Last updated: 2026. Chains and locks recommended for UK outdoor use, covering home security and outside storage from driveway to street.
The short version: A chain and lock is the second most important layer of motorcycle security after a ground anchor. It prevents ride-away theft, it slows down or defeats cutting attacks when properly used, and a Sold Secure rated setup declared to your insurer will reduce your premium. This guide covers five options across different price points and use cases, all independently tested and rated. An affiliate disclosure: if you buy via our links, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Of all the security products you can buy for a motorbike stored outside, chains and locks are where the most money gets wasted on poor choices. The market is full of products that look serious, feel heavy, and provide genuinely inadequate protection once a thief with the right tools gets to work on them. The difference between a chain that will delay a thief for thirty seconds and one that will resist sustained attack for several minutes is not always obvious from a photograph or a product listing.
The only reliable way to know what a chain or lock will actually withstand is independent testing. Sold Secure's Motorcycle Gold and Diamond ratings are the benchmark that UK insurers recognise and that serious security products are tested against. Everything on this list holds a current Sold Secure rating. Nothing on this list is just heavy.
A few things worth understanding before you buy.
- Chain thickness matters, but it is not the whole story. The steel specification and heat treatment matter as much as the diameter. A 16mm chain made from the right steel is harder to cut than a cheap 19mm chain. Look for the Sold Secure rating, not just the thickness number.
- The lock is part of the system. A Sold Secure Diamond chain secured with a poor padlock provides Sold Secure padlock-level security. The chain and lock need to be matched in quality. A thief attacks the weakest point.
- Chain length affects security. More chain means more slack, and more slack means it is easier to get the chain into a position where it can be cut. Buy the shortest chain that does the job. For home use with a ground anchor, 1.0m to 1.5m is usually enough.
- Keep the chain off the ground. A chain lying on the ground can be attacked with a hammer and chisel or cut using the ground surface as a brace. Thread the chain so it hangs clear of the ground at all points.
- Weight is a real consideration. The heaviest chains on this list are home-use only. Carrying a 12kg chain on a motorbike is not practical. Know whether you need a chain you can take with you or one that stays at home, and choose accordingly.
With that in mind, here are the five chains and locks that stand out for outside storage use in the UK.
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1. Pragmasis Protector 16mm Chain and RoundLock: Best Overall
💰 ~£130–£160 (1.5m with RoundLock) |🏆 Sold Secure Motorcycle Gold |⚖️ ~7.8kg (1.5m) | 🔗 16mm links
Pragmasis is a UK company that has been making high security chains since 2003, and the Protector range has become the benchmark that other chains are compared against. The 16mm version with the RoundLock padlock is the combination that comes up most consistently in serious security discussions, and having read through the independent testing results from Bennetts BikeSocial and others, it is easy to understand why.
The chain is manufactured from high-grade European steel with a specialist heat treatment process carried out in the UK. The result is a steel that is hardened against cutting without becoming brittle, meaning it resists both bolt croppers and angle grinder attack effectively. In independent testing, 42-inch bolt croppers left only minor surface marks. The long-link design means the chain can be kept clear of the ground easily, which removes the main vulnerability of chains that lie flat.
The RoundLock is the ideal companion to this chain. It is a compact cylindrical lock that slots directly into a chain link rather than being threaded through separately, keeping the whole assembly tighter and reducing the space available for a thief to work a cutting tool into. It also doubles as a disc lock, meaning one product does two jobs. Both the chain and RoundLock hold Sold Secure Motorcycle Gold rating. The RoundLock can be keyed alike to other Pragmasis products for a small charge, which is worth doing if you own multiple locks.
At 7.8kg for 1.5m, this is on the heavy side for carrying on the bike, but it is manageable for most riders. For home use with a ground anchor, the 1.0m version is often sufficient and saves weight. Pragmasis sell direct and the quality control is consistently praised.
