This article is based on findings from an independent research firm hired by LoJack — maker of aftermarket vehicle tracking systems. While tracking systems do have their merits, there are two important downsides that are often overlooked: (1) battery drain on motorcycles and (2) monthly cost.
Virtually all tracking systems require you to pay not only for the product itself but also each and every month to keep the \”service contract\” alive. The long term cost of tracking systems may leave a bad taste in the mouth of the average bike owner. Think about how much you already pay per month (phone bill, mobile phone, internet, etc.) and you can see why tacking on another subscription is cost prohibitive.
Rather than spend all the money unecessarily on monthly fees, a heft dose of common sense (which this article indicates most bikers have) coupled with a good low-cost security product may be all the doctor ordered.
Keeping bikes chained in a garage is useful when at home, but what about outings? On long trips, simple chaining alone may not be enough. A good electronic security system, like CYCLONE Motorcycle Security from Kiramek in Japan (www.kiramek.com), can not only alert others to a theft attempt but also strike some fear into would-be thieves.
KIRAMEK also offers pagers to immediately alert you to a theft, which may be enough for you to either stop the crime yourself or at least phone the police at the time of the theft. The best part is, you pay for the system only once — no recurring fees.
Other companies offer motorcycle alarm systems as well, but many of them are now moving toward expensive two-way pagers that drain the bike\’s battery quickly. But if you ride your bike daily, a 2-way system may be a good choice to consider.
I\’ve just purchased the Xena Security lock.
It is an alarmed disc lock it works great, good price.
I really recommend it- cool product.
-why not have both the lock and the alarm?
Having my bike stolen in early July was the worst. Because of that I started looking into security systems. Turns out the Lojack system is the only tracking device without a monthly fee. It also will save my money on my insurance. As far as battery drawn is concerned I was told it\’s about the same as the digital clock on my new Goldwing.
The systems also comes with a money back guarantee.
The Xena alarm lock looked good until I put my hand over the vent holes for the noise maker and completely silenced it. Lojac is expensive and is not movable to your next motorcycle. You must buy another one. I will quote Art Friedman from Motorcyclist Magazine,\”the first step to keeping your motorcycle is to become very paranoid\”. I try to use this as my credo. Beware of locks that can stop a 30-30 bullet, the same company will sell you a shim kit to open the hasps on these padlocks. Locks must be idiot proofed, therefore there is always a way to open them. Events full of people that are not riders but trailer pullers scare me. They can tow one bike to an event and tow two or three bikes home. An old friend once told me to beware of other motorcyclists. It is not the golfers that are going to steal your machine, it is other motorcyclists. If I was inclined to steal a motorcycle, the easiest way for me would be to watch the restaraunt parking lots with tralered motorcycles going to Laconia NH and steal the truck, trailer and motorcycles all at once buy just defeating the truck\’s anti theft devices if any. Riding to the events instead of being a trailer jockey will help to keep your motorcycle yours.
In reading the responses I thought I would clarify that LoJack is the only tracking system that requires NO MONTHLY OR ANNUAL FEE’s. They also have a system that will notify you when the bike has moved, thus allowing you to verify the theft and then the police track it. Not you on the internet. I guess it is the only sysytem used by police. I also got a discount on my insurance for getting it.
I cannot move it from bike to bike but for the money I save in the long run.
This article is based on findings from an independent research firm hired by LoJack — maker of aftermarket vehicle tracking systems. While tracking systems do have their merits, there are two important downsides that are often overlooked: (1) battery drain on motorcycles and (2) monthly cost.
Virtually all tracking systems require you to pay not only for the product itself but also each and every month to keep the \”service contract\” alive. The long term cost of tracking systems may leave a bad taste in the mouth of the average bike owner. Think about how much you already pay per month (phone bill, mobile phone, internet, etc.) and you can see why tacking on another subscription is cost prohibitive.
Rather than spend all the money unecessarily on monthly fees, a heft dose of common sense (which this article indicates most bikers have) coupled with a good low-cost security product may be all the doctor ordered.
Keeping bikes chained in a garage is useful when at home, but what about outings? On long trips, simple chaining alone may not be enough. A good electronic security system, like CYCLONE Motorcycle Security from Kiramek in Japan (www.kiramek.com), can not only alert others to a theft attempt but also strike some fear into would-be thieves.
KIRAMEK also offers pagers to immediately alert you to a theft, which may be enough for you to either stop the crime yourself or at least phone the police at the time of the theft. The best part is, you pay for the system only once — no recurring fees.
Other companies offer motorcycle alarm systems as well, but many of them are now moving toward expensive two-way pagers that drain the bike\’s battery quickly. But if you ride your bike daily, a 2-way system may be a good choice to consider.
I\’ve just purchased the Xena Security lock.
It is an alarmed disc lock it works great, good price.
I really recommend it- cool product.
-why not have both the lock and the alarm?
Having my bike stolen in early July was the worst. Because of that I started looking into security systems. Turns out the Lojack system is the only tracking device without a monthly fee. It also will save my money on my insurance. As far as battery drawn is concerned I was told it\’s about the same as the digital clock on my new Goldwing.
The systems also comes with a money back guarantee.
The Xena alarm lock looked good until I put my hand over the vent holes for the noise maker and completely silenced it. Lojac is expensive and is not movable to your next motorcycle. You must buy another one. I will quote Art Friedman from Motorcyclist Magazine,\”the first step to keeping your motorcycle is to become very paranoid\”. I try to use this as my credo. Beware of locks that can stop a 30-30 bullet, the same company will sell you a shim kit to open the hasps on these padlocks. Locks must be idiot proofed, therefore there is always a way to open them. Events full of people that are not riders but trailer pullers scare me. They can tow one bike to an event and tow two or three bikes home. An old friend once told me to beware of other motorcyclists. It is not the golfers that are going to steal your machine, it is other motorcyclists. If I was inclined to steal a motorcycle, the easiest way for me would be to watch the restaraunt parking lots with tralered motorcycles going to Laconia NH and steal the truck, trailer and motorcycles all at once buy just defeating the truck\’s anti theft devices if any. Riding to the events instead of being a trailer jockey will help to keep your motorcycle yours.
In reading the responses I thought I would clarify that LoJack is the only tracking system that requires NO MONTHLY OR ANNUAL FEE’s. They also have a system that will notify you when the bike has moved, thus allowing you to verify the theft and then the police track it. Not you on the internet. I guess it is the only sysytem used by police. I also got a discount on my insurance for getting it.
I cannot move it from bike to bike but for the money I save in the long run.