Kryptonite New York Chain

[michael]

The first year I had my bike, my company was based at 41 Madison Ave (Madison and 26th). There was an outdoor parking lot for motorcycles called a "Muni-Meter". For a while, I was using a bike cover, but it got too annoying, so I just left it out in the open on the corner of 23rd and Madison with a Kryptonite lock on the front disk and a New York Chain (Kryptonite lock and a heavy duty chain). I had to work a 36 hour day once, so the bike was left parked outside overnight. In the morning, I came out to find that the red plastic cover to the lock was burnt off as was a portion of the chains nylon cover. Manhattan Express busses use that same corner as they're parking spot and one of the bus drivers informed me that during the night, two guys jumped out the back of a cargo van and attempted to burn my lock off with a blow-torch. Driver said they tried for 3 - 5 minutes then gave up and left. Cops arrived a minute later (Bus drivers called in the theft). I've never had anyone try to freeze my locks, but I'm a Kryptonite man for life now.

Bill '97 VFR '98 F6 '00 929

[cohiba_chief]

I'm not sure who to ask, but I am looking for a good lock for my bike.

It will be left outdoors overnight at hotels during an up-coming trip.

Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I've read somewhere to avoid kryptonite locks? There's currently a magazine out there that reviews all of the best locks, only problem is I've forgotten the name of the mag. Anyone out there know which one it is?

Cheers!

[derstuka]

Originally Posted by cohiba_chief

I'm not sure who to ask, but I am looking for a good lock for my bike.

It will be left outdoors overnight at hotels during an up-coming trip.

Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I've read somewhere to avoid kryptonite locks? There's currently a magazine out there that reviews all of the best locks, only problem is I've forgotten the name of the mag. Anyone out there know which one it is?

Cheers!

The only venerability that some Kryptonite locks had was if they had a circular/barrel key. If they did, a person with a 10 cent "Bic Type" pen (or other similar cylindrical object) could open the lock by sliding the plastic cylinder snuggly over the key lock mechanism and then it was turn, and presto unlocked. This was never an issue for New York chain & locks, as they had a different form of lock key, however, they have since recalled/remedied the issue. I would buy a New York Krypotonite lock and chain anyday. It is not that this lock (or any lock) is totally impossible to break, only that it 10 times better & harder to break than most other locks. The main objective is to make it harder for them, and slow them down, and hopefully dissuade them from trying in the first place by seeing that it will be hard to do so. It looks a little more obvious if the thief has to carry around an oxy-acetylene step-up with him in order to break your lock.

[SWS]

Having had the experience of coming home to find my motorcycle stolen, I have gone overboard and still believe it is not enough. Since my VFR is kept in the driveway during the riding season (no garage), I have opted to lag a hardened anchor into the concrete and chain my bike to the anchor using a substantial chain and lock. So far (1-year) no one has attempted to make off with the bike. On travel, this would be overkill since the chain itself weighs 21 pounds (ugh). I have not done any overnight trips, but would think about a paging alarm system if I were to do frequent overnighters.

Anchor system:
Oxford Rota Force Ground Anchor, OX-FA438
http://www.lockitt.com/lockdown.htm#Rotaforce

Chain and Lock:
On Guard Beast Hexlink Steel Lock with Keys 5.5 X 12mm, #5018
http://www.mawonline.com/newsite/str..._with_keys.htm

[HondaDavidson1090]

I tried to torch a kryptonite new york chain and lock once. I gave up after a few minutes. This is a very good lock and chain