Does anyone know whether the Honda U-Locks are security rated ? I had one for my Fireblade - if I remember the dealer included it in the deal for the new bike. Anyway, I have still got it and it is the right size and weight - no crazy large and heavy. But does it have a security rating ? If the bike gets nicked will the Jonnies at the insurance company refuse to pay out 'cause the lock is not Gold Rated or something ? It feels sturdy enough, with some kind of fancy rotating barrel for the circular keys. But is it safe Not sure if anyone knows anything about it - looks identical to the one in the picture, designed to be carried on the old Fireblade.
Unless you've specified that your bike is always locked with an approved security device (ulock, chain etc) to get a reduced premium then not having it won't invalidate insurance. Is your choice if you put it on or not
Personally I never declare any security features unless they are factory fitted. The "discount" they offer isn't worth the grief. Something like that D lock wouldn't deter any thief, they'll just lift it in to the van. Some of the barrel locks are so poor they can be opened with a biro lid, and even the fancy Kryptonite one I used to have didn't survive for more than a couple of minutes when faced with a cutting disc on a grinder when I had to remove it when it jammed shut.
That is very interesting and useful, thank you. I just overheard it said that the lock had to be gold standard otherwise you loose out. I do like the Honda lock - not too big but still seems pretty chunky. Interesting. Noted these professional thieves will break into just about anything. Figured putting a shackle lock on the rear wheel means they can get all oily working around the chain ! For a pushbike I did buy one from B&Q for about £7.99 !! Might have stopped someone from nicking the bike - if they had about 20 Pints of lager ! There she is - the big KTM...with her Honda lock.....
Like @Barstewardsquad said....if they want them bad enough they'll just angle grinder or lift them into vans... They should superglue the thieving scum down in a car park....run a road roller over them and leave the remnants as a picnic for the wildlife.....cnuts
Is that a work or residence bike parking? I'd be inclined to ask whoever runs the carpark to put some decent ground anchors in. You could leave a shit hot chain around it then. Is bike theft a problem on your island?
Food for the crows ! Work parking, very secure as they have card/gate entry after hours. I leave the bike there as it is only a 20 minute walk from home. Sometimes I leave my helmet on the bike. Bike theft is not an issue at all here. The teenagers even leave their helmets on their scooters in town. What started all this is dropping the big KTM in a Premier Inn car park outside Poole - because I forgot to take the disk lock off. The only time I use locks is when I go away. The disc lock and front wheel are not really visible from the seating position of the KTM, whereas that was never a problem on sportsbikes or super nakeds - somehow I could always see the front wheel from the seating position and never forgot to remove the disc lock. So thought I would use my old Honda U-lock that I still had. Attach a reminder cable and attach to the rear wheel instead of the front. The picture in the garage is just testing the viability - and I always get on a bike from the left side ! So that is what I plan to use for trips off-island. Approach the bike from the back and the disc lock can be forgotten - should use a cable reminder but decided to ditch the idea of Disc locks on the front wheel altogether. When abroad less likely to forget a lock on the back wheel as I work at the back of the bike securing the luggage - at least that is the cunning plan Heavy bikes to pick up - but very resilient, no bent levers. But don't want to be doing that again
when I first started riding (2003) & looked into locks, I was told Dlocks are not of much benefit and can be easily defeated ahd had not thatcham ratings. This could have changed by now. Insurance companies normally list or expect an approved lock which you can declare on your policy which can reduce the premium. To properly answer the question, you need to read your insurance cover policy and your declaration
Interesting comments, thank you. I remember D Locks falling out of favour as well. Didn't they use car jacks to prise them open back in the day may have been urban myth... Then came portable angle grinders and they go through some D locks like butter My policy has wording around the bike being in a secure location at night - which it is. The work car park closes and is gated with security card entrance - including weekends. There is no mention of locks. Really this is for when I go away on the bike - leaving it outside hotels overnight, the stuff you do when touring. Mind you I used to do this with my Fireblade, using the trusty old lock in the picture. So, decided the Honda original is likely a bit weak in this day and age - so just ordered this Litelok. This isn't the super heavy duty one but likely won't be able to cut it with a single disc on a grinder. ........armoured with Barronium no less Fantastic.
you can't go wrong with the rating of this lock. The only comment I have is I would carry a chain to secure the bike to a solid object (groung anchor, metal post etc) when away from home and overnight parking. Xena used to do a nice kit for their disc locks to which you could attach their chain
Watched a YouTube vid where they tried to break the Litelock. They eventually got through it with, I think, a petrol angle grinder as the electric one wouldn't do it but it meant a guy kneeling next to it for a considerable time making enough noise to wake the street. Not a realistic situation.
Good idea. A short length of chain to use together with the U Lock might be an idea. Thanks. I watched a few as well - one guy brought a generator along to power a grinder and still no one stopped him ! amazing. All this has been very interesting = happy now that for more or less the same size and weight as the old Honda original I have a more up-to-date defence. Price was high but not unreasonable. This hopefully will be the set up. Looks like it would be a pain in the backside trying to get an angle grinder in that space, but hey what do I know
there are two point to watch here: to immobalise the bike (electronicallu or/ and mechanically to stop the bike being lifted & moved away in a van
