First days: Living with a motorcycle: Difference between revisions

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'''Bike cover''' [* * * *] ($5-250): a bike cover, whether it's a $5 tarp or a fancy purpose-built cover costing way more, is a great theft deterrent. Unless motorcycle thieves are completely indiscriminate in your area, a cover makes the bike less attractive. They don't know what's under there exactly -- it could be a clapped-out 1982 Honda, or it could be the world's fanciest bike, but it's probably not worth the distraction of removing the cover to find out. Particularly in combination with a good lock, a bike cover is about as good as you can do to keep your bike from being stolen short of putting it in a locked garage.

Chain lock [* * * *] ($50-100): several companies make chains specifically for locking up bikes. They're usually a heavy, 5-6 foot (2 meter) chain mated to a small, sturdy lock. These are at least as effective as cable locks, but are usually stronger if the thief decides to try breaking the chain. They're also heavier to carry around.

'''Chain lock''' [* * * *] ($50-100): several companies make chains specifically for locking up bikes. They're usually a heavy, 5-6 foot (2 meter) chain mated to a small, sturdy lock. These are at least as effective as cable locks, but are usually stronger if the thief decides to try breaking the chain. They're also heavier to carry around.

'''Cable lock''' [* * * .5] ($10-80): a heavy cable lock (1/2" or 10mm thick cable or thicker) is a versatile way to secure a bike. You can use it to chain up the wheel to the frame, so the bike can't be rolled, or you can use it to lock the bike to something solid. Locking through the frame to something very solid like a lamp post, bicycle locking hoop, parking meter, etc. is '''the best''' practical way to keep your bike from being stolen. Make sure you lock through something which can't be easily removed with common tools.

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 '''Bike cover''' [* * * *] ($5-250): a bike cover, whether it's a $5 tarp or a fancy purpose-built cover costing way more, is a great theft deterrent. Unless motorcycle thieves are completely indiscriminate in your area, a cover makes the bike less attractive. They don't know what's under there exactly -- it could be a clapped-out 1982 Honda, or it could be the world's fanciest bike, but it's probably not worth the distraction of removing the cover to find out. Particularly in combination with a good lock, a bike cover is about as good as you can do to keep your bike from being stolen short of putting it in a locked garage.
-Chain lock [* * * *] ($50-100): several companies make chains specifically for locking up bikes. They're usually a heavy, 5-6 foot (2 meter) chain mated to a small, sturdy lock. These are at least as effective as cable locks, but are usually stronger if the thief decides to try breaking the chain. They're also heavier to carry around.
+'''Chain lock''' [* * * *] ($50-100): several companies make chains specifically for locking up bikes. They're usually a heavy, 5-6 foot (2 meter) chain mated to a small, sturdy lock. These are at least as effective as cable locks, but are usually stronger if the thief decides to try breaking the chain. They're also heavier to carry around.
 '''Cable lock''' [* * * .5] ($10-80): a heavy cable lock (1/2" or 10mm thick cable or thicker) is a versatile way to secure a bike. You can use it to chain up the wheel to the frame, so the bike can't be rolled, or you can use it to lock the bike to something solid. Locking through the frame to something very solid like a lamp post, bicycle locking hoop, parking meter, etc. is '''the best''' practical way to keep your bike from being stolen. Make sure you lock through something which can't be easily removed with common tools.