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Oxford Boss disc lock – Bob Pickett keeps his pride and joy safe and secure away from home

Safe, secure... and very, very bright... You will probably be aware of the well publicised “open it with a biro” fiasco with disc locks with the circular key/keyhole. I had one. Although mine wasn’t one of the affected ones, I’d rather play safe than sorry, so it was relegated to the garage.

As a replacement, I bought an Oxford Boss disc lock. So what made me go for the Boss?

Firstly, it is a solid, U-style lock. I prefer these to the “staple” type of lock, as they can double-up as a padlock. Second, the keyhole is recessed and uses one of the types of lock that has been recommended in the feature run by RiDE magazine. It also has a keyhole cover – ideal for cold days (or nights) when there is a risk of it icing over.

Thoughtfully, the Oxford Boss comes with a carrying bracket (all new Fazer owners will be delighted to hear this) and a “You’ve put it on” reminder. This, along with the bright choice of colours (the two I’ve seen/own are canary yellow and a very vivid orange) should ensure you don’t pull away with it still on, damaging your disc, quite aside from being a very visible deterrent to thieves.

Security experts Sold Secure awarded the Boss a Gold rating, which means that it has passed a rigorous series of physical and environmental tests. This also means a number of insurers will give an additional discount on your insurance for using it (check with your insurer to see if it is on their approved list before buying).

So far, all is well and good. But there is a slight drawback. The ‘U’ that fits into the sidebar is just a few millimetres too short. So I can only put it through the outer holes of the disc, which means it is easy to flip up, so in theory it would be easier to get a drill-bit to the keyhole (though the aperture is narrow, so it would be difficult to try). I’ve tried it on an SV650S and a Virago, and it is just that little bit too short each time. It may well be fine for a number of other bikes, so if it is possible to try before you buy, do so.

Verdict:

Good, solid lock that has passed the Sold Secure testing – but make sure it is the right size for your bike’s disc.

For more information or to find your nearest stockist, visit Oxford Product's site

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