Bike Alarm

[mikedxb]

I read a lot here about physical protection.
But there is little mention of retro-fitting an alarm / immobiliser. It would be another layer of protection but possibly with some risks (immobiliser failure, flat battery...). What are you guys doing?! Retrofit... better to spend the money on extra/better physical protection? Any recommendations on a reliable and effective system? Thanks!

[Jazoli]

I have removed every alarm I have ever had on a bike, they cause nothing but problems and flat batteries, I don't think they are a deterrent at all.

I'd be fitting a tracker (if you actually want the bike back after scrotes have probably ruined it) there are some good cheap ones you can fit to the fuel pump relay which will allow you to kill the engine remotely and they are completely invisible to thieves.

Like this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Relay-GPS-Tracker-GPS-G...

Edited by Jazoli on Wednesday 17th February 09:04

[RazerSauber]

My mum had one fitted to her bike at the dealer when she bought it new. She didn't want it really because the bike is kept in a garage, chained to the wall and is boxed in by her car (Getting it out when you have the keys is a faff in itself). It does cause flat batteries if it's left off the trickle charger for any more than about 3 days so it's constantly on charge.

Physical deterrents are better IMO. I use a disk lock that has an alarm in. The alarm is fairly pathetic like but the disk lock is bright orange. With the proper alarm, the bike can still be wheeled away kicking and screaming, with a disk lock it's much harder to wheel it away. That being said, if they come with equipment to break a proper bike security chain and take the bike, my relatively inexpensive disk lock wouldn't put up much resistance.

I prefer the visual deterrent myself. Stop them even having a go. As I said above, and alarm doesn't stop them wheeling the bike away. Anything that stops the wheels moving is a big plus IMO. I don't think alarms are that effective at all anyway. If you heard an alarm go off on any street, you'd glance in that direction and just carry on if you don't see anything and if it was night then I know it wouldn't wake me up. I wonder if there are smart phone alarms that send your phone mad as well as the siren on the bike itself?

[Krikkit]

I think the same as you Jazoli, what's the point of an alarm when they either chuck it in a van or push it away with a scooter?

No one wants to tackle hammer and grinder weilding scumbags, so it's gone.

[srob]

Agree with Jazoli. I've only had one bike with an alarm and it was a nightmare. I had a coming together with a car and knocked an indicator off which would've been no problem except for the stupid alarm going mental because the circuit had been broken.

Would avoid a bike with an alarm personally!

[mikedxb]

Sounds like it’s a “No” from Biker Banter! Thanks.