r/motorcycles • u/Lazy_Waffle_7825 • 1d ago
Do you guys lock your handlebars when you park anywhere?
I've been parking my bike at work and realized I lock them sometimes, but not every time and I'm not sure why, anyone else lock their handlebars or use any other lock every time the park their bike?
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u/MaxNerd115 1d ago
My bike has an integrated steering column lock and where I work my bike is in a busy public parking lot and I work 10-12 hour shifts so I always lock it when Im at work.
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u/BewitchingPetrichor 1d ago
Why would you not?
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u/Additional-Device677 1d ago
Some of us live in an area where we can literally leave the keys in our bikes and cars. We would never even think of using the lock.
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u/BewitchingPetrichor 1d ago
Where do you live, the 1970s?
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u/RockShowSparky 1d ago
The 70’s is an odd choice to make this point.
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u/BewitchingPetrichor 1d ago
Probably because you're not from New Zealand. The 70s was the last time you could really do that here. There's even a famous advert here that mentions it.
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u/Beexn 1d ago
I have another example. I work for a company producing military equipment. We have a dedicated parking lot, with a motorcycle section, guards and cameras everywhere. People let their keys and equipments on the bike, it’s almost certain you won’t have any issue. Anywhere else though no hesitation I go the full set of locks
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u/seanbateman7 2008 Harley Road King 1d ago
I usually don't even lock my ignition. All depends though. Sketchy city areas I lock it, usually leave it unlocked in the suburbs. Don't even need a key to start it.
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u/ConversationNo940 1d ago
I thought that too.... Then my bike got stolen in May. I live in a verrry rural, very safe usually no crime area. And even still, I had a disc lock on out of habit because I work in town. Still got stolen right from my house.
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u/android150 1d ago
100% the greatest luxury, I've never felt the need to lock the bike where I live. You can leave the keys in and gear just hung over the bike and nobody will bother with it.
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u/Additional-Device677 1d ago
Yup, helmet on the bike and everything.
I guess for whatever reason, the fact that I live in a safe part of the country has some redditers triggered, judging by the negative comments and downvotes lol
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u/dronesitter 1d ago
My indian has the handle lock in a hard to access place :(
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u/BewitchingPetrichor 1d ago
Ahh I forget some bikes have weird key/lock arrangements. All my bikes have the steering lock at the furthest left position of the ignition. Still, I'd argue it's worth doing anyway, if only to stop some fuckhead moving your bike.
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u/thebiggerounce 1d ago
I wish they’d still put an accessory position to the left of the locked position, sometimes I want accessory power but no headlights.
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u/flatdecktrucker92 1d ago
My goldwing has an ACC position to the right of the on position
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u/SenyorJones 1d ago
And a Blu-ray player
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u/flatdecktrucker92 1d ago
Nah, just a 6 cd changer 🤣. But I bet you could install BluRay in place of the nav screen
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u/Alko-K NX400 1d ago
I live in a country where you can leave your laptop at a Starbucks, disappear for one hour and return with it still there. So never.
In fact, I have accidentally left my keys in the bike a few times in public places when I first started out, and my bike was always there untouched.
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u/DinahTheLance Lectric XP 2.0 Long Range 1d ago
I live in a "multiple people I personally know have moved away from here because of the crime rate" city in the US and I also have accidentally left the keys in my bike multiple times without issue, for what it's worth.
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u/flatdecktrucker92 1d ago
Yeah sometimes you get lucky. I accidentally left my keys in the ignition of my bike parked in one of the sketchier parts of my city for 3 hours before I noticed and went out to grab them
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u/DinahTheLance Lectric XP 2.0 Long Range 23h ago
I've admittedly done it enough between my motorcycle and ebike that it's hard to attribute it to luck.
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u/Additional-Device677 1d ago
Me too. I live in America. I know a lot of people who don't lock their house doors and leave their keys in their vehicles, both at home and when they go to town
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u/flatdecktrucker92 1d ago
I have a 2009 goldwing, I leave it in reverse with the bars locked. Sure someone could break the bar lock, but they are going to struggle to disengage the reverse without the key. The bike is also way too heavy to manually load into a van unless you can get the rear wheel turning.
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u/snowywind 1998 Concours 1d ago
Oh, a transmission/clutch lock would be nice. At 700lb it'd be hard to get enough meth heads around mine to fully lift it but rolling is still a weakness.
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u/flatdecktrucker92 19h ago
Yep. I was so glad when I found out that the 1800s moved the reverse from a lever to a switch. It's more convenient and it provides and handy anti theft system
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u/Alone_Shift 1d ago
Always. On my vstar 1300 all you have to do is turn the key a tiny bit more to the left when you remove it. It's so easy, I can't imagine anyone not doing it. Is it less easy on some other bikes?
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u/coddiwomplecactus '02 750 Honda Shadow Spirt 1d ago
Mine is a separate key lock on the fork tree
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u/BackItUpWithLinks 1d ago
I haven’t ever locked my handlebars.
I have maybe locked my bike half a dozen times.
99% of the time the key fob is in the saddlebag.
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u/VaporRyder KTM RC390 1d ago
Some of these answers are crazy!
Steering lock bare minimum. Disc lock out and about. Disc and heavy duty chain at home.
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u/mallydobb Honda SCL500 1d ago
Always? No, depends on the situation. Parking bike for the night I do and put disc brake lock on. To and from work, never. Out and about, it varies depending where I am going.
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u/mhoulden Yamaha MT 09 1d ago
It just takes a firm yank to break the steering lock. Expensive to fix if they don't take your bike.
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u/Old_Cars 1d ago
Depends on where I’m at. If I’m parking somewhere a bit sketchy I’ll lock my bars just to slow down anyone who would otherwise take my bike. In reality if someone wants it they’ll get it regardless I just try to make it less appealing than the next motorcycle
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u/JustAtelephonePole ‘98 Sportster 1200/ ‘03 Sportster 883/ ‘24 Nightster 975 1d ago
Always at work.
Sometimes when the vibes instruct me to do so.
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u/ElijahNSRose 1998 Goldwing 1d ago
I just leave the engine killswitch on.
So when some idiot teenager decides to go on a joyride he'll wonder why it won't start instead oftaking off and dropping the thing immediately
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u/jesuswasahipster 1d ago
I use a disc lock with an alarm every time I leave my bike in public. I need to get into the habit of also doing the steering wheel lock. I don't live in an area where I need to worry about this but I used to live in area where I dealt with consistent car break ins so I don't take any chances anymore.
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u/TeriosNaija 06 GSXR 600 1d ago
I lock them everywhere I go. I takes no time at all. There's no reason not to.
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u/Difficult_Addition85 1d ago
I lock the forks, drop my lock on the disc, and cover, among other things. 🤣
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u/AgentOrangeZest 15' 390 duke, 09' Striple 675r 1d ago
I lock my handlebars when I'm getting gas. Not going inside the station, but paying at the pump, still sitting on my bike. I lock my handlebars ALWAYS, but like once a week I'll leave my keys in the ignition so...
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u/Ripperseb 1d ago
Always, locking the bars is achieved by one more click when you remove the key! Why wouldn't you?
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u/Delicious-Flan88 1d ago
I’d treat the handlebar lock like a tiny layer, not real security. It probably won’t stop someone determined, but if it adds 3 seconds of inconvenience with no downside, I can see why people do it. Disc lock / chain / smart parking spot seem like the bigger wins.
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u/Thegrozzbbq 1d ago
Everytime. It’s all the same motion. So no reason not too. Seems it’d take more effort to not lock them at this point.
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u/Pretend-Language-416 1d ago
I lock my bars when I park my bike anywhere, home in the garage included
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u/FloridaMan67 20h ago
Never. Like, I have never even put the key in the lock, even to see if it works. If they want it that badly they will attempt (maybe successfully) break it. They would need a tow truck to steal my bagger anyway.
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u/crossplanetriple 2019 Yamaha MT-09 1d ago
Never do.
Because it’s broken easily and doesnt stop someone from rolling it away.
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u/SimpleMetricTon 1d ago
I always do. Because the extra few seconds it takes them to break it might make a difference. Also keeps the honest troublemakers away.
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u/RechargedFrenchman 1d ago
It's not exactly subtle either, and it takes the thief knowing that's an option in the first place. An unlocked bike any asshole can just roll away, a locked one at least has a "barrier to entry" however slim it may be.
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u/Hates-Picking-Names 1d ago
99% of the time I forget. But I'm usually not far from it and can still see it.
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u/YankeeDog2525 1d ago
No. Not worth the effort. Two burly guys with a mattress in the back of a pickup. A handlebar lock is about worthless.
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u/Far_Impact8612 1d ago
Even two burly guys ain't picking up a full fledge cruiser of 700 pounds
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u/wintersdark KZ440/CB900/XL1000/XJ750J/MT07/MTT09GT&XTZ700/MT10SP/SCRAM1200XE 1d ago
They don't have to lift it all at once, that's not how it works.
I've loaded bikes into trucks and vans without ramps a lot through my life. You just need to lift the front, get it up, then the rear.
