Motorbikes, mopeds and scooters are a common target for thieves, so a rated lock matters. Sold Secure tests security products by manual attack, and its Powered Cycle rating covers all these vehicles along with e-bikes. Powered cycle locks only have two grades, Gold and Diamond. Knowing exactly what these ratings mean helps you choose the right lock for your street and ensures you meet the standards your insurance policy expects.
Why motorbike locks are rated differently
Because of their higher value, the testing criteria for powered cycles are stricter than they are for pedal cycles. A lock might achieve a Diamond rating for pedal cycles, but when tested against the powered cycle criteria, it will only manage a Gold rating.
Powered cycles only have two grades, Gold and Diamond. The lower grades of Bronze and Silver are not offered for motorbikes at all. When you shop for a lock, you need to look specifically for the Powered Cycle rating rather than the pedal cycle equivalent. If you also own a bicycle, you can read more about how to choose a bike lock using Sold Secure ratings.
The standards used to be split into separate categories for Motorcycle, Motor Scooter and Powered Cycle. These were all testing the exact same rating standard, and they were officially combined and renamed as Powered Cycle in 2022. Whether you ride a heavy motorcycle or a lightweight moped, you now look for the single Powered Cycle standard.
What Sold Secure is
Sold Secure is a testing and certification house that assesses security products through rigorous manual attack testing. It was established in 1992 by Northumbria and Essex Police with direct backing from the Home Office. The organisation operates from purpose built laboratories in Rugby.
Today, Sold Secure is owned and administered by the Master Locksmiths Association. The Master Locksmiths Association is a not for profit trade association that promotes standards and vetting within the security industry.
When a lock carries a Sold Secure logo, it has been assessed through manual attack testing. Sold Secure was set up by Northumbria and Essex Police with Home Office backing, and insurers often name the grade they want.
Gold and Diamond for motorcycles explained
The Powered Cycle rating only awards Gold and Diamond grades. Knowing the difference between the two helps you match your security to the value of your motorbike and the area where you park it. You must always check which standard your insurer demands before you buy.
Powered Cycle Gold
Powered Cycle Gold provides a high level of resistance against a dedicated thief. To achieve this grade, a lock must survive an extensive attack using heavy duty tools. Powered Cycle Gold and Pedal Cycle Diamond offer the exact same level of security. They are tested with the exact same tools, the exact same attack methods and the exact same time limits in the laboratory.
Powered Cycle Diamond
Powered Cycle Diamond is the highest grade available for motorcycles. It represents protection against an extra determined attack and is aimed at high risk areas such as a major city. To test for a Diamond rating, the laboratory uses an extended tool list that includes angle grinders, power tools and machine based testing. This grade suits higher value bikes in high risk areas.
The table below shows the two Sold Secure grades for motorbikes and what they protect against.
|
Sold Secure grade |
Level of resistance |
Tools used in testing |
|---|---|---|
|
Powered Cycle Gold |
High resistance against a dedicated thief |
Extensive attack with heavy duty tools |
|
Powered Cycle Diamond |
Extra determined attack for high risk areas |
Angle grinders, power tools and machines |
These descriptions follow the Sold Secure wording. Check any lock's current rating before you buy.
Chains, disc locks, D locks and ground anchors
Sold Secure tests a wide range of products for motorbikes, allowing you to build a security setup that suits your specific parking situation. The ratings cover the following product types:
- D locks
- Chains and padlocks
- Folding locks
- Disc locks
- Ground anchors and wall anchors
- Secure storage units
- Cable locks
Disc locks are a decent start, but they should be combined with a ground anchor or a chain. A disc lock on its own does not anchor the bike to anything.
Heavy chains and padlocks provide the flexibility to secure your motorbike to street furniture or ground anchors. A chain is used through the back wheel and a D lock can be used on the front wheel. Both only help if they carry a current rating and are used correctly.
Ground anchors and wall anchors provide a fixed point to attach your chain at home, but they are only as strong as the surface they are fixed to. If you use a ground anchor, it needs installing correctly into a solid foundation. A poorly fitted anchor weakens even a highly rated chain.
Which rating you need and what your insurer says
You should choose your lock grade based on the value of the bike and where it is kept. The higher the value of your motorcycle, the higher the rating you should aim for. Diamond is aimed at high risk areas such as a major city, so a valuable bike parked on a city street is the case for aiming at Diamond.