✓ Pros
- Sold Secure Motorcycle Gold throughout
- UK manufactured, consistent quality
- Long-link design keeps chain off the ground easily
- RoundLock doubles as disc lock
- Key-alike option across Pragmasis products
- Multiple length options from 0.8m to 6.0m
- RiDE Magazine Best Buy award
✗ Cons
- Not the lightest option for carrying on the bike
- Fabric sleeve absorbs water, use a bag when transporting wet
- Sold direct rather than widely stocked in shops
Verdict:
The most consistently recommended chain and lock combination for UK outside storage. Independently tested, UK made, and holds its Sold Secure rating through multiple retesting cycles. If you buy one chain for home use with a ground anchor, this is the one.
2. Oxford Beast Chain and Lock: Best for Maximum Home Security
💰 ~£200–£230 (1.5m) |🏆 Sold Secure Motorcycle Diamond |⚖️ ~15.5kg (1.5m) |🔗 22mm links
The Oxford Beast is not a subtle product. It is a 22mm hardened steel chain with a 30mm locking pin padlock that together weigh over 15kg for the 1.5m version. It holds Sold Secure Motorcycle Diamond rating, the highest available, and the ART 5 security classification used in the Netherlands, which is one of the most rigorous independent security standards in Europe. It has also achieved Secured by Design status, which is the UK Police preferred specification scheme.
Oxford describe it as their strongest ever chain and lock combination, and the numbers back that up. The 22mm links are hardened steel throughout, and the padlock's 30mm pin is a serious proposition for any cutting tool. Independent testing confirms that angle grinder attack is the only realistic method, and the combination of link size and lock body makes that a slow, noisy, conspicuous process.
The weight makes this home-use only. You are not carrying 15kg on a motorbike anywhere. But for a bike on a driveway or in a side passage that does not move for days at a time, the Beast earns its place as the most secure chain and lock combination available from a mainstream UK motorcycle retailer. It is widely stocked at Halfords, SportsBikeShop, and Amazon, which means competitive pricing and no waiting for specialist delivery.
One practical note: the sheer bulk of the 22mm chain means it will not thread through some ground anchors. Check the chain aperture of your anchor before buying. The Oxford AnchorForce and Torc ground anchors are both confirmed compatible.
✓ Pros
- Sold Secure Motorcycle Diamond, the highest rating
- ART 5 and Secured by Design rated
- 30mm hardened locking pin
- Widely available from mainstream retailers
- 2m version available for larger bikes or longer reach
✗ Cons
- 15kg+ weight means home use only
- 22mm chain may not fit all ground anchors, check aperture first
- Expensive
- Bulky to store
Verdict:
The maximum security option for a high-value bike that lives outside permanently. If your bike is worth over £5,000 and you want the highest rated chain and lock available from a mainstream UK brand, this is it. Not for carrying, not for travel. For home use only.
3. Squire Massiv Chain and Lock: Best Mid-Range Option
💰 ~£120–£150 |🏆 Sold Secure Motorcycle Gold |⚖️ ~5.5kg (1.2m) |🔗 14mm links
Squire has been manufacturing locks in the UK since 1780, which gives some context to the confidence behind their products. The Massiv chain and lock set is their specialist motorcycle security combination, and it sits at a practical midpoint between the lightweight chains used for carrying and the serious home-security options at the top of this list.
At 14mm link thickness the Massiv is genuinely bolt-cropper resistant in independent testing, and the accompanying lock uses a boron alloy steel shackle that is almost fully enclosed by the lock body when closed, significantly reducing the accessible surface area for attack. A six-pin cylinder, anti-drill protection, and a protective dust cover round out a well-specified padlock. The overall package weighs 5.5kg, which means it sits at the upper limit of what most riders would carry on a bike but is entirely practical for regular use.
Squire's construction quality is immediately apparent. The lock operates with the kind of precision that suggests it will still be working perfectly in ten years, and the chain sleeve is a durable material rather than the thin fabric some competitors use. Squire back it with a warranty that reflects the confidence they have in the product.
For a rider who wants a single chain that works both at home with a ground anchor and occasionally out and about, the Massiv is the most practical choice on this list. It is heavy enough to provide serious home security and light enough to carry when needed.
