Motorcycle Alarm Reviews

SpyBall 6527 Review

SpyBall is a bit of an unknown in the U.S. as they do not really have a direct distributor in North America; their primary territories are Europe and Asia where the main application of their motorcycle alarms is for the OEM market ? Triumph and BMW are customers ? but they also sell to the public via some retailers. The SpyBall 6527 Motorcycle Alarm and Immobilizer is one of the many from the company which often are found on production bikes, but you can also purchase one from the aftermarket and install it on any compatible electrical system.

The SpyBall 6527 has been built to be Thatcham Category 1 compliant, meaning that it has been tested by the insurers of Great Britain to meet certain criteria which gives the alarm certification to be used on vehicles which fit into Category 1 ? automobiles, heavy goods vehicles (trucks), motorcycles and more. The testing is rigorous and is continually being revised, so any alarm approved by them should do its job well. Of course, there are no guarantees.

Arming and disarming the 6527 uses what they call a ?Ghost Code?, which is simply a rolling code shared between the remote control and the alarm unit to prevent a thief from ?scanning? the code and stealing the bike. Each alarm unit is packaged in such a way that it is water and shock-proof to protect it from the rough life it will have on a motorcycle. To keep things running, the alarm will pull only 1.5mA when it is on, and it slips to 0.5mA when the alarm is in ?sleep? mode ? a timed ?off? function for long duration storage ? and a rechargeable NiMH battery keeps the alarm powered even if the vehicle battery wire is disconnected.

A dual ignition immobilizer is enabled instantly upon turning the alarm on; making it impossible for the engine to be started should the alarm be tripped. And, that siren sound should call a lot of attention to your bike; it is 117dB piezoelectric loud. SpyBall gives you sensors to detect impact, inclination and perimeter violations. This means that the entire bike is protected should someone hit it, try to lift t off the stand or if someone is attempting to take your tank bag. For making it obvious that your motorcycle has an alarm installed, the SpyBall 6527 includes a bright LED which displays the alarm?s status ? plus, if the alarm goes off, your turn signals will flash as well.

Of course, like most modern alarms, the SpyBall 6527 can also have its sensitivity adjusted using the remote transmitter, and the ability to disable the movement sensor is available here as well. There is the standard Panic feature and an output wire for an optional pager so you know when someone sets off the alarm. You can even add satellite tracking and tracing, should you desire.

Installation of the SpyBall 6527 is best done by a professional as it integrates deeply into your motorcycle?s systems. However, a competent mechanic should be able to do the install all on his or her own since SpyBall provides ?easy wiring kits? that make the 6527 a plug-and-play option for most production motorcycles. Of course, checking with your dealer is your best route to know if the alarm is compatible with your bike.

The SpyBall 6527 alarm works quite well; it responds well to impacts against the motorcycle, picking it up from the sidestand or centerstand, and the perimeter function will keep sticky hands from your gear within its range ? which is a little broad, so take care parking. The remote is very basic, and will probably remind you of an old-school car alarm, but it does work, just not at the advertised limit of range.

Installing the SpyBall 6527 may earn you an insurance reduction, but this is only likely for a company that knows anything about the Thatcham organization. That may help you pay the suggested price of the alarm; it retails for US$290, plus shipping.

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