Welcome to our guide to choosing the best locks for scooters. In this guide, we cover locks for both motor scooters and e-scooters. You’ll find several options that give you the best chance of avoiding scooter theft. In the United States, motorcycle theft is a common issue (with California getting hit the hardest), and in the UK, 1,000s of scooters and mopeds are stolen each year in London alone.
It’s our goal to help you prevent theft by choosing the most appropriate lock for your scooter. Also, it’s always wise to consider using multiple locks depending on the value of your scooter. A lot of veteran cyclists recommend spending 10% of the value of your bike (and in this case scooter) on your lock. For example, if you spent $1,000 on your scooter, spending $100 on a lock, or locks, is a good starting point.
First, let’s take a look at the examples of the types of scooters we cover in this article. The first photo is a traditional gas-powered motor scooter, and the second is a newer electric kick scooter available at Amazon #ad:
Now that you have an idea of the scooters that are compatible with the locks in our guide, let’s look at an overview of our Top 5 picks.
Best Scooter Locks Comparison
| Lock | Description |
| #1) ABUS BORDO GRANIT XPlus 6500/85 Folding Lock
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| #2) Grip-Lock
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| #3) ABUS GRANIT XPlus 540 U-Lock
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| #4) Kryptonite Keeper 5-S2 Disc Lock
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| #5) Kryptonite Keeper 785 Integrated Chain Lock
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Best Scooter Lock Reviews
Before we go over the reviews, here’s a quick rundown of the best types of locks for scooters:
- Chain Locks
- Handlebar, Throttle or Grip Locks
- Disc Locks
- U-Locks
- Cable Locks
Always be sure to use at least one of these locks, and for maximum security, combining locks adds additional layers of security. For instance, combining a handlebar lock with a good chain lock ensures thieves must break through two layers of security to steal your scooter.
More layers of protection add valuable time. Plus, the thief must use additional tools and possess special knowledge.
#1) ABUS BORDO GRANIT XPlus 6500/85 Folding Lock
ABUS’ BORDO folding lock is the best lock for scooters and e-scooters. Its compact, lightweight design makes it an excellent choice for e-scooters since it mounts to the frame and weighs considerably less than a heavy-duty chain & lock. Next, it’s very simple to use and maneuver for people of all ages. Seniors will find its folding design easier to use than a traditional heavy chain.
As for security, this lock scores a perfect 15/15 on ABUS’ security scale, making it one of the most secure locks in the ABUS collection. If you’re unfamiliar with ABUS, the company manufactures its locks in Germany, and it’s one of the world leaders in motorcycle security. Each link in the BORDO chain is made of specially hardened steel with high-security rivets.
After the chain, you get the highest level of protection against picking with ABUS’ XPlus Cylinder. Compared to cheap scooter locks, this lock can only be picked by professional lockpickers, not casual thieves. A couple of final highlights are the ABUS Link Protection Shield to guard against sawing attacks and the soft outer casing ensures you don’t scratch your scooter’s paintwork.
Pros
- Perfect 15/15 ABUS security score
- Made in Germany
- Its compact, lightweight design makes it better for e-scooters than heavy chain locks
- The flexible links make it easy to secure both electric scooters and kick scooters
- More portable than a chain & lock (stuff it in a backpack)
- Includes a unique key code to protect against unauthorized duplicates
- The highest level of protection against picking
- ABUS is lesser-known to seasoned thieves in the US than Kryptonite
Cons
- Prone to cuts with a cordless angle grinder
- Too short for some applications
- You may experience scuffing on the coating
#2) Grip-Lock
The Grip-Lock is a handlebar lock aka grip lock that’s the lightest option in this guide. The clear advantages here are ease of use and portability. Connecting and disconnecting the Grip-Lock takes just seconds, and there’s no need to use the key when closing the lock. It functions by locking both your throttle and brake lever in place.
Once connected, thieves can no longer roll your scooter away since the Grip-Lock engages your brake. The cool part is the integrated adjustable slider that allows you to choose between 0 to 100% pressure on your brake lever. Also, there are 3 adapters included ensuring the Grip-Lock provides a universal fit.
The biggest disadvantage of a grip lock is the fact that a thief can pick up your entire scooter and toss it in a van or truck. For this reason, it’s best to only use the Grip-Lock alone for short-term parking and in conjunction with an additional lock for long-term parking. Lastly, skilled thieves are more likely to defeat this lock without power tools than a high-security ABUS or Kryptonite lock.
