For riders in the UK, especially those of us who’ve been around long enough to remember kickstarts and carburettors, the rise in motorcycle theft has made choosing the right security gear far more serious. This is where Sold Secure ratings come in. You’ll see the label on chains, locks, disc locks and ground anchors, but what do these ratings actually mean? And why should you care?
Let’s break it down properly, with no marketing fluff and no scare tactics. Just clear, practical information to help you keep your bike where you left it.
If you’ve been riding for a few decades, you’ve probably noticed that motorcycle security has become just as important as choosing the right tyres or helmet. Gone are the days when simply turning the key, locking the steering, and walking away was good enough. Today, bike theft is big business for organised criminals – and they’re using vans, power tools, and spotters who know exactly what they’re doing.
What Is Sold Secure?
Sold Secure is an independent testing organisation based in the UK that specialises in rating security products. They focus on items designed to prevent theft, including:
- Motorcycle chains and locks
- Ground anchors
- Disc locks
- Padlocks
- Bicycle and vehicle security
- Caravan, motorhome, trailer locking systems
Sold Secure is owned by the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA), which means the testing is done by people who genuinely understand how thieves break locks, not just engineers guessing at how strong something should be.
When a security product goes through Sold Secure testing, it is:
- Physically attacked
- This is done using tools that are known to be used by real criminals
- It is carried out for a set amount of time, based on the rating level it is being tested for
This is important, they don’t just measure how hard the metal is. They simulate real-world attacks; bolt croppers, sledgehammers, angle grinders, pry bars, bolt guns. If the product can withstand the assault long enough, it gets certified.
Sold Secure Ratings Explained
The rating system used to be Bronze, Silver and Gold, and those terms still float around, but for motorcycle security you’ll mostly be looking at:
| Sold Secure Rating | What It Means | Typical Products |
| Sold Secure Silver | Good protection against the majority of casual or opportunistic theft | Basic chains, disc locks, portable security |
| Sold Secure Gold | Strong protection against determined thieves using common tools | Most quality motorcycle chains and U-locks |
| Sold Secure Diamond | Maximum protection tested against advanced tools and experienced thieves | Heavy-duty chains, ground anchors, high-end locks |
If you’re securing a £4,000 commuter that lives in a garage and only sees guarded car parks, Silver might be fine. But if you’re riding a Triumph Bonneville, BMW GS, Harley, Ducati, or anything that thieves might lift and strip in pieces, you should be looking at Gold or Diamond.
Why Sold Secure Diamond Matters More Today
In recent years, thieves have largely moved on from manual bolt croppers. The tool of choice now is…
A cordless angle grinder – Even the cheap ones will slice through steel that would have taken minutes to cut with hand tools. So, Sold Secure updated their testing to reflect this. Diamond-rated locks are tested specifically for resistance to power tools, not just manual attacks.
Think of Diamond as the “real world theft scenario” rating. If your bike is left in any places listed below, then this level of security really makes a difference:
- Outside overnight
- In shared parking
- At train stations
- In cities like London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester
Insurance: Where Sold Secure Really Becomes Important
Most UK motorcycle insurers now refer directly to Sold Secure ratings in their policy requirements. This means that if your policy requires a Sold Secure Gold or Diamond chain, and your bike is stolen while secured with something lower-rated, they can refuse to pay out.
No small-print tricks, it’s written clearly in many policy documents. And even when your insurer doesn’t require a rating, having Gold or Diamond security often results in:
- Lower premiums
- Reduced theft excess
- Or simply better peace of mind
Given the cost of insurance these days, the investment in decent security often pays for itself in under a year.
How Much Security Do You Really Need?
The best security setup is layered. You can’t expect to be untouchable with just one thing, but with multiple things combined:
- A Solid Ground Anchor (Bolt-in or Concrete-in): If your bike can’t be lifted or rolled away, half of the thieves lose interest immediately.
- A Heavy-Duty Chain (Gold or Diamond): Aim for at least 13mm neck thickness, but ultimately choose the thickest you’re willing to carry, as 16mm, 19mm and even 22mm chains exist – but they’re heavy.
