Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I need to get a chain for my bike (a Yamaha TDM)

A security chain to lock the thing up when I park it up somewhere.

Now, on another forum is some guy with MASSIVE bolt cutters who can pretty much cut thru any chain in seconds. So I accept that it's not going to stop a Pro bike theif.

But perhaps TDM's are not the most sort after bikes to steal (not racer style) so that may work in my/our favour here.

So, bearing in mind that nothing is 100%, I'd be interested to hear any recommendations re chain types, link sizes and the actual locl type/style that holds it all together.

I'm wondering if the solid bar U shaped clamps are more secure, but of course they are not really long enough to lock the bike to anything like a pole.

I just don't want to go out and buy something thats rubbish.

Thanks for any recommendations.

There've been a lot of threads on this in the Experienced Riders' forums over the last summer. This is one of the better ones.

Personally, I would use a disc lock/alarm and a cover with a heavy locked cable if you can't do like I did and find (or rent) a garage to store the bike in.

Psycluded wrote:There've been a lot of threads on this in the Experienced Riders' forums over the last summer. This is one of the better ones.

Personally, I would use a disc lock/alarm and a cover with a heavy locked cable if you can't do like I did and find (or rent) a garage to store the bike in.

Thanks...

My bike is kept in a locked garage when I'm at home, and there's a cra parked in the drive also, so they have to move the car, break open the garage before even thinking about the bike.

I'm just after a chain for when I go out to the shops, or to the coast for the day kinda thing.

The disc lock/alarm should do well enough out and about, but like you said, nothing will truly prevent it 100%. Be strategic about where you park, too. Most places don't mind motorcycles parking on the sidewalk near their stores, etc. Park someplace where there will be a lot of eyes.

Try the Masterlock Handcuff style lock. Very heavy duty and easy to fold and transport. One end can fit around the frame while the other is around an immovable object.

How often do you think you'll find a parking lot with something to lock your bike to. And where are you going to store that big heavy chain while you're riding?

I thought most of those chain hookups were for when you have to leave your bike out overnight at your house.

A disc lock or handlebar lever lock is probably the best option. A chain, no matter the thickness or hardness, will not stop a theif from your bike if they truly want it. If someone just wants a joyride, a disc lock will drop them as quickly and as well as a big, heavy chain.

Skier wrote:A disc lock or handlebar lever lock is probably the best option. A chain, no matter the thickness or hardness, will not stop a theif from your bike if they truly want it. If someone just wants a joyride, a disc lock will drop them as quickly and as well as a big, heavy chain.

You can't be serious? You think a disc or lever lock will stop a thief while a chain will not? I'm not a thief, but I will be willing to bet your bike to mine, I can take your bike faster with that disc or lever lock than if it had a chain around a secured object.

Bottom line, thieves are looking for fast and easy. A disc lock will not stop anyone who wants your bike while a chain securely in place will make a thief reconsider and move on.

Multiple locking may deter a thief too lazy to go through the whole mess of a half-dozen types intertwined on the bike. If possible, wire disk lock or chain to an extension cord connected to a 240v electrical outlet, so Meanie can't steal your bike or anybody else's ever again. Be prepared to dispose of bodies.

Meanie wrote:

Skier wrote:A disc lock or handlebar lever lock is probably the best option. A chain, no matter the thickness or hardness, will not stop a theif from your bike if they truly want it. If someone just wants a joyride, a disc lock will drop them as quickly and as well as a big, heavy chain.

You can't be serious? You think a disc or lever lock will stop a thief while a chain will not? I'm not a thief, but I will be willing to bet your bike to mine, I can take your bike faster with that disc or lever lock than if it had a chain around a secured object.

Bottom line, thieves are looking for fast and easy. A disc lock will not stop anyone who wants your bike while a chain securely in place will make a thief reconsider and move on.

If you want my bike bad enough to gather up a couple other big friends to hoist my bike into the back of a truck or van, you would want it bad enough to stop by the hardware store to pick up a set of bolt cutters to take care of any chain I have.