✓ Pros
- Sold Secure Motorcycle Gold rated
- Shackle almost fully enclosed by lock body
- UK brand with a 240-year manufacturing history
- Practical weight for dual home and travel use
- Excellent build quality and lock precision
- Good value for the quality level
✗ Cons
- 14mm link is not as heavy as the top-tier options
- 1.2m length may be short for some setups, check before buying
- Less widely reviewed than Oxford or Pragmasis
Verdict:
The best practical all-rounder on this list. Solid Secure Gold rated, British made, excellent build quality, and a weight that works both at home and occasionally on the road. A well-considered choice for most riders storing a mid-range bike outside.
4. Oxford HD Chain and Padlock: Best Budget Entry Point
💰 ~£40–£65 (varies by size) |🏆 Sold Secure Motorcycle Gold |⚖️ ~3.5kg (1.2m) |🔗 12mm links
Oxford's HD chain is the most accessible Sold Secure Motorcycle Gold rated chain on the UK market. It is widely stocked, competitively priced, and provides a genuine step up in security over the unrated chains that fill the lower end of the market. For a rider who needs a functional, insurer-recognised chain and lock without spending £130 or more, the HD is the natural starting point.
The 12mm hardened steel links provide good bolt-cropper resistance for the price point, and the accompanying padlock is a solid close-shackle design with anti-drill protection. The chain comes with a protective sleeve to prevent paint damage when threading through wheel and frame. Oxford supply it in multiple lengths, and the 1.2m version is the most practical for home use with a ground anchor.
It is worth being clear about what this chain is and is not. It is not in the same category as the Pragmasis or Oxford Beast for determined, sustained attack. A motivated thief with power tools will defeat it eventually. What it does is provide Sold Secure Motorcycle Gold protection at a price that is accessible to new riders and commuters, and it does that job reliably. For a bike worth under £2,000 in a moderate-risk location, it is proportionate security at a proportionate price.
✓ Pros
- Sold Secure Motorcycle Gold rated
- Very widely available
- Affordable entry point for insurer-recognised security
- Multiple length options
- Light enough to carry on the bike
✗ Cons
- 12mm links are at the lighter end of serious security
- Not suitable as the sole security for a high-value bike
- Padlock quality is functional rather than exceptional
Verdict:
The right choice for lower-value bikes or as a secondary chain alongside a heavier home chain. A solid Sold Secure Gold rated starting point that is hard to beat at the price. If your bike is worth significantly more, budget up.
5. Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Chain and Disc Lock: Best for Carrying
💰 ~£150–£200 |🏆 Sold Secure Motorcycle Gold / Bicycle Diamond |⚖️ ~4.55kg (100cm) |🔗 14mm links
The Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit is an American lock with a name that commits fully to the idea of bike security. It holds Sold Secure Motorcycle Gold and Bicycle Diamond ratings simultaneously, which as discussed in our insurance guide means the two ratings are tested to the same standard. It is among the most tested and reviewed motorcycle chains in the world, which provides a level of independent confidence that newer products cannot match.
What makes this chain particularly worth including on a list aimed at outside storage is the combination of genuine security with a weight that is actually manageable on a motorbike. At 4.55kg for the 100cm version, it is one of the heaviest chains most riders would realistically carry, but it is achievable in a tail bag or top box. The 14mm links provide strong bolt-cropper resistance, and Kryptonite include an anti-theft protection offer up to £2,000 in value if the chain is used correctly and the bike is stolen, which reflects their confidence in the product.
The accompanying disc lock rather than a separate padlock is a thoughtful touch for a chain intended to travel with the bike. It keeps the overall bulk lower than a chain-plus-padlock combination and the disc lock is useful independently when the chain is at home. The chain does not loop through itself the way some noose-end chains do, which means the full 100cm is the working length.
For a rider who needs security both at home with a ground anchor and occasionally away from home, the Fahgettaboudit sits at the top of what is practically carriable.
✓ Pros
- Sold Secure Motorcycle Gold and Bicycle Diamond rated
- Best-in-class weight to security ratio for a carriable chain
- Anti-theft protection offer included
- Extensively independently tested and reviewed
- Disc lock companion is useful independently
✗ Cons
- 100cm working length is short for some setups
- Expensive for the chain length
- Not the heaviest option if home security is the only priority
Verdict:
The best choice for a rider who needs one chain that works both at home and on the road. The weight is at the practical limit for carrying, the security rating is genuine, and the anti-theft protection offer adds meaningful real-world value.
