Well....Monday turned to Tuesday as far as getting my new Ultra, but that was mostly my fault, I had too much "stuff" to put on the bike to get it done by Monday, so I'll be picking it up today. Nicer day for riding anyway, yesterday was down right cold.

Anyway, my main question here is the security system on the Ultra, is it actually worth anything more than a small reduction in the insurance? I originally had no interest in a security system, but apparently the Anniversary editions come with it, so I'll make the best of it. My understanding is the basic security system disables the electronics so the bike can't be started....big deal, from what I've read most bikes aren't stolen by jump starting them anyway, but rather by a team who literally lift them into a trailer and they are gone.....at least that's how professional thieves do it. I've seen some info on pagers (lots of comments that they don't seem to work very well), and sirens that only seem to **** people off because they make noise. I've also read a little about malfunctions that end up leaving the real owner stranded because he can't get past the security system even though he has a valid FOB. What's the consensus here, just more electronics that can go wrong, or are they of some value??

 

first of all, the determined professional thief will steal your bike regardless of what you do. the security system, including adding the siren, is one tool to help save your bike from the amateurs who are looking for an easy grab. I use mine all the time, and when on the road even cable the bike to something solide and use a cover (not a HD). So far, the bike is always where i left it in the morning.

Haven't had any problems with this system on my '07 UC, nor any problems on my '06 WG. added sirens to both and am a believer in adding this extra bit of insurance to keeping the bike under my control.

 

gman....is the siren a "plug and play" Harley part add on, and is it activated with the same key FOB?

 

First, the security is well worth the money, it will keep the scum and the pro from messing with it in puplic. And even if they did steal it, they would hve to replace the whole ECM to be able to start the bike without the key fob to unlock it. Siren just snaps in under left side cover and plugs in to the provided plug.

 

Have to agree.. The security system with the siren is great to have.. Lets you know if the bike is moved or should fall over ... Keeps small time jurks and thieves at bay... Nice to hear the "churp" when you walk away from the bike with the FOB in your pocket.. LETS all bystanders know the bike is on ready-alert to all thieves and kids.

Never had a problem with the alarm or having to try and work-around it.. You can put in your own by-pass code if your FOB just dies or is lost... Even get a wallet card for help... Only if you need it..

the additional add-on siren is about 80.00 and pretty easy to install.... Goes on the left side of the bike on the 08 Ultra instead as instruction calls for ... Snaps into a pre-installed bracket on the bike. Just a little hard to get into the bracket but it will fit....

 

It's another tool that protects your investment. That being said, I prefer the Aritronix Scorpio system over the HD stock security hands down. It has more features for the money and can be installed and maintained by the owner, another plus. I have the previous generation called the ThunderPager, and in over 7 years I've only had to replace one sensor, with NO visits to my buddies at the HD dealer. GREAT customer service too, a rarity today.

 

I like the fact I don't have to arm it or disarm it because it is automatic

 

I had a 2005 Ultra Classic and installed the smart siren 2 and it worked flawlessly. I traded the 05 UC in on a new 08 Ultra Classic but before doing so I took my smart siren off and i then mounted it on my new 08 UC. Here is the problem, It does chirp when I walk away but thats it. If you move the bike the lights flash as designed and it won't start. Great but I would like the sire to work. According to the Harley parts catalog the part number for the 05 and the 08 are identical. Has anyone had this problem or does anyone know how to set the siren up for this bike.

 

I done nearly the same thing you done... My siren was purchased new however and it has a wire antenna on the siren itself... I think it's for the pager if you use one.. Anyway if your bike "chirps" when you turn everything off and the lights blink it would indicate that a signal is being sent to the siren as well as the lights.. After that.. when you try to set the bike upright or move the bike you should get at least a warning chirp and blinking lights... and then the alarm re-sets itself.. leaving the bike alone... a second attempt or continued movement of the bike will activate the siren to scream like yell.. until you get the FOB back near the bike..

If your siren isn't acting this way you should first check the plug-in of the siren to assure no pins are bent over preventing activation... Secondly the siren itself my have a weak battery.. the siren is a stand-alone siren that just needs to be activated and deactivated by the alarm system then it's own power source makes it scream..

You may be able to check the siren with an independent power 12v source to see if the internal battery will take over.. These sirens won't last forever because of the internal battery but I've also heard they can have a new battery put in them if you can remove all the potting material to get to it..

 

I got Lo Jack on my '08 Ultra along with the security system option that comes with the Anniversary model. It was expensive but it brings a certain peace of mind when travelling in the event it is taken. I am mostly concerned about overnight when staying at a motel or hotel. If the bike is moved it will call my cell phone, home phone and email in that order within a couple of minutes. I can then call police and activiate the tracking device. I suppose a thief can de-activate the Lo Jack if they know where to find it. Even I don't know where it is at; at least I haven't found it yet; I suppose I eventually will.Also,I suppose there are only a few places on the bike you can conceal it.If the thief had enough time he could find it before stealing it if he suspected it had one installed. I don't imagine many thiefs are going to take the time to do that. So unless they find it after they steal it and de activate it before the call comes to me andI have the tracking device activated it is probably a good bet it will be recovered.

I don't think having it replaces common sense in using other technques to protect your bike. It is just another level of security.

LikeI said I don't know if it was worth the money but it does provide a certain sense of security. Hopefully I will never find out.