- A Disc Lock or U-Lock: Quick to apply and prevents casual push-away thieves
- Alarm (optional, but helpful): Alarms don’t stop theft, but any noise certainly makes them rush, as well as alerting anyone nearby.
A good rule of thumb:
- Use the strongest lock where the bike sleeps.
- Use portable security when you’re out and about.
Common Mistakes Riders Make
Even experienced riders – the ones who’ve been on two wheels longer than some thieves have been alive, make these errors:
- Using a high-rated lock poorly: If your chain is wrapped around your wheel, they’ll remove the wheel. Always lock to something solid.
- Leaving the chain resting on the ground: This gives thieves leverage for big bolt croppers. Always keep the chain raised if possible.
- Relying only on steering lock: Every thief knows how to break one in seconds.
- Thinking a location is safe because it’s “quiet”: Quiet areas are exactly where thieves like to work.
How Thieves Actually Steal Bikes (Reality Check)
Most motorcycle thefts fall into one of these categories:
- Two–to–three men and a van: They lift the bike into the back in under 20 seconds. If your chain is attached to a ground anchor, they can’t lift it.
- Angle grinder attack: Can defeat weak chains quickly. Diamond-rated products buy you valuable time.
- Push-away theft: Unlocked bikes get wheeled off silently. A simple disc lock stops this.
- Social targeting: Your bike is spotted at work, pub, café, gym, dealer.
Always lock it, even “just for five minutes”.
Choosing the Right Security for Your Lifestyle
Let’s consider typical riding situations for many of us aged 45–60:
| Scenario | Recommended Security | Reason |
| Overnight driveway or garage | Diamond chain + ground anchor | Highest theft risk occurs at home |
| Overnight touring hotel | Quality portable chain + disc lock | Flexible but still strong enough |
| Workplace car park | Gold chain + U-lock | Visible deterrent and practical to carry |
| Short shop stops | Disc lock or compact lock | Quick protection vs push-away theft |
If you’re only going to invest in one thing: Buy the best chain you can reasonably manage. Chains are the hardest to attack quickly and they force thieves to make noise and take risks.
Weight vs Security: The Real Trade-Off
If you’ve been riding since the 80s or 90s, you’ll remember when locks were all similar in weight. Now, modern high-security chains can weigh up to 15kg. Is that ridiculous to carry? Probably, yes — for a ride-out.
So the practical, none-overkill solution for the real world can be something like this:
- Heavy chain permanently installed at home
- Medium-weight Gold chain for the bike when you’re out
- Disc lock for quick jobs
How to Quickly Tell If a Lock Is Worth Buying
Look for:
- Sold Secure Gold or Diamond badge
- Chain link thickness 13mm+
- A closed shackle padlock (harder to cut)
- Lock cylinder with anti-pick features
- Good real-world reviews from motorcyclists, not just cyclists or car owners
Avoid:
- Locks with no rating at all
- Anything described as “heavy-duty” but weighs less than your lunch
- Fake ratings — always check the Sold Secure website list if unsure
Why Sold Secure Ratings Actually Matter to You
When you choose a Sold Secure rated lock, you’re not just paying for metal. You’re paying for:
- Testing based on real theft techniques
- Protection that aligns with insurance requirements
- Peace of mind for your pride and joy
- Reduced risk of losing something personal, not just expensive
For many of us, the bike isn’t just transport – it’s part of our identity. We worked hard to buy it, we look after it, and mostly, we enjoy the freedom it gives. Spending a little on proper, layered, security, is a way of respecting that.
Final Thoughts…
Motorcycle theft is a reality in the UK today, but you’re not powerless. Sold Secure ratings provide a clear, reliable way to choose the right security without guesswork.
- Silver – Light protection
- Gold – Serious protection
- Diamond – Maximum protection against power tools
If your bike means something to you, lock it like it does. A good chain and lock aren’t an expense. They’re the difference between getting up tomorrow and going for a ride – or standing on your driveway staring at empty space.
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