Modern Vespa

LITELOK X3 MOTO ($299.99)
https://us.litelok.com/products/litelok-x3-moto
(Apologies for the all caps in the title, but that is apparently how it is branded

TL;DR: nice big lock; compatible with HPE if you remove a little rubber.

A little while ago, thinking about how to move forward locking my HPE after dealing with a couple of bike thefts, I went looking for the best lock setup I could for my apartment. During the search for something that was Sold Secure Diamond (https://www.soldsecure.com/approved-product-search?standard_grades=2&keyword=), I came across the Bennetts reviews of the X3:

https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/reviews/products/security/motorcycle-chains-and-locks/litelok-x3-lock-review
I figured it was worth a gamble for a little piece of mind and went for it. A couple of months later, it arrived while I was out and got stolen before I could get home to pick it up. Which...c'mon. Ah well, you can't be too mad at the irony there--well played. After many drinks and some staring out the window, I tried again with better instructions for delivery and a few weeks ago finally got my lock.

It is pretty impressive in person. Substantial, especially when held with a regular u-lock in the other hand for comparison. It also comes with a cute little carrying case, which would be nice when storing it in the pet carrier. The lock and mechanism feel very well-made and the large key glides nicely. The keyhole also has a nice pair of little rubber flaps over it to keep the dust out, which is a nice touch and actually will really help with it being used outside in a dusty area.

As expected, I had to strip about three inches of rubber off the bars (and then wrap them with electrical tape to prevent scratching) to get it through the rear wheel, but with that modification it goes through without issue.

To pair with this lock, I got a chain to anchor it: the Oxford Best Chain, which is comical in its size and weight. Like the kind of thing that they tried to use on Sisyphus.

So far, it has been a success and easier than my last setup. More importantly, my bike has not been stolen yet! I can still see how somebody could do it, but I can no longer see how they could do it without taking some time and making quite a show of it.

The X1 version does fit nicely through the front wheel without any alteration.

Huh, nice. I'm going to have to try that out. Out of habit with my bike bikes, I just dismissed the front out-of-hand, but the way you have it topologically locked through the shock there would complicate just popping the front off. I had thought I had tried something like that, but obviously not--they are listed as the same size, so I'm going to go and play with that a little. Cheers!

Just a note: I liked the first one so much, I ordered a second as an anchor lock. While the fit and finish is still the same, the lock is noticeably not as buttery smooth as the first one. It's fine and works, but it is a little more "catchy" than the first. I'm not sure if I got lucky on the first or unlucky on the second, or maybe it "breaks in".

You should try some graphite based lock lubricant and work it win, that might help the mechanism. But this looks like a nice option.

I have a Xena Disc lock with motion alarm. It's very sensitive to motion and pretty loud. At the very least, makes it impossible to roll and the the noise is a good deterrent.

Good point--I've put some on the ol' purchase list. I've often looked at those Xena alarms, but ended up going the obviously-too-much-trouble heavy lock route for a bunch of reasons. If you don't mind, what is it like to own, practically? Given my apartment situation (and frankly the city that apartment is in) and the fact that I would likely not hear it go off, I've wondered if it would be more of an annoyance or actually draw eyes. Is it fiddly to use? Do you have the Bluetooth version? If my current setup ends up not being satisfactory for some reason, that's likely my next direction.

Food for thought:

If you were going to steal your own Vespa, how would you do it?

Odds are the steering is already locked, right? So the front wheel has to come off the ground anyway.

Standing over the Vespa you can hulk the front end up, and then walk the bike away because the back wheel spins freely. So you can totally walk away with your Vespa, even with the front wheel both steering locked and with a lock through it.

But if you lock the steering in the front AND put the lock through in the back, like OP did, now BOTH wheels have to come off the ground. Now you need at least two people in cahoots to take that Vespa. It's a lot more of a PITA.

Nowadays I have a garage, but before that when I lived/worked/went to school downtown, I locked steering in the front, and put my lock on my back wheel... unfortunately I only learned this after my first scoot was stolen

besupa - It's not overly fiddly. There is a learning curve to get the pin through the disc, but once you learn it, it's pretty simple. I also have a bit of nylon cord attached to it and tie it to the handgrip as a reminder to remove it. Although the motion alarm is quite sensitive once set, I wouldn't be able to unlock the handlebars without setting it off.

