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SW-Motech Quick release Rack and Theft

9K views 37 replies 26 participants last post by  greywolf 
#1 ·
I like the concept of being able to take off my luggage racks when they are not needed. So how many of you, that own and use the SW-Motech Quick-Lock sideracks, worry about them when you park for lunch, or shopping or what ever. I have seen the you tube video and these things come off fast :cool:

Is the Keyed lock option decent?

DM
09 650 on order...
 
#2 ·
I too am going to buy the SW racks to mount my Pelican 1550's to my DL1000, got a real nice Christmas bonus last night.:mrgreen:I'm also concidering the locks.
I'm going to buy mine from http://www.dualsportplus.com/ in Stoney Creek Ontario. As good a deal than Twisted Throttle and no brokerage fee border crap to deal with. I like to keep my money in Canada if I can.
 
#3 ·
I use the locks and consider them effective.
 
#5 ·
I have these racks and the locks. I really like them.

I consider the locks sufficiant.

In reality, only a few people know that the racks are quick release (like you and me, no one I have met personally knows about them), so likely, even with out a lock, they will be safe.

However, I would buy the lock.
 
#8 ·
I wouldn't worry a bit about it. Anyone who knows they come off probably wouldn't be the type to steal them.

The locks will keep honest people honest for about a minute. You can just pop off the fastener from underneath even with the locks on.

The racks are top-notch, if they suit your needs I'd buy them. I had them (and loved them for the construction/quality) but they were too wide so I got the Givi's.
 
#9 ·
It depends on where you mount the locks. They will fit the racks anywhere the twist-lock bolts fit however depending on the bike you may not have many choices. I have these racks on my VFR and had to mount the locks at the back because that was the only place that the knobs would fit. I haven't tried it myself but I'm pretty sure all it would take is a pair of pliers to unlock them by grabbign the pin. I think you will have better choices on the V-Strom though and they will be better protected.

Other than that I feel they are pretty secure and don't hesitate to leave expensive items in mine. Of course both bikes have alarms on them to ;)
 
#11 ·
I haven't tried it myself but I'm pretty sure all it would take is a pair of pliers to unlock them by grabbign the pin.
You are right about this. I used to own this type of rack system on my ZRX, and if you have clearance to access the back of the retaining pin/lock, then all you need is a plier to rotate the pin 1/4 turn. I ended up grinding off most of the excess pin so that this could not be done on my system. Pretty bad design in my opinion. The rest of the rack system is very well made.

Also, I would agree that a thief could more easily break open or break off a Givi case from the rack, not even bothering with the security knob.
 
#12 ·
Theft????

I have ridden for 40 years now and have never had anything stolen off of my bike or from my camps. The only incidents of theft was back in the early 80's when a buddy of mine had his helmet stolen from his bike. I believe it was in Kansas somewhere.

I know theft happens, but in most cases its a grab and run type of thing. At rallies I have never heard of anyone having a theft.

Not to steal this thread, but has anyone else experienced theft?
 
#13 ·
I rationalize that it would require a lot more resources (time worry and $) to try to protect against theft than to just replace whatever might be stolen in the unlikely event it might occur.

That being said, I don't think my Givi racks look bad at all on my bike. I would have no interest in a quick release system.
 
#15 ·
One thing I noticed with the locks is that you have to lube them up a little when new. When I origonaly installed mine I locked them and gave them a twist and they unlocked.

As they were new they were stiff inside. The plastic knob and metal disk inside were stocking together instead of spining free from each other (if that makes any sence). A little lube and worked as it was supposed to.

Its all good now.
 
#16 ·
I hate to say it but ... talking to friends of mine on the police force here in town... most thieves won't even think of "un-doing" luggage off a bike, they will just break locks with pry bars, rocks, bricks, axes, etc...

As far as fastening them to the bike, I mentioned the locks - he retorted "how fast do you think I could cut them off ? ... Faster than unscrewing them man"

I hate Police officers honesty and accuracy. lol. Here is what he said he has seen used for just about anything that will fit in the teeth/ jaws of the tool :

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Gone in 30 seconds !"
Description


The bolt cutter is a 24-inch forged steel cutting tool with a 2-inch cutting edge jaw that will cut up to 3/8-inch diameter wrought iron stock or bolts, annealed soft steel and cold drawn screw stock. The bolt cutters are used to cut locks for entering storerooms during an emergency or to cut expanded metal wire cage material. The cutting edge and hinges should always be kept lubricated. One set of bolt cutters are provided in the firefighting access equipment kit and weigh 7 pounds each.

