I am buying a new Triumph Bonneville. Security.?

Question

Are immobilisers worth fitting to a motorcycle?Would some kind of tracker device be a better bet?
Which is the best ways to secure the 'bike when garaged?

Answer 1

Depends on the value you place on your bike. Personally i wouldn't bother with an immobiliser as they can drain your battery and leave you locked out. But its a personal thing. I invested in a stainless steel wire strop looped and swagged at both ends about 4 ft long, made up by a firm who make wire rigging for yacht masts, then the best lock you can by.
A stainless steel ring cemented into the garage floor that the bike (via the frame) can be locked to and a couple of good disk locks for the front and rear disks.any thing to make life hard for the casual thief. A professional will get the bike no matter what you do, you can only slow them down. Finlay Microdot all the expensive parts of the bike. That makes it even harder for the professional to "break" the bike for parts.
My personal favourite is to wire up the handlebars and the seat to the mains and send the voltage up the toe rags jacksy should he try and nick my pride and joy. Shame its illegal!!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

Steer clear. Old Bonnies are great bikes, but this particular one sounds like a mongrel and it is best to avoid it. For example, there is no good reason for the carburation not to be spot on unless the carbs are worn out or the owner doesn't know what he's doing when he adjusts them. If the latter is true, you can't trust the rest of the work that was performed... Btw, when is the owner BS'ing you: when he says it "runs very good" or when he says the carbs need tweaking ? because the two are mutually exclusive. Absolutely everything about old Triumphs is well known and all parts are easily available, but they are not bikes for the uninitiated. Compared to modern bikes, they require constant attention and frequent maintenance. And they require some Whithworth and BSF tools in addition to SAE. For $4000 you can pick up a nice 2nd hand modern Triumph Bonneville or Kawasaki W650. Either of these will provide you with cheap, dependable transport while preserving the timeless beauty of the original Bonnie.

Answer 3

Here's my two sense. Yes, if a 'professional' thief wants your bike, car or anything they will probably end up with it. What you want an immobilizer or security system for is the person who just decides to 'take a joy ride'. I have a harley with a security system and upgraded it to an audiable alarm as well with a paging device if someone messes with it. It's not going to stop a pro but a local it may. My suggestion would be to make a decision based on purchase price, insurance and the area you live. Finally, the best way to secure a bike when garaged is to install a lock bolt in the floor and use a steel lock and cable that you can purchase at most motorcycle shops. These are very difficult to remove and help to secure you bike. Finally, just enjoy it as much as you can and don't forget to take a safety course! It will save your life!

Answer 4

It will be difficult to get insurance without either an immobiliser or alarm system, especially for a brand new bike. If not difficult, then just plain expensive. Trackers are all very well, but they don't stop the bike being stolen. For physical security, an Almax chain and serious lock (with a well fitted ground anchor) is your best bet - see http://www.almax-security-chains.co.uk for details. Nothing can be considered overkill to protect your pride and joy from thieving scum. Personally I'm in favour of a slow, painful death for bike thieves.

Answer 5

Nothing is going to stop someone who wants your bike. However, why not make it more difficult.

You can buy an alarm system for your bike starting at $50 and up. The fancy alarms will call you if the alarm is triggered, has proximity detectors, and disables the ignition. Add a wheel lock and a thief may decide to take the bike that doesn't have all that over yours.

Go here to find an alarm - http://www.cyclemartusa.com/productlist.htm?browse=13434&shopBy=2128&catalogId=214

Answer 6

1...cat 1 alarm with a tilt sensor I also put a microwave sensor under the seat with the sensertivity turned down so if someons sat on it with out lifting it up the alarm would sound...nothing worse that a pleb sitting on ya bike.
2....You can buy a anchor with an eye on it...set this into concrete and get a sold secure chain or 4 and a very good lock don't be a tight *** when it comes to these they do save the bike...I know

Answer 7

congrats on the bike.bad news is if someone wants it no amount of security will deter them.

Answer 8

norton is beter