While you might not hear it in your apartment, the motion alarm acts as a good deterrent. Thieves do not want to draw attention, and at 120db this certainly will. I don't have the bluetooth version, so I can't comment on that functionality.

Thank you for your take on it. I'm pretty sure that if there are any further goings-on in the carport this will be my next step. I think what I'm most worried about is the sensitivity and duration, but I see that both of those are configurable. While trying to find down the right balance, I'm afraid the over-the-carport neighbors might get a little annoyed, but I'll worry about that bridge when the time comes.

Sorry Everyone,

What a theft nightmare. Is there somewhere near by where could rent space in a garage. When I was in Italy (Where theft of Property was bad). I had a first floor Villa Duplexed with my landlord. I would drive and park the Ducat in the
front entry hall.

Good luck everyone. Making it difficult sounds like the way to go. You hope the thief will pass you buy. At my house in the suburbs, I have a sign in the front advising of my Central Reporting Home Security system. Note, I do have the system. The sign is enough.

Bob Copeland

The steering lock in front is surprisingly easy to break. One thing I noticed in Milan was how many people use the lock that goes from under the seat to the left handlebar, and just leave their scooters in front of their apartment buildings at night. If I was in a high theft area, I think I would go with that and the U-Bolt lock on the rear tire, while using the steering lock too. But the Ubolt through the shock is a neat idea.
I once tried to drive my BMW 100/7 away with the U-bolt lock on the rear. That's embarrassing, breaks a lot of stuff, and makes some pretty interesting noises.

Only if they know that. Here most of the thieves don't even realize the GTS keys are chipped and just think ramming a screw driver will get er done

Hi,
Wondering if you can give me some advice?
I bought the X3, but I cannot get it through the rear wheel of my GTV (the wheel I want to use it on....).
I notice you said you'd removed a portion of the rubber from the bars. Can you tell me how you do that? It's pretty tough looking stuff - and not sure if it's integral to the strength of the lock, or if it makes no difference?
Cheers
Simon

It's not too hard at all with a sharp knife and pliers. Basically, choose your spot and cut with the knife around the circumference down to the metal. Next, cut longitudinally from the first cut to the base; again, down to the metal. There is a little light glue keeping the rubber casing on, so use the pliers to grab and twist it off. It comes pretty easily once you get enough up to grip. I managed to do both with little issue with my Swiss army knife. (Noting that the blade on the knife is very thin and pretty durn sharp.)

I'd also cut conservatively and repeat to make sure that you cut the least length off for your use case. As well, when I initially cut some of the rubber off I still thought it might not make it through, but if you reason about where parts are, it goes in quite easily. With my 2020 HPE anyway, but I'd imagine that your GTV isn't that different.

Let me know if you'd like more pictures or something. I would be very very surprised if this caused any issue with the lock. Given the videos of angle grinder and other attacks, and the easy with which I peeled it, I'm pretty sure it's just aesthetics and protecting your bike from the hard metal underneath. As well, there is some exposed where it goes into the lock anyways, so I can't imagine it matters too much.

Thanks v much for taking the time to reply. I appreciate it.
I'll have a go with a carpet knife and some pliers - and will let you know how I get on.

I had an angle grinder attack outside my house a couple of nights ago - they got half way through the chain I use with relative ease - but then I guess they saw I have a Hiplok D1000 on the front wheel and so let it go.
Hence I plan to use the Litelok for the rear. I figure a Hiplok on the front, and an X3 on the rear and they'd need to really want the bike!

OK - I've done it thanks to your help.

For anyone else that may be interested (esp if you live in London and have suffered 5 thefts in 10 years...!)

Removed about 1 inch of the plastic coating from each leg. Was fairly easy following the same principles - cut around the leg, then used pliers to remove.



1 inch was enough for me to get the legs through the wheel and passed the disc - with enough exposed on the other side to connect the bar and lock.

