Best Motorcycle Locks

Motorcycles are a pricey investment that many people put a lot of work and love into. Unfortunately, these investments are also prime candidates for theft.

Getting a quality motorcycle lock, coupled with a good cover (https://theridersmarket.com/best-motorcycle-cover/) is the best way to prevent theft if you don't have a garage to store your bike. Buying a lock for your bike will help keep your mind at ease when leaving it out while providing a safety net against thieves.

We will discuss some of the best motorcycle locks available now and what makes them an ideal pick for you.

Our Picks For Best Motorcycle Locks

More About The ​Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit

This Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit chain is made to be durable to extend the life of the lock and protect your stuff for longer. The strong chain links are 6-sided and made with three times hardened manganese steel. A protective nylon cover comes with the lock for extra protection of the chain links.

While the chain itself is strong, the real power here is the included New York disc lock with patented hardened steel crossbar and a steel shackle. For your protection, a lighted key and replacement battery are included so you can safely unlock your bike and be on your way faster.

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More About ​YOHOOLYO Disc Lock

This YOHOOLYO motorcycle anti-theft lock is sturdy and durable, made completely out of metal. The most impressive feature of this lock is its 110db alarm. The alarm is a motion sensor with a five-second delay, allowing you to unlock your bike without setting the alarm off. The motion sensor is resistant to rust, weather, and physical damage.

This is a great deterrent – moving the bike will give off a warning chirp three times before the actual alarm sets off.

You will get two keys for this motorcycle disc lock along with an allen key to remove the screws in the back. In addition to spare keys, this lock is user-friendly in other ways. The lock can be set at 360 degrees, allowing you to fix it into any position. It also comes with a reminder cable so you don't accidentally leave the lock on your bike when you go to leave. 

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More About The ​Trimax THEX506

The large hexagon shaped 11mm links on this Trimax chain lock are ideal protection for your motorcycle. The lock itself is made from hardened solid steel and sufficiently protects against pull force and cutting – even by hammer and a saw.

You will get three keys with this lock, and one of those keys doubles as a miniature flashlight for nighttime safety.

The key is a type B key, and at its core, this simply means that the design provides one of the highest degrees of protection again lockpicks.

The chain itself is about 56-inches fully extended. This will allow you to lock up your motorcycle in a variety of creative ways, or you can secure multiple bikes.

More About The​ Kryptonite Evolution Series Disc Lock

The Kryptonite Evolution disc locks come in three colors: Red, yellow, and black. This option may seem trivial, but it is ideal if you want a bright, noticeable deterrent.

The lock has a double deadbolt for maximum locking capabilities and holding power. Your order will come with 3 stainless steel keys; bonus, one key is lighted with a high-intensity bulb and it comes with a replacement battery.

The reinforced steel shackle is resistant to cutters and leverage attacks. For added safety, the disc-style cylinder is resistant to pulls and drills. To extend the life and durability of the cylinder, the lock comes with a dust cover that slides on/off.

The lock weighs in a light 1.86 pounds, so it is easy to carry around and won’t add to your carrying weight.

More About The  Grip-Lock GLRed Lock

This Grip-Lock  lock mounts right onto the handlebar of your motorcycle. It locks both the throttle grip and the brake lever and prevents them from being used while the lock is in place.

No worries, though – this type of lock is easy to apply and takes less than 10 seconds to attach.

Four hardened steel cores inside this lock keep your bike locked down, while a nylon casing prevents corrosion of the locking mechanisms.

While it does have heavy, strong components, this lock weighs in at 11.6-ounces and is small enough to keep in most motorcycle storage compartments.

The bright color of this lock is a great deterrent for potential thieves as well as a great reminder for you to lock up your motorcycle.

Factors to Consider For Motorcycle Security

After seeing all the different options, you may be wondering what factors you should consider when buying a lock for your motorcycle.

Let’s get down to business.

Chain Length

If you are wanting to attach your motorcycle to another object for safekeeping, a lock with a chain is your best bet.

Color

A bright lock is a noticeable deterrent for some thieves. Other people can clearly see that a lock is being tampered with and may be more willing to contact the authorities.

Lock Style

Other locks attach to the grips or brakes of the motorcycle. These are great options if you want a quick solution with staying power. Brake locks often have multiple tumblers to prevent lockpicking.

Other locks attach to the motorcycle wheel to keep it locked in place.

Choosing a Lock For Motorcycle Security

As you can see, there are a variety of locks available to choose from. You will need to take this knowledge and select the lock that works best for your bike and lifestyle.

Different Types of Motorcycle Locks

Chain Locks

Motorcycle chain locks are a great heavy-duty, durable option. They work by attaching your motorcycle to something, such as a pole or bracket, with a sturdy chain. The chain can only be cut with industrial tools, so the average thief is not able to get through it.

This type of lock is a great option for home-storage of a motorcycle, where you can install a bracket to attach the chain to. A really great advantage of chain locks is that a thief cannot load your motorcycle into a trailer because it is attached to something on the ground.

