On Scooter Anti-theft devices

doscoot59 · Post by **doscoot59** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 12:18 pm

Spent some time reading posts on best locks to use for theft protection, and I don't understand what good a disc lock is?? Can't they just pick up the scooter and shove it into the back of a pickup with one of those locks on?

PeteH · Post by **PeteH** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 12:34 pm

Yes, if they're willing to pick up the dead weight. More of a deterrent the heavier the bike, obviously. An 800lb Harley vs. a 225lb Buddy....

It's more to slow down the rollaway would-be thieves - joyriders without trucks.

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 12:48 pm

Theft protection is about putting the necessary layers of inconvenience between your scooter and the thieves who would make off with it. Depending on the situation, you may need to make it virtually impossible for anyone without the resources of the US military to take it... or you just may need to make it a little inconvenient.

When I ran in to the post office to mail my tax return this morning, all I did was shut off the engine and take the key. When I parked my bike in the office parking lot, I also engaged the steering lock. When I park it overnight tonight on my porch, I'll also chain it to the porch. If I worked somewhere where the pickup scenario was more likely, I might add a brake lock to complicate stealing it a bit more. If I lived in an area with more theft, I'd probably add an alarm and cover it up when it's parked there. And so on.

You can never make it impossible for someone to steal your scooter. All you can do is try to make it more effort than it's worth to them, and you can do that by adding multiple levels of inconvenience. The odds of someone coming along and rolling my scooter away while I'm in the post office for half a minute are small enough that I take that risk. The odds of someone trying to lift it into a truck in broad daylight in an office parking lot are acceptably small. Someone taking the risk of cutting through my chain on a well-lit busy street is also unlikely. So I take just enough precautions (plus maybe a little extra) to keep that risk at an acceptable level for me.

miah · Post by **miah** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 1:50 pm

TVB wrote:Theft protection is about putting the necessary layers of inconvenience between your scooter and the thieves who would make off with it. Depending on the situation, you may need to make it virtually impossible for anyone without the resources of the US military to take it... or you just may need to make it a little inconvenient.

I couldn't concur more with this statement. Having had a bike stolen (Suzuki SV650) I can tell you that I could have saved myself a world of woe and pain with the simple use of a $30 disc brake lock. A sad fact is that most thieves are not complicated people with an agenda to get you; they either have addictions or some other similar problem that induces them to gank your stuff.

Will somebody still try to steal your scooter, probably. The disc lock keeps them from rolling it off though. If they really, really want your scooter they would bring a $30 pair of bolt cutters and just take it. Your goal is to keep the casual junkie from just walking off with it.

I like the disc lock as I can leave it in the pet carrier easily. I'm not a fan of lengthy chains and U-locks and any other contraptions. I've used U-locks and chains, and well, $30 worth of bolt cutters defeats both in about a minute.

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 2:11 pm

I got this "contraption" last week. Difficult to pick, links difficult to cut, impossible with commonly used bolt cutters as they are not bolts. But the "cuffs" can be cut clean through in around a minute with a power saw / grinder. Oh well, as said its a deterrent. If someone wants the scoot(s) they will have them. But for the opportunistic thief or joyriding kid, I think its a pass. I also use disc locks.

Also keep 'em covered from the tempted eyes of would be thieves.

Post by **ericalm** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 6:54 pm

You're right, they can just lift the scooter into a truck. This is how many get stolen, though they're often rolled or carried someplace dark and hidden first. I've also heard of scooters being placed on skateboards and rolled away.

This is why when people ask (which is often), I usuall recommend at least two layers of protection, usually a disc lock (preferably with an alarm, such as the Xena) and some sort of chain.

Basically, you want visual deterrents to prevent would-be thieves from even messing with the scoot and physical deterrents to make it harder to steal. Many types of locks offer both.

A disc lock on its own not only makes it impossible to roll the scooter but also presents a giant pain in the butt for thieves who want to resell the scooter whole. A "reminder" cable that goes from the disc to the handlebar helps with the visual (and keeps you from trying to ride off with the lock on, as many have done).

napohaku24 · Post by **napohaku24** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 8:08 pm

This is good info - i was wondering what steps i could take to help prevent theft. Has anybody had experience with the " Bully Alarm Lock?" I think that is what i am leaning towards, so id be interested in the experienced riders' opinions of it.

