CITADEL Rome 140/10

Length of a motorcycle chain lock

When it comes to the length of a motorcycle chain lock, it’s mainly about practical usability: you need to be able to secure your bike to a fixed object while still carrying the lock easily.

What length is enough?

A good rule of thumb is:
minimum 120–150 cm
but 130–180 cm is ideal for most situations.

Why these lengths?

• Less than ~120 cm: often too short to securely lock your bike to a pole or fence. You are limited to locking only the rear wheel (less secure).
• Around 130–150 cm: enough to connect the frame + rear wheel to an object without being too hard to carry.
• Up to ~180 cm: more flexibility for larger objects, but heavier and less convenient to transport.

Practical guidelines

• 130–150 cm – Best balance between usability and portability
• 150–180 cm – Extra length for difficult parking situations
• <120 cm – Often too short for secure locking
• >180 cm – Can become too heavy and impractical

Tip for daily use

A chain lock should not only be long enough, but also easy to carry:

• Consider a protective sleeve or carrying strap
• Some riders combine a U-lock + chaine for extra flexibility

Summary

Aim for a length between 130 and 180 cm — the ideal balance between security and convenience.

The ART certification is one of the most important standards for chain locks and other locks for two-wheelers such as bicycles, scooters, and motorcycles. The ART Foundation tests and certifies locks for theft resistance: the more stars a lock receives, the higher its security. Below is an overview of the different ART levels and what they mean.

ART 1

• Meaning: Basic protection; guards against simple and quick force.
• Use: Short-term parking in well-monitored or private areas.
• Insurance: Often not recognized by insurers.
• Security: Easily forced with basic tools; minimal protection.

ART 2

• Meaning: Standard protection against limited professional tools.
• Use: Short-term parking in areas with some supervision or locked garages.
• Insurance: Sometimes recognized for basic theft coverage.
• Why: Offers slightly more resistance but still vulnerable to targeted attacks.

ART 3

• Meaning: Enhanced protection against more advanced tools and longer attempts.
• Use: Unmonitored public areas for short to medium parking periods.
• Insurance: Usually recognized by insurers as minimum requirement for motorcycle theft coverage.
• Why: Good balance between usability and security for standard motorcycles.

ART 4

• Meaning: Advanced protection; resistant to professional tools and prolonged attempts.
• Use: Long-term parking in public areas or for valuable motorcycles.
• Insurance: Recognized by most insurers; often required for higher policy values.
• Why: Provides strong resistance against professional tools and significantly delays thieves.

ART 5

• Meaning: Maximum protection; tested against advanced methods and professional tools.
• Use: High-end or expensive motorcycles; maximum security required.
• Insurance: Required by insurers for full coverage of valuable vehicles.
• Security: Offers the highest theft resistance, minimizes risks, and meets strictest insurance requirements.

SRA certification is an official French approval for motorcycle locks. SRA stands for Sécurité et Réparation Automobiles, an independent organization that tests locks for resistance against theft.

A lock with SRA certification has been thoroughly tested against various attack methods such as cutting, sawing, pulling, prying, and cylinder manipulation. Only locks that meet strict standards receive official SRA approval.

• Yes: The lock is SRA-certified and complies with French security standards. This may be required by certain insurers, especially in France.
• No: The lock does not have SRA certification. Check with your insurer whether this is required for your policy.

SRA certification is mainly required by insurers in France but can also serve as an additional quality guarantee in other countries.

This specification indicates the type of two-wheeler the chain lock is primarily suited for, based on size, strength, and usability.

• Bicycle: Bicycle chain locks are usually lighter and more compact, making them easy to carry. They provide sufficient protection for bicycles in urban environments or for short-term parking.
• Scooter: Scooter locks are generally slightly stronger to resist cutting or pulling. The length is usually adapted to secure the scooter to a post or fence while remaining relatively manageable.
• Motorcycle: Motorcycle chains are typically heavier and more robust, with a larger diameter to secure the higher value and weight of a motorcycle. They are suitable for longer parking periods and public locations with higher theft risk.

Note: This specification was added by our product specialists and is not binding. All locks can be used on all types of two-wheelers, depending on your preference for portability and security level.

The weight of a chain lock is an important factor when choosing the right lock. Weight is usually indicated in grams. Heavier locks generally provide more resistance against theft but are less convenient to carry. Lighter locks are easier to carry but offer less protection against professional tools.

Here is a breakdown of weight categories:

• 0 – 2 kg: Ideal for short trips or as a portable solution. Easy to carry but limited protection against professional tools.
• 2 – 4 kg: Good balance between portability and security. Suitable for daily use and for securing bicycles, scooters, or light motorcycles.
• 4+ kg: Provides a high level of security. Especially suitable for motorcycles or vehicles of higher theft value. Less convenient to carry.

Tip: Choose the weight that suits your situation: for daily commuting, a lighter chain may be sufficient, whereas a motorcycle parked on the street is better secured with a heavier lock.

Mounting on brake disc

Some chain locks come with a disc lock, allowing you to secure your motorcycle or scooter even more safely. There are two options:

• Yes – The lock is a chain + disc lock combination. You can secure the chain around a fixed object and lock it via the disc lock on the brake disc. The chain can also be removed, allowing you to use the disc lock separately.
• No – The lock cannot be attached to the brake disc. It is only used to secure the vehicle to a fixed object via the chain.

Tip: Disc locks are convenient for quick stops and provide extra security, especially for motorcycles that are frequently parked outdoors.

La spécification « Diamètre de la chaîne » indique l’épaisseur effective de la chaîne, exprimée en millimètres (mm). Cela permet de déterminer à travers quelles ouvertures la chaîne peut être passée, comme les trous de ventilation d’un disque de frein, entre les rayons, autour du châssis ou d’un point fixe. Plus le diamètre est important, plus la chaîne prend de place et plus les possibilités de passage peuvent être limitées. Vérifiez donc toujours que l’ouverture disponible est suffisante pour le diamètre indiqué.

Some locks come with a built-in alarm, providing extra deterrence in addition to mechanical protection.

• Yes – The lock has an integrated alarm that triggers when movement or tampering is detected. Ideal for busy or public areas, as it increases visibility and discourages thieves.
• No – The lock provides only mechanical protection. Simple, maintenance-free, and suitable for users who do not need an additional sound alert.

Tip: Alarms are useful if you often park your motorcycle or scooter outdoors or in higher-risk theft areas.

For a chain lock, the main factors that determine the level of security are the thickness, the material, and the shape of the links. Below you can find the key differences.

Link Shape

Round Links

Advantages:

• Evenly distribute force across the material.
• Lower risk of stress concentration and breakage under normal use.

Disadvantages:

• Often easier to grip with pliers or bolt cutters.
• Can roll under tool pressure, sometimes making cutting easier.

Square or Rectangular Links

Advantages:

• More compact shape, making tool placement more difficult.
• Flat surfaces make clamping harder.
• At equal thickness, often better resistance to bending and twisting.

Disadvantages:

• Corners may become stress points under extreme load, especially with lower-quality steel.

Hexagonal Links

Advantages:

• Harder to cut thanks to angles and flat surfaces.
• Higher rigidity and better resistance to twisting.
• Do not roll away under tool pressure.

Disadvantages:

• If the steel is not hardened, corners may become weak points.
• More complex production process, often resulting in a higher price.

Conclusion

For maximum security, choose a chain lock with hardened steel links, sufficient thickness, and a shape that resists cutting and twisting.

For a chain lock, the main factors that determine the level of security are the thickness, the material, and the shape of the links.

1. Link Thickness (Diameter)

The thicker the links, the harder it is to cut them using standard bolt cutters, chisels, or cutting tools.

• For bicycles: usually recommended from 8 to 12 mm hardened steel.
• For motorcycles or valuable objects: 12 to 16 mm or thicker.
• Important: a 10 mm hardened steel link often provides more protection than a 15 mm soft steel link.