However, they are not the best option for locking up your motorcycle in public because there may not be something sturdy available to attach your motorcycle to.

Grip Locks

If you’re looking for a portable lock that makes public protection easy, this may be a good option. Grip locks work by attaching to the handlebar and clamping down on the brake, clutch or throttle, making the motorcycle impossible to steal by immobilizing it.

They are extremely easy to put on and don’t look bulky or obvious, making them great for on-the-go use. All you have to do is make sure to buy the right size and measurements for your motorcycle’s handlebars.

Disc Brake Lock

Disc brake lock options fit through the holes of a motorcycle disc rotor, immobilizing the bike. They simply snap on, making them an effective, small and easy-to-use option that works well for locking up your motorcycle in public.

However, because these a disc brake lock isn't as obvious as a chain or grip lock, they are easy to forget and you may try to drive away with the disc brake lock still attached. For this reason, getting a reminder cable can help prevent damage to your bike.

In addition, in order to use a motorcycle disc brake lock, your motorcycle must have holes in the rotor of the front brakes. This isn’t a problem for most motorcycles, but if your motorcycle does not have this, you’ll want to go with another type of motorcycle lock and skip on the disc brake lock.

Motorcylce Wheel U Shackle Locks

Another great option for public protection, a U Shackle lock works by making the wheel of your motorcycle impossible to rotate.

It works with a flat wheel plate base that the front tire rolls onto and a stainless steel shackle that attaches to the motorcycle’s tire. This makes the motorcycle unable to drive, preventing thieves from riding away.

These locks, like grip locks and brake disc locks, are very lightweight and portable, so they can be stored in your motorcycle and taken everywhere.

But unlike chain locks, these locks make loading the motorcycle into a trailer possible. However, if you simply looking to lock up your bike during a grocery store run, the more portable locks will work perfectly fine.

Its Importance and Benefits for Your Motorcycle

Prevent Theft

The main benefit of owning a motorcycle lock is to prevent theft. Motorcycles are extremely vulnerable to theft because they are much easier to steal than a car or other vehicle.

Thieves will steal a motorcycle by trying to ride away on it or even by loading it into a van or trailer. A good motorcycle lock will prevent a thief from stealing your motorcycle by either immobilizing it or attaching it to something sturdy. Make sure if you have a disc lock, that you always have a reminder cable attached. Its not uncommon to forget about your lock, start backing up and drop your bike.

Theft Statistics

Many statistics have shown that some motorcycles may be more vulnerable to theft than others. First of all, your motorcycle may be vulnerable depending on where you live.

The states with the highest rates of motorcycle theft are California, Florida, Texas and the Carolinas. Areas that have year-round warm weather that makes motorcycle riding possible throughout all the seasons are especially vulnerable to motorcycle theft.

In addition, certain brands have proven to be more vulnerable. The most common motorcycles to be stolen are typically Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Harley Davidson. While it's important to lock up your motorcycle no matter what brand it is, you may want to take extra careful efforts if you own one of these brands.

Insurance Reasons

Investing in a good motorcycle lock can also actually save you money. Here’s how: many insurance companies will actually lower premiums on motorcycles if they know that the owner uses a good, high quality, durable motorcycle lock.

You may want to check with your insurance company for approved motorcycle locks that will save you money in the long run.

Motorcycle Theft Prevention Tips

Reduce Visibility

One of the best ways you can keep your motorcycle safe from theft is by hiding it well. In a garage, you can do this by parking it in a less visible spot, such as behind a large car. At home, you can do this by storing your motorcycle in a garage or under a cover where a thief will be less likely to see it.

If you absolutely must park your motorcycle out in the open, park it near other motorcycles; your motorcycle will be less of a target in a group. If there aren’t other cars or motorcycles around, park in a well-lit spot where a thief will feel less comfortable stealing it.

Use an Alarm

A motorcycle alarm works as a car alarm: it makes a loud sound when your motorcycle is being tampered with. This will alert you to come out and check on your motorcycle and scare thieves away, making it a good option for when you park your motorcycle at home or at work.

Install a GPS

Installing a theft-prevention GPS to your motorcycle will not prevent the theft from occurring, but it will make your motorcycle easy to find once it has been taken. The police will be able to find your motorcycle quickly and track it down for you.

A GPS should not be used alone, but it is a great thing to have installed as a reactive measure to motorcycle theft. It will give you the peace of mind that even if your motorcycle is stolen, you will be able to easily get it back.

It is also a tool that insurance companies will lower their premiums for, so it can save you money too.

Conclusion

If you ride motorcycles, you probably know how important it is to keep your motorcycle safe from theft. Motorcycles are one of the most vulnerable vehicles, so motorcycle owners have to take many measures to keep their motorcycle safe.

Using a motorcycle lock is extremely important at home and on-the-go to deter thieves and physically prevent them from stealing your motorcycle. Along with using a lock, there are many other things you can do, such as keeping your motorcycle hidden, to keep thieves away.