Also - has anybody purchased a helmet lock? i use a full face scorpion helmet and its too tall to fit under the seat...carrying it around is a pain, so im looking in to how i can secure it to the bike. Any suggestions?

PeteH · Post by **PeteH** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 3:17 am

Under your seat, up front near the hinge, you'll find two pins. The D-Rings on your helmet (assuming you have D-rings rather than quick-disconnects) can be put on a pin and the seat closed and locked. These pins also work well for hanging grocery bags.

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 4:36 am

TVB wrote:Theft protection is about putting the necessary layers of inconvenience between your scooter and the thieves who would make off with it. Depending on the situation, you may need to make it virtually impossible for anyone without the resources of the US military to take it... or you just may need to make it a little inconvenient.
...
You can never make it impossible for someone to steal your scooter. All you can do is try to make it more effort than it's worth to them, and you can do that by adding multiple levels of inconvenience. The odds of someone coming along and rolling my scooter away while I'm in the post office for half a minute are small enough that I take that risk. The odds of someone trying to lift it into a truck in broad daylight in an office parking lot are acceptably small. Someone taking the risk of cutting through my chain on a well-lit busy street is also unlikely. So I take just enough precautions (plus maybe a little extra) to keep that risk at an acceptable level for me.

Excellent points!

PeteH wrote:Under your seat, up front near the hinge, you'll find two pins. The D-Rings on your helmet (assuming you have D-rings rather than quick-disconnects) can be put on a pin and the seat closed and locked. These pins also work well for hanging grocery bags.

I wonder how napohaku24's dealer missed pointing out one of the best features of the Buddy. Those hooks are incredibly handy for both helmets and cargo. Many scooters and motorcycles have no consideration for a helmet hook, or on the other end, are so poorly designed that they're useless (cough, MP3, cough). The Buddy's hooks are very well placed and incredibly useful.

jijifer · Post by **jijifer** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 4:51 am

yes, disc alarm like xena is great! saved my scoot. move the bike even a little and 120db goes off over and over. I saw the perps run to the truck and jump in.

so the more deterrence the better. the more hassles the less likely they'll hassle.

heyitsomid · Post by **heyitsomid** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:26 am

Some people like the Xena. I'm personally not a fan. I tried hard to make it work but it would always go off on its own. I tried cleaning the mirror like they suggest but either way it was way too sensitive and went off sometimes. Also I usually parked it in a dark area so getting the key to it before the alarm went off was a skill to be mastered. As was said, locks are for honest people. A thief will take it if they really want it no matter what so really you just have to find out what works best for you. I have a big old chain I use from time to time when I park it over night somewhere.

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:36 am

Xena should develop a disc lock which can be disabled by remote control before unlocking. If they have not one already?

Scooterboi · Post by **Scooterboi** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 1:59 pm

heyitsomid wrote: I tried hard to make it <the Xena> work but it would always go off on its own. . . . I tried cleaning the mirror like they suggest but either way it was way too sensitive and went off sometimes.

uh . . . have you tried adjusting the Xena's sensitivity. RTM.

I got the Trimax because it was cheaper and you have to push a button to arm it - don't push the button (within 30 seconds of locking the disk) and no alarm.

http://www.trimaxlocks.com/_e/ALARM_LOC ... c_Lock.htm

If I had to do it over again I would get the Xena. While the Trimax does a good job, the alarm is kind of wimpy and when it gets cold (below 15F) it will not arm - it just "beeps" like it's trying to set up, whether you want the alarm or not. My PITA fix is to take it inside, let it warm up, and then put it on the bike. Luckily those temps don't happen that often. To my knowledge Xena doesn't have this issue.

My Trimax lives in the front bin. I found that if I left it in the top case or pet carrier things would bump into it and lock the pin. I got tired of digging it out (always sinks to the bottom of the pet carrier), unlocking it, and then locking it on the bike. Now, it's either in the bin (open) or on the brake disk (locked). Keeping it there also helps reinforce the habit of using it.

I still need to put some kind of padding in the bin to keep it from sliding around - noisy and it's starting to score the inside of the bin - but it sure is a lot more convenient.

Oh, and if you decide to get one, pay attention to the pin size! Make sure it will fit through your disk. On the Buddy 125, the 6 mm pin is the largest that will fit.

