Q for condo folk, how much would you pay for security?

[caboose56]

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I'm toying around with a design for an anti-theft device that's geared towards condo owners.

In simplistic terms its a free standing front wheel chock that locks onto the bike and makes it too big to fit into a van and would require a lot of effort/time to cut apart so that it would fit.
The question... is how much would the average condo owner be willing to pay for such a product?

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[nfq]

Considering a regular Wheel Chock is +- $250, I can see it being in the $300-350 range for something that offers a better security option and is still reasonable enough to pay.

Not to mention, with time, might even help with insurance rates (how alarms are required to be installed, having additional security devices for theft prevention might lower premiums for Condo dwellers; it's a pipe dream I know.)

 

[eljay]

Good idea. I'd go in up to $350 depending on quality probably. Like a chock with 4 feet of heavy barsticking out either side?

 

[caboose56]

Good idea. I'd go in up to $350 depending on quality probably. Like a chock with 4 feet of heavy barsticking out either side?

Sort of. I don't want to go into too much detail until I have something more substantial to show.

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[rafiki911]

Sweet, great idea for home owners too. My friend had her bike taken right from her driveway.

 

[Kuro]

Insurance for theft is only I think $100 more per year? Depending if I'd get a discount on insurance if I had one of said anti-theft device and that I had a pretty enough bike that someone would want to steal.... I'd probably fork out about $200 max.

I still wouldn't remove comprehensive on my insurance though.

 

[Rob MacLennan]

Insurance for theft is only I think $100 more per year? Depending if I'd get a discount on insurance if I had one of said anti-theft device and that I had a pretty enough bike that someone would want to steal.... I'd probably fork out about $200 max.

I still wouldn't remove comprehensive on my insurance though.

Many people find out, the hard way, that what they get back from the insurance company doesn't cover the outstanding loan. Deductible is based on the value at which they assess the stolen property, then you lose from that. Even if you aren't carrying a loan (which strictly speaking requires all perils coverage anyway), you're likely to be substantially out of pocket when all is said and done.

Then there's the aggravation factor of replacing the bike + mods.

A good theft deterrent, that you pay for only once, is potentially worth far more than its sticker price.

 

[eljay]

Avoiding aggravation is huge. Even if I didn't have a deductable, going down to find my bike gone would be massively aggravating, not to mention how long you have to ride the TTC and all the BS you have to go through with the police and insurance company. A few hundred bucks to avoid all that forever is worth it. If an alarm costs $500 bucks and doesn't help at all except to keep teenagers from using your bike for their facebook profile photo, I think something like this that makes thieves move on is worth it.

 

[mimico_polak]

+1 as above (eljay and Rob)...the aggravation of having to go through your insurance, waiting for payout, arguing/negotiating what that payout will be is just a huge pain in the *****...
The whole point is to prevent theft and if that costs 300-500 I'm sure you'd see a big demand for it if you could prove that it works at prevention...As we all know...if the thieves REALLY want your bike, they'll find a way around whatever you put it in.

 

[nfq]

Insurance for theft is only I think $100 more per year? Depending if I'd get a discount on insurance if I had one of said anti-theft device and that I had a pretty enough bike that someone would want to steal.... I'd probably fork out about $200 max.

I still wouldn't remove comprehensive on my insurance though.

Standalone wheel chock just holds up the bike; this will serve double duty. This is a deterrent which will make them (hopefully) pass on your bike. Might not seem worth it if your $5000 Gixxer is at stake, but if you have an S1000rr/848/1098/rc8/newer model anything, then yeah, what's $350? better than that $500 gorilla-do-nothing alarm or Xena disclock.

 

[nobbie48]

+1 as above (eljay and Rob)...the aggravation of having to go through your insurance, waiting for payout, arguing/negotiating what that payout will be is just a huge pain in the *****...
The whole point is to prevent theft and if that costs 300-500 I'm sure you'd see a big demand for it if you could prove that it works at prevention...As we all know...if the thieves REALLY want your bike, they'll find a way around whatever you put it in.

+1 as well. Anyone who has had a break-in, home or cage or bike theft knows the crappy feeling. All too often the insurer spits in the wound.