 
#17 ·
I have them and have never had a problem with theft. As pointed out most people don't know about the quick release. A thief will be more concerned about what might be inside the luggage than the trying to run off with the whole set. I considered leaving one pin out and replacing with a bolt, spacer and lock nut on my Colorado trip but didn't. My givi top case can be opened with a screwdriver faster than messing with the metal side boxes.

I think the most important step in preventing any theft is where you park and leave your bike and for how long. If you had to a cable lock could be used to lock the case/mount to the bike. Just have to remember to remove it depending on how you wrap it before riding off.

Side note: the later sw evo side racks are narrower than the older design if anyone needs to know.
 
#20 ·
On the couple long trips I've taken with my Seahorse cases, the locks on the cases are only for when I am riding and then going into a store or restaurant. I know we are talking about the racks themselves, but I agree with the others here that thieves are mostly looking for the content, not the bags. I have the permanently mounted Givi and hardly use the cases, and it never occurs to me the empty racks look bad. But I only washed my bike once this summer too! Depending where I stay, I will empty the cases at night and leave them unlocked because they are empty anyway. Some places I've locked them to keep (hopefully) on the bike.
 
#21 ·
SW Motech rack locks

I use the locks and don't consider them very effective. As others have pointed out it is easy to twist the pin from the back, etc. I have a keyed padlock on each of my Pelican side-cases, and I run a cable from one lock to the other through and around my rear rack. It is the kind of cable you would use to lock up a bicycle. I consider that to be about as effective as can be expected.
 
#23 ·
racks

my racks came with the locks from the P.O. - though I have no luggage yet - I thing you would be nuts to not order locks.
 
#24 ·
I have yet to see a single report of anyone stealing luggage by removing quick lock racks. Thieves use crowbars and hammers to steal stuff, not quarters.
 
#26 ·
For extra peace of mind, you can run a cable lock through the case handles and the seat racks.

I did this when I parked at the airport for a few days and prevented potentially hundreds of theft attempts.
 
#27 ·
What Stromin' said. If you are concerned a cable will fit down along the back of Trax boxes where they attach to the SW-Motech EVO racks. Then you can wrap the cable to the racks and then the bike.

No one has bothered my Trax boxes or SW-Motech EVO racks (locks on both) when left unattended.
 
#31 ·
That bolt set looks like a fantastic idea! Me likey! :hurray:



My Vee came to me with one lock on one side. :confused:

Anyway, my take on it is that the locks are useless simply because they have no deterrent value. Unless you already know what you're looking at, you'd have to ponder the setup for a while to understand which bit is a lock and which bit would just pop loose with a quarter-turn.

However, if you loop a cable through the racks and the bags, it's obvious to one and all that they're locked up and that they won't come loose without breaking or cutting something. Sure, it would still be easy to steal with a set of bolt cutters, but then again so would a lot of stuff. The cable is universally easy to understand, so it has some actual deterrent value.

Most thieves determined to steal your dirty socks and skivvies are going to pick up a big rock, or carry something relatively cheap and less suspicious like a big screwdriver, a crowbar, or a claw hammer.
 
#32 ·
However, if you loop a cable through the racks and the bags, it's obvious to one and all that they're locked up and that they won't come loose without breaking or cutting something.
Most people won't even realize there is such a thing as a "quick-release" rack to begin with. Putting a cable around something most folks didn't know would come off might just arouse curiosity. I doubt there have been many people who have had their SW Motechs stolen, but I could be wrong. Just my $.02.
 
#34 ·
Well, there you have it, folks, from the people who sell more of these racks than you'll ever see! :fineprint:

I still like the bolt kit mainly because it's so much cleaner-looking.
 
#35 ·
I still like the bolt kit mainly because it's so much cleaner-looking.
Not when the bags are off, which is the idea. Why buy a quick lock mount and replace the quick locks with bolts? If the intent is to leave the mounts on, non removable mounts are cheaper.
 
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