Oxford Grinder S1 & S2: Could These New Locks Be the Answer to Angle Grinder Bike Theft?

For most of us, a motorcycle is far more than just a way of getting from A to B. It is something we have saved for, looked after, personalised and probably spent far too much time cleaning.

Unfortunately, motorcycle theft continues to be a major concern for riders, and the tools being used to attack motorcycle security have become increasingly aggressive.

One of the biggest problems is the battery powered angle grinder.

Traditional chains and locks can still provide important protection, but thieves armed with grinders have changed the way motorcycle security products need to be designed.

That is where the new Oxford Grinder S1 and Grinder S2 D Locks come in.

Oxford has developed a new range specifically designed to make life extremely difficult for anyone trying to attack your motorcycle lock with an angle grinder.

Meet the Oxford Grinder S1 and S2

The Oxford Grinder range currently consists of two main models:

• Oxford Grinder S1 with a 14mm shackle
• Oxford Grinder S2 with a larger 16mm shackle

Rather than simply making the steel thicker and heavier, Oxford has taken a different approach.

The outside of the shackle uses a specially developed silicon carbide coating.

This extremely hard material is designed to attack the cutting disc itself when somebody attempts to grind through the lock.

How does the silicon carbide coating work?

Silicon carbide is an incredibly hard material. It is also used in products such as abrasives and protective applications where resistance to wear is important.

Oxford applies the material to the outside of the lock shackle, creating a hard, multifaceted surface.

When a grinder disc makes contact with it, the surface creates vibration against the cutting disc.

Instead of the grinder simply slicing cleanly through the lock, the disc itself begins to wear down and break apart.

In simple terms, the lock fights back against the grinder.

How difficult are they to cut?

Oxford says its testing showed that cutting through just one side of the Grinder S1's 14mm shackle can use around 10 grinder discs.

With the larger Grinder S2 and its 16mm shackle, Oxford says this can increase to around 15 cutting discs for one side.

That is important because getting through one side still does not necessarily release the motorcycle.

Double locking means there is another problem for a thief

Both Grinder locks use a double locking mechanism.

This means the shackle locks on both sides.

So even if somebody managed to grind completely through one side of the lock, they could still need to attack the other side before the lock can be defeated.

For a thief looking for a quick and easy target, every extra minute, cutting disc and obstacle matters.

Why motorcycle security has changed

There was a time when simply fitting a strong chain or conventional D Lock was considered enough for many riders.

Unfortunately, portable power tools have changed things.

Battery powered angle grinders are powerful, relatively compact and capable of attacking many traditional security products.

That means manufacturers have had to start designing motorcycle security around the tools thieves are actually using.

The Oxford Grinder range is designed specifically with this type of attack in mind.

Oxford Grinder S1

The Grinder S1 uses a 14mm shackle combined with Oxford's silicon carbide coating.

Oxford says approximately 10 cutting discs may be required to cut through one side during its testing.

There are also different S1 sizes available, giving riders options depending on how and where they intend to secure their motorcycle.

At launch, the shorter S1 has a recommended price of £179.99, with the longer version at £199.99.

Oxford Grinder S2

The Grinder S2 steps things up again with a thicker 16mm shackle.

According to Oxford's testing, attacking one side of the S2 can require around 15 grinder discs.

The recommended price at launch is £219.99.

For riders looking for serious security at home, in a garage or when securing a valuable motorcycle, the S2 could be a particularly interesting option.

Why Oxford has chosen this design

Oxford already produces heavy duty motorcycle locks designed to resist different types of attack.

With the Grinder range, the company has focused specifically on the increasing demand for security capable of resisting angle grinders.

Oxford has also shared some of the internal components with other locks in its existing range. This has helped keep manufacturing costs under control while concentrating development on the grinder resistant shackle technology.

The good points

• Designed specifically to resist angle grinder attacks
• Silicon carbide coated shackle
• Double locking design
• 14mm shackle on the Grinder S1
• 16mm shackle on the Grinder S2
• Designed to destroy and wear down grinder cutting discs
• Different size options available
• Potentially much harder and more time consuming to attack than a conventional lock

Are there any downsides?

No motorcycle lock should ever be treated as completely theft proof.

A determined thief with enough time, equipment and privacy may eventually find a way through almost any security device.

These locks are also more expensive than a basic D Lock.

However, motorcycle security is really about making your bike as difficult, noisy and time consuming to steal as possible.

If someone has to use multiple cutting discs and attack both sides of a heavy duty lock, your motorcycle suddenly becomes a far less attractive target.

Layer your motorcycle security

Even with a high quality lock, we would still recommend using more than one form of motorcycle security wherever possible.

A good security setup could include:

• A high quality D Lock
• A substantial motorcycle chain
• A secure ground anchor at home
• A disc lock or alarmed lock
• A motorcycle cover to keep the bike less visible
• A tracker where appropriate

The idea is simple. Give a thief as many problems as possible.

Protecting your pride and joy

It is frustrating that riders even have to think about this.

You work hard, buy the motorcycle you want and look after it, only for somebody else to decide they are entitled to take it.

Sadly, that is why good motorcycle security has become such an important part of motorcycle ownership.

The Oxford Grinder S1 and S2 look like a very interesting step forward.

Instead of hoping an ordinary lock can survive an angle grinder, these locks have been designed from the beginning with grinder attacks in mind.

Nothing can guarantee that a motorcycle will never be stolen, but making a thief spend significantly more time, effort and equipment attacking your security can make a huge difference.

Could the Oxford Grinder be worth it?

For anyone keeping a motorcycle outside, parking regularly in public places, or simply wanting to improve their security at home, the Oxford Grinder range is certainly worth looking at.

The S1 offers a strong balance between size, protection and price, while the heavier S2 provides an even thicker shackle for riders wanting another level of resistance.

When you consider the value of the motorcycle sitting behind the lock, investing in better security starts to make a lot of sense.

Motorcycle security at CMS Motorcycles Exeter

If you are unsure what type of security is right for your motorcycle, pop into CMS Motorcycles Exeter and have a look at the motorcycle security options available.

Whether you need a lock for travelling, something substantial for securing your bike at home, or want to build a layered security setup, choosing the right equipment can make your motorcycle a much harder target.

Your bike is your pride and joy. Make somebody work very hard if they want to try and take it.