Product Evaluation

PRODUCT EVALUATION

DUALOCK LOCK-CABLE-ALARM

Street-oriented motorcyclists have a couple of major worries: getting run down by half-blind dimwits in Chryslers, and having their motorcycles ripped off. Both fears are quite justified and real, and are to be avoided at all costs. Probably the saddest thing about both occurrences is that most of the time neither of them is the rider’s fault, yet he or she has to take all possible steps to prevent them from happening.

In the case of the car/cycle collision, the rider has to put defensive riding at the top of his priorities, then insure himself with protective gear such as clothing and helmet. To prevent theft, the defense is to try and keep the machine in a locked garage when possible, and keep an eye on it when it isn’t. The insurance is either a case-hardened lock and chain, or an alarm, or both. Which bring us to the Dualock LockCable-Alarm.

This unit is unique, because it includes a long cable built into the system. The unit’s case fits in place on the license plate bracket of most motorcycles, the case then becomes the mounting location for the license plate. The cable is a fixed part of the unit and is wired, so, when cut, the alarm will sound. There is an additional impact alarm that also sounds when the case or motorcycle is tampered with. Sensitivity adjustment is provided.

Installation takes only minutes and no wiring or special hookups are necessary. Four separately-purchased, size AA penlight batteries supply the power to operate the 100-db alarm speaker. The unit is quite compact and looks unobtrusive on any motorcycle. The cable is long enough to wrap around a post or similar object if desired, or can simply be wrapped around the wheel. The cable end plugs into the Dualock case and locks in place, which also activates the alarm system. Then too, the alarm can be turned on without cable hookup if the rider wants, simply by turning the key-operated switch.

Dualock offers 24-hour key replacement service, and the unit has a oneyear warranty. Many motorcycle insurance carriers will also allow a 10-percent discount if the insured machine has a Dualock installed.

We’ve been testing two units for some time now, in normal everyday use and on two lengthy trips. We feel the unit would deter all but the most serious of thieves, and they could be run off by the owner if he heard the alarm. And that’s the trick. The motorcycle has to be parked within earshot if the alarm is to arouse the owner’s attention. That’s why it’s important to also hook up the horn of the motorcycle to the system, with the wiring provided, to make the setup as loud as possible.

The Dualock system is cheap insurance at $39.95. It doesn’t detract from the appearance of the motorcycle, and it works.

Dualock 1 First St.

Los Altos, CA 94022 (415) 969-3627