Best garage door defenders/locks

It’s virtually universally agreed that the best defence against bike theft and the most secure way of storing your motorcycle is a locked garage.

But that doesn’t mean even that is 100% safe or that there aren’t further measures you can take to make your garage impregnable. After all, a garage is only as secure as the door and/or lock it’s fitted with.

Which is why, aside from locks and other security measures for your bike itself, such as trackers, alarms and immobilisers, which should all be considered, there is also a range of garage door defenders or locks available, which are designed to bolster the security of your door.

These range from stronger locks for the door itself to lockable barriers or defenders which prevent the door being opened to extra internal barriers which can prevent a bike being removed even if the door is opened.

Related: Top motorcycle garage security

But what’s out there? What do they provide? How do they work and what do you get for your money? Here’s our pick of the current best to help you decide...

The bracket’s made of 6mm steel, there’s a hardened-steel lock bolt, it’s highly rated, brightly painted so is a visual deterrent too and works well enough, although it’s not as large and extensive as some.

Pros:

Simple and straightforward

Well-rated British brand

Mid-range price

Con:

There’s a cover but rain can get into the lock

This way you get more security, at an affordable price and one that also doesn’t change the visible ‘look’ of your door – although a counter argument to that is that it provides no additional visual deterrent.

Pros:

Affordable price

Highly rated

Suitable for wood or metal doors

Con:

Can be fiddly to fit

There’s a weather-proof, zinc-coated base or ground plate, the barrier bar is all powder coated and the padlock fits inside the casing both to help prevent it being tampered with and protect it from the weather. KSS have also been around for over 10 years and their products are highly rated.

Pros:

British made

Straightforward design

Decent value

Con:

Can be fiddly to fit

This time it’s in 5mm thick carbon steel that is powder coated (in a variety of colours) with a zinc-plated ground plate; it weighs 3.5kg, measures 25 x 20 x 20cm, has welded end caps to help prevent tampering and is claimed to be easy to install on virtually all up-and-over garage doors.

Pros:

Quality design

Highly rated British brand

Different colours available

Con:

Doesn’t suit all door types

It’s compact, being 12 x 23 x 8cms, weighs just 1.73kg, so isn’t as heavy-duty as some and has plastic end caps but comes complete with padlock and keys and is claimed to be easy to fit. It’s well rated, too.

Pros:

Simple, compact design

Affordable price

Highly rated

Con:

Exposed padlock

It’s fully ‘dip’ galvanized and also powder coated with a red finish, the barrier end caps this time are plastic and the design has a tamper-proof ‘tunnel’ or compartment for the padlock – although you have to buy your own padlock to go with it.

Pros:

Good value

Simple, solid construction

Fixings inside the garage

Con:

Requires a padlock

It follows the same broad design as most others but has a useful pocket for the padlock so it’s harder to tamper with and is protected from the weather, comes complete with padlock, is powder coated in bright red and also has good reviews.

Pros:

Sold Secure approved

Complete with lock and lock ‘tunnel’

Highly rated

Con:

More premium price

It’s quite an involved structure requiring extensive fitting but comes with a 10-year guarantee and is approved by numerous insurance companies, so if you want the best…

Pros:

Comprehensive security separate of the door

Highly rated and approved

British made

Con:

Not cheap!

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