Modern Buddy

[Edit: This was also posted on Modern Vespa]

Okay, so I'm in the process of getting a Piaggio BV 250 (2010 model). Now I'm thinking about security for the scooter. The scooter weighs about 330lbs (dry) so I'm thinking maybe it's going to weigh around 360lbs wet??? Not sure.

A couple of things I'm wondering about:

1. According to my dealer, this is a heavy enough scooter that this won't usually be a target for one of those lift and steal operations. Is that true? Is it not so necessary to secure my scooter to like a tree or something immovable?

2. Cable lock, or chain, or cable with a small U-Lock? Which is more secured? My dealer says cable lock. However, in my research on the Kryptonite site, all their cable locks are listed for low to moderate crime areas whereas their New York Forgettaboutit series uses a chain and a very small U-Lock.

3. Disc lock, good idea? The advantages of the disc lock is that it makes the wheels immobilised. However, unlike cable or chain, it can't attach scooter to immovable object. But of course, if I needn't worry about someone (or some bodies) lifting the scooter and carting it away, then maybe the cable/chain not so necessary? Oh yes, and of course, anyone (or people) can lift an immobilised scooter onto some dolly and roll it away even when wheels are locked.

What are your thoughts on this?

My parking situation is I have to park in an exterior parking lot. That's the reality of living in a rented apartment.

Speaking as someone who has lived in apartment buildings in Phoenix, New York and Belfast, I have a bit of experience in remotely keeping a bike safe.

-ANY bike can be lifted, thrown on the back of a pickup and run off with in seconds. 330lbs is NOTHING for a bike thief. My brother has lifted a GTS250ie himself off the ground into the back of a pickup, and there are pro thieves much stronger than he is. Before I started chemo I was able to even get the scooter off the ground a foot or so and move it about off it's wheels. In fact snach-and-grabs are the most common ways all motorbikes are stolen. Bikes aren't "hot-wired", they're thrown in the back of a van or pickup.

-Bigger is better, and carbon steel is stronger than cable. Also, the fewer points of "purchase" on a lock the better. My suggestion is the "fahgettaboudit" lock:

http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... CHcQ8wIwBA

VERY heavy duty, 6 sided chain links and a sturdy lock with a shackle that is small enough to resist shoving a pry bar in it. Granted to an experienced thief this may only slow them down for 2 to 4 minutes, but that's far shorter than the 10 to 20 seconds it takes to get past a cable lock. In any case, bigger is better! Never skimp on security. Lock it to the biggest thing you can find as well.

-I've never used a Disc lock, but as light as this bike is, I honestly don't think it would do any extra good on top of a very heavy duty chain. I would say parking it in very open areas with good view from every point (so a thief is not concealed) and with the best view possible from your apartment is far better.

On my old GTS250ie, I had a LoJack device installed as well. Never had the need to use it, but the extra piece of mind was nice and it gave me an insurance discount Alarms are worthless: No one listens to them, especially in the ghetto where I'm at.

The only other bits I would suggest is a bike cover with a lock on it as well to secure it to the bike. What you cannot see cannot tempt you. If you have it covered up the thief is more likely going to move to a target he knows by sight and doesn't have an extra layer of work required to get it out of the way.

Auto theft is either by opportunity or by design. They either want to steal ANY bike because the target is just too easy to pass up, or they are looking for particular bikes to steal and have designs on getting as many of that type as possible. There are entire organized groups who often hit locations in Arizona looking for only Harleys, only scooters or only sportbikes because of many factors. Usually it's for parts because Harleys are worth more in pieces than as a whole and are easier to move. Scooters are often called "mopeds" in craigslist and sold without title to uneducated buyers looking for cheap wheels. And, they want to steal the bikes that take the least effort because time isn't just money, it's freedom! Don't waste time on a bike that takes effort to get off because there is sure to be some noob with a shiny hog who doesn't do a thing to lock up the bike and just leaves it in the open while they're in the grocery or at the bank.

So, a cover removes the ability to "scope" out the bike. And, by covering it and having a heavy chain on it shows a thief who's looking for a quick hit that this bike is not worth the time it's going to take to crack it free with basic hand tools.

Hey neotrotsky, thanks for the great advice!

I've been eyeing that Forgettaboutit New York Chain for a long time. But there something I can't figure out. That chain doesn't seem like it's long enough to both wrap around the scooter AND lock to something immovable! That chain is short, isn't it?

My idea with a chain would be to wrap the chain around the front wheel and the front part of the frame (where the glove compartment is) and then get the rest of the chain around something like a tree or a post. But it just doesn't look like it's long enough?

Am I not seeing something or doing something wrong?

And oh yes. I'm getting a scooter cover, definitely. Not only for security purposes, but to protect from the elements.

xena has (mine came with) a cable and cable adapter. The cable isn't too thick. I bet it could be cut easily BUT if they do, that alarm is going t o scream. I'm a fan of the xena.

teabow1 wrote:Hey neotrotsky, thanks for the great advice!

I've been eyeing that Forgettaboutit New York Chain for a long time. But there something I can't figure out. That chain doesn't seem like it's long enough to both wrap around the scooter AND lock to something immovable! That chain is short, isn't it?

My idea with a chain would be to wrap the chain around the front wheel and the front part of the frame (where the glove compartment is) and then get the rest of the chain around something like a tree or a post. But it just doesn't look like it's long enough?

Am I not seeing something or doing something wrong?

And oh yes. I'm getting a scooter cover, definitely. Not only for security purposes, but to protect from the elements.

The Chain is 3 feet... there also is a 5 foot length available, which is the one I have. On my P200e, it's long enough to wrap around the entire footdeck and then to a pole that holds up the parking awning. Wrap that chain around a lamp post and the footdeck and that scooter becomes much harder to steal. But be warned: it's heavy! Good fit for under the helmet storage on a modern scooter, but it takes up a ton of room in my glovebox. Well worth it. Just make sure to not chain it to something by only the rim, since a wheel can be removed quicker than cutting a chain and some thieves may take that route.

Maybe a U-lock (combination lock, not the keyed one) and a fugetabout it chain?

michelle_7728 wrote:Maybe a U-lock (combination lock, not the keyed one) and a fugetabout it chain?

Nice picture. My Buddy 125 rim makes it hard to get my U-lock on the rim. You should also check if the middle of the chain is big enough for the U-lock can go through. I can't get much of a chain through the holes in the rim, and even security cable ends tend to be too large to fit through the rim holes.

I have had good luck with a chain or cable lock going through the center stand, and then chaining to something stationary like a light pole.

michelle_7728 wrote:Maybe a U-lock (combination lock, not the keyed one) and a fugetabout it chain?

Thanks for the sketch! I plan to get the Kryptonite noose, Xena disc lock, and likely a Bully chain to lock down the scooter overnight in the lot

Just want to point out that those kryptonite chains have a loop on the last link so you can lazo the chain around a stationary object, then run the other end to the scoot and use the ulock to secure it to your bike. I either depress the foot brake and put the lock through it under the floorboard or I pass the ulock through my front fork.