We store a handfull of bikes outdoors at our beach headquarters – the garage is too full of car projects – so security is always top of mind for our bikes. And any security expert will tell you that at least 75% of the battle is preventing an attempt from ever happening by appearing to be secure. You can’t get much more intimidating than the Lou Ferrigno-grade steel chain on the Ionus 1190 wrapped around your wheel.

But it’s not all looks. This chain is a full 11mm thick, comes wrapped in a nylon sleeve to prevent tools easy purchase (and protect your bike’s paint and chrome), and has an integrated locking mechanism harder to crack than Putin’s scowl. It’s tough is what I’m saying… But generally strength comes by paying the price with heavy weight, but not so with the Ionus. Built to be as leightweight as possible, this is a chain you can sling around your waist and ride without cutting off circulation to your favorite bits of yourself.

It will take a bike rustler with a serious angle grinder, a torch, or enough leverage to lift a small garage to get through this Abus motorcycle lock and get to your precious ride. While no security measure is ever 100%, the combination of this chain’s intimidatingly beefy looks and hardcore engineering means we feel safe with the FactoryTwoFour bikes out amongst the hobos and neerdowells of Venice Beach. If it can do that, it can protect you anywhere.

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Luckily, the good team over at ABUS have worked to calm me down. They explained that while motorcycle are much easier to steal than a car, there are two main things you can do to protect your property. The first is to not be an easy target. DON’T park your bike night after night in hidden or dark areas behind an apartment or property. DON’T leave clear room for trucks to back up to your bike and roll it onboard. And DO have obvious security measures to dissuade even an attempt at grand theft auto. Abus’s full lineup of motorcycle locks are brightly colored, obvious, and many come with stretchable cord to secure from the tire to your handlebars. This not only reminds you to disengage the lock before hurting yourself, but also shows everyone that the bike is protected with a bright neon yellow “Aw hell no!”

Beyond scaring away bike thieves, you do also need to have an actual security device. ABUS sent us out two of their models, the Sledg and the Granit brake disc lock. Both immobilize your bike by securing your front brake and preventing the wheel from making a full revolution. They are both also disengaged by use of a standard-sized key. The Sledg brake disc lock certainly looks more heavy duty, but is also larger to carry around. The Granit could be called dainty, but it comes with a very convenient carrying pouch meant for under your seat or inside a tool pouch if your bike comes so equipped. We installed ours on the outer frame of bike, but that isn’t recommended for obvious reasons.

In reality, either of these locks will effectively stop your bike from going anywhere. We preferred the Granit for its quick and simple operation, as well as its ability to hide on the bike when not in use. These locks are clearly high tech and would require much more than brute force to circumvent. If you’ve got a moto that you leave outside, we can’t recommend enough picking up a solid bike lock and thwarting these crazy streets.

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