Insurers often specify the grade, so check with yours before buying. Each insurer keeps its own list of approved security devices. You need to check whether your chosen lock is on that specific list and declare it to your insurance provider.
Never assume that buying the heaviest lock in the shop is enough. Check with your insurer before buying to see what standard they expect, and read your policy wording rather than assuming.
How to lock a motorbike properly
Secured by Design advises using a single approved product with a high security rating, and all Secured by Design approved motorcycle locks are accredited to the Sold Secure standard. To secure your motorcycle properly, follow these steps:
- Thread a chain lock through the back wheel, as the front wheel can be more easily removed.
- Secure the bike with the lock pulled taut to an immovable object such as a ground anchor or street furniture.
- Keep the lock off the ground.
- Fit a disc lock on the front brake disc or a D lock on the front wheel for extra protection.
- Always use the steering lock and remove the ignition keys when you park.
Never rely on the steering lock alone to keep your bike safe.
Storage, covers and where to park
Storing the bike out of view is one of the best ways to prevent opportunist theft. If you have a garage or a secure shed, keep the motorbike locked inside it. Thieves cannot steal what they do not know is there. If you have no garage, you should park near your home in a spot that is well overlooked and has good lighting, making it harder for criminals to work unseen.
Motorcycles are highly targeted vehicles, especially during the warmer months. A Thames Valley Police vehicle crime leaflet shows that motorcycles made up over 22% of total vehicle thefts in that force area between February 2022 and March 2025. This figure is highly disproportionate, as motorcycles make up only 4% of all registered vehicles UK wide.
Spring and summer are key periods for motorcycle theft. During these months, bikes are more likely to be parked in public spaces. A cover helps keep the bike out of view, which Secured by Design lists as one of the best ways to prevent opportunist theft.
Alarms, trackers and marking
A tracker can improve the chances of recovery and marking deters thieves, according to Secured by Design. An alarm can also be worth considering, but it does not replace a rated lock.
Checking a lock really is rated
Manufacturers often print the Sold Secure logo on their packaging, but a product should be checked against the current listing. Before you spend money on a heavy chain or a disc lock, you should check the product search on the Sold Secure website. This database confirms that the lock is currently rated to the grade claimed on the box.
Make sure the database lists the product under the Powered Cycle category. A Pedal Cycle Gold rating is not the same as Powered Cycle Gold, so check the grade your insurer names against the database.
Common questions
What are the best locks for a motorcycle?
The best locks for a motorcycle are those tested to the Sold Secure Powered Cycle Diamond or Gold standards. Chains, D locks, disc locks and ground anchors can all be rated, so choose the grade that suits the value of the bike and where it is kept.
Are the best motorbike locks unbreakable?
No lock is unbreakable given enough time and the right tools. A higher grade means a tougher test, but a rating is not a promise that a lock cannot be cut, and a lock is only one part of keeping a bike secure.
What are the best motorcycle security locks against angle grinders?
Sold Secure lists angle grinders among the tools used to test Powered Cycle Diamond products, along with power tools and machine based testing. Diamond is the grade aimed at high risk areas such as a major city.
Do I need multiple best locks for motorcycles?
Secured by Design advises a chain through the back wheel and a disc lock on the front brake disc or a D lock on the front wheel. Disc locks are a decent start, but they should be combined with a ground anchor or chain.
Can I use a bicycle lock on a moped or scooter?
You should use a lock rated for Powered Cycles on a moped or scooter. The testing criteria for powered cycles are stricter than for pedal cycles because of their higher value. A lock might achieve a Diamond rating for pedal cycles but only manage a Gold rating for powered cycles.
Next steps
Before you buy a new lock for your motorbike, moped or scooter, follow these steps:
- Read your insurance policy to see if they name a specific Sold Secure grade.
- Check the exact lock model on the Sold Secure database to ensure the rating is current.
- Make sure the rating is specifically for a Powered Cycle, not just a pedal cycle.
- Plan how you will keep a heavy chain taut and off the ground when it is fitted.
- Check you have a solid foundation if you plan to install a ground anchor at home.
- Buy a cover to keep the bike out of view if you park on the street.
A chain and a ground anchor are useful at home, but you still need to protect your keys and your garage. If you lose your only set of motorbike keys or need to upgrade your garage door security to protect your bike, find a locksmith near you to get the right advice and reliable service.
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