Security or no security
He probably meant it would run the battery down faster. Maybe if you don't ride for a few months it would make a difference. But thats why you put a battery tender on the bike when it's stored.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 453
Likes: 1
From: Flowery Branch GA
I have the security system, but not the siren. Did you add the HD siren? Also do you have the pager and if so do you like the pager? OP I would totally add the security system, love just leaving the fob in jacket or jeans while riding.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 277
Likes: 1
Apparently, some participants in this thread are unaware that the security system uses electricity to monitor the bike for motion and fob presence even when the ignition is off. It's not the bike battery I was concerned about when I had the security system, though: it was the fob battery. I never knew the bypass code, and had never taken the time to figure out how to set it or work it. If that fob battery had died, I'd have been in trouble!
Some have already mentioned the hassle when moving the bike around the garage. That much was true for me as well, but I didn't have the siren, so I would often move it and just let it flash its little heart out for a few minutes. It was sometimes a pain to have to run get the keys for a short warm-up run before an oil change, for example, but really, Harleys are the only vehicles that have ever consistently let you do that without keys, so if you don't already have that expectation, then not being able to do that is no loss.
I bought my Ultra with the 6.5-inch touchscreen but no security system. Wanna know what I missed most? If I put the key into a pocket full of change, I could not distinguish the key from a quarter in a split second with my fingertips. The fob had always helped me with that in the past. So, I asked Santa for a nice, high-quality keyring, leather with a pewter bar-and-shield emblem I'd found on Ebay, and now I don't miss the security system at all. If it won't pay for itself in insurance savings, I'd suggest... skip it.
Some have already mentioned the hassle when moving the bike around the garage. That much was true for me as well, but I didn't have the siren, so I would often move it and just let it flash its little heart out for a few minutes. It was sometimes a pain to have to run get the keys for a short warm-up run before an oil change, for example, but really, Harleys are the only vehicles that have ever consistently let you do that without keys, so if you don't already have that expectation, then not being able to do that is no loss.
I bought my Ultra with the 6.5-inch touchscreen but no security system. Wanna know what I missed most? If I put the key into a pocket full of change, I could not distinguish the key from a quarter in a split second with my fingertips. The fob had always helped me with that in the past. So, I asked Santa for a nice, high-quality keyring, leather with a pewter bar-and-shield emblem I'd found on Ebay, and now I don't miss the security system at all. If it won't pay for itself in insurance savings, I'd suggest... skip it.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 570
Likes: 4
From: New Mexico
I agree with dickey. We have one with and one without the factory security. I have my own on my bike, cost about 5 bucks and just as effective as the 400 dollar one. The fob is normally in a windshield pouch or saddle bag any way so it wouldn't do much good. I liked the old style that you had to arm but not this new one.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,697
Likes: 10
From: San Angelo, Texas
Get the security. Get the Harley SmartSiren. Get the battery operated pager. The RS siren is a snip and a pull and it's gone, the Harley smart siren has it's own battery and someone can take it off but it won't shut up until the battery is dead. The pager let's you know someone is messing with the bike. 150-175 for the pager and siren. And if your insurance isn't giving a discount for the security, you might want to look at the coverage...
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 876
Likes: 4
From: Waskom, TX
I suppose if I just rode to work and around town, I'd be happy to do without the security system. Yeah, it's a pain sometimes to move the bike around, I added the siren and it doesn't just flash now. I travel with mine and I like the extra peace of mind when it's parked out in front of some hotel. Added the pager too. Has all that kept my bike from being stolen? I don't know. Pager went off at a hotel in Atlanta one night. I ran down and all I found were other pissed off people that got woke up. Did it mess up? I don't think so, it's not done that before or since. Did someone try and steal it. Don't know that either. But it was still there and that's all I care about. Pay the extra, or don't. It's up to you. I wouldn't have one without it. IMO the only flaw in the system is that it's possible to have your fob on a work bench, start up and ride away without it. MOCO should fix that.
One question though. Some say that they like that the system chirps when it arms. My 2012 doesn't do that. Lights flash, but no chirp. Is the chirp something that the security system used to do?
Ride Safe
David
One question though. Some say that they like that the system chirps when it arms. My 2012 doesn't do that. Lights flash, but no chirp. Is the chirp something that the security system used to do?
Ride Safe
David
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 698
Likes: 13
I bought my Ultra with the security system.........Never had it before and figured I didnt need it. Now after having the security on this bike...........I like the peace of mind it affords.
So with that said, if I were buying a new bike it would have the security system installed.
So with that said, if I were buying a new bike it would have the security system installed.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,462
Likes: 57,017
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
I suppose if I just rode to work and around town, I'd be happy to do without the security system. Yeah, it's a pain sometimes to move the bike around, I added the siren and it doesn't just flash now. I travel with mine and I like the extra peace of mind when it's parked out in front of some hotel. Added the pager too. Has all that kept my bike from being stolen? I don't know. Pager went off at a hotel in Atlanta one night. I ran down and all I found were other pissed off people that got woke up. Did it mess up? I don't think so, it's not done that before or since. Did someone try and steal it. Don't know that either. But it was still there and that's all I care about. Pay the extra, or don't. It's up to you. I wouldn't have one without it. IMO the only flaw in the system is that it's possible to have your fob on a work bench, start up and ride away without it. MOCO should fix that.
One question though. Some say that they like that the system chirps when it arms. My 2012 doesn't do that. Lights flash, but no chirp. Is the chirp something that the security system used to do?
Ride Safe
David
One question though. Some say that they like that the system chirps when it arms. My 2012 doesn't do that. Lights flash, but no chirp. Is the chirp something that the security system used to do?
Ride Safe
David
