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What is a Ground Anchor?
Ground anchors are a great security measure that deters criminals.
They provide a physical anchor-point for your security chain, so that your motorcycle cannot be lifted or dragged into a van.
While they are commonly known as ground anchors, they can also be mounted on your wall.
The most reliable method for keeping your motorcycle secure within your garage is with ground anchors and chains. They are made with the sole intention of physically securing your motorcycle or bike to prevent theft.
They are fitted by being bolted to the ground and function in any setting.
Can I install motorcycle ground anchor?
Most ground anchors are designed to be easily fitted at home.
They are a couple of different types of fixings: Bolt Down and Concrete In.
Bolt-down ground anchors require you to drill a hole and then use either expanding bolts, a fast-setting resin, or a combination of both to hold them in place.
Concrete In ground anchors require you to dig a larger hole, where you then sink to ground anchor and cover it up, either with a concrete base or a super-strong resin.
Some other ground anchors require installation by a professional however every product will itemise what the kit comes with and who it’s suitable for.
Are Ground Anchors Secure?
They are extremely secure. Even a basic £20 ground anchor will prevent one of the most common forms of motorcycle theft.
Check out the video above. This shows how some bike thieves operate.
Within a minute they’ve lifted this unsecured bike into their van and gone.
They then drive off and deal with the remaining security away from prying eyes.
Yes this is a public parking space but if the bike was locked to a solid object, like a parking post or ground anchor, the thieves couldn’t have stolen the bike so quickly.
A ground anchor offers an excellent layer of security because it stops a bike being lifted away. Couple this with a thick security chain and a thief has a lot to take on.
Sold Secure Motorcycle Ground Anchors
| Make and Model | Bolt Points | Maximum chain size | Sold Secure Rating | |
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 | PRagmasis | 4 | 25mm | Motorcycle Gold Bicycle Diamond |
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Thatcham Approved Motorcycle Ground Anchors
How to secure your motorcycle
A ground anchor is a great way to add an extra layer of security and peace of mind to your motorcycle if you keep it in a garage. But if the only place you can lock your motorcycle is outside and you have a ground anchor, then you should follow these tips.
Lock all the way through the frame: Not all bikes let you do this, but if you can, you can pass the chain through the frame or a braced swing arm. This keeps the bike higher off the ground and stops thieves from taking off a wheel to get around the ground anchor.
Don't use a rubbish chain: Use a good chain like an Almax or Pragmasis 16mm if you have to lock your bike outside. Cheap chains and anything smaller than 10mm will be easy to steal.
The last choice should be the front wheel:The picture above shows that thieves can steal a bike by taking the front wheel off. This doesn't happen very often. They'll probably show up with a spare wheel, take yours off, and put theirs on. Then they'll drive away.
Keep your lock off the floor: Yes, with a ground anchor at least some of your lock and chain will have to be resting on the floor but this makes it easier for thieves to get purchase with bolt croppers or an angle grinder. Try and keep as much slack off the ground as possible. Make their life harder.
Cover it: Keeping your bike hidden is still a great way to stop someone from taking it. If the only place you can lock your bike is outside and you can use a ground anchor, cover the bike and use a disc lock with an alarm. If a thief tries to mess with the bike, he or she will be warned off and probably choose an easier target.
Lock through the chain and the back wheel: Wheels are easier to get close to a ground anchor than the frame, so if you do use a wheel to loop your chain through, use the back wheel and, if possible, run it through the drivechain as well to make it even harder for thieves.
Motorcycle Ground Anchors: Hints and Tips
If you're putting in a bolt-in ground anchor, use an SDS hammer drill and good drill bits. If you don't, you'll be stuck there for all time.
The chain you use with a ground anchor is what makes it work. Any chain smaller than 10mm won't do the job because it's easy to cut the bolts off and it won't last more than a minute of grinding at an angle. If you can, get a 16+mm Almax or Pragmasis chain.
Quality chains are expensive, so you might be tempted to go with a 1.2m chain, but we recommend at least 1.5m so that you have enough chain to go through the ground anchor and around the back wheel.
Find out how big the space is where you want to put your ground anchor. Can you get to it with a bike in the way, or will you trip over it? You want to get this part right because once it's in, it's in. Use masking tape to outline the area you want to use so you can see if it will work for you once everything is set up.
If you can put your ground anchor at knee height on a wall, it will be much more difficult to smash than if it were on the floor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you use a motorcycle ground anchor?
How do you secure a motorcycle in the ground?
Concrete In Ground Anchor
Insurance Approved
DIY
Screwfix
Sources
Thanks to the following websites which helped us research and write this ground anchor article: