Triumphrat

Tiger_1050_VT · 01-04-2008

I'm doing Vermont to Tennessee and back after the Bennington Bash. Just wondering how to secure your bike during hotel overnights (every third or rainy night in a hotel, the rest camping).

Is locking the steering and parking outside your room enough? Chains? Cables?

I'm from Vermont where we generally don't bother locking anything...but something tells me the rest of the country isn't that way.

Pauljo · 01-04-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiger_1050_VT

I'm doing Vermont to Tennessee and back after the Bennington Bash. Just wondering how to secure your bike during hotel overnights (every third or rainy night in a hotel, the rest camping).

Is locking the steering and parking outside your room enough? Chains? Cables?

I'm from Vermont where we generally don't bother locking anything...but something tells me the rest of the country isn't that way.

I try to stay in one of the old style motels where you CAN park right outside your room. If I must stay at a high rise, I try to park in a well lit spot, as close to the office or lobby as possible (assuming it is staffed 24 hours). I lock the forks. I sometimes carry a disk lock, but I rarely use it.

If a pro thief wants your bike - its gone. And it will only take seconds. If you chained or cabled the bike to something, bolt cutters or a can of freon & a hammer will make short work of that. Then pick the bike up in a sling & off to the chop shop.

Exercising reasonable care will prevent a juvenile joyride heist. If traveling in a group, cable locking several bikes together is an interesting option.

One does worry sometimes, but I've never had a bike messed with when parked overnight while traveling.

cafecruzin · 01-06-2008

Quote:

I lock the forks. I sometimes carry a disk lock, but I rarely use it.

+1 on that .it's about all you can do.......plus make sure your insurance is up to date

sagaris · 01-06-2008

I just went for a trek through Canada before the end of the year, I might be able to help. Half the time we were along the TransCanadian highway, which was so desolate locks and security became and afterthought. When we reentered civilization, the two hotels we used had motorcyclists on staff. They were very understanding and even let us park in the staff lot for a little added safety.

There are some bad folks out there, but plenty more good ones. You just need to ask. Good luck on the trip!

Gohm · 01-08-2008

I will lock the forks, use a disc lock (I have one with a bilt in alarm) and then I will use a cover (out of sight, out of mind). Most covers have grommet holes on the bottom to bungee the cover on, I'll put a padlock through instead. No matter what you do, if someone really wants it it will only take 2 guys with a pick-up or van seconds. You just want enough obvious hassel to discourage the kids and hope a thief will move on to an easier target. If you are lucky enough to be on the ground floor facing the parking lot you can also wheel it inside the room. Having a bike lower down on the "wish list" can also help.

mistermellow001 · 01-08-2008

I have a huge pair of motorcycle handcuffs made for locking frame to frame through the back wheel. Whenever I can, I use them instead to cuff the frame to a lamp post or something. The chain between the cuffs is pretty short so I'm actually thinkng of getting a 2nd one. They're pretty heavy though, so if you're trying to pack light I'd think about how much iron you want to take to prevent a normally unlikely theft.

zadok_oz · 01-08-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gohm

I will lock the forks, use a disc lock (I have one with a bilt in alarm) and then I will use a cover (out of sight, out of mind). Most covers have grommet holes on the bottom to bungee the cover on, I'll put a padlock through instead. No matter what you do, if someone really wants it it will only take 2 guys with a pick-up or van seconds. You just want enough obvious hassel to discourage the kids and hope a thief will move on to an easier target. If you are lucky enough to be on the ground floor facing the parking lot you can also wheel it inside the room. Having a bike lower down on the "wish list" can also help.

This is what I do as well.

bsakel · 01-14-2008

Here's some stuff I read,

Use multiple locks, I use three smaller Master Locks, one on each brake rotor. Position them so they are hard to cut with a bolt cutter, i.e. not near the ground to stop leverage. More locks take more time.

Park under a light, cover the bike, use an alarm. Tie it to a post if you can, chains can be heavy to pack, try the newer kevlar "rope" style chains.

If you stay in the same hotel more than one night park in a different spot each night, thieves might notice it the first night and return the second.

Yes, a pro will get your bike but the more you can slow him, or a casual thief down, the less they will like it.

StaggerLee · 01-17-2008

I would suggest your luggage is more of a worry while stopping in cafe and such. I put all my wallet, phone, camera and stuff in a small magnetic tank bag and carry that everywhere you go. Most people think twice about messing with a bikers gear in broad daylight (bad boy image does work!) and like someone else mentioned nearly everyone is actually honest and not the dogs the media portray so your saddle bags will be OK. I actually need to get myself a small cable lock (there are compact retractable designs) that are perfect for tying your helmet to your bike and help give a little bit extra security.

Don't let fear of bad things stop you enjoying the good things

Hamr Mark · 01-27-2008

+1 to what other said about well lit parking, parking outside your room etc. Also, if travelling in a group, and staying at a hotel, put the least lockable bike in the front. ie...in Daytona last year, at the hotel, we had 4 bikes in 1 car parking spot, the easiest to steal being surrounded by the bikes that had locking steering etc...