Motorbike Disc Locks. Are They Effective & How Best To Use Them?

Introduction:

If you’re a motorcycle owner, keeping your bike secure is essential to prevent it from being stolen. One effective method for securing your motorbike is by using a disc lock. In this blog, we’ll explore what a motorbike disc lock is, how they work, the best way to use one to keep your motorbike safe and secure, some of the pros and cons of them and we’ll finish off with some of our top disc lock FAQs .

What is a Disc Lock?

So, let’s start by outlining what a disc lock is. A disc lock is a small, portable lock that is designed to fit over the brake disc of your motorcycle. It works by immobilizing the wheel and preventing it from turning, making it difficult for a thief to ride off with your motorbike. Disc locks are relatively inexpensive and are easy to use, making them a popular choice among motorbike owners.

Disc locks come in a variety of styles and colours and some are even alarmed such as our incredibly popular Zovii ZD10 alarmed disc lock which comes in a fluorescent green colour. The ZD10 has a built in 120dB alarm which shrieks if tampered with by a would-be thief.

How does a Disc Lock Work?

Disc locks are designed to be easy to use and highly effective at preventing theft. To use a disc lock, simply insert the locking pin through the holes in the brake disc and lock it in place with the key. Once the lock is in place, it prevents the wheel from turning, making it incredibly difficult for a single thief to ride off with your motorbike.

Disc locks are typically made of high-strength materials, such as hardened steel or titanium, to resist cutting and drilling. Some disc locks also come with additional features, such as an alarm system or a reminder cord to help prevent you from riding off with the lock still in place. Our advice would be to use a vibrantly coloured disc lock to prevent any mishaps from occurring.

The Best Way to Use a Disc Lock:

While disc locks are a highly effective way to secure your motorbike, there are a few best practices you should follow to ensure that you’re using your lock correctly and getting the most out of its security features. Here are some tips for using a disc lock:

1. Use a high-quality disc lock:

When purchasing a disc lock, it’s important to choose a high-quality lock that is resistant to cutting, drilling, and picking. Look for locks made of hardened steel or titanium, which are strong and durable materials that can withstand a lot of wear and tear.

All of our disc locks have been independently tested and are insurance approved so you can sleep easy at night knowing you have the very best security in place. Shop here.

2. Choose the right size lock:

Disc locks come in different sizes to fit different brake discs. Before purchasing a lock, make sure you choose the right size for your motorcycle to ensure that it fits securely and can’t be easily removed. Additionally, some motorbike disc brake pads do not have either a large enough hole in the brake disc to accept the locking pin or there is not enough space from the outer circumference of the disc to an inner hole.

If in doubt, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to help. Contact us.

3. Use the lock every time:

To ensure that your motorbike is always secure, make it a habit to use your disc lock every time you park your bike. It only takes a few seconds to attach the lock, and it can provide a lot of peace of mind knowing that your bike is protected from theft.

Those of you who know us know that our moto here at Image4Security is ‘LOCK IT UP’.

4. Use multiple locks:

While a disc lock is an effective way to secure your motorbike, it’s always a good idea to use multiple locks for added security. For example, you could use a disc lock in combination with a chain lock or a D-lock to make it even more difficult for a thief to steal your bike. Layers of security will make your bike less appealing than the one next to it.

5. Lock it to an immovable object:

To prevent a thief from simply carrying off with your motorbike, it’s important to lock it to an immovable object, such as a lamppost or a sturdy bike rack when you’re out and about and to a ground anchor when you’re at home or securing for the night inside a garage. This makes it more difficult for a thief to steal your bike, as they would have to remove the lock and the object it’s attached to before wheeling your bike away.

 

6. Don’t forget to remove the lock:

As mentioned earlier, before riding off on your motorbike, always remember to remove the disc lock. Some disc locks come with a cable reminder cord that you can attach to your handlebars to help you remember to remove the lock before riding.

So, what are the Pros and Cons of using a Disc Lock:

Advantages of Disc Locks:

One of the biggest advantages of disc locks is their portability. Disc locks are small and lightweight, making them easy to carry with you while you ride. They also don’t require any installation, making them quick and easy to use, locking and unlocking in seconds.

