So I am new to the motorcycle world... bought my first bike about 2 weeks ago. ('03 VFR 800) It was wrecked, but I have some mechanical/autobody skills, I just finished it yesterday. I know that the bike should have an anti-theft feature where the steering locks, but I can't get it to do it. Is there some kind of trick that I don't know about? Sorry about the question, but I don't have anyone else to ask and this seemed like a good place.

 

is your ignition attached to the triple tree in the correct way? I think a VFR forum would really help you in this case

 

Yes, it is. I'll look for a VFR forum if no one can help me here.

 

All bikes have that feature just turn the bars all the way left and turn

the key all the way counter clockwise, if that doesn't work something

is broke. good luck

 

Ok, thanks. Do you have to push the key down further when you turn it?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Skydog27 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ok, thanks. Do you have to push the key down further when you turn it?</TD></TR></TABLE>
i pushed it down on my r6 and im not sure but i think i did on my sv too. but its pretty useless. all security videos ive seen of bikes getting stolen, a truck pulls up, 2-4 guys hop out lift the bike into the bed and drive off so a steering lock does nothing. best security in my opinion is a thick chain attached to something in the ground, lojack, and lastly, if your bike is ugly nobody wants it so dirty bikes with mismatched or missing fairings goes a long way if your willing to put up with the eye soar.


Modified by that one guy at 12:04 AM 8/12/2008

 

99% of motorcycles have a steering lock feature. Just turn the handlebars all the way to the left and turn the key CCW until you can physically feel a locking mechanism secure into place, unlike the ignition which is just an electronic switch activated by the turn of a key. Some bikes you may have to push the key in 1 notch deeper than the on off switch to lock the handlebars in place.

I think LoJack is the best way to secure a bike. If people are going to as much trouble as lifting a bike into their truck I don't see much extra trouble in bringing along a torch cutter which can break through any chain lock in seconds.

 

On both my bikes, you have to push down to get it to engage the steering lock. You may have to wiggle the bars a little too.

 

I tried again today, it seems like it starts to turn but just won't turn the rest of the way. Like it will go halfway or something, but won't turn the whole way. I have no idea what I'm doing wrong, or if it just doesn't work. If no one knows, are there any other good ways to keep your bike secure? Or is a chain and something solid about it?

 

what won't turn all the way? the bars or the key? is something snagging the bars?

i'd say locking the bars is really important. it is too easy to wheel a bike away in neutral if the bars arent locked.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by falcongsr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what won't turn all the way? the bars or the key? is something snagging the bars?

i'd say locking the bars is really important. it is too easy to wheel a bike away in neutral if the bars arent locked.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D96QM-lzLM8

wouldnt have helped that guy, they didnt even roll it over to the van. in all honesty, a steering lock will do something but only about as much as if a person pulled a gun on you and you yelled no. did you really do anything? no, but it slowed him down. get a fat chain or even two, a bike cover that doesn't indicate what type of bike is under there, lo jack, and if you have to park it outside try parking it in a well light area w/ a security camera. also, full coverage insurance. really there isnt anything you can do to make your bike 100% theft free. so do what you can and dont worry about it.

 

i dont know man, i don't park in high-theft areas and of course if they want it, they'll get it, but a locked handlebar is good for small stuff like deterring ******* from clowning on your bike, forces the bike into a safe tripod stance with the bar cranked over, and keeps it there if it gets nudged.

 

The key, not the bars.

 

Just get a heavy duty u-lock,my bike has an alarm, u-lock through the front wheel,

I always lock the handlebars and I cover her at night. It sucks parking outside but

theift isn't bad around where I live.

You might spray some lube in the key hole. good luck

 

How much does a decent (aka cheap) alarm run?

I would use the ol' chain/cover method but I live in the dorms , so I wouldn't have anywhere to put said chain/cover.

I think that kind of narrows down my options.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Skydog27 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">How much does a decent (aka cheap) alarm run?

I would use the ol' chain/cover method but I live in the dorms , so I wouldn't have anywhere to put said chain/cover.

I think that kind of narrows down my options.</TD></TR></TABLE>

i knew a guy who kept his bike in his dorm room. hell, my dad's college room mate rebuilt an engine in his dorm room. you can park your motorcycle at the bike racks too and chain it up there. i've got an old gorilla motion sensor alarm you can have if you pay for shipping. only thing is its in san diego and im in riverside and wont be back for a week or two. also, alarms on bikes arnt great cause if a harley w/ no pipes goes by itll shake too much and go off.

 

Sorry, I am still on this stupid trial account thingy so I can only post 5 times per day. Is there another way I can contact you?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Skydog27 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sorry, I am still on this stupid trial account thingy so I can only post 5 times per day. Is there another way I can contact you?</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Skydog27 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">How much does a decent (aka cheap) alarm run?

I would use the ol' chain/cover method but I live in the dorms , so I wouldn't have anywhere to put said chain/cover.

I think that kind of narrows down my options.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I've chained mine to my roommate's Jeep before.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by that one guy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

i knew a guy who kept his bike in his dorm room. hell, my dad's college room mate rebuilt an engine in his dorm room. you can park your motorcycle at the bike racks too and chain it up there. i've got an old gorilla motion sensor alarm you can have if you pay for shipping. only thing is its in san diego and im in riverside and wont be back for a week or two. also, alarms on bikes arnt great cause if a harley w/ no pipes goes by itll shake too much and go off.</TD></TR></TABLE>

The dorm room i lived in didnt even have enough room for the people who lived there let alone an engine or a whole bike

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Lude-Conduct &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

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do trial users have ? they didn't back in the day.

 

i use my pager alarm, sometimes it gets annoying getting false alarms but at the end of the day it definetly gives me piece of mind.. shoulda coulda woulda... better with one than without..

 

Try turnin the bars all the way left. Then just slightly turn the bars to the rigt. Just a lil and then try locking it. You might have to play a little to figure out right where the "spot" is. Same thing happened to my buddies 05 Gixxer lowsided. It won't lock all the way turned.

 

maybe the lock cylinder is not aligned correctly and the locking mechanism is fouling on something...?

 

Not a bad idea, I will try moving it around and seeing if I can get it to lock from a different place than completely turned.