Pros
- An excellent secondary lock or primary lock for short-term parking in public areas
- Super lightweight and the most portable scooter lock
- More affordable than expensive high-security chain locks
- Connects in seconds
- Backed by a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty
- Made in New Zealand
- Acts as a visual deterrent
- Adjustable slider to customize pressure on your brake lever
Cons
- Susceptible to being broken with common tools
- Does not secure your scooter to a fixed object
- Should not be used alone in most cases
#3) ABUS GRANIT XPlus 540 U-Lock
Our favorite U-lock on the market – that we previously included in our best e-bike lock guide – is this beauty by ABUS. Like the BORDO lock, this lock scores a perfect 15/15 on ABUS’ security scale. Additionally, it features the same pick-resistant XPlus cylinder for ultimate protection against tampering and manipulation.
One thing we really like about this lock is the near-all-steel construction. The housing, shackle, and structural components of the locking mechanism are all made of ABUS’ specially hardened steel for ironclad security. The only way to get through this lock is with power tools, and we all know that the sound of a power tool is quick to draw attention.
Another advantage of a U-lock is the ease of use compared to a traditional chain & lock combo. Choose between passing the shackle through your wheel or around your fork legs. However, the one drawback is you may still need a chain to fix your scooter to a fixed object using a U-lock since U-locks offer a limited range. Finally, the 540 uses ABUS power cell technology to give you the highest level of protection against pulling attacks.
Pros
- ABUS 15/15 security score
- Includes two keys with 1 light key for clear vision at night
- Includes a code card for additional keys and to prevent unauthorized dupes
- Comes with a USH-Holder
- Integrated automatic keyhole cover protects the cylinder against corrosion and debris
- Lightweight and easy to use
- Feature a dual-locking mechanism
- There’s a mini version available (click here #ad to check it out at Amazon)
Cons
- Too short for some applications
- Susceptible to cuts with an angle grinder
#4) Kryptonite Keeper 5-S2 Disc Lock
The most affordable scooter lock in our guide (at the time of this writing) is the 5-S2 Disc Lock by Kryptonite. First, the advantage of this lock over motorcycle disc locks is that it’s made to fit bikes and scooters. You have a better chance of fitting the pin through your scooter’s brake disc than disc locks specifically designed for motorcycles.
Next, the body is made of heavy-duty metal, and we like that Kryptonite installed its high-security disc-style cylinder in the 5-S2. Compared to a cheap disc lock, you get much better protection against lock manipulation for an affordable price. Plus, each lock comes with two stainless steel keys.
One accessory you’ll find useful is the included bright-orange reminder cable to prevent you from riding away with the disc lock attached. Considering damage caused by riding away with a disc lock attached is one of the biggest disadvantages of a disc lock, we like to see that Kryptonite includes a reminder cable.
Pros
- Comes with a reminder cable to prevent damage
- Heavy-duty metal body
- Includes two keys
- High-security disc cylinder
- Affordable
- Portable
- Easier to use for quick stops than a heavy chain lock
- Excellent resistance to corrosion
Cons
- The paint may chip
- Not compatible with kick scooters
- Can cause damage if you ride off without removing it
#5) Kryptonite Keeper 785 Integrated Chain Lock (000853)
Our final pick is one of the best affordable chain locks on the market that’s great for all types of scooters, including electric kick scooters. The 7 mm links are small enough to pass through the smaller wheels on electric scooters, yet the chain is heavy-duty enough to use with motor scooters.
The links are made of the same 3T manganese steel that Kryptonite uses on its pricier flagship chains, and the lock features Kryptonite’s disc-style cylinder. Next, the patent-pending end link design is one of the major highlights of this lock. This special design prevents a weak link in the chain to maintain maximum holding power.
Overall, this lock is lighter and easier to use than heavy-duty chain locks for motorcycles, making it great for scooters. At 3.5 lbs, it weighs a bit less than the ABUS BORDO lock, yet it offers the same length of 33.5″. While it’s not quite as secure as the BORDO, it costs less than half the price at the time of this writing.
Pros
- Best bang for your buck of the locks in this guide
- Lighter and more compact than large chain & lock combos
- Fits through the wheels of electric kick scooters
- Built with the same 3T manganese steel as expensive Kryptonite chains
- Enough length to pass through a scooter wheel and connect to a bike rack
- No need to worry about scuffs or paint chipping off the lock
Cons
- It may feel heavy to carry in a backpack
- The lock may stick at times
- Too short from some uses
Bottom Line
Now you have a deeper understanding of how to secure your scooter and/or e-scooter and the types of locks at your disposal. The best locks for scooters should be used together for maximum security. As mentioned earlier, it’s best to consider investing 10% of your scooter’s value in your locking system. This could be an investment in a single lock or multiple locks.
Also, and this is very important, consider the level of security you need. Folks living in busy cities where scooter theft is prevalent may want to consider spending more than 10% of the scooter’s value and using multiple locks. On the other side of the spectrum, folks living in rural areas where scooter theft is nonexistent can get away with using a single lock in most cases.
