Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories Xena Alarm Disc Lock

Any opinions, good or bad, on the Xena alarm disc locks?

thanks.

I've never owned one, but it looks like a good idea to me. I was considering the Xena when I lived in an apartment. I think the deal with disc locks is, if you forget it's there, you could be in deep crap.

I have one and really like it. It's one of the cheaper models and if I remember correctly was about 70-80 bucks. Expensive for a lock but not when you think of how much it would cost (in embarrassment alone)to drive off with a disc lock (one w/o an alarm)still engaged. Security alarm, disc lock, and disc lock reminder all in one--I figured how can I go wrong? It still has the original batteries in it too and it's a year old. It has been rained on quite a bit too and no problems.

Have used a Xena for about a year, pretty much throw it on everytime I get of the bike. Do not if the alram has scared off any potential thieves but it has stopped my riding away with it on more than once.
Overall I would say it is worth every penny.

Thanks, all.

Does the Xena reset itself (after x amount of time) if the bike has been disturbed?

taken from some forum somewhere....a review

A few thoughts:

While the alarm is LOUD, it can also be muffled quite a bit just by pressing one's hand or thumb over the speaker hole. That's okay by me, as I don't really view the alarm as a theft deterrent. Rather, it is the best prevention I've seen against accidentally riding off without first removing your disc lock. Although some other locks have "features" designed to prevent this embarassing mishap, they all require that the user remember to use them religiously (e.g. attaching that springy orange "telephone cord" to your handlebars). Seems dumb to me: if you're forgetful enough to ride off without first removing your lock, you're probably also capable of forgetting to set up the reminder device.

With XENA locks, this is never a problem. Attach the lock to your bike and it automatically arms itself. When you return, getting on the bike will definitely trigger the alarm, well before you have time to get on and (try to) ride away.

Now, for most of us this isn't a big problem. But I must admit that the XENA has saved me from making this mistake once or twice, usually on days when I had too many other things on my mind to remember a tiny disc lock. On that basis alone (and given the negligible difference in price between the XENA and non-alarmed disc locks) choosing the XENA was easy. And who knows? Setting off an unexpected and attention-gathering alarm might also just be enough to make a casual thief (like a tank-bag snatcher, say) give up and move along. I doubt it would deter a pro, but then again, what would?

As for sensitivity, my previous XENA was definitely more touchy than my new one, an XN15. The XN15 seems both more sensitive (sometimes just lightly touching my bike is enough to set it off) as well as less prone to false alarms. Also the XN15 is beefier, and looks far tougher to break. I purchased it with a chain combo, allowing me the option of just using the disc lock, or chaining the bike up to something and using the disc lock to secure the two ends of the chain together. I really like that flexibility, as it allows me to moderate the level of security I think I need for the situation. Heading to dinner in Marin County? Disc lock only, small enough to fit in the pocket of my Hein Gericke. Leaving the bike overnight in East Oakland? Disc lock and 4' chain attaching the bike to a telephone pole.

Great info. Thanks!

I wonder how you use a chain with it?

I think the writer just meant he added a chain and lock as doublefold protection.

Its true......It'd be pretty Fnnn embarassing to try and ride off with the lock on the disc and be picking your keister up off the pavement. At least this thing tells you.."hey big dummy take me off"

Phil,

You can get just the lock and you could also get a chain or cable that uses the lock (now it's an alarmed chain).

Use just the lock when catching a quick bite to eat. Use the chain wrapped around a pole (with the Xena lock) when overnighting at the local brothel.

Quote:

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chain or cable that uses the lock

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I don't see how this particular lock could even use a chain/cable?

Quote:

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overnighting at the local brothel

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The wife might have something to say about that!

Here's a good link with some pics of the lock and various chain/cable combinations:

http://www.lockitt.com/Xenasecurity.htm

Ouch! $50 - $60 extra!

I like the idea of the disk lock and I have a great cable lock now. Perhaps just the Xena in conjunction with mine....

[Homer Simpson impression on]

Pfffffft! It's only money!