Gorilla alarm? Pros and cons?

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stickman88

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Hi there,

Just wondering if any of u have the gorilla alarm setup for your bike. I read some reviews that the alarm system drains your battery since it's connected even though its not activated.

Anybody have any experience with this? Because this would be a huge con..
 
Mine never drained my battery, during winter I had it plug to a trickle charger.

The sensitivity is ****ed on those systems and so is the tilt sensor, I wouldn't buy another one but it is better than nothing.

I would buy scorpion next
 
ZX600 said:
Mine never drained my battery, during winter I had it plug to a trickle charger.

The sensitivity is ****ed on those systems and so is the tilt sensor, I wouldn't buy another one but it is better than nothing.

I would buy scorpion next
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Lol what u mean by it being bad? I read it's rly sensitive from reviews but u can change the sensitivity option or disable it also.
 
stickman88 said:
Lol what u mean by it being bad? I read it's rly sensitive from reviews but u can change the sensitivity option or disable it also.
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Maybe mine was defective, but while in the most sensitive setting, I could punch my bike and it wouldn't go off, but once I got on the bike and started it would.

Tilt sensor never worked, basically its supposed to go off the moment someone sits on it and levels the tilt from been on the stand.
 
I'll support zx600s thought of scorpion. Never had an issue and it works flawlessly 3 years and two bikes later.
 
I had one...drained the battery fairly quickly (esp on a 250), the shock sensor sometimes would trigger if a fly landed on the bike, and sometimes would fail to do so if you dropped an anvil. The tilt sensor also was a little spotty depending on how level the ground was.

After 2 years, the shock sensor broke internally. I resoldered it, worked for a year, then broke again. Fixed it again, but then the entire alarm module died shortly after. Did not bother replacing it, and if I do, it will likely be a Scorpio.
 
conundrum said:
I had one...drained the battery fairly quickly (esp on a 250), the shock sensor sometimes would trigger if a fly landed on the bike, and sometimes would fail to do so if you dropped an anvil. The tilt sensor also was a little spotty depending on how level the ground was.

After 2 years, the shock sensor broke internally. I resoldered it, worked for a year, then broke again. Fixed it again, but then the entire alarm module died shortly after. Did not bother replacing it, and if I do, it will likely be a Scorpio.
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Wow actually drained ur battery? We're u using it everytime u ride?
 
My R6 mysteriously won't start if I leave it for about 3 weeks without riding it. maybe a little less than that.. However if I am riding regularly, I have no battery issues. I haven't even used the alarm this year, but it is under the gas tank and I already did the spark plugs...
 
SweetOnion said:
My R6 mysteriously won't start if I leave it for about 3 weeks without riding it. maybe a little less than that.. However if I am riding regularly, I have no battery issues. I haven't even used the alarm this year, but it is under the gas tank and I already did the spark plugs...
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But is this with the alarm armed for 3 weeks or just plugged into the battery but disarmed? My concern is if it will drain the battery even though I don't arm it and it is just plugged with the battery.
 
YZFer said:
why even buy an alarm? if someone really wants your bike its theirs.
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It's more of a deterrent to people who think sitting on your bike and taking a selfie is a good idea. In the process, they may damage the seat, controls or drop the bike--non-riders aren't prepared for the weight of even a sport bike once it starts leaning. A quick beep often shames them into reconsidering. There are other scenarios, like turkeys who want to move your bike to park their fat-***** SUV and drop it.
 
stickman88 said:
But is this with the alarm armed for 3 weeks or just plugged into the battery but disarmed? My concern is if it will drain the battery even though I don't arm it and it is just plugged with the battery.
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No, like I said I haven't used it (armed it) once this year.

The only reason I have it is for insurance (TD/Supersport)
 
YZFer said:
why even buy an alarm? if someone really wants your bike its theirs.
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Some insurance requires you have one and I agree, it keeps the special idiots from going near it. (Mine has proximity too)

Op I've left mine on for 2 weeks while I was away before and when I returned it magically started right up. Also can have battery back up (9v I believe) oem connector kit so no cutting and it has a pager built into the fob. The next step up model is all done through smartphone.
 
I'm on my 2nd Gorilla. 1st without paging option, current one does.
Had to have an alarm to satisfy TD ins.... Overall its cheap and that's exactly what it is.
The paging distance sucks and when it goes off i can't even hear the pager unless its right out infront of you.... If it's in your pocket... Forget about it...
 
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On the subject of alarms, the immobilizer in the Aprilias has counted as an alarm for them. It isn't one... but they accept it. Dunno!
 
ninjanewbie said:
I'm on my 2nd Gorilla. 1st without paging option, current one does.
Had to have an alarm to satisfy TD ins.... Overall its cheap and that's exactly what it is.
The paging distance sucks and when it goes off i can't even hear the pager unless its right out infront of you.... If it's in your pocket... Forget about it...
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The scorpio can be set to sound and vibrate. You can hear it in your pocket as its one of the most annoying sounds ever. It also works from a fair distance.
 
I've had a lot of experience with Motorcycle alarms over the years. Mainly use them for notification if someone hits my bike when parked etc rather than theft. Theres been a few members over the years report hit and run drivers having their plates recorded by pedestrians as the alarm brought attention to the knocked/bumped/banged motorcycle. Just some extra piece of mind. I have used the Scorpio/RIDE system before and it works reliably. One one bike I had the GPS module installed, and set up geofences around the place so it would auto text family etc when I reached certain locations or left them. Ie. Leaving work.. or on a ride to the USA, and reaching checkpoints along the way. That was pretty handy. I have used them in conjunction to factory alarm systems in some bikes. Hidden away and in silent mode. They are not cheap, but like a lot of things, quality and usability comes at a price.
 
Alarms are ALWAYS drawing power whether armed or not as they have a receiver that is always on. If your battery is weak then the alarm can cause issues. I know of some people that will install an inline switch to cut all power to the alarm when it's not needed (in your garage or other secure area) but then power up the system when required.



stickman88 said:
Hi there,

Just wondering if any of u have the gorilla alarm setup for your bike. I read some reviews that the alarm system drains your battery since it's connected even though its not activated.

Anybody have any experience with this? Because this would be a huge con..
Click to expand...
 
stickman88 said:
Wow actually drained ur battery? We're u using it everytime u ride?
Click to expand...

Like others have said, if it is plugged in, it is draining the battery, so doesn't matter if it is armed or not. The CBR250R had a very small capacity battery, and even if I parked it at 100%, if I didn't ride for 2 weeks the bike wouldn't start. On the CBR650F, I could leave it 2-3 and the bike would still turn over ok.

If I see a good sale on the Scorpio I'll probably pick one up at some point. Alarm isn't so much a theft deterrent (they'll take it alarm or not if they want it), but like Kiwi said, more to tell me if someone is touching/messing with my bike and I want to head out and stop them. Can't say it has ever happened, but I always picture some idiot trying to get on (or put their kid on it) for a FB photo op...and an alarm might make them think twice/change their mind.
 
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Ive had a gorilla 8017 on my bike for over 3 years now and im still using original battery since. 2012 ninja 650R . Alarm works like a charm just dont expect the range on the receiver to be that great prolly couple of feet. Other than that its 5 star


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