Modern Vespa

Spotted this and thought of you all lol Looks like a good idea,they even show you trying to remove it with different tools,hacksaw etc.But as Bosch are now making cordless angle grinders it helps to have extra security,i have my scoot data-tagged so hopefully it will keep the hoods at bay lol http://www.grip-lock.com/index.php

That looks like a pretty cool little gadget and would be handy here on Tortola. Has anyone tried these? Any comments or reviews? http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-lock/grip-lock/

They actually show it being removed by an angle grinder - which I thought was very honest of them - but I can't see many locks being resilient to that sort of attack though. I use a small steel disk lock which doesn't have any easy access points to grind but it's very easy to forget it's on the bike and I find reaching down to get it off the lock a bit of a pain these days.

Data tagging: Most thefts are by simple minded teenagers taking scooters that haven't been locked. Data tagging gives you no security against these types as your bike will be driven around for a week on the local estate and then they'll either set it on fire or drown it in the local canal. Data tagging is fine to discourage bikes being sold off for parts (usually side panels after a fall) but vespa panels can't be removed or replaced (apart from that stupid front panel) so you're protecting something that just won't happen.

You need one of these only a couple of quid and could save a fair bit in repairs http://www.cmcbikes.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=326

Thanks for that - I've seen them around but didn't realise they were that cheap. Over the years I've managed to come of about 4 times this way - they aren't bad crashes but they are very avoidable (and sometimes extremely embarrassing). My current method is to always lock the bike when I'm out and that way I always need to unlock it before starting up. I also try and move off quite slowly at first "just in case".

PS I'm originally from Leicester too (Evington)

I am now on my second grip-lock, the first was removed, don't know how. It's fine for a quick trip into the market, a "safe" neighborhood, whatnot.

my neighbourhood is really bad for scooter theft and only the bravest of the brave leave their scooter parked on the street. there's a vintage green GT200 with a grip lock (and nothing else) parked on the street not far from mine - it's been vandalised a few times by the local yoof but they haven't managed to steal it yet. mind you that's probably because they know it's got an immobiliser.

They stole your lock - how bizarre - perhaps you could use something else to fix it securely to the bike?

I've had one for years and I like it, especially for my vintage scooter that often come without keys.

Used on the front bake lever it will keep the bike from being pushed off the center or side stand.

Used on the rear brake lever it will (with the right technique) hold the back tire from spinning allowing for the loosening or re-torquing of the clutch nut when doing belt, clutch and variator maintenance.

Dave

I've had one of the older style Grip-Locks (with the round key) for as long as I have had my scooter. It is quick and convenient to use. One caution, is that if I don't check to make sure the lock is depressed all the way, by taking some of the pressure off of the brake lever, it can still pop open.

Would I buy another one? Absolutely! Is it the total security answer? Sadly, no. If someone really, really wanted to steal my scooter, or vandalize it, the Grip Lock won't prevent that. But they'll have to work harder at it, and that is fine with me!

I use one and have for years. Is it the best security method out there, No. But what is security when two average build guys can pick up your scooter and place in the back of a pickup truck and drive away in 5 seconds. But the grip-lock is a visible deterrent that may make the lazy thief/vandal move on to an easier target.

and as always this has been thoroughly discussed... https://modernvespa.com/forum/topic1020?highlight=grip+lock

I have one too, and use it every time I park the scoot. I agree with others here that it is not the ultimate deterrent for high-crime areas, but it is so easy to use that you're never tempted not to. Also, there is no potential to damage your bike like you might with a disk lock if you forget its there and try to ride off with it still attached.

One word of caution, though. If it has sat out in the rain a lot, the lock button gets a bit stiff, and it can feel like you've locked it because the button stays in even though it has not actually locked. In this state it is easy to remove. I'd wager this is what happened to Brett.

A shot of WD-40 very occasionally will prevent this problem.

they were trying to steal the bike. After they got the grip lock off they straightened the locked fork, but I guess it proved to hard to manuever and they dropped it, made some noise and ran off. Sadly, where I live is pretty ghetto and I didn't have a big chain yet. On a P like mine you can also depress the rear brake and thread a lock through the hole for quick security.

+1. They go a long way to making me do fewer stupid things on my scoot. £ for £, they've got to be in the running for most practically useful bit of kit. I also like to think that they might be useful to show any idiots who fancy moving my bike in our communal garage at home, or in a bike parking bay in town that IT'S GOT A DISK LOCK ON!!!!

I'm placing my order today.

I know it's not a cure-all for theft but:

I tried a cable...they are bulky to carry and sometimes there is nothing to hitch it to. I often had to decide between parking in a high visibility area without the cable or parking in a remote area where there was something I could attach the cable to. More often than not now, I don't use it at all for casual parking. Not using a deterrent is no deterrent at all. (And in any case, my first scooter was stolen when the thieving bastards cut the cable)

The Xena disc lock I purchased did not fit my ET4. I sold it off. Also, it runs off of a lot of annoying teeny flat batteries. Nothing wrong with the lock itself...Xena is quality stuff! It just didn't work for me. I was also concerned about riding off with it attached or a thief trying to ride off with it attached. Either way could cause damage.

