You park the bike outside the flat overnight, the insurance renewal lands, and the quote asks what Thatcham category your security is. Thatcham grades security devices, UK insurers recognise the approved ones, and the grade you pick decides what your insurer will accept, so it is worth knowing before you buy.
The Thatcham categories on a motorcycle
| Category | What it is | What it means on a bike |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | Combined alarm and immobiliser | Sensors, a battery-backed siren and an immobiliser that sets itself when you walk away. |
| Category 2 | Electronic immobiliser | The bike runs only with the right key or fob, so hot-wiring gets a thief nowhere. |
| Category 2/1 | Alarm upgrade | An aftermarket alarm for a bike that already has a Category 2 immobiliser. |
| Category 3 | Mechanical immobiliser | A physical lock such as a chain lock. It only counts if you use it every time you leave the bike. |
| Category 4 | Wheel locking device | Built around locking wheel nuts, so mostly a car fitting. |
| Category S5 | Post-theft tracking and recovery | Tracks a stolen bike with 24/7 monitoring and rider recognition. |
| Category S7 | Stolen vehicle location | Locates a stolen bike, without the rider recognition of an S5. |
S5 sits above S7. Anything with no category is an aftermarket product Thatcham has not certified.
Where our products fit
| Thatcham category | Datatool product | Type |
|---|---|---|
| CAT 2>1 | Datatool LFA | Alarm |
| CAT 1 | Datatool LFA+ | Alarm and immobiliser |
| S5 | Datatool Stealth S5 | Wired GPS tracker with driver tag |
| S7 | Datatool Quantum 3 | Battery powered GPS tracker |
Alarms: LFA and LFA+
The LFA (£349.99) and the LFA+ (£499.99) both use a 118 dB piezo siren and a key fob you arm and disarm with. The LED unit is waterproof with its own battery back-up, so cutting the bike’s power does not silence it. Transport and storage modes stop false alarms on a ferry or in a winter garage, anti-tamper circuits cover the bike and its accessories, and the find-your-vehicle button saves you hunting round a car park. The LFA+ adds two-stage immobilisation, and both carry a two-year warranty with free UK fitting.
Trackers: Stealth S5 and Quantum 3
The Stealth S5 knows when you are not the one riding, thanks to its Automatic Driver Recognition tag. The Quantum 3 runs on its own batteries, so there is nothing to wire and you arm it whenever the bike is parked. Our motorcycle tracker comparison covers fitting, app and subscription costs, and how to choose a motorbike tracker helps if you are still weighing them up.
Alarm, tracker or both?
The alarm earns its keep in the first minute of a theft attempt, when the siren goes and the bike will not go anywhere. The tracker matters if the bike gets away, because our team can see where it is and work with the police. Plenty of riders run both, and the LFA and LFA+ are designed to sit alongside a tracker.
A higher Thatcham category can bring your premium down, but your insurer sets the discount. Ask what category it wants, then buy to that.
Ready to sort your security?
Pick the alarm or tracker that matches your insurer’s requirement. If you would rather talk it through, call our sales team on 01257 249928, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.
- Browse all motorcycle alarms and immobilisers.
- Compare motorcycle trackers by power, fitting and subscription.
- Find manuals and guides on the Datatool support page.
- Read the categories at source on the Thatcham website.
Not sure whether your insurer needs a tracker at all? Our page on Thatcham trackers and motorbike insurance covers the questions to ask.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Cat 1 and Cat 2/1 on a motorbike?
Category 1 is a combined alarm and immobiliser. Category 2/1 is an alarm upgrade for a bike that already has a Category 2 immobiliser. Our LFA is CAT 2>1 and the LFA+ is CAT 1 with two-stage immobilisation.
Does a Thatcham approved alarm lower my motorcycle insurance?
It can, but each insurer decides which categories it accepts and what discount you get. Ask yours which category it wants before you buy. If you want a second opinion, we are on 01257 249928, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.
Do I still need an alarm if my bike has an S5 or S7 tracker?
Most riders who care about the bike fit both. The alarm stops the theft at the kerb and the tracker finds the bike if it still goes. The LFA and LFA+ work alongside a tracker.
Which Datatool trackers carry a Thatcham category?
The Stealth S5 is Thatcham S5 and the Quantum 3 is Thatcham S7. There is a self-fit Quantum 3 too, and it keeps its S7 approval as long as you install it exactly as the instruction guide says.
Is fitting included with the LFA and LFA+?
Yes, fitting is free anywhere in the UK. We arrange it after you order, at your home or workplace.
Is a Thatcham mechanical lock the same as a Thatcham alarm?
No. Category 3 covers mechanical locks such as chain locks, which need no power. Categories 1 and 2/1 are electronic alarm systems.