Hoping that with this plus the Hiplok D1000 on the front wheel, it's just too much hassle for thieves. The bike's a 250 from 2008 and worth £1,500!!

Simon W,

I have been aware of the theft problem in London by prior posts. What is happening to these stolen scooters? Are they stripped for parts? How do these stolen scooters get license plates? Are they shipped out of the country?

Your lock system looks excellent.

Bob Copeland

I think relatively few are stripped for parts - maybe if they're brand new - although IMO Vespa's are a bit low value for that kind of crime; more likely to be stealing superbikes if you have the commitment / infrastructure to strip and sell.

More often than not, I think they're used for (not so) petty crime - smash & grab, handbag stealing, street robbery etc. And also just for the low-lives who steal them to get around. No changing number plates or disguising that they're stolen. These are very unsophisticated thieves.
It's an epidemic. I live in a decent part of the suburbs, and I can see what's going on via my house CCTV - these are groups of kids on stolen scooters who turn up in the middle of the night wearing masks with a couple of angle grinders. It's scary.

Would the bigger X3 fit the front wheel if you remove the rubber?

Would the smaller X1 fit the rear wheel without removing the rubber?

How about the Hiplock d1000, did you try that at all?

thanks!

I can't comment about the X3 or d1000, but I can confirm that the X1 fits through the rear wheel without modification.

Hey Folks,

Have a GTS 300 Supertech arriving in 10 days. I ordered the new DX1000 (longer D1000) but has anyone ever figured out is the D1000 works on the rear wheel? Even if you take the cover off? I didnt even think about it fitting and hadn't seen this thread yet. Thinking about cancelling and ordering the x3. Thanks!

The Bennetts review for the DX1000 (https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/reviews/products/security/motorcycle-chains-and-locks/hiplok-dx1000-review-home-away-security) notes the de-rubbered shackle dimensions 15x21mm.

For comparison, the Bennetts review lists the X3 shackle as being 18-19mm in diameter. I just went outside and did the measure on the de-rubbered part and got about 20mm diameter (although that was with my layers of electrical tape as well).

So it is square and a skosh thicker, which means it will be relatively tighter between the round disk and the wheel. That said, it may fit. Maybe grab a dowel or a bunch of chopsticks and see if you can match that size and test? Also, there are other ways of locking than what I'm doing, which may fit the lock better. Again, the Bennett's review has it going around the wheel around the outside; there is also the front, etc.

If you do go ahead and try and work it out, I'd love to see a review for others who are going to be looking for locks in the future!

The dx1000 wont come in until sometime in april but i will definitely post a follow up. Thanks for your help help. Optimistic!

For others looking at locking configurations and what's possible at this size, and following on what Halijaro posted, I found out that the lock goes entirely around the front tire pretty easily as well (although I think the removal of the rubber is necessary on at least one side).

However, not so for the back--it was pretty apparent that a little more width would be needed. With a single lock, this would at least eliminate those who were going to drive it away, but forgot a spare

Hello guys,
I've been looking to buy U locks for a while now and DX1000 seemed a good and secure one. But it is unlikely to be fit for the rear wheels.

I can see that the X3 fits with some modification. (Probably my prefered option)

X1 fits through nicely without modification.
(Thinking about it)

Any experience with DX1000 through the rear wheel?
Any attempted robbery which failed with X1 or X3?
Any other way fitting them through the back wheel?
Thanks

Hi besupa, simon,

Have you tried to put X3 through the rear wheels the way that the tyre and the rim is locked so a chain can be attached with easier access?

The picture I found is showing the front wheel, but that is the way I was thinking to lock the real wheel, and add a chain to it.

Vektor, I have a review of the DX1000 here:
Review: Hiplock DX1000 (motorcycle u-lock)
Basically, you can get it around the rear wheel with a little modification. The X3 can go through on the back, not around, but around on the front. I use both the DX1000 and X3 with an anchoring chain. See my original pics above, and then some a little down; although the chained part is on the "other side".

Pics showing that X3 can go through 2020 GTS trailing-arm suspension triangle (after a little fiddling):
Review: Hiplock DX1000 (motorcycle u-lock) (Post 2704591)