Lock it up - HOW?

sotied · Post by **sotied** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 1:32 am

When the scoot was delivered yesterday I didn't even think about locking it up because I have a basement with an outside entrance and I just rolled the Buddy inside and locked the door.

But when I'm out and about, how necessary is it to lock the scoot?

And, how do you suggest I do it?

I have a NY Chain, but it won't fit in the 08 125 wheels because they are more closed than the wheels on the 50 or the 150. Odd, I know. And the chain isn't long enough to wrap around the body and another object.

I have a U-Lock for a motorcycle, but the same issue with the wheels. I might be able to lock the shock to something if I can get the U around it. But it seems iffy.

I have a long Kryptonite cable (15 feet or so) but it too doesn't fit through the wheel. I can wrap it around the floor of the scoot twice and then around something, but that seems kinda time-intensive.

Anyone have a good solution for the 08s?

I live in an area where people leave their houses and cars unlocked all the time. So losing it from my hometown isn't a real worry (and I do lock the front wheel/bars and take the key with me, even when it's in the basement).

But I will be traveling to the city (Boston on occasion and want to be able to step away from the scoot and enjoy my time in the city without keeping an eye on it at all times.

It's funny, because I hardly saw any locks on scoots in Paris when I was there last year or the year before (I try to go to the TDF as often as possible... see http://www.tdf08.com ). But maybe that's because there are so many and the French are too polite to steal.

Please help.

Thanks,

sotied · Post by **sotied** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 1:36 am

Also. I'm not sure if I do a disk lock if that's all I'd want on it. Some guy had his buddy in RI just picked up and stolen from his yard this week.

I heard about it while I was having my baby prepped for delivery yesterday.

twoscoots · Post by **twoscoots** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 2:21 am

We've got this one. It's a little more versatile than the straight lengths of chain. You can cinch it around a pole or a (small) tree, then lock the free end to your scooter. I've been hooking mine to the center stand.

sotied · Post by **sotied** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 2:47 am

Hmmmm. Center stand as a locking point. Guess that could work. Also, that means I can use my existing NY Chain and lock. I could loop the chain through the lock.

I'll try that tomorrow.

Thanks!

Quo Vadimus · Post by **Quo Vadimus** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 8:09 pm

There's a convenient squared-U-shaped bar under there, right near the center stand, that's actually part of the frame (and thus theoretically safer to lock to). You should be able to find a pic if you do a search here in the forums.

sotied · Post by **sotied** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 1:06 am

Actually got under the scoot....well, next to it, in the basement and tried a few different chains/cables/locks.

It looks like the NY Chain I have is WAY too short. I guess I have the 3-foot one.

BUT the Kryptonite cable I have is super-long and will work perfectly here. I can feed one end of the cable through the other loop (so it's like a slipknot at the center stand/frame area) and then wrap the rest of the cable around a pole or post or stand or some other good object. Then lock it back up near the scoot.

Seems like it would work well.

Comments?

sotied · Post by **sotied** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 11:18 am

What about a disk lock too?

I've heard horror stories of people forgetting them, but aren't they also important?

Or if I have it locked to something maybe I don't need the disk lock?

Don't want to fill up the underseat storage with 47 locks.

ryder1 · Post by **ryder1** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 2:01 pm

Read Xena lock post...it is a disc lock with an alarm, there is a reminder cord you can buy separately.

EP_scoot · Post by **EP_scoot** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 2:42 pm

That Xena disc lock with the alarm would be a good deterrent, but someone with an enclosed van might still try to get it. Probably not, though, there are easier preys out there. The reminder cable should help you remember to take it out, and if you get the one with the alarm, the alarm noise itself will remind you.

What I have always wondered is why scooter companies don't just add a hook feature on the chassis of the scooter. Kind off like the closed tow hooks on the front of the pick up trucks. Having one on scooters or MC would be a great way to allow you to run a chain, cable, etc to a secure area of the scoot and then to a tree or something, without having to figure out a point on the scoot to run the chain through that works and does not damage the paint, etc.

Seems like a simple enough idea, you would think all these scooter companies would have thought about it !

sotied · Post by **sotied** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 10:59 pm

I was thinking the exact same thing about a "lock post" or ring you could attach to.

With a bike you can go through the frame easy enough, but with a scoot unless you can fit through the wheel, the disk or the center stand, you're in trouble.

I have a long enough cable to wrap the scoot's footboard, but I'm not sure if two guys could pick up the scoot and twist it like a couch being moved to unwrap the cable around its belly.

I'm still gonna go with the center-stand locking method for now.

golfinguy · Post by **golfinguy** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 11:58 pm

I wrap a cable lock around the front or the back shock. This is as secure as going through the wheel, and almost as easy. Through the wheel on my Buddy 50, around the shock on my wife's Buddy 125.

sotied · Post by **sotied** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 12:04 am

golfinguy wrote:I wrap a cable lock around the front or the back shock. This is as secure as going through the wheel, and almost as easy. Through the wheel on my Buddy 50, around the shock on my wife's Buddy 125.

Didn't even think of the shock.

Coolio. More options and I don't chance someone pulling on the lock cable and knocking the scoot off the stand.