Modern Vespa

The determined thief probably knows your property, and your deterrents, better than you. The thief has already played-out his scenarios, and is committed to stealing your property. Often times, the thief views your weak deterrent as his strong advantage. On the other hand, any deterrent that's cumbersome for you, may also be cumbersome for the thief. I'm inclined to believe that scooters are most efficiently stolen by carting them away in a van.

Is this a common scenario? Who has this happened to?

I remain unconvinced that this product is anything but a visual deterrent to rank amateurs.

I would agree. But that is who you are trying to stop. A professional would just lift it into a van or truck and be gone! If someone has really put thought into stealing your property, they will get it.

Tom

It is exactly a "a visual deterrent to rank amateurs". If he sees it, he is 'deterred', and goes to the next scooter without a Griplock.

The determined thief, however, will succeed in taking your scooter, no matter how big or how many chains you wrap around your scooter, chained to a giant anchor in your Fort Knox of a garage.

I saw these at the Indy dealer expo. Cool product. They made a translucent, almost clear one to showcase how it works. It's got metal rods running through it, and you can see how the hinge is reasonably tamper proof.

The locks have also been changed from the BIC breakable kind to what I was told is a laser cut key.

Is there any concern with keeping the front brake locked for long periods of time with the griplock?

Hmm good question...I am by no means a mechanic in any form... But my Met has a lever to keep the hand brake in the brake position. There is no mention in my owner's manual that its detrimental to keep it in that position.

Just a thought...

>>If my Vespa ever gets stolen, I never want to see it again as I head to the dealership for a new one after I deposit the State Farm check at the bank. <<

State Farm loves to TAKE your money but from personal experience, when it's time to pay off it's another story! After years of paying higher insurance costs for a Benz 190 e ( more expensive parts, you know) that was in great condition, they hedgeded on paying 5K to repair it. It was a 93 that even their adjuster said was in excellent running condition. Bottom line, after going up the food chain with complaints, they gave her 2875 and totaled the car.

Then when she came back to insure the next car, they didn't want her business. Bail on State Farm!!!

I don't think so. YMMV.

In Toronto where there is free parking for scooters I'd be more concerned
with the person with the SUV that wants to move the bike out of the way
so that he can park his gas guzzler, In most cases these people end up
damaging the bike.

If this grip lock stops people from moving the bike off of the centre stand,
Then I'd like to have it more than the disc lock.
(Ease of use helps too, I hate fiddling with the disc lock)

Now if only there was a way of stopping people from stealing the mirrors.

D

Another reason I prefer the disc lock is that even if the brake likes are cut, the bike will not roll with the disc lock installed.

Q: Can LoJack be installed on off-road motorcycles?

The LoJack unit has been designed to be installed in on-highway motorcycles and it had been environmentally tested to perform in riding conditions associated with on-highway usage. Due to vehicle battery size and riding conditions, LoJack does not recommend that the unit be installed on ATV, dirt or scooter motorcycles. If the unit is installed in these motorcycles, the warranty will be void due to improper installation.

Source: LOJACK FOR MOTORCYCLES - FAQ's

Looks like a good deterrent to me. I think I'll pick one up since the disk lock I currently have is too fat for my new GTS.

I like the idea that it can prevent the scoot from being rolled off the center stand. I found my scoot knocked over one morning (pesky kids in my building?) and maybe something like this can prevent that from happening again.

I'm really paranoid about getting my scoot stolen

did it happen to anyone here?

im scared :?

It happened to me about 12 years ago with my old Honda Elite 80. I had the handlebars locked and they just broke the locking mechanism by forcing the bars. They jammed a screwdriver into the ignition to get it started. I was devastated.

The cops found it 2 weeks later and all the bodywork was missing and never ran right again.

I would cry like a little girl if my GTS got stolen.

Does a windshield get in the way of unlocking this device?

Can it be installed with the key facing the seated rider?

Thanks.

Drew

Depends on your specific setup, but I think it would only be a problem if the windshield extends in front of the brake levers. I don't believe so, as the notches that fit over the grip and the brake lever aren't the same size.

I have been using one of these for about 6 months... works great... I use it on the right side and this locks the front break and keeps my GTS on the center stand... I wish it would also lock my helmet...

Can you slide the D-ring of your helmet over the break lever, and THEN put the grip-lock on so that it holds and locks your helmet? Just a thought...

Anyone know where I can buy one of these Grip Locks in Oakland or SF, CA? The Lockitt website is all sold out! Thanks.

http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Grip-Lock-p-16970.html

The griplock as shown in the link on Aerostich for $47 appears to be the old model which could possibly be foiled by a thief with a BIC pen.

I BOUGHT ONE OF THESE, AND MY BIKE WAS STOLEN, LUCKILY IT WAS RECOVERED, ALL THE SCUM BAGS DID WAS CUT THE BRAKE CABLE AND WHEEL IT AWAY.

THE POLICE FOUND IT WITH A LOAD OF OTHER BIKES A FEW DAYS LATER, WHEN I WENT TO COLLECT IT THE GRIP LOCK STILL ON. I HAD LEFT THE KEYS FOR THE LOCK AT WORK AND DESPERATELY WANTED TO RIDE IT HOME, SO I BORROWED A HAMMER, GAVE THE LOCK ONE HIT AND THE KEY BARREL BROKE., AND OFF I WENT.

