Alarm recommendations?

[Celtic32]

What alarm system do people recommend for their bikes?

Any other security products people swear by? My bikes garaged at home with a good disc lock and chain. I always use the disc lock whenever away from home but would like to improve on this hence thinking of fitting an alarm.

As the alarms will have a constant draw from the battery, is it best to have the battery on a trickle charger whenever it's not in use?

[gsxbarmy]

Don't go there Andrew - alarms are seriously more trouble than they are worth, and the top rated Datatool one - which to date has tended to set the standard - has just been recalled due to "issues"

Over the years I think I've seen more threads on forums about "dead bikes" caused by alarm issues than anything else.

What I would suggest is maybe a good cable to go with your disc lock  - not sure what model or make disc lock you have but I have one of these with my Xena XX-14, light and easy to carry but strong as anything. Easy to chain you bike to other bikes / immoveable objects when out

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Xena-XXA-150-Cable-and-Adaptor-fit-XX6-XX10-XX14-Disc-Lock-/192050667280?clk_rvr_id=1188331623225&rmvSB=true

[Celtic32]

Thanks Dave. That's answered that then. It was something I wondered so I'll stick with the physical security and maybe look into trackers instead.

[Cykik]

Don't do it!!

[Mrg]

Yep alarms are a pain in the ass  ..... how many time have you heard or even seen a alarm go off  and a quick look

[VladTepes]

I work in the security industry (broadly speaking) and agree - car alarms, bike alarms, etc are a complete waste of money.  So are building alarms, unless they are back-to-base monitored with an effective timely response (very rare).

[seth]

as others have said
more trouble than there worth
get your self a good quality lock and chain

[T 24]

I have had Steelmate alarm in my bike about three years with no problems(yet). And if you dont tell anybody, I didnt connect the immobiliser for reliability reasons. I dont want to stop on highway just for the toy.
I dont think its worth of money, but some small boy inside of me just wants to have toys...

[Mick_J]

I use alarms on my bikes and have never had a problem, my Speedtriple has a datatool and in 17 years it's never given me any grief.  I used to fit Solalarms to all my other bikes for the last 24 years and none of them ever failed but they have gone out of business.  I am a fan of alarms, doesn't stop your bike being nicked but it will put most thieving scum off.  Always complement it with a good shackle.
If you can find a solalarm 835t I can thoroughly recommend them.

[grog]

not an alarm fan. so many go wrong, see it everyday in my job. sometimes lots of bucks to repair. if yours is good, stick with it. best alarm ive had was my blue heeler dog, sadly now gone. i now use a ground anchor, fitted to floor with dyna bolts, 10mm master chain goes thru bike and locked to anchor. away from home is just disc lock. k7 so ignition is very secure. can be picked up i know. park next to ducati, harley etc, theyll always choose them against 14. they dont know what theyre missing out on.

[KiwiCol]

Over here (Kiwi land) we still rely on honesty & reckon no one is gonna nick yer bike, hell I even leave the key in it sometimes & the Garmin & Radar Detector just sitting in the cradles.  I'm not very far away at those times though.

[Kiwifruit]

Yes Col we are pretty lucky in that regard.
I like Grogs idea though.
Will use a disc lock when i feel the need.

[gsxbarmy]

I use alarms on my bikes and have never had a problem, my Speedtriple has a datatool and in 17byears it's never given me any grief.  I used to fit Solalarms to all my other bikes for the last 24 years and none of them ever failed but they have gone out of business.  I am a fan of alarms, doesn't stop your bike being nicked but it will put most thieving scum off.  Always complement it with a good shackle.
If you can find a solalarm 835t I can thoroughly recommend them.

If your Datatool was fitted by Triumph mjgt, contact your Triumph dealer, as Datatool have put a recall out on all Triumph Datatool alarms, as well their own Datatool alarms, as on many there is a fault

[Mick_J]

After 17 trouble free years I don't think mine has any faults.

[northern]

I have this:
https://www.abus.com/eng/Mobile-Security/Motorbike-Scooter/Brake-disc-locks/GRANIT-Detecto-X-Plus-8077

Totally understand, it will not make my bike steal-prove, but at least make it less easy to roll away, then neighbor bike.