LOCK IT UP!
MOTORCYCLE SECURITY ADVICE
LOCK IT OR LOSE IT!
Motorcycles are fundamentally more vulnerable to theft than most other forms of transport, but they need not be. The use of a good lock will protect a motorcycle against most forms of attack and reduce the theft rate dramatically.
Incredibly, motorcycle security experts still believe that well over half of all motorcyclists use no form of physical security other than the steering lock, which itself offers very little resistance to a determined attack.
Furthermore, just like an alarm or an immobiliser, the steering lock does not prevent thieves from simply lifting the motorcycle into the back of a van and transporting it to a garage where they can re-mobilise the bike at their leisure.
These figures are supported by recent research carried out by Oxford Products Ltd in the UK’s capital London, the UK’s worst theft hotspot. *A survey of 736 bikes revealed just 287 using locks, meaning that 61% of bikes were unsecured!
THE
BEST ADVICE IS SIMPLE: LOCK IT, OR LOSE IT!
HOW TO MINIMISE THE RISK OF THEFT
According to Police statistics, 50% of bikes are stolen by the opportunist or “Joy-rider”. Incredibly, they also estimate that 50% of riders do not lock their machines. Reduce the risk of theft by following these simple steps;
• Buy the best lock you can afford and USE it every time you leave the bike unattended
• Alarms can be very effective but they are only really useful when used in conjunction with a lock
• Some locks have built-in alarms, negating the need for an expensive alarm to be fitted, as long as the bike has an electronic immobiliser too
• When parking your bike, try to avoid using the same parking spot every day
• Secure your bike to an immovable object, such as a lamp post or a ground anchor, otherwise it could simply be lifted into a van and whisked away
• If you have a garage, always use it and remember to lock the bike and set the alarm
• If you do not have a garage, use a bike cover
• 80% of bikes are stolen from home, so use a ground anchor in your garage or outside your home to secure your bike
• Never leave your lock resting on the ground and always lock it as tightly as possible to your bike – this makes it much more difficult to attack
• Maintain your lock – if it stops working, you will not be able to secure your bike. Keep it free from dirt and oil the moving parts regularly. Water dispersants such as WD-40 are good for cleaning out the lock barrel, but are corrosive if left to dry and do not provide lubrication in the same way as a regular 3-in-1 oil.
WHICH LOCK TO CHOOSE?
CHAIN LOCK
The most popular form of security device, because they offer the best combination of strength and flexibility. The toughest chain locks are almost impossible to breach, while they allow you to lock your bike to something immovable like a lamp post or a ground anchor.
Chains come in many different sizes and lengths:-
• 1.5 metres is the most popular length – long enough to wrap around something substantial, short enough to curl up under the seat or in a small bag
• Links can vary from a puny 6mm to an almighty 22mm in diameter.
• General rule of thumb used to “the more material to cut through, the more secure it will be” and, all things being equal, this is true.
• However, the material from which the links are made is usually more important than how thick it is. A high quality 10mm chain link which has been treated correctly will be far stronger than a 22mm chain link which is made from soft, low grade steel with the incorrect treatment.
• Independent test houses such as Sold Secure will give you the best indication of a chain’s strength. Look out for their logos on the product.
All the above is also true of the padlock; a chain is only as good as the padlock which secures it – and vice versa. Some chains come with an integral lock for convenience.
U LOCK
Can be incredibly strong, as there are so few moving parts and the shackles can be up to 16mm in diameter. Limited in use, however, as their dimensions mean that it is difficult to lock the bike to an immovable object, other than through a wheel. Some fit neatly under the seat; check your bike for suitability.
CABLE LOCK
Useful lightweight security for less valuable two-wheelers or for those on a tight budget. Significantly less secure than the best chain locks and probably better suited to locking up your bicycle or your accessories.
ARMOURED CABLE LOCK
Great, flexible and lightweight compromise between a chain lock and a cable lock.
The cable is protected from attack by a layer of steel rollers or ‘cups’. The best ones are cleverly designed so that they can even pass independent attack tests and they are prized for their convenience and lack of a clumsy, separate padlock.
DISC LOCK
Very popular due to their compact size and portability, they represent a good visual deterrent to the casual thief. There is a huge choice of different shapes, colours, sizes and types available, but their basic job is the immobilise the front wheel and prevent your bike from being ridden or just wheeled away.
Bikes secured with only a disc lock can still be lifted into the back of a van, but if you buy one with a movement sensor alarm then your chances of your bike being avoided are all the greater. For higher levels of resistance to attack, look out for the Sold Secure logos.
GROUND ANCHOR
For maximum security, it is essential to lock your bike down to an immovable object; otherwise serious thieves will simply lift the bike into the back of a van and be gone in seconds.
Ground anchors come in all shapes and sizes (check that your lock will pass through the hole provided) but their aim is simply to provide that immovable object. Every garage, every work place and every bike park should have one for every bike.
Security approvals provide a clear indication about the security levels of the different systems available; then all you need to do is decide which one is the most convenient for you.
THE FACTS ABOUT THEFT
Motorcycle theft remains a growing problem, both in the UK and abroad. Every year more motorcycles are stolen, more motorcyclists are disappointed and inconvenienced and even more is spent on anti-theft insurance policies.
• It takes approximately 12 seconds to steal an unprotected motorcycle
• A motorcycle is stolen on average every 14 minutes
• Approximately 100 motorcycles are stolen every day
• Less than 14% of stolen motorcycles are recovered
• Theft accounts for one third of insurance claims
UNBELIEVABLY...
• More than half of all motorcyclists neglect to use any form of motorcycle security!
Always secure your bike with the lock positioned off the ground
OXFORD’S 5 MINUTE ATTACK TEST ICONS
Sledge hammer resistant Sa w resistant Bolt c ropper resistant Drill resistant Resists angle grinder at tack Freeze tested
UK SECURITY APPROVALS
Oxford security products are tested to extremes in order to offer the appropriate level of protection.
SOLD SECURE
Sold Secure is an independent, non-profitmaking organisation dedicated to reducing the risk of theft by testing security products. The same methods of attack used by criminals on the street are replicated by Sold Secure in the assessment of security products. Many insurance companies offer substantial reductions to those who use SOLD SECURE APPROVED PRODUCTS. www.soldsecure.com
SECURED BY DESIGN
SBD is a police initiative which seeks to achieve sustainable reductions in property theft. By encouraging good design and practice, SBD aims to reduce the demand on police forces and help us all live in a safer society.
OTHER INTERNATIONAL APPROVALS
Oxford offer a range of security products which have been tested and approved to various international security standards.