Is it silly to "bike lock" my new Rebel?

bglaze · 07-08-2012, 01:03 PM

So, I've only had my new Rebel for a few days, and I've driving it to work and parking it in one of the motorcycle spaces in our parking garage. Because of the rebel's small size and light weight, I had thought it might be a good idea to lock it to something. There is nothing in the standard motorcycle spaces to lock it to, so I am not sure how I would do that.

I really am wondering if anyone else does this, or if I am just over-worried about my pristine new little mode of transportation?

I know that if someone wants it bad enough, even a chain won't keep them from taking it. But I am curious what others do...?

It is insured of course against theft, even though it wouldn't be that expensive to replace. However, this little bike is already starting to grow on me as a companion of sorts. I changed it's oil last night, and I plan to open her up and check my valves tomorrow night, so, more than its monetary value, I would hate to lose all those hours of intimacy. =)

Haha, anyway, not too worried about it. But what do you all think?

Thanks!
Brock

EntropyFx · 07-08-2012, 01:33 PM

I just use the wheel lock built into my Honda 1300 so they can't just pop it into neutral and roll it away. Not sure if the smaller rebels have those built in or not.

Team Elkhorn · 07-08-2012, 01:48 PM

I lock the fork on mine if its going to be out of my site any length of time, thats about it. I don't really park in any high crime areas though. Either way, if your worried about it, insure it.

goalie · 07-08-2012, 03:12 PM

Unless you live in a high crime area, why bother?

jrw69 · 07-08-2012, 03:24 PM

Personally, I think not having anything on a bike is creating a potential crime. Here in San Antonio, everyone locks theirs since it doesn't matter where you park, unlocked=unsafe. It's always better to try and lock it to an immoveable object since 2-3 guys with a van or truck and your bike is gone. Just my opinion.

zmago · 07-08-2012, 03:46 PM

Some kid could come along, take it for a joyride, and leave it wrecked in a field. I always lock the forks on mine, and I have a disc lock for the rear wheel. It doesn't cost anything to lock it.

Wayward_Traveller · 07-13-2012, 06:33 PM

It never hurts to protect your stuff... I know in Washington bike theft is a huge problem.
Your bike is just easier because it's so light.
But up here they are lifting 1000's info vans and driving away so weight doesn't really matter.
Disc locks aren't a bad idea, what most people don't know is that one good hard kick can usually break steering lock.
My wife's broke in a tip over in the driveway... so don't think you are safe just because your steering is locked.

Not trying to scare you, just saying there is nothing wrong with being protective of your stuff.

Squisher · 07-17-2012, 11:42 AM

Not silly at all, in fact I know of a company that used to make an anchor specific to that purpose...

(Edited to remove link, as I think the company/person producing them has stopped).

cbdallas · 07-17-2012, 11:46 AM

I'd just say that if you are planning to chain it, make the chain worth buying. Larger grade 8 chains are harder to cut than some cheapie bicycle chain. Just make it worth doing if you're going to do it.

I put disc locks on both wheels and lock my forks. It's definitely not theft-proof, but I'm going to make it as difficult as possible.

The other option is an alarm with a 2-way transmitter. It basically alerts a key fob if someone moves the bike. You can also get them with GPS so if they do manage to grab the bike, you may be able to locate it...if you get to the bike before the thieves find the GPS unit and disable it.

Islesfan91 · 07-17-2012, 02:32 PM

I have to park mine out front of our house, so I put a chain through the rear wheel and around the large wooden support by the front door, with the front wheel parked facing into a corner, cover it and then put a xena disc lock alarm on the front wheel. Hoping if someone decided to cut the chain they'd try and wheel the bike out and set off the alarm. I also keep the forks locked.

bajakirch · 07-17-2012, 05:31 PM

No reason NOT to lock it up. A small bike like that can be easily lifted into a pickup by a couple of guys.

Speaking as a law enforcement officer, I'd say the vast majority of thefts are crimes of opportunity. Remove the opportunity, or just make it harder on them, and you'll go a long way to making sure the bike's there every morning you want it to be.

