Motorcycle Alarm Reviews

Datatool S4-C1 Review

Datatool is the absolute most popular motorcycle alarm within the United Kingdom with a penetration rate equal to some 47% of all bikes ? according to one source. The most popular of the models made by Datatool is the S4 range as this is the choice for new motorcycle models among many of the marques sold on the islands. Of those, the Datatool S4-C1 qualifies as the flagship model by being the version implemented across a very wide range of makes and models of motorcycles ? it is everywhere.

The S4-C1 is, as one would expect, Thatcham Category 1 tested and approved, thus the U.K. insurance industry has given its seal of approval and it qualifies for a discount there. This also means that Datatool must meet certain requirements. Among those are the use of a vehicle immobilizer, two are used here, and sensors which detect a perimeter violation, keep someone from cutting the power, and to stop anyone from picking up and moving the motorcycle. If anything happens to trip the system, it sounds a very high-powered siren protected by a tough metal nose cone.

One of the very neat features of the S4-C1 is the universal key conversion which works much like a key fob where your standard motorcycle key has its top end enclosed by the remote itself. This helps keep you from loosing the key or remote, and keeps the remote unit?s overall size in check. Another popular function of the alarm is its PIN code, which the customer chooses, for use just in case you lose the remote transmitter.

Power draw of the Datatool S4-C1 is very small, so as to keep from draining your bike?s battery, and it gets even smaller for long-term storage. Built into the alarm is also a battery monitor that will alert you if your bike?s battery starts to die ? you?ll know you need a new one right away. The unit does have a built-in battery back-up just in case a thief attempts to disable the alarm by cutting power to it.

Datatool recommends that you use one of their certified installers to integrate the S4-C1 into your motorcycle?s systems, but a capable wrench should have no problems installing it on their own machine. The body of the alarm is small and this allows it to be shoved into numerous areas of a motorcycle?s chassis making placement much easier. Of course, the length of the numerous wires will be a slight limitation.

The alarm works very well. Sensitivity can be adjusted using the remote transmitter to one of eight levels, and there is a panic feature in case someone takes off with your bike right in front of you ? click the button and the bike will be immobilized. In fact, arm the S4-C1 and no one will be able to take anything from your machine without you knowing about it.

The Datatool S4-C1 is a very popular motorcycle alarm in much of Europe, with a high adoption rate among English bikers, so the company has an expansive amount of alarm knowledge, especially the unique challenges posed when protecting a motorcycle. They can be trusted to make something which works, and Datatool prides themselves on this ability. The S4 line is one of the best on the market and you should not have any problems finding a model for your bike.

The suggested retail for the Datatool S4-C1 is US$500, so look around for a good deal.

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