The best chain lock for a motorcycle is a hardened steel chain with links at least 14mm thick, paired with a quality lock that resists picking and drilling. Look for through-hardened (not just case-hardened) boron or manganese steel, hexagonal or square link profiles that are harder to grip with bolt cutters, and a fabric sleeve to protect your paint.
What actually matters when you're choosing:
- Link thickness: 14mm+ defeats hand tools like bolt cutters. Thinner chains are convenience locks, not security.
- Length: long enough to reach an anchor or street furniture, short enough to stay off the ground — a chain resting on concrete gives a thief a hammering surface.
- The lock itself: a great chain with a cheap padlock is a cheap lock. The padlock should match the chain's rating.
Be honest with yourself about the limits: no chain is uncuttable. A cordless angle grinder will eventually get through anything you can lift. The point of a heavy chain is to make your bike slow, loud, and awkward to steal — so thieves pick an easier target. Pair it with an alarm or a hidden tracker so you have a second layer if someone commits anyway.
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