07-08-2012, 01:03 PM	#1
bglaze Verified Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 28	Is it silly to "bike lock" my new Rebel? So, I've only had my new Rebel for a few days, and I've driving it to work and parking it in one of the motorcycle spaces in our parking garage. Because of the rebel's small size and light weight, I had thought it might be a good idea to lock it to something. There is nothing in the standard motorcycle spaces to lock it to, so I am not sure how I would do that. I really am wondering if anyone else does this, or if I am just over-worried about my pristine new little mode of transportation? I know that if someone wants it bad enough, even a chain won't keep them from taking it. But I am curious what others do...? It is insured of course against theft, even though it wouldn't be that expensive to replace. However, this little bike is already starting to grow on me as a companion of sorts. I changed it's oil last night, and I plan to open her up and check my valves tomorrow night, so, more than its monetary value, I would hate to lose all those hours of intimacy. =) Haha, anyway, not too worried about it. But what do you all think? Thanks! Brock

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07-08-2012, 01:33 PM	#2
EntropyFx Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 214	I just use the wheel lock built into my Honda 1300 so they can't just pop it into neutral and roll it away. Not sure if the smaller rebels have those built in or not.

07-08-2012, 01:48 PM	#3
Team Elkhorn VP in charge of Diddly Squat Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 92	I lock the fork on mine if its going to be out of my site any length of time, thats about it. I don't really park in any high crime areas though. Either way, if your worried about it, insure it.

07-08-2012, 03:12 PM	#4
goalie Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fairfax, Virginia -- near Fair Oaks Mall Posts: 1,596	Unless you live in a high crime area, why bother?

07-08-2012, 03:24 PM	#5
jrw69 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 465	Personally, I think not having anything on a bike is creating a potential crime. Here in San Antonio, everyone locks theirs since it doesn't matter where you park, unlocked=unsafe. It's always better to try and lock it to an immoveable object since 2-3 guys with a van or truck and your bike is gone. Just my opinion.

07-08-2012, 03:46 PM	#6
zmago Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Slovenia Posts: 752	Some kid could come along, take it for a joyride, and leave it wrecked in a field. I always lock the forks on mine, and I have a disc lock for the rear wheel. It doesn't cost anything to lock it.

07-13-2012, 06:33 PM	#7
Wayward_Traveller Idaho STAR Instructor Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 188	It never hurts to protect your stuff... I know in Washington bike theft is a huge problem. Your bike is just easier because it's so light. But up here they are lifting 1000's info vans and driving away so weight doesn't really matter. Disc locks aren't a bad idea, what most people don't know is that one good hard kick can usually break steering lock. My wife's broke in a tip over in the driveway... so don't think you are safe just because your steering is locked. Not trying to scare you, just saying there is nothing wrong with being protective of your stuff.

07-17-2012, 11:42 AM	#8
Squisher Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Franklin, IN Posts: 238	Not silly at all, in fact I know of a company that used to make an anchor specific to that purpose... (Edited to remove link, as I think the company/person producing them has stopped).

07-17-2012, 11:46 AM	#9
cbdallas Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wylie, TX Posts: 1,786	I'd just say that if you are planning to chain it, make the chain worth buying. Larger grade 8 chains are harder to cut than some cheapie bicycle chain. Just make it worth doing if you're going to do it. I put disc locks on both wheels and lock my forks. It's definitely not theft-proof, but I'm going to make it as difficult as possible. The other option is an alarm with a 2-way transmitter. It basically alerts a key fob if someone moves the bike. You can also get them with GPS so if they do manage to grab the bike, you may be able to locate it...if you get to the bike before the thieves find the GPS unit and disable it.

07-17-2012, 02:32 PM	#10
Islesfan91 Verified Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 97	I have to park mine out front of our house, so I put a chain through the rear wheel and around the large wooden support by the front door, with the front wheel parked facing into a corner, cover it and then put a xena disc lock alarm on the front wheel. Hoping if someone decided to cut the chain they'd try and wheel the bike out and set off the alarm. I also keep the forks locked.

07-17-2012, 05:31 PM	#11
bajakirch Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 307	No reason NOT to lock it up. A small bike like that can be easily lifted into a pickup by a couple of guys. Speaking as a law enforcement officer, I'd say the vast majority of thefts are crimes of opportunity. Remove the opportunity, or just make it harder on them, and you'll go a long way to making sure the bike's there every morning you want it to be.