Portable motorcycle locks buying guide | How to protect your ride wherever you go and our top picks

Portable motorcycle locks are a great addition to your motorcycle security to keep your bike safe when you’re out and about, without lugging a 20kg+ chain around with you. Motorbike theft costs the industry millions every year, and also contributes to riders giving up bikes through fears over theft and security, so a portable motorcycle lock is crucial to thwart opportunist thieves when you’re out and about.

Arguably, one of the times your bike is most vulnerable is when you are out and about. At home, you can take almost whatever measures are necessary to prevent someone from getting away with your ride with various garage security options.

But if you are commuting, going into town for some shopping or an appointment, or when you are away on a big ride or a motorcycle camping tour, then making sure your bike is secure will help you breathe and sleep easier.

Best Black Friday security deals

• REAPP alarmed disc lock – save 31% now £22.79 was £32.99

How to stay secure on the move

Of course, the issue with protecting your bike when you’re out on it is portability. A ship’s anchor chain and a massive lock will make sure it stays put, but you won’t be able to carry that around with you. Conversely, a tiny chain that goes in your pocket will be portable, but most thieves will be able to get through it as if it wasn’t there.

Somewhere between these two extremes is a situation where you can carry useful protection with you when you’re out and about. And by carrying it with you, we mean under the seat, wrapped around a luggage rack or grab handles or in a rucksack, topbox or pannier.

Portable security is also handy on bike tours or motorcycle camping trips where space and weight in your luggage is at a premium but you’re staying away from home.

How to know you are getting a secure lock

One thing to think about when it comes to security is applying layers. The more devices a thief has to tackle to get away with your bike, the better and will make them think twice about yours and potentially, move on.

Chain the bike to something solid in the same way you would chain to a ground anchor at home, so it can’t be lifted into a van and driven off. Disc locks are useful if you’re just popping into the shops briefly, as are lever locks, both of which will prevent your bike being pushed away or ridden off by thieves.

Another note on security; when considering products, look for the Sold Secure logo and the rating. This is a testing scheme run by the Master Locksmiths Association and you’re looking for Gold or Diamond standard products – they resist attack for the longest.

Tried and tested security products

How MCN tested these security locks

At MCN, our team of expert journalists have decades of experience gained over hundreds of thousands of miles. We don’t test our kit to destruction, we use it exactly how you do; in the real world and in all conditions. That means we can deliver impartial buying advice you can rely on.

Each of our writers has an in-depth understanding of the needs of today’s biker… because they are one.

All of the security in this page have been tested in the real world by a member of the team and scored at least four stars overall.

Security is tested against quality and value before being awarded an overall score out of five.

About the testers

Justin Hayzelden – MCN’s Products Editor and resident bike kit guru, Justin has covered hundreds of thousands of miles on two wheels both at work and in his personal life. In this page, he tested the Litelok X1 Moto D-lock.

Rich Newland – With over 40 years of riding experience and 21 years as a bike journalist, Rich has ridden pretty much every new bike of the last two decades and plenty of others from history – dating right back to machines from the 1930s. In this page, he tested the Oxford Alpha XA14 disc lock

Carl Stevens – Road tester and national level racer, he’s worked within the industry as a motorcycling journalist for several titles since 2015, and has covered a host of new bike launches, events, and interviews since then. For this page he tested the Squire Defiant disc lock.

Ben Clarke – Deputy Head of Digital, Ben has worked at MCN since 2018 testing bikes and kit every opportunity he gets. For this page he tested the Oxford Nemesis, and the Favoto bike cover.

Our scores explained

When we review a product, we award it a score out of five. In the ratings tab of a given product, you may also find more specific scores for the different aspects of a product’s performance to help you make an informed decision. Here’s a guide to what each number score means:

• 1 star – Poor performance in this category or overall. A product with a single star rating has fallen below the expected standard and should be avoided.
• 2 stars – Basic performance in this area or overall. A product with a two-star rating has managed to perform to a barely acceptable level and there is room for improvement.
• 3 stars – An average performance in this area or overall. A product with a three-star rating has achieved a basic level of performance and is deemed adequate.
• 4 stars – A product has performed over and above the accepted averaged in this category or overall. A product with a four-star rating has surpassed expectation and delivered in a particularly impressive way.
• 5 stars – A product has performed at the highest possible level in a particular category or overall. A product with a five-star rating has delivered to the highest possible level, impressing the tester with its performance. We would happily spend our own money on it.

To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products. 

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