How to Choose a Lock to Keep Your Motorcycle Safe

How to Choose a Lock to Keep Your Motorcycle Safe
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Using any type of lock on any budget, even the cheapest lock, will significantly reduce the risk of your bike being stolen. Don't be misled by information on social media, while any crime is a serious concern, the most important thing you should do is to have fun with your motorcycle or scooter. Our data shows that using a disc lock can significantly reduce the chance of a bike being stolen - three times more effective than a regular lock. And high-quality chain locks can even make bikes more difficult to steal than cars. As with any crime, be vigilant and take a few simple precautions, then you can enjoy your ride without worrying too much.

​Current Situation of Motorcycle Crime

How bad is motorcycle crime in the UK? Electric two-wheelers have a high incidence of crime, of which London is undoubtedly the biggest crime hotspot. But figures show that 70 per cent of bikes are not locked at all, which is why the Metropolitan Police are strongly urging cyclists to lock their motorcycles and scooters.

​Scooters are an economical, efficient, fun and socially distancing ideal commute, but with a fraction of the price of a train ticket, locking up when parking can seem a bit of a "hassle" for many.

​But someone will ask, is it not enough that my bike or scooter has a steering lock? The answer is not enough. The steering lock is very easy to break - a thief may only have to kick and the lock will break. A common tactic, especially in busy cities, is to break the steering lock and then push the motorcycle or scooter away, often using another stolen scooter. We have found that stolen bikes are sometimes hidden as little as 60 meters away from where they were stolen, where thieves wait to see if a tracker is installed.

​The Role and Challenge of the Police

Shouldn't the police do something about bicycle crime? It should, but it could take years for the findings and intelligence gathered to be made public. For example, a theft made famous by social media is still circulating, but few people know that the criminal gang behind it ended up with a 12-year prison sentence.

​Statistically, the likelihood of you becoming a victim of theft is relatively low, but as with anything, theft can still happen. Put security measures in place on your bike to make it a harder target; To dissuade potential thieves. You may hear someone say "if they really want it, they'll always get it," and there's some truth to that, although thieves tend to look for the easiest targets first.

​If you're unlucky enough to have your bike stolen, you can't always expect the police to be able to show up quickly and look for fingerprints at the scene. Apart from the fact that this is an expensive process for already resource-stretched public services, the scene of a motorcycle theft is usually broken up very quickly. Unless the culprit accidentally left fingerprints during the crime, they may have just walked by and touched the bike before it was stolen.
​But you can expect the police to have a handle on exactly when and where the crime took place, because it is this gathering of intelligence that could ultimately lead to the conviction of the offender.

​Insurance and Security Measures

I pay enough for my insurance, why should I spend extra money on locks? If you ride on the road legally, you should at least have third-party liability insurance. For example, if you sit in the back seat of a car, then the other party should be able to get compensation accordingly. But even with this insurance against the possibility of theft, you should still try to avoid it, right?

​While theft insurance can help cover your losses in the worst case scenario, it's not something anyone wants to go through. So simply taking a few extra safety measures - such as investing in the best disc lock, which can cost as little as £40 - can greatly reduce your likelihood of suffering that kind of heartache.

​Why can't all locks be certified on the insurance list? If you're taking steps to protect your bike, you might expect your insurance policy to offer some discounts, but it's not that simple.

​The first problem is that not all security devices can be found in the lists displayed on insurance brokers and price comparison websites. The problem is that this list can take a long time to update, so some certified devices may not always appear on all insurance brokers and price comparison websites.
​If you can't find the lock you're using in the list of security devices, you may see an option like "unknown mechanical device," which may be helpful when buying insurance. If you have any questions, check with your insurance provider. But whether you're using a designated security device or an unknown device, it's hard to say what kind of discount they'll generate on an insurance policy because there are so many variables that can affect the price of an insurance policy.

​In some cases, the use of secondary safety devices may be the only way some insurance companies quote for a particular rider and its circumstances, while in other cases it may make no difference at all.

​The Best Choice of Safety Equipment

What kind of motorcycle chain, lock and disc lock is the best? There are plenty of "recommendations" online, especially on YouTube, but be sure to check the source of the information. Did the host perform proper destructive testing on the product, or did he like the look of the product just because he received it? Do they know how to properly attack a lock, or do they just gently scrape it with a thick millstone to create a ten-minute spark? Did the presenter use affiliate links or take rebates from the manufacturer? Or are they representing a store that has its own agenda when it comes to promoting products it wants to sell well?

​Everyone's opinion is valuable, but when it comes to your bike safety, it comes down to proper testing results.

​When buying any motorcycle safety equipment, look for the safety rating at the time of sale. Manufacturers submit their products to a testing facility in Warwickshire, where they are rated on their ability to resist attacks.

​Which lock is best for a scooter or moped? Since you may have quite a bit of space under the seat of your scooter or moped, I highly recommend purchasing a portable chain. The brake discs of scooters are smaller, so the disc locks designed for them have thinner locking pins and are more likely to be broken. As a result, they tend to perform poorly in our reviews. So use chains and locks for more protection, and if possible, carry a lock cover with you - you'll find it very effective in dissuading thieves.

​We constantly update our tests and always add new products, so please check the website regularly for recommended motorcycle and scooter safety products.

Sum up

The choice of the best chain and lock, the best disc lock, or the best ground anchor and other safety equipment will depend on your specific situation, such as the type of bike you have, where you live, where your bike is stored, and what you are able to take with you when you go out. Therefore, I recommend that you read reviews carefully to understand what best suits your needs and find the best value for money option.