Product Type: Security
Manufacturer: Kryptonite Corporation
URL: http://www.kryptonitelock.com/
Product Rating: 8 (out of 10)
Retail Price: $60.00
Note: This Kryptonite lock does NOT use the round key lock system that can be compromised with a Bic Pen.
The New York Disc Lock from Kryptonite offers motorcycle riders additional security against theft for their bikes. According to Kryptonite the NY Disc Lock is their, "ultimate motorcycle and scooter disc lock for urban and other high theft danger areas." The "through-hardened 1/2 (13 mm) Kryptonium(TM) Steel shackle defies bolt cutters, saws, hammers and chisels to provide maximum security." The lock also features a new "PikSafe(TM) disc-style cylinder" that is virtually pickproof. A "double deadbolt locking mechanism" provides extensive holding power.
My first impression of the lock which comes in a plastic blister pack was, "Wow, this thing is heavy." The NY Disc Lock weighs almost 1.5 pounds. That is pretty substantial considering it's 2.3" size. The clear blister pack gives you a good idea of what is included in the package. The kit comes with the NY Disc Lock, a carrying pouch with a belt clip, a reminder cable and a set of three keys. One of the included keys features an integrated green LED lamp that can is operated by the press of a button on the key. The LED can be used to illuminate the the keyhole when it is dark.
Kryptonite Corporation has devised it's own rating system called the "K-Tough Security Rating System" for buyers to use to compare the security or level of protection each of their products offers. According to Kryptonite "when you need the absolute ultimate security protection, look for the Kryptonite locks with a 5+ K-Star rating." The NY Disc Lock holds the 5+ K-Star rating. Hence it's substantial weight.
The NY Disc lock consists of a U shaped shackle and a straight cylindrical locking bar. The majority of both the shackle and the locking bar are coated with a plastic material. The material on the shackle resembles the coating found on many electricians tools. It's a rubberized protective coating. The material on the NY Disc Lock is much thicker than the coating found on tools.
Using the Disc Lock is simple. You insert the key into the lock and rotate the mechanism around 180 degrees to unlock and release the U shaped shackle from the locking bar, leaving the key in the lock. The shackle comes completely out of the lock and now you have two pieces. You simply insert the shackle through something on your motorcycle such as a hole in your brake disc. To lock the NY Disc Lock, simply insert the two ends of the U shaped shackle into the holes on the locking bar and rotate the key back 180 degrees. Next remove the key and close the dust cover by sliding it over the keyhole. The dust cover helps protect the locking mechanism from the elements. I would like to note that occasionally I had minor difficulties inserting the key into the lock. Sometimes the teeth or the tumblers get a little misaligned due to the design of the locking mechanism. A slight twist back and forth as you insert the key is the remedy to this minor issue.
You may also want to take advantage of the Reminder Cable. The Reminder Cable is a braided cable that is coiled and coated in transparent bright orange. The cable has a loop at each end. You place the loop at one end of the cable around the shackle as you lock the NY Disc Lock and then you stretch the coiled cable up to one of your handlebar grips and feed the loop through the end of your bar. The bright orange cable serves as a reminder to help you remember to remove the lock before jumping on your bike and taking off. Driving off with the lock in place could cause serious damage to your motorcycle. So that is my one word of caution with this product or others like it, "Don't forget to remove the lock!"
Kryptonite also offers consumers the ability to purchase multiple products in their Evolution 3000 series which includes the NY Disc Lock that are all keyed the same. This would allow you to purchase additional NY Disc Locks that will use the same key. This is nice if you have more than one bike and you only want to carry one key to unlock them all, or if your really paranoid and you want to use more than one Disc Lock on your bike. Replacement keys are also available through Kryptonite in case you loose all three they give you with your lock.
The NY Disc Lock offers a Limited Lifetime guarantee on the lock itself against material and workmanship defects and a $750 Anti-Theft protection guarantee. The Anti-Theft guarantee is provided in the event that your motorcycle is stolen because the Kryptonite was broken by force. This is the one and only area where I fault this product. The details of the guarantee are so specific that after reading them I decided it wasn't even worth the effort to fill out the paperwork and send it into Kryptonite. There are so many limitations to the guarantee that it just didn't seem worth it to me. Regardless of the Anti-Theft guarantees shortcomings I still think this is a great product for deterring the theft of your motorcycle. I don't know if other manufacturers are offering any type of theft assistance program.
It's important to keep in mind that the NY Disc Lock, like every security device, is only a deterrent to would be thieves. If someone decides they want to steal your bike, they will find a way. The NY Disc Lock comes with the shackle coated in black or bright yellow. I opted for the bright yellow shackle to make it more noticeable, both as a reminder for myself to remove the lock from my bike and as a reminder to thieves that my bike is at least a little more difficult to steal than the next guys. The Kryptonite website reminds would be consumers, "to prevent lift-away theft and increase security, use with a Kryptonite chain, u-lock, or cable." In other words lock your bike to something substantial to make it even more difficult to steal. Unfortunately I haven't seen any motorcycle racks in parking lots, like those you used to lock your bicycle to when you were a kid.
Aside from the wording and the limitations in the Anti-Theft guarantee and the occasional difficulty inserting the key into the lock this product seems to be problem free and I would recommend it to anyone looking for additional security for their motorcycle.
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