rated Sold Secure Powered Cycle Diamond. It’s large locking dimensions make it ideal for your motorbike, whilst its portability gives you an option to secure your motorbike both at home and on the go. Pair with AX1000 to get the ultimate home security set up.

Z LOK COMBO: Securing your bike is one thing, but accessories are also valuable and attractive items to thieves. The Z LOK or Z LOK COMBO is a small and robust lock that you can use to secure your helmet to your bike, while it’s left unattended.

Depending on your needs, these bundles offer multiple locks with great savings and some home security options:

D1000 + MEGA CHAIN: If you’re looking for top-tier security for your motorbike, this set has you covered. The D1000 is the first anti-angle grinder D Lock on the market, and the MEGA CHAIN is a hefty 22mm thick loop chain, making it one of the the toughest chains on the market. This setup is great for valuable bikes, especially in higher-risk areas.

HOME PROTECT DIAMOND: Featuring the DXXL and ANKR, this combo is rated Sold Secure Powered Cycle Gold, ensuring solid protection for your bike at home and on the move. The XL chain gives you a locking length of 1m.

1000 SERIES ULTIMATE BUNDLE: Offering the ultimate level of security for your pride and joy, this option includes the anti-angle grinder 1000 Series D lock and the world’s first anti-angle grinder anchor system. Perfect for security at home and on the move.

For more motorcycle lock suggestions check out our blog post: ‘Which is the best motorcycle lock’

*Source: https://www.met.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/keeping-vehicles-safe/theft-motorcycles-scooters/