Super Basic Newbie Question - Locking
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,405
Likes: 6
From: Portland, Oregon
Just get lo-jack http://www.lojack.com/motorcycle/pag...-recovery.aspx
I used to lock my forks with a pad-lock then realized if anyone really wants the bike they will take it. the part it out. Lojack would be your best method.
I used to lock my forks with a pad-lock then realized if anyone really wants the bike they will take it. the part it out. Lojack would be your best method.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 163
From: Northern VA
Welcome aboard. Not sure what kind of area you live and ride in, but at a minimum I'd lock the forks and ignition if you're going into a place where you can't see your bike through the window or an unfamiliar stop. Also, don't leave loose articles on your bike in plain sight. Put helmet, gloves and jackets in your saddle bags, if they'll fit. Out of sight, out of mind. The real challenge is when you're on the road on an over-nighter in an unfamiliar area, such as one of the large bike rallys (my '96 Fatboy was stolen during the Laughlin River Run). Recommend having a good cable lock and locking your bike to another bike or something stationary. Be consistent with your security measures. Make it part of your habit pattern. As mentioned, have good insurance. With all that said, enjoy the hell out of your new Harley.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 11,232
Likes: 2,280
From: Lake Seminole
If it makes you feel better lock your bike ignition and forks. Keep good insurance and most important enjoy yourself. If you worry about your bike being left alone, drive your 4 wheel ride to the party. You can sleep it off in it.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Cameron, NC
I don't lock my bike. The most common way I have heard of thieves stealing a bike is to push it over onto a mattress and load it in a van, or just pick it up and load it. Neither of the locks you talk about prevent that. Just ride it and park it. Don't spend all your time worrying about it, it just ruins your time. If it gets stolen, hope you have good insurance. I'm willing to bet that 99% of all Harley riders have never had their bike stolen, just be smart about where you park it. If you have to park it where you can't see it, park it where everyone else will see it. Thieves don't steal in front of other people.
I love my bike and don't want it to get stolen, but in the end, it is just a bike and I refuse to let the fear of theft ruin my rides. Insurance can buy me a new one for me to customize.
I love my bike and don't want it to get stolen, but in the end, it is just a bike and I refuse to let the fear of theft ruin my rides. Insurance can buy me a new one for me to customize.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 597
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
instead of really good locks, I invest in really good insurance. If someone wants your bike bad enough, 4 guys with 2 pipes can pick it up and walk off with it and I have yet to see a chain or cable that cannot be cut. If the ignition is off, at least they have to push it instead of riding it off. As far as fork locks, If you read this forum long enough you will hear from plenty of guys who dumped thier bikes when they forgot to unlock them.
Just my opinion, but ride it, enjoy it, and if the bad guys want it bad enough, get another one to play with.
Just my opinion, but ride it, enjoy it, and if the bad guys want it bad enough, get another one to play with.
I couldn't agree more. Keep in mind all the things everyone else has said and this...the chances of you wrecking your bike are nearly 1,000 times greater than your Harley getting stolen. The majority of bikes stolen are of the crotch rocket variety. Never known of anyone personally that has gotten their cruiser stolen. Know plenty of guys that have had their crotch rockets took tho. Me personally, I would not use the fork locking device. I know someone who did major damage by forgetting it was locked. Still think great insurance is the best defense against thieves...and a .45 of course.
Last edited by Jbizzle; Apr 10, 2011 at 10:37 PM. Reason: Guy above me explained the mattress thing
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,053
Likes: 12,327
From: Arkansas
I've always just locked the ignition and forks. I also leave the kill switch in the Off position. If you have a newer bike I assume you have the proximity fob so you don't have to worry about that.
To all those that say "that's what insurance if for"....I'm thinkin I'm probably right on when I say there is a really good chance none of them have ever come out form someplace to find their bike gone.
I have and there isn't enough insurance on earth to fix the feeling you get when some asshat takes your bike. It's just like anything else, if you haven't been there you don't know what you're talking about.
To all those that say "that's what insurance if for"....I'm thinkin I'm probably right on when I say there is a really good chance none of them have ever come out form someplace to find their bike gone.
I have and there isn't enough insurance on earth to fix the feeling you get when some asshat takes your bike. It's just like anything else, if you haven't been there you don't know what you're talking about.
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