How to choose a motorcycle lock?

On average, motorcycle thieves give up after 5 unsuccessful minutes. The aim of your anti-theft device is therefore twofold: to prevent opportunists from simply pushing your bike, and to slow down the more reckless ones armed with discuses. And above all? Convince the bandit that your parking neighbor's bike is easier to steal. A little selfishness never hurts when it comes to protecting your two-wheeled beauty. Which anti-theft device should you choose? What are the best practices to adopt? These are the subjects we'll be tackling in this article.

You, yes you! You think motorcycle theft only happens to other people? Not at all! Here are a few statistics to put this phenomenon in perspective: in 2021 in France, there was a motorcycle theft every 71 minutes. That's a huge number! And unfortunately, on average, only 2 out of 5 bikes are recovered. The story doesn't say in what condition...

What were the bandits' favorite breaches in 2022? The Honda X-ADV tops the list! The Yamaha Tracer 700 is in 4th place, the BMW R1250 GS in 6th, the illustrious T700 in 7th, the Tracer 900 GT in 9th. As for the BMW R1250 RT, it closes the ranking in 10th position.

What about the regions? Île de France tops the list, followed by PACA and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. The Bretagne and Pays de Loire regions also saw a rapid increase in the number of flights. So much for the background.

The disc-lock for coffee breaks

Lightweight and compact, this anti-theft device immobilizes the motorcycle by blocking the brake disc. Thanks to its small size, it can be stored anywhere. There are even models with brackets! So practical. The only drawback? It prevents opportunistic theft (by pushing), but does nothing to prevent removal from a van. Models equipped with an alarm emit a siren in the event of movement, and some are connected. The effect is purely dissuasive. But, incidentally, it can also prevent you from crashing to a halt if you forget. Are you an airhead? Get yourself a fluorescent cord. The disc-lock is only suitable for minute stops, or if combined with another anti-theft device.

----> Alarmed disc-lock URBAN 999 SRA

----> SRA connected/alarmed motorcycle disc-lock ABUS Granit Detecto SMARTX 8078 2.0 Red

The U, the most resistant

With hardened steel handles up to 20mm thick, the U is extremely difficult to cut! It would be easier for a thief to saw through the candelabra to which your bike is attached! And yes, for optimum effectiveness, this device must secure the motorcycle to a fixed anchoring point. How do you choose the right model? By trying. To lock the wheel in place, it needs to adapt to its diameter, width, spokes, etc... With or without an alarm, the choice is yours. But does a U take up space? Some manufacturers have developed brackets that allow you to attach your anti-theft device to the frame of your two-wheeler. In short, you've got no more excuses.

----> Motorcycle lock SRA U AUVRAY K10 85x310

----> Motorcycle anti-theft lock SRA U ABUS Granit Power 58/140HB III SL 230x84

The chain, practical but...

The major advantage of this lock? It makes it easy to secure your bike to street furniture. So it's highly effective in preventing opportunistic theft. What's more, the new lasso-type models offer a greater range of attachment for the same length as a conventional chain. The drawback? Its links aren't as strong as a U-handle. So, ideally, you need to complete your arsenal of defense.

The U + chain combo, the ultimate solution

This is the most effective way to get a good night's sleep. This clever combination offers the best of both worlds: the strength of the U and the anchoring capacity of the chain. This winning double effectively deters the low-life crook who, on average, gives up after 5 minutes. It's no coincidence that lock manufacturers now offer this set for purchase.

----> Mini U SRA URBAN U75 48x75 + chain LASSO 10.120L

----> SRA ABUS Lasso 12KS80 motorcycle lock + U Granit 58HBIII 100

Has David Copperfield gone over to the dark side? Has he managed to steal your bike despite the chain, the U and the alarm? In this highly unlikely eventuality, there's a brilliant device available: the electronic tracker! This GPS unit is not an anti-theft device, but it allows you to geolocate your bike wherever it is.

The best of the best? The Moto Pégase model sends you a text message, an e-mail and a notification if it detects any suspicious movement. As an added bonus, the app lets you check your route, speeds and angles at each location, as well as detecting accidents. A super-complete device!

----> FLASHBIRD by PEGASE motorcycle GPS tracker (with subscription)

----> Boitier moto/dashcam Sentidrive SENTINELLE

Here are the 10 commandments:

1 - Never go out without your anti-theft device. But be careful not to put it in your backpack!

2 - Thou shalt lock the handlebars. Even if a kick can make the Nieman jump, every second counts.

3 - Thou shalt lock thy motorcycle, even for 10 minutes. You can never be too careful.

4 - Thou shalt tie up thy motorcycle at a fixed point.

5 - Thou shalt avoid poorly lit alleys. Choose places where there's traffic in plain sight. Of course, if there's a camera, that's even better.

6 - Thou shalt opt for an SRA-certified anti-theft device. In addition to guaranteeing a certain level of robustness, it's approved by insurance companies.

7 - Thou shalt combine locks. Don't hesitate to combine several devices (chain and U, for example).

8 - Thou shalt be vigilant at home. Don't let your guard down once you're home. Why not install an anchor in your garage?

9 - Maintain your anti-theft device. Yes, it would be a shame not to be able to remove your disk drive because of a rusty lock.

10 - Thou shalt remove thy anti-theft device before setting off. Rather than falling over stupidly at a standstill and suffering the taunts of your fellow riders for the next 5 generations, equip yourself with a fluorescent recall cord.

----> URBAN UR55 motorcycle anchor

----> ABUS Granit WBA 100 motorcycle anchor

We hope you've found this article useful. Any last words of advice for the road? A lock will always cost less than your bike, so don't cut corners. Finally, remember that the best way to avoid theft is to combine the right locks and good practices. Now you're perfectly armed to sleep soundly even when your beauty is out and about!

Here's a video from our Youtube channel, if you'd like to explore the subject further: