Motorcyle alarm review Internatrix TW-1000

[scgoan]

Okay, so I know a lot of you will feel that having an alarm on the Concours is either overkill, due to the kipass, or unnecessary because of the mere fact that it’s a sport touring bike and why would someone want to steal a sport touring bike, but I like the feeling of knowing that my bike isn’t being sat on or messed with while I’m away.  I even feel pretty safe leaving items in my tank bag, although, I never really leave anything too valuable in the tank bag. So, here is my review of the Internatrix TW-1000, for those of you who are interested.

I’m not going to go into the installation, but suffice it to say, the directions were clear and the installation was straightforward.  I had the alarm installed because I underestimated how easy the install would be. I was also a little nervous about messing with the wiring on my new bike. However, I did watch the entire install and it did seem fairly easy to install. I had a few questions about the system after it was installed, so I called Internatrix. The customer service is excellent!

The alarm comes with a remote with a small LCD screen. The screen has a picture of a motorcycle, which will, when the alarm is triggered, tell me if someone has been standing next to my bike for too long or if someone has actually touched my bike. If, for example, someone came to admire the bike, they usually would only be close to the bike for a few seconds, however, if they stayed for more than 5 seconds the alarm will just chirp 5 times and the lights will blink…warning people to step away from the bike and keep moving. If someone stays too long, more than 15 seconds or if he/she touches the bike or actually tries getting on the bike, the alarm will go into panic mode. The alarm will chirp and the lights will blink for 30 seconds. All this time, the remote will signal to me that someone is close to the bike by vibrating and give its own audible signal. The perimeter sensor icon [ ], as well as the headlights on the picture of the motorcycle, will flash and the display will turn green if someone is just standing close to the bike. If, on the other had, someone has touched the bike I get a different response. A moving hammer displays hitting the bike and the display will turn green, too. The other day, while I was in Home Depot, my remote started vibrating and beeping. I ran outside and some guy was walking away from my bike. The look on his face said it all. He came up to me and said: “Boy your alarm is too sensitive. I was just admiring your rear case.” He was so surprised how quickly I was out there. Another person came up to me later and told me that he attempted to open my new Corbin trunk. I can be as far as ½ mile away and still receive a response from the remote. The remote also has an antenna icon with power bars to indicate the remote is in contact with the motorcycle. Not only will the remote tell you when someone is close to your bike, it also has a motorcycle locator feature.  The other day, my wife and I forgot which street we parked on, but we knew we were fairly close, so I just pushed the “bell” button on the remote and the alarm sounded off in a few tones, which we heard from a block away.  In addition, the remote has a silent mode, which I really like. When in silent mode and the perimeter sensor has been triggered, (someone is standing too close to the bike for too long), just the headlights and the blinkers flash, rather than the siren going off. However, if the alarm goes into panic mode, the silent mode is overridden and the alarm will sound. Oh, and the siren on this alarm is really loud (125 dB). The one feature that I decided not to use or connect is the ignition cutoff. However, on most bikes this might be a good feature to install, I just didn’t feel the need with the kipass system.  The one feature that I DO NOT like is the auto-rearm. Once you unarm the alarm, if you do not start the bike within 25 seconds the alarm will rearm. Often, it takes me much longer than the 25 seconds before I’m ready to start the bike. To bypass the rearm, I have to turn the ignition to on and then back off, kind of a pain, but worth the hassle. 

All in all, I love this alarm. What’s even more amazing is that it’s only $169.00. Other alarms that offer the same features will cost easily twice as much. So, if you are looking for a security system for your Concours, I highly recommend the Internatrix TW-1000. I know this sounds like a sales pitch, but I really like my alarm and no, I don’t have any financial interest in this company.

Shannon

[mes_kc]

I don't think an alarm is overkill at all.  All the kipass does is immobilize the beast.  Doesn't do a thing for the curious kid in the hotel room down the hall leaving his fingerprints all over her or the jackass HD rider who wants to see what it's like to sit on one of these things (both of which I have personal experience with).  Not to mention should she actually try to fall over, which I almost had happen at fort ticonderoga after a good rain and again on soft new hotel asphalt.  Alarm started screaming giving me time to run back to save her as her kick stand sunk into the parking lot.