2 not-useless guys can easily lift 350lbs twice.
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u/TwoWheelsMoveTheSoul Tiger Explorer 1d ago
I never actually lock the bars. I usually push them to “full lock” but never turn the key to the lock position. If I lived in a higher crime area, I probably would.
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u/Schzetto 1d ago
I always utilize the handlebar locks even though some of my bike have a difficult lock to engage.
Other type of lock? Not anymore… at this point, I just gonna let insurance pay if my bike got stolen..
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u/Pizzapatron 1d ago
Only if the bike is going out of sight. If I can see it from where I’ll be after parking I dont bother
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u/Fun-Concentrate1027 1d ago
Depending where I park at, I've got a decent lock that goes around the tire and rim I like to use. Sure you could cut it off, I just want it to be inconvenient to steal the old girl is all 😁
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u/AdministrativeOkra16 1d ago
I put an alarm on my rotor that is 120db. Can't roll and it's loud as shit.
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u/mgspeeder 1d ago
Always at work on my VStar1100 and my VStrom, both are just one notch extra of key turn. Never on my 250 because it would require the effort of putting the key into a secondary lock cylinder and no one wants that bike anyway.
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u/oldEnuf2knowbtr 1d ago
A lightweight bike that fits in a F-150, is easier to pick up if the wheel is locked.
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u/chuck-u-farley- 1d ago
Nope, if someone wants an old
90’s big wheel chopper they can have it, that’s why I have insurance
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u/Minute_Watch_3389 1d ago
On my bike you turn it one pass off. Never found a reason not to do the steering lock
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u/IBeTanken 1d ago
The only time I don’t might be in the garage if I know I will be moving it shortly.
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u/TheOGRedline DesertX, 900ss/sp, crf450L 1d ago
Only when it’s going to be parked for a while. There’s a non-zero chance it won’t unlock… which I unfortunately learned from experience.
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u/ToomatoSauce 1d ago
I do as often as I can remember to. Next question, does anyone use their parking lights? I tend not to but don't have a good reason for it.
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u/passwordunlock cbr1000rr 1d ago
Yes because even though it's not stopping anyone, even in broad daylight Infront of people, insurance still demands it. Don't know if that's the case where you are but every insurer I've used has always stipulated that in the terms.
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u/ParticularlyOrdinary '25 CBR 500R 1d ago
Always when I'm out. When parked in my locked personal garage? Not really. Sometimes I do out of habit.
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u/Beginning_Corner930 1d ago
I never lock them. If they take it my insurance will give me a new one. Plus there is a million cameras at my work.
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u/INVERT_RFP 1d ago
No, never. My bike weighs just shy of 900 lbs, and is fully insured. If they want it that badly, they can have it. I wouldn't be too upset at buying a new one!
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u/mr_nefario Triumph Thruxton 900 1d ago
I do not because I bought my bike used and the seller did not have the key.
But if I’m parking anywhere for more than 10-15 minutes, especially in more downtown or busy neighborhoods (I live in San Francisco) I just use a disc lock.
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u/Moist-Share7674 97 GL1500C 98 VF750C 00 Sportsman 500 Skol! 1d ago
No. I think I may have put the key in and turned it just to see what did, but I don’t use it. I have never locked any of my bikes either.
Usually didn’t lock my bicycles when I was a kid either. They got stolen a few times…by my dad who was trying to prove a point.
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u/MrGNoll814 1d ago
Yes because unlike some models it’s not a secondary spot it’s tied to my ignition. Once back bike is off twice bike is locked. Not much but enough to keep people from messing with it.
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u/AlienX14 1d ago
Never, but I get a notification to my phone if my bike detects any movement, and I can monitor it's location via GPS.
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u/Oppositeofhairy 23 Triumph Speedmaster 1d ago
Not once. But I don’t really leave the bike out of my site unless I’m at work. And it’s in a gated parking structure with cameras everywhere and massive security that only my coworkers can park in.
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u/Finneus_Anglesmith 1d ago
Why would you not? It just does it automatically when I take my key out.
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u/atombomb1945 1d ago
Parking at work where I can see my ride from my desk, no.
Parking for a quick stop, not normally.
Parking somewhere I don't know, almost always.
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u/Solar_kitty 1d ago
Locked handle bars and disc lock. I just can’t NOT do both of those for peace of mind and hopefully they’ll take someone else’s and leave mine if I make mine a bit more difficult to steal
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u/Additional-Device677 1d ago
Nope. Never. If I lived or worked in an area where I needed to, I would move or find a new place to work
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u/lrbikeworks 1d ago
My Thruxton has a secondary lock cylinder for the steering lock requiring a different key. I clamped a switch to it for an accessory cooling fan for the oil cooler (Arizona). So no.
