Scooter security: Abus Granit Extreme Plus 59 lock review

Date reviewed: February 2018 | Tested by: John Milbank | Price: £236.99 | Weight: 3.75kg | www.abus.com/uk

The Abus Granit Extreme Plus 59 is a combined chain and lock, rated to Thatcham Category 3, and coming with two keys (one of which is illuminated with a blue LED) and a code card for replacements.

It’s available in lengths of 1.1, 1.4 and 1.7m, and has a plastic-covered body with a fabric sleeve over the hexagonal 12mm chain links.

Size and weight

We’ve tested the 1.1m version, which weighs 3.75kg and rolls up to be quite compact. It’ll easily fit in a scooter’s boot or most luggage, though if you want to bungee it to the tail of a motorcycle, you’ll need to pop it in a bag.

Ease of use and compatibility with scooters

You can use this chain to wrap around the wheel, forks or swingarm of almost any moped, scooter or motorcycle. You could also secure the machine to a ground anchor or other street furniture, but the fabric sleeve will of course start to pick up dirt through use – something to be aware of if you commute in a suit.

To understand how best to use your lock, click here

Resistance to attack

Hacksaw, pry bars and huge 42” bolt-croppers wouldn’t touch this lock. Given lots of space, time and noise, a sledge hammer and anvil can be used to – eventually – break the chain, but this is an extremely unlikely form of attack.

An angle grinder will of course defeat the Extreme Plus 59, and while the links are quite solid, part of the design means they can be cut through a little quicker than other chains. But still, this is a noisy and very attention-grabbing method.

Verdict

The Granit 59’s self-contained design makes it very convenient to use, though it does lack some of the versatility of the Abus XS67 combo also tested by BikeSocial.

We wouldn’t suggest this for regular storage at the same location every night, but it’s a tough lock that offers a good level of protection.

Big thanks to Piaggio and repair/claims specialist 4th Dimension for supplying parts that allowed us to carry out real-world testing. Both are companies who, among others in the moped, scooter and motorcycle industry, are passionate about reducing crime.

To see more security kit tested by BikeSocial, click here

Know this: Scooter security

BikeSocial’s consumer editor explains how the locks were tested and how best to use them. Thanks to Wheels Motorcycles in Peterborough