My other lock (as in, "OMG, your going to park it there!?!) is a Kryptonite "New York Noose 1213" lock and chain. It adds about twenty pounds to the bike but anything less and why bother. IN ADDITION to the disk lock, I loop the chain through the frame (at center stand), around an "anchor", and then lock the chain back to itself. THis is my usual way of using the chain, but it has a lot of flexibility that comes in very handy.

http://www.kryptonitelock.com/Products/ ... 2&pid=1196

FWIW.

Enjoy!

Scooterboi · Post by **Scooterboi** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 2:05 pm

Uh . . . Sorry. Not really sure what the pin size is any more. Might be 7mm.

PeteH · Post by **PeteH** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 2:36 pm

I have a TriMax T645S with a 5.5mm pin - works fine on the Buddy disc. I have a Gorilla 8007 alarm to bring da noise.

napohaku24 · Post by **napohaku24** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 3:17 pm

Oh my...i cant believe the dealer didnt show me that too! Glad i have this forum!

Thank you PeteH!

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 6:10 pm

I live in an area that knows nothing about scooters. For all people know my scooter weighs as much as a small Harley... so I'm not terribly worried about it being stolen. My problem is people sitting on it, and playing with it while I have it parked at my p/t job at the mall.

So this is what I have, and use daily-ish:
A sign that says "LOOK WITH YOUR EYES NOT WITH YOUR HANDS. This is a real motorcycle and private property, the Sheriff HQ in the mall will be called if anyone is seen in, on, or otherwise fiddling with this scooter. If you have questions about this type of scooter please come in to "Ta-da!" and ask, I will be happy to talk to you."
This run of the mill, easy peasy, Trimax disc lock with the orange reminder jobbie.
This 8ft Trimax cable. I needed an extra long one as there is nothing close to the ground for me to lock the scoot to, I have to wrap this under the handlebars and over a 4ft cement block to some pipes coming out of a light pole. It works, and no one would be able to get it off/move the scoot without cutting it, or...
This, well, similar to it anyway, Trimax U-lock. (I think the one I have is a bit bigger and sturdier than that one, but I can't remember what # or model it is exactly.)
I also have a cover that I use every once in a while... mostly if it looks like rain, or if I'm somewhere kinda sketchy. It's almost identical to this "Prima" one, but grey, doesn't have "Prima" on it, and cost about 1/3 the price.

This works well for me, but I know probably wouldn't hold up for those of you who live in major scooter pilfering areas. When I'm out and about with the bf in Lake George or Saratoga I just use the disc lock, occasionally I wrap the cable around the floorboard a couple times and lock it to my bf's Sportster. Good luck taking both of them, suckers.
Otherwise it's in the garage when I'm home, and we have the loudest, squeakiest garage door ever created, I don't see anyone trying to get in there to take it... also there are 5 much more valuable, practical -and easier to steal- vehicles sitting in the driveway (our 3 and our neighbors' 2).

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:54 pm

I use the regular color Trimax

http://www.amazon.com/Trimax-T665LC-Har ... 108&sr=1-4

Ouch at $30 they were $15 when I bought mine.

iMoses · Post by **iMoses** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 8:09 pm

doscoot59 wrote:Spent some time reading posts on best locks to use for theft protection, and I don't understand what good a disc lock is?? Can't they just pick up the scooter and shove it into the back of a pickup with one of those locks on?

Some of those locks have a feature that will sound off if the wheel moves/rolls beyond a set degree.

PeteH · Post by **PeteH** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 11:08 pm

Yeah, I got my TriMax for around $13 on Amazon last year, but today it's $23. I can't remember if i got it on sale. The Gorilla is nice in that I can disarm it remotely without jostling it and setting it off.

Collette · Post by **Collette** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 4:32 pm

I have the Xena disc lock and keep it in the tray 24/7 when not in use.

It keeps the wheel locked so no one can roll your scooter, periodo.
The alarm is excruciatingly annoying and high pitched. Good stuff.

The only time I am truly weary is when I ride to the park. I try to park it in high traffic areas like by the basketball court or near the playground where people would give thieves "the look" when they hear the alarm going off.

. . . Really no matter where I go, I always park either on the sidewalk on on the curb for high visibility.

Luckily I have a gated hallway to park my Buddy in at night.

Modern Buddy

On Scooter Anti-theft devices

On Scooter Anti-theft devices

Helmet Lock

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