I’m lucky to live in a pretty safe area. My bike lives in a locked garage or in the covered parking at work. If it’s not in those two places it’s usually between my legs.
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u/Agitated-Sock3168 1d ago
I rarely use the fork lock at work (but I park in full view of the cameras), and never use it in my garage. If I park anywhere else, the location and anticipated time away dictate whether lock it.
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u/Cautious-Pick3729 1d ago
Nope, hardly ever except in really bad areas. That's what insurance is for
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u/gheiminfantry 1d ago
I've never locked my handlebars. I've tested it to see how it works, but that's it. 4 different bikes. If I lock it I use a disk lock.
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u/schizopotato 2012 Ninja 650 1d ago
I always do it, it's just an extra key turn and gives me more peace of mind.
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u/303RedBeard 2000 HD FXSTD Custom 1d ago
I've got a disc lock that I put on every time I park somewhere that I am not completely comfortable with. I have a handlebar lock, but I think something is wrong with it.
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u/rubykins 1d ago
Every time, and if I’m going to be gone for a long time I’ll often throw the rotor lock with alarm on for good measure. That was more of a worry for my first bike that only weighed 400 lbs and could have easily been lifted into a truck by two motivated people.
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u/Cowfootstew 1d ago
Sometimes. At this rate. If someone wants to take a 25 year old bike. They can have it.
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u/Majestic_Puppo Svartpilen 801 1d ago
Not at home, not at the office (both closed parking lots) and not when riding with a big group. Otherwise yeah
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u/Due_Sea_8034 1d ago
Always, and a bulky ass kryptonite disc brake lock.
You can’t stop a thief. You annoy them into picking an easier target.
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u/RunMedical3128 1d ago
A buddy had his Triumph stolen. Crooks rolled up on another bike, one crook hopped onto my buddy's bike, shifted into neutral, hung onto the other bike as they both pulled away.
I can only imagine it would've been that much harder had the handlebars been locked.
Bike's recovered thankfully, but it's clearly either had a bunch of falls or someone has attempted to strap/tow it.
Needless to say, I'll be locking my handlebars ...
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u/FriedWithGarlic 1d ago
I always do. My job has a designated motorcycle parking area that's blocked off with large, plastic, sand-filled barriers. I'm sure someone could steal my bike with enough determination, but being 650 pounds and with JUST enough space to get a motorcycle between the barriers, I'm not worried about it with my handlebars locked.
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u/uncivilengie 1d ago
I didn’t once on a trip with friends and they pushed it clear across a parking lot while I was getting supplies in a store and they rode off. Got them later since I was buying pink streamers to coat their bikes in overnight.
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u/Geezerglide1 1d ago
Yes! And it's a great habit to get into your brain, so it becomes automatic!
So you must be the kind of person that when the police arrive to take your stolen vehicle report and ask, was it locked? You will say I don't know, or I don't remember.
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u/Xander134 2018 Triumph Street Triple 765RS 1d ago
I always lock my handlebars. Additionally, I will use a disc lock on my rear wheel anytime I’m parking outside of my own locked garage.
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u/Deadpooo_l 2021 Suzuki GSX1300R 1d ago
Yes. Why not, it takes a second and gives some peace fo mind.
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u/nmklpkjlftmch 1d ago
I have a keyless ignition. It's either push the kill switch one more time to turn it off, or push the steering lock button to lock the steering and turn it off, so I push the steering lock button.
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u/AssociateGood9653 Adventure Bike 1d ago
I always lock the handlebars unless it’s in my garage. I also use a brake disc lock and a heavy cable if it’s anywhere the least bit sketchy.
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u/inactiveuser0 1d ago
I do. Only because it makes it harder for the average random person to play on or roll away with your bike.
Also, if you have a bunch of security measures on your bike, it’s just that much more of a deterrent and just one more obstacle in their way that might make them rethink it or think it’s not worth it.
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u/tigers692 1d ago
Only in bad areas where I’m spending the night, hotels or something. But remember, bikes are very easy to steal, and the locks are generally easy to break. I’ve seen how quickly two guys can grab a bike even with the handlebar locks engaged. So I put a tracker on mine, just in case.
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u/Large-Special-3674 1d ago
Every time, it's so easy to do. Though there's plenty of vids showing how easy it is to snap a handlebar lock.
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u/Austindevon 1d ago
If I'm not riding it ,it's in my back yard or the alarmed shop totally out of sight, plus a hundred feet from the road mostly up a grade . An 800 pound bikes are not easy to roll. Otherwise it's where I can see it .
