Hey,
I've had my '02 F4i for almost two weeks now, and I want a way to secure my newborn son to the passenger seat so he can ride with me.

Ok, just kidding.

Actually I'm heading back to college at UMD. I am thinking about bringing my bike to school with me, but the area (College Park) has a little crime, as some of you may know. So I ask, what is the best way to secure my bike/deter theives? (Other than ) What experiences have you had with certain products? Please point me in the right direction!

Also, I think this is in the correct section? Sorry in advance if it's not.
Thanks!

 

My newest toy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4EkF7s-SBY

and chain it to something thats not moving...mines on a 6x6 holding up my porch...

 

Wow that thing is sensitive. How much/what is it?

 

Chain it to something not moving is your best bet. Granted this will just be a hindrance to a determined thief, it will stop most people.

An alarm would be nice but damn that thing is sensitive. Any small animal would set the bike off.

Or get a first-floor apartment and bring it inside

 

I'm with Aken, 1st floor apartment would be ideal, might be against your apartment's lease contract though. I ended up buying a heavy duty chain, but by no means the most expensive one. Here's what I bought: http://www.onguardlock.com/?page_id=329
I was sold on this one by its price, length, and 14mm thick links

There are many other good brands out there though. I also considered ABUS, and one other one I can't think of right now

 

I would think that the cheapest methods to secure your bike would be:
1) A Disk Brake Lock (averaging around 40 dollars)
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/5/SportsRec/Powersports/ATVAccessories/PRD~0270052P/Master%2BLock%2BDisc%2BBrake%2BLock.jsp
2) An Alarm Cable Lock ( also averaging around 40 dollars)
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/Summer/BikesAccessories/LocksKickstands/PRD~0733907P/Masterlock%2BAlarm%2BCable%2BLock.jsp

I actually just bought one of these for my helmet but I'm sure you could configure it onto your back tire somehow to lock the bike in place. It's basically like a normal bike lock but if it gets cut then it emits a 110 db alarm.

 

its an armed guard 200P Alarm system..i picked it up off ebay for $50..

it has a 1 mile range pager, so if my bike and me are both on campus and the alarm goes off...i will know. You can adjust the sensitivity too, its on the highest setting because i want the slightest breeze to set it off :-D

 

I had the same or very similar alarm on my Ninja250R, after I installed a full Muzzy exhaust, I thought it was worth the alarm investment.
I also liked the feature that it had of a fuel cut-0ff switch, even with the key in the ignition it would not turn over unless the alarm was shut off.

Mine was called "Merlin 2 0r 3000" don't quite remember, but it sounded very similar to yours Red.
And as for the sensitivity, there are adjustements that you make to a Mercury sensor bubble that makes it less or more sensitive.
When I first got the alarm installed, strong gusts of wind would set it off. lol.

I don't know if yours is the same, but mine would also let you know how many times the alarm had been set off if you were not around to hear it.
It did this by means of "Chirps" when you de-activated it.
Good alarm, cost $100.00 bones, installed by a tech.