Noob here, got my A2 license earlier today, woo! - Anyway, I was wondering, I have a 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R and I want to order the Almax Series 3 chain that’s very hyped up on youtube and review sites.
However, driving past solo motorcycle bays in London, it just seems like a space with nothing anywhere near to wrap the chain around. Am I missing something?
How would I effectively use the chain?
If there is nothing solid or otherwise to wrap the chain around, what’s the point of the chain?
I used a bike bay on Great Russel St (off Tottenham court road) and they had ground anchors there.
I think that area comes under Westminster council so might be worth checking their site to see if they have pinpointed any other bays with ground anchors.
Kensington & Chelsea have Hardie anchors in lots of their bays. Islington and others tend to use stands on the pavement side of the bay with a horizontal bar just above ground level that you can lock to. They’re not everywhere though.
Else assuming you can park in other types of bay (it varies between boroughs - look here: http://www.motorcycleparking.com/parking_london.shtml ) you can often find a road sign pole next to the kerb, park next to it and loop a chain around that.
doesnt seem to be a pole in this picture, everyones just got a chain through their wheel.you could always join this lot http://www.lock2lock.co.uk/ but ive never seen a bike with a sticker on it but i dont park in bays
This is a real problem issue. There are no security measures in the bays near where i work, so its either a long walk from one that does (which makes the benefits of the bike in terms of getting in early pointless) or risk it.
Chaining to street furniture is ok if your chain reaches (and doesn’t pose a tripping hazard), but think about that it is. If its a small pole with the parking reg’s on, they can be cut easily and makes the Almax a bit pointless. If someones a bike thief, I doubt a touch of vandalism to get the bike they want will be a problem.
Yeh, that’s what I thought. So in that case, what does the chain and steering lock and disk break lock and all those other measures do if all they do is lift it up and stick it in a van anyway?
Chaining the rear wheel to nothing just stops little toe rags wheeling it away. Doesn’t stop people lifting it into a van
Chaining to another chain is a good idea, no reason they’d mind as its safer for both of you. There is a scheme for this, lock2lock maybe?
I have a 2m lock, was in two minds about the 1.5m or 2m. the 1.5m was out of stock so that was it. it is ridiculously heavy and is a pain in the arse, but it does mean I can reach lamp posts situated on the kerb when i’ve parked on the road, a 1.5m often wouldn’t reach unfortunately
Don’t waste your money on a tracker - you’re better off spending the 500 odd quid on fire and theft on your insurance. Bike thieves will just rip it out and throw it away. The only thing it will help with is your piece of mind.
To be honest, locks chains etc are just a deterrent and no more. All you are doing it making it harder for them to steal the bike - and that’s the main thing. Thieves are looking for the quickest steal possible - so locking it to another bike, a signpost or railings are obviously much better.
The sad thing is if someone wants it, they’ll have it.Why don’t you check out an NCP - I bet there are a few you could park in for free that would be more secure.