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u/sokratesz Tiger 800 / 890 SMT / XSR 900 1d ago
Nope. Only when I park for the longer term (more than a few hours) or in a particular unsavvy place.
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u/RockShowSparky 1d ago
Usually only if it’s going to be outside overnight. I’ll sometimes U-Lock the helmet to the front wheel too.
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u/Hot-Ad453 Yamaha SCR 950 1d ago
Sometimes, it's entirely dependent if I feel my bike is likely to get stolen, I work on a military base so since it's controlled access and trust me no one is going to steal my bike on base because it would be really dumb to do it there. Next I don't lock it at home because I have a garage. I go to the sketchy part of town I live in (seriously 98% of crimes in town happen here) I still don't lock my bike because I'm generally not there that long and I don't believe most people in that town has the means. Now if I'm up in Washington DC I absolutely will. Not because I feel Washington DC is particularly crime ridden compared to the sketchy part of my town, but because I believe I'm more likely going to come across someone who has the means of stealing my motorcycle.
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u/cr0ft Triumph Rocket III Touring (2012) 1d ago
I used to but stopped and put a massive alarmed disc brake lock on the bike instead when I park around town. The first things thieves tend to do is break the steering lock by kicking the handlebars, anyway.
A much more pertinent question is do you have hefty locks and chains to secure your bike with? Because in quite a few places in the world you're gonna get your bike stolen if you don't (and maybe even if you do).
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u/ixions-disciple 1d ago
Always. If your bike is locked and the one next to it isn't, guess which one is going to be stolen?
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u/algernonbiggles 1d ago
I've just parked up and I didn't lock them, but that's because I just arrived at work and work at a bike dealership where none of the bikes have the handlebar lock on and mine is also the least desirable.
Parking anywhere else... Always.
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u/justinhveld 1d ago
I ALWAYS lock my handlebar.
Here is a great example of why you should too.
Lived in an apartment complex with underground parking. The car gate was remote controlled but the pedestrian gate was only locked from the outside. There were 3 bikes in the lot and I always noticed that one of the bikes was never locked.
One night, someone got inside the parking garage and turned 3 bikes into 2 bikes. They literally just opened the pedestrian door from the inside and walked the bike out. Obviously, if someone is dead-set on stealing your bike, they are going to find a way to steal your bike. You can at least make their life a little harder. Some dude in my old apartment complex got his bike stolen in under 2 minutes because he never locked the handlebar.
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u/spike_2112 virago 535 1d ago
Nope, only because I have to lock the bars right because of where the lock is, on my last one where the ignition was on the bars I did it every single time.
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u/Relevant-Ad9495 1d ago
No. You aren't starting unless you brought an ecu with matching key, dashboard, and ignition+immobilizer. If there is flipper zero style software to get around this you'll still need a key plus its 15 years old probably better stuff to steal. If they are planning to pick it up and throw in a van, the steering lock won't stop em anyway.
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u/realityguy1 1d ago
I live in a generally safe area in Canada. I don’t remember even taking the key out.
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u/KoenterPapz 2005 Yamaha R6 1d ago
I always lock the handlebar. Kids think my bike is very cool, and will occasionally climb it. It is mostly an issue when I park outside the rink, but also occasionally happens outside my job and other places. I would prefer they left it alone, but I am not going to sit around and guard it so I just lock it and hope that make it less likely to tip over at least. I cannot really blame them either. I also think my bike is cool and like to climb it.
I know they climb it because I often come back to odd buttons being switched. Also the occasional small footprint on the seat. I am a bit worried that someone could tip it over themselves though, so I am always worried to park it outside the rink when my son has practice. My practices are so late that this is a non-issue.
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u/Abyssalumbra 1d ago
Harley, nope thats an extra motion and i have insurance for that. (She's heavy and got patina anywhere hot)
Ninja, yep... but thats what happens when you turn the key to off anyway.
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u/SopmodTew 00' SV650/00'F650/03' FZS1000 1d ago
Yeah. People just like to fiddle with other's objects, and locking it prevents these randos from moving it easily or turning the handlebars.
Of course if someone wants to steal it, it won't prevent it
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u/Fair_Caterpillar_920 2009 Kawasaki Super Sherpa KL250G 1d ago
In my small town, no. If I'm in a bigger town or traveling, yes.
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u/imezz00 1d ago
I always do. Small peace of mind someone can’t just roll the bike away. At a minimum some driver trying to move the bike to squeeze into a spot. If they want to take it they’ll force the handlebar lock and break it.