Motorcycle Alarm System

Keeping Your Bike Safe

Several years back, a motorcycle alarm system was nothing but a loud noisemaker that foiled the would-be thieves' attempts at remaining undetected while committing felony grand larceny on your motorcycle.

Now, with the advent of smarter alarm systems, these theft deterrent devices are able to track the movement of your motorcycle, detect if someone comes uncomfortably too close, they can even be ordered to shut off if someone makes off on your ride. Truth be told, a persistent thief is difficult to deter. However, there are some systems and motorcycle locks that would help make it difficult for the most persistent criminal.

Which One Is Best?

Because of the fierceness of competition between motorcycle alarm manufacturers and the great need for the product due to the rise in motorcycle theft, it's hard to define one alarm system above all as the best. Instead, what consumers should look at are the amount of features that motorcycle alarms provide.

Remote engine shut-off

This is one of my favorite features of today's motorcycle alarm systems. How does it work? Let's say somebody get's your bike started and rides off with it. At the touch of a button on the fob, you can disable the engine and whoever took of on your bike is going nowhere. You can't count on them sticking around so this system works best with some tracking device like GPS and most likely is associated with a perimeter sensor and/or shock sensor.

GPS tracking

Some alarms have the ability to track your motorcycle, both where it is located and where it has been. Some of these systems are a fee based service and some have no fee. Either way, it is good peace of mind investment to have an alarm with tracking capability.

Perimeter sensor

Scorpio Perimeter Sensor

This is an oldie but goodie and works in conjunction with other system features. If someone comes within a set distance from your motorcycle it will begin a sequence of alerts and chirps. If someone stays within that perimeter too long, the alarms will sound and alert you via the fob. This can be annoying to those parked around your motorcycle, but I bet no one come near your bike without you knowing it.

Shock sensor

If someone bumps into your motorcycle, the alarm will sound. Keep in mind that a motorcycle alarm system that has a perimeter sensor will alert you before this happens, unless a foreign object hits your motorcycle while parked.

Tilt sensor

Gorilla Cycle Alarm
with 2-Way Paging System

This feature alerts you should someone tilt your bike off it's stand. Using either a mercury switch or an accelerometer or some sort, this function will detect if your bike is tilted as little as 1 degree from normal.

With these features any consumer can have a fully featured alarm system to help keep one's motorcycle safe from would-be thieves. Personally, I believe it to be a crying shame that one has to go through all of this just to keep his or her bike, but that's the world we live in.

Staying close to your bike helps as well as locks, chains and garages. And, if all else fails, there is always insurance! One interesting note, having an alarm system on your bike can lower your insurance premium.

More articles at Full Lean Motorcycles

• Learn more about Progressive Motorcycle Insurance
• Find out where to buy cheap motorcycles
• Motorcycle Safety Course - the one class every motorcyclist should take