Bike security whilst touring

[StreetDragster]

Hi All,

Looking to do my first tour on my own bike soon (1500miles taking in the NC500) and i'm wondering if i need to do anything for security.

The bike(s) will be parked on the road at night outside a few of the hotels, i only have the standard steering lock at the moment, and i think there is room/provisions under the seat (2018 Tracer GT) for a D-lock of some description.

I don't want to go too mad, but should i be taking something, and if so, what?

Thanks
Matt

[dibblecorse]

D Lock and Disc Lock, a lot of places will open up back yards etc to let you put them out the way, don't be afraid to ask.

[podman]

If your heading into Europe, from my experience, generally speaking your bike will be safer there than in your garage at home.

[Andy XRV]

dibblecorse said:

D Lock and Disc Lock, a lot of places will open up back yards etc to let you put them out the way, don't be afraid to ask.

^^^This^^^

I always ask if there is secure parking when I book and generally as long as there's not to many bikes more are more than happy to offer some form of secure parking. If they don't I try to find somewhere else. I would never leave my bike in a public hotel car park in the UK, not even with the best security devices.

But as Podman says, when riding in Europe or Northern Island it's a whole different ball game and much safer. But I still prefer secure parking whenever possible.

Enjoy your trip, I've heard it a fantastic route!

[STe_rsv4]

Depending on where you are staying on the nc500 route, I would say as long as your bike isn't parked on a main road it's going to be pretty safe. Saying that I usually carry a chain and disc lock when touring. The only time I wasn't so keen to leave the bike was at a public car park in Oban, all 5 bikes on full view on a busyish street. We chained all the bikes together and had no problems.
Everywhere else (Ullapool / glencoe etc) vi would have felt confident not even securing the bike

[Birky_41]

I have a integrated road lok (Google it) had it for 4 years and been great

[smack]

Have the scabbiest bike in the group, let one of your mates bike be the most desirable for theft

[Rubin215]

Make space for a decent lock and chain no matter where you're going.

It's pretty st to come back to an empty space at the best of times, even worse when you're a long way from home and all you have is the clothes you're standing in.

While the vast majority of humans on the planet are lovely people, a very small minority are not and they quite honestly don't give a fk about you; allow for that every single day of your life.

[Matt_E_Mulsion]

I've always found it easier to carry a hefty security cable and lock rather than a chain combo and anchor my bike to something. Okay it may not be as secure as a chain but if they are going to cut the cable, they'll most likely cut the chain too. The big benefit is that it's a lot easier to stow and carry the cable than the chain.

[Rubin215]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Well, Scotland is part of Europe (as is England, Wales and NI).

The thing is, Scotland wants to stay part of Europe...

[Dog Star]

Matt_E_Mulsion said:

I've always found it easier to carry a hefty security cable and lock rather than a chain combo and anchor my bike to something. Okay it may not be as secure as a chain but if they are going to cut the cable, they'll most likely cut the chain too. The big benefit is that it's a lot easier to stow and carry the cable than the chain.

Same here - 3 metre cable and an Abus padlock. My logic is that it would be a passing opportunist thief, not a targeted theft like you would get at your house. As you say if they come equipped to cut that then they'd be having your chain off anyway. Split the cable and padlock between you.

I actually can't take my home security with me anyway - Pragmasis 19mm chains are simply too heavy.

[EazyDuz]

Buy a Bicycle gold rated D lock. About £40 for a bolt cutter proof one, use it as a disc lock.
Also buy a cheap Ebay disc lock with orange reminder cable, a cheap Ebay alarm and a chain lock.

I chain my bike up, put the disc lock on and arm the alarm. A thief could get thru them in not too much time but would make a hell of a racket doing it

[s2kjock]

It's 10 years since I took my bike into the north west Highlands, but only bothered with a disc lock north of Inverness overnight. I did try to keep it away from "main" roads and as close to the property we were staying at though.

[EazyDuz]

Also OP for a more raw experience have you considered wild camping? Its free and you can park on some random lonely road side for the night, and arm your alarm.
No one is nicking your bike without waking you up. Could even get a long bit of string, tie one end to the bike and the other to your thumb.
Depends if you'd be scared on your own at night in a tent though

[2Btoo]

podman said:

If your heading into Europe, from my experience, generally speaking your bike will be safer there than in your garage at home.

Why is the UK such a den of thievery and things are so much safer in Europe? Where did we go so wrong? Genuine Q.

[vonhosen]

2Btoo said:

podman said:

If your heading into Europe, from my experience, generally speaking your bike will be safer there than in your garage at home.

Why is the UK such a den of thievery and things are so much safer in Europe? Where did we go so wrong? Genuine Q.

It's not, it's more about where in each country you leave them.

https://www.bikerandbike.co.uk/uk-far-worst-motorc...

[StonedRollin]

StreetDragster said:

Hi All,

Looking to do my first tour on my own bike soon (1500miles taking in the NC500) and i'm wondering if i need to do anything for security.

The bike(s) will be parked on the road at night outside a few of the hotels, i only have the standard steering lock at the moment, and i think there is room/provisions under the seat (2018 Tracer GT) for a D-lock of some description.

I don't want to go too mad, but should i be taking something, and if so, what?

Thanks
Matt

Not sure where you are travelling from but 1500 miles including the NC500 would suggest south of the border. If you are staying in Edinburgh en route then i'd thoroughly recommend a hotel with a secure car park if the last couple of years here are anything to go by. Lovely city but has bad rep for mo'bike theft at the minute.

Once you are beyond the central lowlands (Edinburgh/Glasgow) then i don't and never have bothered with any bike security, and to date, touch wood, no bother.

[garypotter]

Last year on a 4 day trip through northern France we stayed in a hotel In Caen with no car park, our bikes were left on the pavement near the hotel with just disc locks, we had 3 bikes and there was a total of about 10 bikes ranging from £300 smokers to £20k+ Ducadis no issues all weekend. I do think it depends on where you are travelling to. I only used my disclok but took a 1.5 metre metal cable with padlock but did not use it.

[CaptainSlow]

Travelling through Belgium, Netherlands and Germany last years I left my bike on the street with a disc lock...central Antwerp I did chain to a lamp post just as I was right in the middle of the city but I'm sure it wasn't needed.

Travelling in Europe is refreshingly liberating for security and parking, if you see a space on the pavement that won't cause an issue just leave your bike there...not like in the UK with the frenzy of parking attendants.

[dern]

Dog Star said:

Same here - 3 metre cable and an Abus padlock. My logic is that it would be a passing opportunist thief, not a targeted theft like you would get at your house. As you say if they come equipped to cut that then they'd be having your chain off anyway. Split the cable and padlock between you.

I actually can't take my home security with me anyway - Pragmasis 19mm chains are simply too heavy.

Having just watched a YouTube video of a cable being cut with a small pair of wire cutter nippers I wouldn't use one.