I NOW USE A DISC LOCK AND A CABLE, THINKING ABOUT AN ALARM ALSO, ANY RECOMENDATIONS???

If you live in NYC and cannot garage the scooter then I would buy all the locks you can afford or move.

Having had one scooter stolen already I'm quite anal about scooter security & have to say that I love this lock as a deterrent, it's highly visible & locks the scooter solid if placed on the lever for the disc lock.

Just a bit of info for anyone who owns an Lx150 and is considering one of these. When I got mine it did not fit around the stock grip (grip was too fat). I called Patrick over at Lockitt and he was able to dig up another smooth insert (thinnest insert) and mailed it promptly to me solving my issue. The griplock comes with three different inserts and you must use a combination of two of them (one for each side). Just a heads up that if you have an lx150 with stock grips you might want to see if he can send you two smooth inserts to start with so you will have what you need. Hope I am making this clear to all.

I installed the Gorilla #7017 alarm on the Smrfmobile. It's got a two-way paging remote, so you know if someone is mesing with your bike even if you're not with earshot. It has tilt, shock alarm and a two stage warning system.

This must be a change. I have no problem using the Grip-Lock on my LX150

It might be a change in the griplock? I have an 07' Lx with stock rubber grips on it and it wouldn't fit around them with any combination of the inserts. I even tried it on just the throttle itself to make sure that it wasn't the brake lever that was causing it not to close correctly, and it wouldn't even close around just the throttle grip.

I have one of the 2 series locks in red for my '07 LX150. It uses one smooth insert and one knobbed insert OK. I put it on the throttle and front brake lever. No problem getting it closed except that I have to squeeze it shut to push the button in, and hold it squeezed when I use the key to unlock it. I know that it isn't as secure as a chain or heavy duty cable lock, but it's been a reasonable deterrent so far (knock on wood here).
Bob Chatham

I'm looking for one of these too, but for a different reason--I'm not at all worried about getting my scoot stolen, but I am worried about the bike rolling when parked on hills. I wish my BV had an e-brake like the MP3 and T-Max.

Someone mentioned that Aerostich had the old version--you may want to call and have them check the model, because they are probably just using the old photo. I wouldn't be surprised if they sold the new one now.

I just bought one from Aerostich two weeks ago. It is the newer model with the better lock. It also fits my LX150 grips fine with the supplied inserts.

i defenitely think this will scare away anyone who wants to take it.
from what i have learned, everyone wanting to steal is a oppurtunist, they pick the weakest, not the nicest.

i have seen this with cycletheft, a hobo was invited by tv to steal some bikes, as he normally does.

he told that he doesnt touch any bike with more than 1 lock.
he also told he doesnt walk around with a concrete-cutter(?) because the cops know him, and there are enough bikes that dont require such hard tools.

so if you manage to show people you protect your bike against theft, they will most likely walk past your bike.
this bright yellow thingy in a quite visible place is exactly what scares away criminals

I'd like to hear a fresh update on the Grip Lock system. I understand the original units could be opened with a pen or something and there seems to still be some of them out in the market place, I tried ordering one (LV100) via Lock-It.Com for $64.95 but it has been back ordered. There is another one (#1165) available for $47.00 thru Areo-Stich but someone seems to thing this is the older inferior unit. Any suggestions?

Yes... read my post two posts up. The one available from Aerostich is definitely the newer, improved model.

Hey there everyone. Great forum. Our whole scoot club uses the Grip-Lock. Best (fastest and cheapest) place to buy them is direct from New Zealand manufacturer www.grip-lock.com ($59.00). They are so visible and no more dirty hands. MUCH better than a disc lock. Added bonus is it can be used as a parking brake" when having to leave the bike on it's side stand on an incline. Really cool colours too. Scooter theft is a huge problem here. None of our crew has ever had the scoots even tampered with using the Grip-Lock.

well mine's gone, they popped it off last night, don't know how

No..and left your scoot? Sick! I have three (red) (yellow) and (green) for each of my vespas. Im loving the ease of getting the thing on and off. Quite tight at first and I dont use the pad at all - my grips are thick. But it saves a whole lot of time and no risk of disc lock forget injury to my pride and joys. When I see my scoot locked with a bright grip-lock next to all the others with traditional locking its a no brainer. Mine are going to be lst choice. MOst theft is by stupid impulsive people. It stands to reason that the scoot chosen is the one most easily ridden away. I was quite surprised at how heavy they are in the hand too - look plasticy on the promo shots but they feel hefty. THe professional thief stealing to order ill just bail up with a truck and three buddies. Nothing will get in their way save an alarmed guarded garage. I got mine at grip-lock.com. I heard some of the other accessory distributors were selling the old model.

I've noticed that, when the lock cylinder of mine is not kept lubricated, it sometimes will feel like it has locked when I push the button in, but it actually hasn't. This will give false security, as the button can easily be pulled back out and the lock removed unless the lock has actually engaged.

I've gotten into the habit of keeping mine lubricated, and giving a tug on the key after locking it to make sure it has engaged.

This post is full of b.s. I don't believe one word of it.