I prefer a Gorilla my self.  Inexpensive, easy to install and obnoxiously loud.   I've no reservations about leaving my tankbag, GPS, radar detector with a jacket thrown over everything.  Slightest bullshyte sets it off.

[r2t2]

Thx for the info Shannon. I was just about ready to bite the bullet and jump on a Pashnit Scorpio alarm group buy. So your post was timely. I placed an order today and it's still 20 bucks off (at least until the sales dept comes back Monday)...

[scgoan]

R2T2-

I'm glad you found the review useful. I'm sure you'll be happy with the alarm. If you have any questions during the install, please let me know.

Shannon

[r2t2]

R2T2-

I'm glad you found the review useful. I'm sure you'll be happy with the alarm. If you have any questions during the install, please let me know.

Shannon

Great! And I'll take you up on that offer now... Where did you mount the various components? In particular the antenna, proximity module and the siren???

TIA

[r2t2]

Bumpity-Do-Dah... Shannon... Oh Shannon...

[scgoan]

Sorry- I just noticed your post and email.

I installed the main unit and antenna under the right fairing lying on the tank and under that flap of rubber right behind the foam. Did that make sense? I installed the perimeter sensor under the seat and I installed the siren under the left hand upper black panel near the left handle bar. If I'm not making any sense, call me...I'll send you my phone number.

Sorry for taking so long to reply.   

[VirginiaJim]

I prefer a Gorilla my self.  Inexpensive, easy to install and obnoxiously loud.   I've no reservations about leaving my tankbag, GPS, radar detector with a jacket thrown over everything.  Slightest bullshyte sets it off.

Gorilla?  Wouldn't a Chimp be easier or possibly a spider monkey?  Oh, you mean a brand of alarm!  Glad I thought that one through before I raided the nearest zoo.  I flashbacked to the YouTube video of monkey protecting a car.

What about the Scorpion alarm?  Has there been more installs of that one and how did they go.  I thought they were having problems with that one for awhile.

[r2t2]

Gorilla?  Wouldn't a Chimp be easier or possibly a spider monkey?  Oh, you mean a brand of alarm!  Glad I thought that one through before I raided the nearest zoo.  I flashbacked to the YouTube video of monkey protecting a car.

What about the Scorpion alarm?  Has there been more installs of that one and how did they go.  I thought they were having problems with that one for awhile.

Not too crazy about the Gorilla... As for the Scorpion... yeah, it's a great alarm IF you're willing to pay close to 400 bux for it. The TW-1000 has the same features as the Scorpion for a whole lot less. The install was a piece of cake once I figured where I wanted to put the various components. Just four wires for the basic install. If I want the turns to flash that's another 2 wires. No need for the ignition disable. Right now, I'm fine tuning the proximity sensor. The alarm works great and the guys at Internatrix were very helpful. Not that I needed help, but I just wanted to get a more in depth understanding of the inner workings of the alarm and throw some ideas out as to possible module locations and possible interference issues.

[scgoan]

Ray-

So what do you think about the Internatrix alarm? You can't beat the price or the customer service, wouldn't you say?

[r2t2]

Ray-

So what do you think about the Internatrix alarm? You can't beat the price or the customer service, wouldn't you say?

Absolutely... Being a geek, I was all ears when I got a detailed explanation of how and (even better) why their (and the mfgs similar alarms) work the way they do. The scorpion is interesting, but I'm now questioning the need for a harness to tie into the existing wiring harness on the bike. If the S unit freaks out and ides, who's to say what the effect will be on how the bike even functions or runs until it is removed from the bike's wiring. With the TW-1000, if it freaks, it's not tied into the harness and by simply removing the 30amp fuse, it is disabled. I finally got the prox sensor adjusted and in place that I'm happy with.  Now it's just usual learning curve with the features and  how best to use it.

Shannon, didn't you say that you had the wired in to flash when the alrm is activated??? Happy with that feature?

