Artago 32 lock review | Alarmed disc lock tested

Date reviewed: September 2025 | Tested by: John Milbank | Price: £174.99 (RRP) | Weight: 1,140g | www.artago.com

The Artago 32 disc lock on review here is made in Spain at the company’s own factory. The in-built alarm sensor promises a ‘Don’t Touch’ system that’s claimed to detect interference with the bike – but not wind etc – before the 120dB siren sounds.

Supplied with three keys (and a code for duplicates), it also comes with a carry pouch, which sensibly doesn’t have a belt loop. A carrier is available for the Artago 32 at £34.99, which can be fitted to the bike’s subframe or a suitable bolt.

The keyway is covered with a rotating aperture and the entire lock – which is made of stainless steel – including  the siren is claimed to be waterproof.

Pros & Cons

Size and weight

The Artago 32 is certified to Sold Secure Powered Cycle Gold and approved to the French SRA standard. It weighs a chunky 1,140g, but pop it in your bike’s luggage or use the optional carrier and that’s inconsequential. No lock should be carried in your pocket as it could cause injury if you fell off.

The locking pin measures 15.5mm in diameter and locks at the top, as well as having a pair of ball-bearings in the bottom that secure into the base. This helps prevent the base being pried apart on some locks, but the ball-bearing system means that even if the base is cut it shouldn’t be possible to rotate it off the pin as it would with one that keys into place.

Artago 32 alarm module

The alarm module fitted to the Artago 32 is similar in size and shape to some used in other brands, but it is unique to the Spanish company and has been tuned and patented by them.

That’s not just marketing fluff either: I’m very impressed with how sensitive it is to a knock to the bike – regardless of whether it’s attached to the brake disc or armed on the carrier to act as a traditional alarm – yet resistant to false alarms caused by the wind rocking the motorcycle.

If the thieves are willing to use an angle-grinder, the noise of the siren will be pretty much drowned out, but as with any device like this it's about drawing attention early on. It's very hard to quantify how effective an alarm can be as it could put off an opportunist thief before they start (and before they cause any damage). It's an extra, and valuable additional layer of security for your bike.

Artago alarm module

A quick demo of the siren’s sensitivity

Another major advantage of an alarmed disc lock is of course that it’ll warn you not to ride off with it attached… we’ve all done it, so know that the extra cost of a device like this can easily pay for itself by avoiding just one such mishap.

A clever feature on the Artago is that it will only arm if you press the barrel down twice within 15 seconds, which means you can easily lock the bike without it if you want (for instance in a van). Once armed it’ll beep once, then 10 seconds later twice more to let you know it’s settled and operating. It disarms automatically and silently (though you’ll probably get it squarking as you put the key in) when opened.

If the Artago triggers it sounds a loud ‘count down’, then stays silent (but armed) if there’s no more vibration. If shenanigans continue within five seconds, the siren sounds.

When arming the lock, a red LED flashes briefly under the siren port, but this doesn’t continue.

The siren’s loud and attention grabbing, but like most disc lock alarms it can be silenced quite quickly with some heavy hammer blows.

Changing the battery requires the removal of a set-screw inside the body (only accessible off the bike) with the supplied Allen key – don’t fumble it as it can get wedged between the upper and lower parts, which is a bit of a fiddle to remove but you’ll get the knack. The Artago alarm module is powered by a readily-available CR2 lithium cell costing as little as £1.59.

I first tested the lock’s water resistance by leaving it outside in the rain. I then progressed to hosing straight into the port on the top before submerging it in the sink for half an hour. Impressively, it continues to work fine.

Resistance to attack: lock picking

While some YouTube channels might make lock picking look easy, especially when selling the creator’s own tools, it’s not a theft method used in typical motorcycle thefts at all. As a sport it’s an interesting attack method, but not something you need to be worried about for motorcycle security, especially on the street.

To see how this compares with the other locks we’ve tested, check out our best motorcycle locks for home and away.

Resistance to attack: drill

The Artago 32 proved resistant to a drill attack thanks to the anti-drill disc cover. While sustained attack with the right bits could damage the barrel, this isn’t a likely or viable attack.

To see how this compares with the other locks we’ve tested, check out our best motorcycle locks for home and away.

Resistance to attack: prying & splitting

The Artago 32 cannot be pried open despite repeated attempts, and also proved to be totally resistant to any attempts to spilt it.

To see how this compares with the other locks we’ve tested, check out our best motorcycle locks for home and away.

Resistance to attack: lump hammer

Repeated and severe blows with a lump hammer caused nothing but cosmetic damage to the Artago 32, though it must be noted that – as with other alarmed disc locks – the siren can be silenced with a few hefty blows.

To see how this compares with the other locks we’ve tested, check out our best motorcycle locks for home and away.

Resistance to attack: reciprocating saw

The Artago 32 was one of the first locks to be attacked with this new method for Bennetts BikeSocial’s independent lock testing, and despite using high quality (and expensive) carbide-tipped blades, the lock put up a very good fight. It was possible to make some progress through the hardened steel pin, but it was an extremely awkward attack and far slower than using an angle-grinder.

To see how this compares with the other locks we’ve tested, check out our best motorcycle locks for home and away.

Resistance to attack: angle-grinder

The Artago 32 is highly resistant to an angle-grinder attack, taking longer than the average thief would be willing to spend thanks to a thick construction and the fact that the stainless steel is hard to cut and requires a good quality disc.

Once the upper and lower are separated the pin’s retaining system keeps the lock together, meaning further attack with a hammer is required to get it off.

The biggest problem with any disc lock is the potential for the thief to cut the motorcycle’s brake disc. While they won’t always be willing to do this it can and does happen, but the Artago has an advantage here too in that by being so long the pin can reach into the disc carrier on many bikes, it can make this attack method much more tricky.

To see how this compares with the other locks we’ve tested, check out our best motorcycle locks for home and away.

The Artago 32 fits most discs, and on some can secure right into the carrier for additional protection

Bennetts BikeSocial test results

Product: Artago 32 alarmed disc lock

Weight as tested: 1,140g

Bolt cropper attack: PASS

Sledge hammer attack: PASS

Angle grinder attack: PASS

To see the other chains and locks tested by Bennetts BikeSocial, click here and be sure to regularly check for the discounts available through BikeSocial membership.

Artago 32 review: Verdict

Disc locks aren’t intended to be the ultimate in security but the Artago 32 is very impressive, putting up a good fight against all forms of attack, and even making cutting the disc itself much harder on many motorbikes.

The excellent alarm means you’ll not ride off with it attached, and it adds a valuable extra layer of security when parking up.

The Artago is not cheap, but it’s made in Valencia by the same company that produces Triumph’s aftermarket locks, and when combined with the optional carrier there really is no excuse to not have it with you at all times. As disc locks go, this is one of the best, and it’s now attached to my VFR800 so it’s always on hand.

If you’d like to chat about this article or anything else biking related, join us and thousands of other riders at our friendly and helpful BikeClub forum.

The Artago 32 is now always with me on the VFR800