Secure on the move! It's our best portable motorcycle locks

Portable motorcycle locks are a great way to keep your bike safe when you’re out and about without lugging a 20kg+ chain around with you. Motorbike theft costs the industry millions every year through and also contributes to riders giving up bikes through fears over theft and security.

Arguably, one of the times your bike is most vulnerable is when you are out and about. At home, you can take almost whatever measures are necessary to prevent someone from getting away with your ride.

• Related: Garage security

But if you are commuting, going into town for some shopping or an appointment, or when you are away on a big ride or a motorcycle camping tour, then making sure your bike is secure will help you breathe and sleep easier.

Portability

Of course, the issue with protecting your bike when you’re out on it is portability. A ship’s anchor chain and a massive lock will make sure it stays put, but you won’t be able to carry that around with you. Conversely, a tiny chain that goes in your pocket will be portable, but most thieves will be able to get through it as if it wasn’t there.

Somewhere between these two extremes is a situation where you can carry useful protection with you when you’re out and about. And by carrying it with you, we mean under the seat, wrapped around a luggage rack or grab handles or in a rucksack, topbox or pannier.

Portable security is also handy on bike tours or motorcycle camping trips where space and weight in your luggage is at a premium but you’re staying away from home.

Security tips

One thing to think about when it comes to security is applying layers. The more devices a thief has to tackle to get away with your bike, the better and will make them think twice about yours and potentially, move on.

Chain the bike to something solid so it can’t be lifted into a van and driven off. Disclocks are useful if you’re just popping into the shops briefly, as are lever locks, both of which will prevent your bike being pushed away or ridden off by thieves.

Related: Top motorcycle ground anchors

Another note on security; when considering products, look for the Sold Secure logo and the rating. This is a testing scheme run by the Master Locksmiths Association and you’re looking for Gold or Diamond standard products – they resist attack for the longest.

Here are some of what we reckon are the top portable motorcycle locks around.

MCN’s Ben Clarke has been putting the latest version to the test
‘The recently updated Oxford Nemesis lock and chain set is a great middle ground between a portable chain you might use out and about and the kind of heavy-duty metalwork you could only realistically use at home. At 7.7kg (1.2m version), it’s a little too heavy to carry with you on the road but the 16mm hardened steel links are more than a set of bolt croppers can munch through so if you are able to carry it somewhere it offers a great level of security (it’s got a Sold Secure Gold rating).

On the plus side, it’s dainty enough to fit between the spokes of most bikes – the fairly tight pattern of the Indian FTR S’s cast rims are no problem – and it’s light enough to manhandle around without issue, too. As an added bonus, the padlock acts as a disclock when you’re out and about and you can arrange the chain in such a way that it’s locked to the disc to make it harder for thieves to move your bike around and get access with cutting tools.

The fabric sleeve protects your paintwork and this is the first chain I’ve used where the studs holding the sleeve in place haven’t immediately given up. £189.99 is a little salty but when you consider the lock’s double use it doesn’t seem so bad. There are plenty of deals to be had online too.’

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