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Motorcycle News, News

Alarmbox may negate need for lock

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The Alarmbox aftermarket motion sensor alarm could negate your need to physically lock your motorcycle with a chain or disc lock.

Many aftermarket disc locks now have similar sensors.

However, the Alarmbox is convenient as you may not need to use a physical locking system.

It is similar to the motion sensors built into the security systems on some expensive motorcycles such as Harley-Davidson models.

AlarmboxAlarmbox motorcycle motion sensor alarm

Alarmbox is made by German lock manufacturer Abus.

The rectangular unit has a three-dimensional motion sensor and can be fitted permanently to your motorcycle, or any other valuable item.

It should be positioned under the seat or somewhere out of sight, but still accessible as it is armed and disarmed by inserting a key.

If a thief moves your bike, the alarm starts quietly and builds within 15 seconds to very loud (100dB) unless the thief stops moving the bike.

This guards against disturbing the neighbourhood with a loud alarm if the bike is accidentally bumped such as when someone is parking next to you.

It is powered by a replaceable CR2 lithium battery.

The device comes in black or blue, weighs 370g and its dimensions are 18x56x84mm, so it’s about the same weight and size as a small container of butter.

The Abus Alarmbox is not yet available, but when it is, it will be priced at about $A90.

Theft warningPolice survey on motorcycle thefts

We would advise riders not rely solely on a loud alarm to save their bike as we have heard car alarms before that everybody just ignores!

Queensland Police Service statistics show that more than 95% of bikes stolen from the Brisbane area did not have any form of additional security and just under half had some type of cover over them.

We also recommend using as much security as you can, such as physical locks and chains, to avoid the rampant rise of motorcycle theft.

Click here for more tips on securing your motorcycle.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

ZiiLock unlocks with thumb or phone

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Fumbling with keys on a motorcycle disc or wheel lock is no longer a problem with this ZiiLock bike lock which unlocks with a thumbprint or smartphone.

ZiiLock which is based in Pasadena, California, and Taiwan, has an open-ended Indiegogo crowd-funding campaign to launch their alarm bike lock.

It has raised more than a quarter of a million dollars to put the lock into production with shipping in December.

Motorcycle lock

Although it is advertised as a bicycle lock, we thought it would also be good for a motorcycle.

We contacted them and they agreed, sending us the above photo as proof.

Up to 96% of stolen motorcycles are not fitted with a security device despite theft rates being doubled that of cars.

ZiiLock costs $US179 (about $A270), but funding supporters can get it for $US99 ($A148).

The lock features a 98cm “unbreakable” temper-hardened foldout arm that goes around the wheel, brake disc and/or a fixture.

They say it will withstand up to a 10-tonne hydraulic cutter.

It also has an alloy steel casing for high drilling resistance and has two-sided milling tooth and multiple bullet pieces which make it difficult to pick or counterfeit.

ZiiLock smart alarmZiiLock anti-theft alarm lock

ZiiLock doesn’t come with a loud, screeching alarm that everyone in the vicinity will ignore anyway.

Instead, the waterproof lock has an always-on alarm that sends an alert to your phone when it senses movement and indicates the bike’s location.

But the great feature is that it can be unlocked with a normal key, or a smartphone or even your finger or thumb print.

Of course, it’s not impossible for a thief to lop off your finger or thumb, or steal your phone to gain access. However, it looks like a pretty good system to us.

They say that all the wireless communications are encrypted by AES 256 military-level security.ZiiLock anti-theft alarm lock

However, if you need to share your bike with someone, you can share fingerprint access with up to 20 others.

ZiiLock is powered by a rechargeable lithium battery that will last more than tree months.

If it does run out, you can still use the mechanical key.

The whole lock folds away and fits in your hand so it can be carried under some motorcycle seats or in a jacket pocket or your backpack.

It comes in red or grey.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

5 Best Security Gadgets for Your Motorbike

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(Sponsored post on bike security for our North American readers)

Motorbikes are excellent travel options for those who cherish adventurous trips on and off the road. Moreover, it is one of the most cost-effective and eco-friendly ways to beat heavy traffic in highly populated cities. Therefore, your motorbike is an investment that you need to protect against criminals who target to take this asset away from you.

In the recent past, bike theft has been on the rise with thousands of bikes stolen in the US every year. Even though there are ways to track vehicle history to prevent buyers from buying stolen motorbikes, most of the stolen bikes are never recovered. Thieves will quickly piece out the bike and sell the parts or reassemble it on a different frame. In this article, we have compiled 5 best security gadgets to help you secure your motorbike.

Aldi motorcycle cover Aldi annual sale securityMotorcycle Cover

Thieves do not steal any motorbike; they usually spy around to identify particular models to go for. Keeping a cover on your bike hides most of the important details that the criminals could be looking for, thus making it a less attractive target. Besides, there is a time-consuming hindrance for the thief. Though the cover is a basic accessory to keep your scrambler in good condition, it also provides security benefits.

Motorcycle Anti-Theft Lock and Alarm

A bike lock is one of the most effective preventive gadgets, making the job of a thief more risky and harder. However, with the right tools and techniques can break any lock or even carried in a track but using a strong lock along with other security device or mechanism is a great way to secure your bike. Some of the recommended anti-theft lock devices include:

Fork (Steering) Lock – This makes it impossible to steer the motorbike, so the thief cannot wheel it away.

Disc Lock – A small type of motorcycle lock fitted on the brake rotor to prevent the wheel from turning.

Digital Smart Locks – It can either be the steering or the disc lock that integrates it with the alarm system. Whenever a thief tries to break the lock, it activates the alarm scaring away the thief. Some smart locks in the market like Lock8 have a Bluetooth feature, which detects when you are away from the bike and automatically activates the alarm. Additionally, the device has a motion-sensing feature that activates the alarm when it detects motion. Some even have mobile apps that will alert you when the alarm starts.

Lock theft thief stolen steal clever steal security

Kill/Stop Switch

A motorcycle kill switch disables the connection to the ignition circuit stopping the bike from starting even if the thief has keys. Not even hot-wiring will start the machine. However, some criminals know how to flip the kill switch and can easily wheel away with the bike. Hiding the kill switch is an extra step to help you prevent theft of your motorbike.

Motorcycle Chain/ Cable

Some intelligent thieves have the techniques and powerful tools to break the steering or disc lock to escape with your machine. Combining the lock with a chain or cable enhances the security of the bike, making it harder to steal. The best way to use the chain/cable lock is on the back wheel as the front can be easily removed. Additionally, it is advisable to anchor the chain on an immovable object such as a street lamppost. You may also chain through the back wheel and the bike frame.

Motorbike GPS Tracking Device

Though the above gadgets can prevent bike theft, it is never a 100% guarantee. A GPS tracking device does little to nothing in preventing your ride from being stolen. However, it is a clever investment to help you recover your scrambler in the event it is stolen. Mostly the GPS tracker is attached in a hidden part on the bike. The device transmits the live location and other details about the bike such as movement and speed to a service which you can track online from a web-based or mobile app.

Summary

Losing a valuable possession like a motorbike can be a painful experience for anyone. While the unexpected may happen to you at any time, investing in advanced bike anti-theft gadgets can save you from this pain. Other bike safety measures include removing the keys from the ignition even when you are a few metres away from the bike, locking it in your home garage and parking within your sight whenever possible.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com