After having set out the Top 3 of the Viro Made in Italy anti-theft devices for bicycles (see this blog) today, as promised, we will answer the question: “What’s top of the Viro range for motorcycle and moped security?”. Many readers and users have shown interest in the best solutions to protect their 2-wheeled vehicle.

For this ranking we will take into account not only the level of security and the characteristics of the article in question, but also the type of 2-wheeled vehicle that you want to protect; in this case, motorcycle or moped.

Here is the Top 3 in increasing order of security for Viro anti-theft devices for motorcycles and mopeds:

3. DISC LOCK
2. U-LOCKS 
1. PADLOCK WITH CHAIN

In order to avoid a too lengthy blog and to be able to analyse all the advantages and disadvantages of each of these three security systems, we will deal with them separately. Today we will talk about the disc lock:

3. DISC LOCK

Thanks to their low weight and the consequent ease of transport, disc locks are often the preferred choice to protect motorcycles and mopeds. This anti-theft device, as the name suggests, locks the rotation of the wheel disc, thereby preventing the vehicle from being moved without lifting it.

It is not possible, however, to generalise, since every disc lock, although the function is always the same, has its own characteristics which make it more or less suitable according to the specific needs.

Before purchasing a disc lock to protect a motorcycle or moped, it is advisable to assess some of its features. These are listed below:

– the material of the body and the lock-bolt. A disc lock made entirely of steel, perhaps even case-hardened and tempered, will certainly be more resistant than one made of painted Zamak. It is worth bearing in mind that a disc lock made entirely of steel weighs more (around 1200 grams) than those made of Zamak. The weight can therefore be an indicator of construction materials. It should be noted that, whilst case-hardening and tempering are functional to the strength of the product, copper plating, nickel plating and chrome plating have only aesthetic and anti-corrosion purposes;

– the diameter and shape of the lock-bolt. Obviously, the greater the diameter of the lock-bolt, the harder it will be to break it. Therefore, depending on the vehicle you wish to protect, it is advisable to choose a disc lock with a lock-bolt having the largest possible diameter, depending on the free space in the holes or slots of the brake disc. It is considered that, on average, the diameter of the lock-bolt of the disc locks on the market can vary from 5 to 15 mm. 

3.1 – WHITE SHARK

Features: 

– Body made of case-hardened, tempered steel, copper plated, nickel plated and chrome-plated; 

– Lock-bolt made of case-hardened, tempered steel, copper plated and nickel plated with 10 mm diameter; 

– “T” end of the lock-bolt with closure which allows anchoring to the base of the disc lock.

CONS: cannot be anchored to a fixed point (limit of every disc lock); can potentially be deactivated if the brake disc could be easily unscrewed from the wheel hub.
PROS: lower weight compared to a padlock with chain, handy and easy to use, high strength thanks to the materials used and to the lock-bolt anchoring system.

3.2 – NEW HARDENED

Features: 

– Body made of case-hardened, tempered steel and painted black;

– Lock-bolt made of case-hardened, tempered steel, copper plated, nickel plated and chrome plated with 14 mm diameter.

– “T” end of the lock-bolt with closure which allows anchoring to the base of the disc lock.

CONS: cannot be anchored to a fixed point (limit of every disc lock); can potentially be deactivated if the brake disc could be easily unscrewed from the wheel hub.
PROS: lower weight compared to a padlock with chain, handy and easy to use, high strength thanks to the steel materials, anchoring system of lock-bolt and large 14 mm diameter of lock-bolt.

2. U-LOCKS

We have already spoken about U-locks in the “BIKES AND SECURITY TOP 3” blog. This security system, in addition to being suitable for securing bicycles, is also particularly suitable for the protection of motorcycles and mopeds. In fact, by choosing the right size of the “U”, it is possible to wrap around the tyre and the rim, leaving very little free space inside. Used in this way the U-lock can be a viable alternative to disc locks: it is just as easy to use, but is much harder for a thief to remove.

Summing up, it is worth checking the following features before purchasing:

– the material of the “U”. The strength of the Viro U-locks is provided by the quality of the construction materials (hardened steel).

– the dimensions and shape of the “U”. Dimensions and shape contribute to making the U-lock more or less secure. The Viro U-locks have a cross-section of 16 to 19 mm (see table) with a semi-square shape, which is able to withstand attempts to cut with shears. 

– the size of the “U” opening. The principle is always the same: the “U” should be long enough to enclose the tyre and rim but not so large as to leave free spaces where burglary tools could be introduced.

– the characteristics of the locking mechanism. The Viro U-locks have a ball-type locking mechanism with a double symmetrical locking of the “U” and a 5-disc plug protected by a burglar-proof plate. Furthermore, the lock is protected against the aggression of atmospheric agents.

CONS: cannot be anchored to a fixed point.
PROS: ease of transport, high resistance of “U” to cutting, burglar-proof plug plate, protection against the attack of atmospheric agents.

For more details on the product mentioned in this blog, reference should be made to the technical data sheets on our website:

– White Shark disc lock 
– New Hardened disc lock 
– U-locks with 16 mm or 19 mm section 

In the next blog we will analyse in detail the most secure system for the protection of motorcycles and mopeds: the padlock with chain.