[scgoan]

Shannon, didn't you say that you had the wired in to flash when the alrm is activated??? Happy with that feature?

Yes, Ray, I do have it set-up so that the lights flash when the alarm is set-off. It is also useful when you have it set-up that way for the silent mode...if you press the alarm button twice, the alarm will be put into silent mode. This means if someone is just standing next to your bike, admiring it between 5 and 15 seconds, instead of the alarm sounding off, the lights will blink. However, if the alarm goes into panic mode the alarm will override the silent mode and sound off.

[BDF]

Thanks for providing this review. I just received my alarm and it does appear to be a good value. By the way, the price is now down to $149 from $169.

Brian

Okay, so I know a lot of you will feel that having an alarm on the Concours is either overkill, due to the kipass, or unnecessary because of the mere fact that it’s a sport touring bike and why would someone want to steal a sport touring bike, but I like the feeling of knowing that my bike isn’t being sat on or messed with while I’m away.  I even feel pretty safe leaving items in my tank bag, although, I never really leave anything too valuable in the tank bag. So, here is my review of the Internatrix TW-1000, for those of you who are interested.

<snip>

All in all, I love this alarm. What’s even more amazing is that it’s only $169.00. Other alarms that offer the same features will cost easily twice as much. So, if you are looking for a security system for your Concours, I highly recommend the Internatrix TW-1000. I know this sounds like a sales pitch, but I really like my alarm and no, I don’t have any financial interest in this company.

Shannon

[Choppers13]

Made some enquiries about this alarm myself and was very impressed with the speed of the replies Unfortunately Internatrix will not ship to Australia........bugger

[Chet]

Ive had mine installed for about three weeks, simple install, works as advertised.  I removed the tool tray to make room for the siren, I attached the antena to the under side front edge of the tail rack.  Took some time to learn the remote pager, shoulda read them instructions as trying to set things were counterintuitive to me.  Once I gave in and read the structions it was a piece of cake.  Once set you cant remove a magnetic tank bag without setting it off, although the guy who parks next to me at work on a Duc does set it off.  No biggy and I like the piece of mind the alarm brings.

Ride safe,

Chet

[BDF]

Got mine installed and it went pretty well. I ended up with the siren in front of the foam under the right fairing, and the main unit stuck to the frame just behind that foam. I am quite happy with the unit. And so far, customer service seems to be impressive; they actually e-mailed me on Sat. to see if my package arrived and to make sure I didn't have any questions- that made me look in the mailbox where the alarm was resting :-)  I never had customer service contact me before I contacted them.

I 'test drove' mine in the living room hooked up to a 12 volt power supply- the siren will wake my wife up right out of a sound sleep even from the porch.... :-)

Brian

Ive had mine installed for about three weeks, simple install, works as advertised.  I removed the tool tray to make room for the siren, I attached the antena to the under side front edge of the tail rack.  Took some time to learn the remote pager, shoulda read them instructions as trying to set things were counterintuitive to me.  Once I gave in and read the structions it was a piece of cake.  Once set you cant remove a magnetic tank bag without setting it off, although the guy who parks next to me at work on a Duc does set it off.  No biggy and I like the piece of mind the alarm brings.

Ride safe,

Chet

[jwil6972]

Who needs an alarm......

I HAVE A TRUNK MONKEY

Gota see this http://www.trunkmonkey.com/content/view/77/51/

[KAWIMICK]

Here's another vote for the Internatrix TW-1000.  I just installed it on my 2010 C14.  I mounted the main unit
just under my FuzeBlock which is mounted on the Charcoal cannister plate under the right black cover.
INSTALL TIP:
If you don't want to turn the ignition on each time you disarm the alarm, see here:
http://forum.concours.org/index.php?topic=64020.msg282345#msg282345



Mick

[Fred H.]

Check with your insurance company. Many will give up to a 10% discount if you have an alarm installed.

By the way, I don't see any links to a site that sells the alarm being discussed. 

[BDF]

http://www.internatrix.com/

Brian

Check with your insurance company. Many will give up to a 10% discount if you have an alarm installed.

By the way, I don't see any links to a site that sells the alarm being discussed.