Best garage door locks and security | Lock it, don't lose it!

Published: 17 August 2023 Updated: 12 July 2024

It’s almost universally agreed that the best defence against bike theft and the most secure way of storing your motorcycle is a locked garage – but even then you need to consider additional garage door security.

But that doesn’t mean even that is 100% safe or that there aren’t further measures you can take to make your garage impregnable. After all, a garage is only as secure as the door and/or lock it’s fitted with.

Which is why, aside from motorcycle locks and other security measures for your bike itself, such as GPS trackers, alarms and immobilisers, which should all be considered, there is also a range of garage door security such as defenders or locks available, which are designed to bolster the strength of your door.

These range from stronger locks for the door itself to lockable barriers or defenders which prevent the door being opened to extra internal barriers which can prevent a bike being removed even if the door is opened.

Related: Top motorcycle garage security

But what’s out there? What do they provide? How do they work and what do you get for your money? Here’s our pick of the current best to help you decide…

Best garage door security

Bulldog Garage Door Lock

Price: $101.31

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Here is a simple but straightforward and reasonably affordable garage door security solution to start off with. This heavy-duty security L-shaped bracket with inclusive lock simply bolts to your door with the locking barrel cemented into the ground.The bracket’s made of 6mm steel, there’s a hardened-steel lock bolt, it’s highly rated, brightly painted so is a visual deterrent too and works well enough, although it’s not as large and extensive as some garage door security.

Pros

Great value for money and is much stronger than your standard garage door locks
Very secure locking device if you don't mind a bit of effort installing
Mid-range price so is affordable for good peace of mind
Really strong and highly visible deterrent

Cons

There’s a cover but rain can get into the lock
The depth of the 'indentations' in the key hole are not quite as varied as could be
Requires some drilling and needs to be cemented into the ground

Dimensions	‎14.2 x 7.5 x 8.6 cm; 1.36 kg
Construction	Steel
In the pack	‎Plate, lock and bolts

Coach Bolts & Reinforcing Plate Supplied

Schlosser Technik Enfield Garage Door Lock Bolts

www.amazon.co.uk

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Not an added barrier, per se, this is instead a replacement or additional locking bolt system which comes as a pair, attaches to the inside of your existing door and then, when the bolts are extended into the door frame and locked, give a much greater level of locking security to your existing garage door.

This way you get more security, at an affordable price and one that also doesn’t change the visible ‘look’ of your door – although a counter argument to that is that it provides no additional visual deterrent.

Pros

Affordable price for locks that last a long time if fitted properly
Gives extra peace of mind about security of your garage
Would cause a thief a lot of noise and commotion trying to get through them
Bolts goes into the ground or wall at least 4 inches so quite secure

Cons

Can be fiddly to fit but are worth the effort
If you're not a DIY person you might have to get a locksmith or handyman to fit

Dimensions	‎22.6 x 8 x 5.9 cm; 1.42 kg
Construction	‎Alloy Steel, Metal
Included	‎Screws, Key

Hardened steel latches
Rust resistant coating

Bulldog GD20 Surface Mounted Garage Door Lock

www.amazon.co.uk

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Another one from British security specialists Bulldog and one that is again simple, straightforward, easy to fit and affordable, but this time includes a barrier bar in the design to prevent up-and-over style doors being opened.It’s compact, being 12 x 23 x 8cms, weighs just 1.73kg, so isn’t as heavy-duty as some and has plastic end caps but comes complete with padlock and keys and is claimed to be easy to fit. It’s well rated, too.

Pros

It's a well made device constructed from good, solid metal
Will slow down anyone trying to break in to the garage
The bright red colour acts as a deterrent to thieves

Cons

The padlock is exposed to the elements so get one that doesn't rust over time
Drilling into the ground (concrete or tarmac) so need the right tools

Dimensions	‎11.99 x 23.01 x 8 cm; 816.47 g
Construction	Steel
Included	Lock, padlock and key

Powder coated finish
Does not require holes to be drilled in garage door

AB Tools Garage Door Lock And Defender

Price: $117.40

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Another fairly conventional combined garage door lock and defender-bar system, perfect for up and over style garage doors, plus the fixing points are inside the garage for extra security. It’s fully ‘dip’ galvanized and also powder coated with a red finish. The barrier end caps this time are plastic and the design has a tamper-proof ‘tunnel’ or compartment for the padlock. If you chose the option that comes with the padlock the rotating shackle reduces the chance of thieves sawing through the shackle.

Pros

An effective deterrent against thieves and a huge improvement on security
The lock is covered so is not completely exposed to the weather
The bolts that go into the drilled holes are inside the garage which is more secure

Cons

The ground anchor bolts are not supplied
Must have a drill capable of drilling into concrete or tarmac

Dimensions	‎25 x 16 x 14 cm; 3.77 kg
Construction	Brass
Included	Lock, padlock and key

Fully hot dip galvanised for corrosion protection and then powder coated
The base plate of the unit is screwed into the ground. All fixings are inside the garage so they cannot be tampered with

PJB Garage Door Defender

www.amazon.co.uk

View Offer

Here is a more premium, heavy-duty lockable garage door defender that although at a slightly higher price compensates for this by having the Sold Secure security approval rating. It follows the same broad design as most others but has a useful pocket for the padlock so it’s harder to tamper with and is protected from the weather, comes complete with padlock, is powder coated in bright red and also has good reviews.

Pros

"Sold Secure" seal of approval for peace of mind
Complete with lock and lock ‘tunnel’
Good value for the money and gives that bit of security for an up and over garage door
Thieves would have to make a lot of noise with drilling and hammering to get past this lock

Cons

Some say the lock will rust after a while
There are three countersunk holes in the base but they only supply 2 rawl bolts
You do need some DIY skills involving heavy drilling and potentially concreting

Dimensions	‎26.5 x 20.9 x 10.8 cm; 1.81 kg
Included	Bolts, lock, padlock and key

Powder coated finish
'Sold Secure' approved
Padlock included

What to read next:

Best motorcycle ground anchors

Best motorbike disc locks

Best motorcycle alarms

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By Jim Blackstock

Product Tester for MCN and sister publication RiDE Magazine - Jim began riding motorcycles in the late 1980s while working in an automotive repair garage after earning a Mechanical Engineering degree. Initially, he used bikes for practical purposes but later shifted to cars, starting a publishing career in the early 1990s focused on car modifications and product testing. After a stint in PR and Marketing for major motorsport teams and events, Jim returned to publishing and joined RiDE Magazine in 2017 as a Production Editor. His expertise in product testing soon led him to oversee the magazine’s product content. Rediscovering his love for motorcycles, Jim earned his license through the Direct Access process and now enjoys riding his KTM 790 Adventure across various terrains.

Bulldog garage door lock

Bulldog GD20 Surface mounted garage door lock

Garage door lock defender

garage Locks

PJB garage door defender

Schlosser Technik Enfield garage door bolts