Gorilla Cycle Alarm
GORILLA CYCLE ALARM
CW EVALUATION
Simple, low-cost theft deterrence
DISCOVERING THAT YOUR MOTORCYCLE has been stolen is an awful, heartwrenching experience. Initially, emotions run the gamut from disbelief to outrage. Later, though, you analyze the situation. What precautions might have prevented the theft? An alarm? Legions of chains and locks? A 24hour watchdog?
Experts often recommend an alarm accompanied by a disc lock. The lock forces thieves to employ tools that, in theory, will trigger the alarm’s motion sensor, activating the siren. But unlike most disc locks, alarms can be expensive and difficult to install.
Gorilla Automotive Products (2141 East 51st St., Los Angeles, CA 90058; 800/262-6267) sells an $80, two-wire alarm that includes a 120-decibel siren, an adjustable shock sensor, a voltagedrop detection circuit, a panic feature and a single-button remote transmitter.
We installed one of the palm-size units under the seat of our long-term Suzuki GSX-R750 in about 20 minutes using the supplied velcro tape (plastic zip-ties and a metal bracket offer a more permanent mounting option). Routing the power leads discreetly so that a savvy thief can’t easily locate and snip them is essential. On the new GSX-R, the seat is held in place with two hex-head bolts; we recommend replacing them with something less common, like Torx-head bolts, because once past the seat, the thief has direct access to the battery-and your bike. Using the supplied sensitivity tool, the system can be adjusted from nearly numb to almost intuitive. We preferred the standard setting, which allowed for minor jolts but discouraged roll-aways and fumbling with tools.
Randomly coded, the battery-powered transmitter arms and disarms from nearly 200 feet away. Audible “chirps” indicate system status: one for armed, two for disarmed. Four chirps advises that the system was triggered while you were away. There’s also a warn-away mode, which results in a pair of short siren bursts prior to a full, 60-second cycle. After each cycle, the alarm resets itself, remaining in an armed-and-ready state. Pressing the transmitter button for three seconds activates the panic feature.
Effective and simple to install, the Gorilla is an excellent, low-cost base with which to establish a multilevel, anti-theft protection plan-and some peace of mind. □