Another advantage of disc locks is that they are highly visible, which can be a deterrent to would-be thieves. When a thief sees a disc lock attached to a motorcycle, they may be less likely to attempt to steal it, as they know it will be difficult to remove. If your disc lock is alarmed, such as our Zovii ZD10, any tampering of the bike will trigger the alarm, scaring any thief away and alerting you in the process.

Finally, disc locks can be relatively inexpensive compared to other types of motorcycle locks, making them accessible to a wide range of motorcycle owners. Here is our Zovii ZVS14 disc lock made from high grade stainless steel and features a double locking 14mm carbide reinforced locking pin. At just £54.99 delivered, you get total peace of mind for a very reasonable price.

Limitations of Disc Locks:

While disc locks can be highly effective in preventing theft, they do have some limitations. One of the biggest limitations is that they only lock the brake disc and not the entire motorcycle. This means that a determined thief could still potentially lift the motorcycle and wheel it away into the back of a van. However, this is unlikely to happen as it requires more effort and is more visible to bystanders.

Another limitation of disc locks is that they can be easier to remove than other types of locks, especially if they are not high-quality or are not used correctly. A thief with the right tools and enough time could potentially cut or break the lock and remove it from the brake disc. Therefore, it is important to choose a high-quality disc lock and use it correctly. One counter to this would be to use an alarmed disc lock which gives a shriek as soon as the disc lock is tampered.

To view our independently tested and approved disc locks click here.

Here are our top 8 Frequently Asked Questions in relation to disc locks:

1. Can thieves easily break a disc lock?

This will depend on the quality of the disc lock. Ultimately, if a thief has the correct tools and enough time, any lock can be broken into however the majority of thieves want to grab an item and be gone in a matter of seconds. With a high quality, and even alarmed disc lock, the chances of having your bike stolen are far reduced. Our message is simple, use multiple layers of security and ‘LOCK IT UP’.

2. Are D-Locks more secure than disc locks?

D-Locks are another very convenient method of locking up your bike wheel. They work by passing the D of the lock though a spoke of the wheel which stops the wheel from turning. Whether or not a D-lock is more secure than a disc lock will again depend on the quality of the lock.

Our Zovii ZNU14-230 high quality, robust, alarmed D-lock offers a high level of security to any bike.

3. How heavy are disc locks?

Disc locks are typically no heavier than 1-1.5kgs and are able to fit in the palm of your hand, making them super mobile for when you’re out and about.

4. Are disc locks easy to pick?

High quality, anti-pick disc locks are incredibly difficult to pick making them extremely secure. Typically, the vast number of crimes are carried out by opportunist thieves looking to grab and go, not wanting to spend more than a few seconds at a location. Another question to bear in mind is that the majority of thieves do not have the skills necessary to pick a lock so in reality lock picking isn’t a common form of theft.

5. Do disc locks fit all bikes?

The vast majority of disc locks do fit the majority of bikes, however there are always the odd accession where this is not the case. If unsure please get in touch and we’ll assist the best we can.

6. Do I need a disc lock for my bike?

Our advice would be to layer your security and where possible lock your bike to an immovable object such as a ground anchor (when at home) or a lamp post (when out and about). A disc lock can be used as a crucial part in your security system.

7. Are motorcycle disc locks effective?

Yes, motorbike disc locks are incredibly effective in stopping your bike from being easily rolled away and stolen. However, in order to fully protect your motorbike, a disc lock should be just one part of a multi-layered security solution.

8. Are motorcycle disc locks easy to use?

Yes, motorbike disc locks are incredibly easy to use. Typically, they are locked and unlocked on the turn of a key in a matter of seconds. The locking pin travels through a hole in the brake disc and the pin then is locked into place. To unlock, the key is inserted and tuned which frees the locking pin. The pin is removed from the brake disc hole and the disc lock is removed.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, a disc lock is a highly effective way to secure your motorbike and prevent it from being stolen. Our advice would be to always carry a disc lock when out and about and make sure you use it whenever leaving your bike unattended. For instances where you are above to lock your bike up to an immovable item such as a lamppost, this layered approach will make it much more difficult for your bike to be stolen. When housing your bike in a garage or shed, more heavy-duty security would be advised, such as our Guardsman barriers, ground anchors, chains and padlocks.

By following the best practices outlined above, you can ensure that you’re using your disc lock correctly and getting the most out of its security features.

If you need any advise please get in touch.

 

‘LOCK IT UP’