I bought an alarm from Aerostich which turned out to be defective and had to be returned. Still needed batteries, of course.

The grip lock doesn't need batteries to operate, seems convenient enough to carry and attach which means I will use it, is visible to thieves and me so I don't have to worry about riding off with it attached.

I'll give it a go.

I like my grip lock. Plus, it fits perfectly in a LX glove box.

and it fits perfectly on the left side of the GT/GTS glove box with room for a phone and wallet on the right.

Believe it or not Belfast N.Ireland is a very safe city,considering or shady past during the"Troubles"most people too busy enjoying life now I highly recommend BOTH Southern and Northern Ireland as one of the places to see before you die! lol .Sure the weather is a BIT up and down (rain) lol, but its not called the emerald isle for nothing! 40 shades of green and some of the BEST scootering roads in the world, with little roads that lead to a breath-taking end. Any Scooterist who want to visit Belfast feel free to PM me and im sure i could provide a "loner" scoot if they fancied a spin! lol Free guide services thrown in.I have been to lots of countries and always try to find a scoot best way to see the world

I ride my scooter instead. When you ride it, they can't steal it

Obviously you haven't had much experience riding through the rougher parts of Washington or Baltimore, where -- while you are stopped for a light -- some miscreant is likely to approach on foot from behind, hop on the pillion seat, stick a pistol in your kidney, and say "Get off, m_____f_____, or I'll put a cap in you!"

Scooter-jacking is not uncommon in some neighborhoods.

You may, or may not, know this but those cylinder keys (assuming it is the same as "round Key" you describe) are no longer used by many vendors because of a known weakness.

http://money.cnn.com/2004/09/17/news/midcaps/kryptonite/

Kryptonite was the high profile case, and they had an exchange program. Many cyclists were denied claims by them because there was no evidence of a direct defeat, i.e. a broken lock, and they insisted people had used them wrong. A class action suit settled those claims.

Well, I am sold. Seems like it's a good idea and anything is better than nothing. Thanks for the opinions everyone!

My daughter spent some time in Ireland a couple of years ago. (I'm convinced a lot of her sightseeing was done through the bottom of a pint glass ) She loved it. She wants me to go back sometime with her...and I probably will.
She bought me a blackthorn stick while there which I treasure. It's nice having a walking stick that's stout enough not only to put my full weight on, but also to fight with.

I'm aware of this threat but a grip lock would not help here either, or would it?

My asinine comment was more meant to express my philosophy of focusing on the positive sides of life. I know that I can't will away a would-be vespajacker, but my attitude would make it very unlikely to be (or worse, live) in such a hostile environment.

Heh... I know.

Just wanted to point out that -- depending on where you live and ride -- scooters are not necessarily secure from crime when you are riding them.

I took note of where you live, and figured you as an easy mark!

Sorry!

Got one that was sold to me by a fellow forum member who has an extra. Nice little gadget, but honestly, I've only used it once. I have a disc lock that I use more often, but even that, I've only used a couple of times. Only reason is that I don't leave my scooter in places where theft is a concern. When the time comes that I need good security, I'll use both the grip lock, disc lock, heavy duty On-Guard chain around a pole, and my full-bike cover.

Oh, I know. That's why I clarified what type of lock it has. I may replace it down the road ...

As a new Vespa owner, thank you for the thread. Grip Lock in red purchased.

Just ordered one for the wifey the other day.

Green. I got green. 8)

Anybody know what the realistic delivery time is for these to come from New Zealand to the U.S.? They say 14 business days on the website, but dispatch is via the mail and I don't have a whole lot of faith in the US Postal Service.

Speaking as someone who lives in Baltimore and rides in Baltimore, if you are in the ghettos of east or west Baltimore and someone takes your scooter - man, you were asking for it.

A friend of mine did get robbed at the corner of charles and north ave, but that was 3 years ago when he worked at Mercy Hospital and Baltimore was still "Homicide life on the street" and not "The Wire season 3". These days, most parts of Bmore that are actually fun to hang out in (hampden, canton, fed hill, fells, charles village, etc) are actually pretty safe. I've never had a problem in Bmore with any hood rats before I bought my vespa, and I haven't had any since.

You can buy them from Aerostich right here in the USA.

mine took a fair bit to come maybe a week and a half, it's cheaper from new zealand, on top of that they don't charge shipping

mine's red btw

Way to easy to over come this with just a pair of 9" Diagonal Cutters, just cut the brake line.

Wayne B

It locks the throttle too.

I'm not riding it away. I am getting it around the corner into the van or pick up truck.

Wayne B

It's better than nothing and will prevent the joy riders from stealing your scoot on a lark. NOTHING (short of a shot gun) will stop those who came prepared with 9" diagonal cutters and a van!

Ordered mine today in yellow.