Lock It Up (Or Else...)

There are a few options for securing your bike but as usual, the more protection you have the better. We've listed a few options you might like to consider for your bike.

1) Alarm/Immobiliser

You'll often find that this is a requirement for insurance, especially for more expensive bikes. We strongly advise that you have at least an immobiliser fitted which will hopefully prevent someone from just riding your bike away. It's also a very good idea to have an alarm fitted as well, although most people don't pay attention to them, you'll at least be aware if someone is trying to take it from outside your house.

2) Disk Locks

These can be one of the best investments after an alarm immobiliser because they prevent your bike from being rolled away. They are similar in appearance to a standard padlock but go through the holes in your brake disk. This prevents the wheel from rotating and are therefore a must if your bike doesn't have an alarm or immobiliser.

It's VERY important that you get a disklock reminder and USE IT. This is a small luminous keyring that you attach to your handlebars to remind you that it is on. Believe us, if you try to ride off with your disk lock still attached you will be very, very sorry.

3) Chain

You can buy heavy duty bike chains from most good motorbike shops and this will usually deter any casual thieves or joyriders. They work on the same principle as a normal bicycle chain. Many car parks now provide bars sunk into the ground for you to tie your bike to, if they're there make sure that you use them as some professional thieves actually just lift your whole bike with a crane if it's not held down.

4) Garage

This is by far the most effective security because if the criminals can't see your bike it's far less likely to be targeted. If you don't have a garage, you can now buy housings that will hold your bike and are the next best thing. The only downside to these things is that you still need somewhere to put them. Many insurers are now starting to recognise these housings as a garage so it might be worth exploring how much they can reduce your policy by.

At the end of the day, the best defense is to have layered security, the more you have the longer it's going to take a thief to steal your bike. We would definitely recommend a combination of electronic and physical deterrents.