Quick Comparison
| Chain and Lock | Price Range | Sold Secure | Link Size | Weight (1.5m) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pragmasis 16mm + RoundLock | £130–£160 | Gold | 16mm | ~7.8kg | Best overall, home use |
| Oxford Beast | £200–£230 | Diamond | 22mm | ~15.5kg | Maximum security, home only |
| Squire Massiv | £120–£150 | Gold | 14mm | ~5.5kg | All-rounder, home and travel |
| Oxford HD Chain | £40–£65 | Gold | 12mm | ~5.5kg | Budget entry, lower-value bikes |
| Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit | £150–£200 | Gold | 14mm | ~4.5kg (1m) | Carriable, home and away |
How to Use a Chain and Lock Correctly
Buying the right chain is only half the job. How you use it matters almost as much as what you buy. These are the points that make a genuine difference.
Thread through the frame and rear wheel, not just the wheel
A chain passed only through the rear wheel can be defeated by removing the wheel. Threading through the frame or swingarm as well as the rear wheel means a thief has to cut the chain rather than remove a component. It takes a few more seconds to do up but is meaningfully more secure.
Keep the chain off the ground at all points
A chain lying on the ground can be hammered against a hard surface, which is one of the most effective silent attacks on a chain. Thread the chain so it hangs or is held clear of the ground at every point. Long-link chains like the Pragmasis make this easier because you can pass one end link over another to tighten the loop before locking.
Take up as much slack as possible
A loose chain with significant slack is easier to attack because it gives a thief room to position cutting tools. Pull the chain as tight as your threading route allows before locking. Less slack is more secure.
Position the lock body away from the ground
The lock should be positioned so the body is facing upward or to the side, not lying against the ground. A lock lying flat on the ground can be attacked with a hammer and chisel against the shackle, which is a faster attack than cutting the chain. Keep the lock body clear of any hard surface.
The chain and anchor combination: A chain without a ground anchor only prevents ride-away theft. Two people with a van can lift the bike, chain and all, and deal with the chain elsewhere. A ground anchor changes this entirely. If you have not already read our guide to the best motorcycle ground anchors, that is the starting point before buying a chain.
Match the Sold Secure rating to the anchor
There is no benefit in pairing a Sold Secure Diamond chain with a Silver-rated anchor, or a Gold chain with an unrated padlock. A thief attacks the weakest point in the system. Aim for consistency: Gold throughout as a minimum, Diamond throughout for a high-value bike in a high-risk location.
Declare the chain and lock to your insurer
A Sold Secure rated chain declared on your insurance policy will reduce your premium. Include the brand, model, and Sold Secure rating when declaring. If you upgrade your security after taking out a policy, contact the insurer to update the declaration. It will almost always reduce your premium, and it ensures your declaration is accurate if you ever need to claim.
Watch out for unrated products: A significant number of motorcycle chains on sale in the UK, particularly at lower price points, carry no Sold Secure rating. Some use security-sounding language without independent testing to back it up. If a chain does not appear on the Sold Secure database at soldsecure.com, it has not been independently tested to that standard regardless of what the packaging says. Check before you buy.
Summary
For most UK riders storing a motorbike outside, the Pragmasis 16mm with RoundLock is the right answer for home use. It is independently tested, UK made, and holds its Sold Secure Gold rating consistently. For a high-value bike where only the highest security will do, the Oxford Beast is the Diamond-rated option, accepting that it stays at home. For a chain that travels with the bike as well as securing it at home, the Squire Massiv or Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit are both strong choices. And for a lower-value bike or an additional chain, the Oxford HD provides Sold Secure Gold at an accessible price.
Whichever you choose: keep it off the ground, take up the slack, position the lock body clear of hard surfaces, and declare it to your insurer.
Found this useful? The rest of the site covers motorcycle security for riders without a garage in more detail, including the best motorcycle ground anchors, the best motorcycle covers for outdoor storage, and insurance for bikes stored outside.