I wouldn't pay $500 for something to protect a $1500 beater bike but as the bike gets more expensive and desireable the economies change. The OP would have to do the production math based on higher end bikes.

Re insurance, I don't see them stepping up to the plate. Too many "What ifs".

 

[eljay]

laughs at the first person to attempt ride away forgetting he's got a barbell on his front wheel.

 

[daught]

Try to design the system so the front wheel can't be removed.

 

[awyala]

Many condons don't allow any other items other than a vehicle stored in the parking space.

If you could convince me it is 100% acceptable to all condo boards, I would drop in the range of $700. Toss in electrification and I'll go up to $900. If it sprays some vomit inducing odourous spray I'll also pony up some cash.

 

[caboose56]

laughs at the first person to attempt ride away forgetting he's got a barbell on his front wheel.

A valid concern, it happens with riders who use disc locks but I always used a disc lock reminder, the bungee cord thing that wraps around the throttle grip, so it would be difficult to forget.

It would be easiest for me to draw up a sketch for this thing to illustrate what I mean, but there are a few aspects I haven't fully figured out yet. But, believe me, it would be next to impossible to forget that this thing was attached to your bike. Further, if positioned properly the rider would roll into the lock, and have to pull the bike backwards out of the lock, and out of their parking space.

 

[Kuro]

Many people find out, the hard way, that what they get back from the insurance company doesn't cover the outstanding loan. Deductible is based on the value at which they assess the stolen property, then you lose from that. Even if you aren't carrying a loan (which strictly speaking requires all perils coverage anyway), you're likely to be substantially out of pocket when all is said and done.

True. Works in my case where the value they will deem my bike at will be higher than what I paid for it.
In my case, the bike is a luxury item and I'm not too concerned about having to hunt for a new one. I enjoy it. Plus I get to re-personalize a new bike in a new style.

I guess this better defines which bike demographic this item will appeal to depending on the price.
Best for those who have new and expensive bikes.
Good for decent older/medium bikes which are still prone to theft.
Not so great for beater bikes or Pegassus.

 

[Rob MacLennan]

Many condons don't allow any other items other than a vehicle stored in the parking space.

If you could convince me it is 100% acceptable to all condo boards, I would drop in the range of $700. Toss in electrification and I'll go up to $900. If it sprays some vomit inducing odourous spray I'll also pony up some cash.

Not all condo boards will allow you to breathe in common areas, so that's a bit of a difficult thing to guarantee. Some are pretty lax, while others are run by people just slightly more permissive than Stalin.

A valid concern, it happens with riders who use disc locks but I always used a disc lock reminder, the bungee cord thing that wraps around the throttle grip, so it would be difficult to forget.

It would be easiest for me to draw up a sketch for this thing to illustrate what I mean, but there are a few aspects I haven't fully figured out yet. But, believe me, it would be next to impossible to forget that this thing was attached to your bike. Further, if positioned properly the rider would roll into the lock, and have to pull the bike backwards out of the lock, and out of their parking space.

It has happened to me, but not since I started only using it when I have to back out of a spot. If you're making something that's stationary, then it's a non issue. If you're making something that's removable, then you'll probably want to figure that into the equation.

 

[Flywheel]

A valid concern, it happens with riders who use disc locks but I always used a disc lock reminder, the bungee cord thing that wraps around the throttle grip, so it would be difficult to forget.

Not to play engineer or anything, but why not extend the chock lengthwise, with loops to string chain through the swingarm/rear wheel too? A crucifix shape basically. It wouldn't make it any more offensive to condo boards and a good deal more awkward for thieves to deal with, with little extra materials or complexity.

 

[GentlemanRacer]

For real assurance? %5-%10 .

 

[caboose56]

Try to design the system so the front wheel can't be removed.

Already considered The front axle would be inaccessible once the 'thingy' is fully locked.

Not to play engineer or anything, but why not extend the chock lengthwise, with loops to string chain through the swingarm/rear wheel too? A crucifix shape basically. It wouldn't make it any more offensive to condo boards and a good deal more awkward for thieves to deal with, with little extra materials or complexity.

Certainly an option. One of the things I was planning on was not having any exposed chains, since they typically end up being the weak point. I have a 6' Kryptonite chain that is long enough to loop through the wheel, frame, etc and reach the 'thingy'.

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