Yes — chain length can affect motorcycle security, but not in the same way that chain thickness does. Chain length mainly affects how you can use the chain effectively rather than how hard it is to attack with tools. 

How chain length influences security

When securing a motorcycle (or other asset), the chain must be long enough to:

• Go through the bike’s frame or swingarm
• Reach the anchor point (such as a ground anchor or solid post)
• Wrap around the bike and anchor without excessive slack

If a chain is too short, you might struggle to secure both the bike and a fixed object and resort to securing, say, a less than ideal part of your asset (the front wheel on a motorcycle, for example). If it’s too long, the excess slack can rest on the ground — giving thieves leverage points and space to work with tools. 

The ideal chain length for most motorcyclists

In general use:

• 1.5 m to 2.0m is a common and versatile length for motorcycles. This is usually sufficient to loop through a frame or rear wheel and around typical anchor points such as a ground anchor or Sheffield stand without excessive slack.
  
  
• If you use a noose chain (a chain with one oversized link on the end), 1.2m to 1.5m is often sufficient, as the noose design allows the chain to cinch tightly around the bike.
  
  
• Chains shorter than 1.2 can limit where you can position a motorcycle, but shorter lengths still work well for bicycles and other assets such as garden equipment.

The key is to choose a length that allows the chain to be kept tight and off the ground, which matters more for security than length alone.

How to work out what length is best for you

Security chains are an investment, so it’s worth getting the length right.

A simple method is to use a length of rope:

• Buy around 3 metres of rope from a DIY store.
• Run the rope from your fixed anchor point, through your bike, and back again.
• Mark the point where the rope reaches comfortably.

Bear in mind that chains are less flexible than rope. Links take up space when looping back on themselves, and one link will usually need to pass through another to secure the lock.

If your rope measurement is exactly 1.5 m, it’s sensible to add around 20 cm to ensure the chain fits comfortably in real use.

Why positioning matters more than length

A well-positioned chain reduces a thief’s ability to:

• Gain purchase with cutting tools
• Use the ground as a support (the “anvil effect”)
• Create leverage around the links

For this reason, it’s often better to have a slightly longer chain that can be kept tight than a shorter chain that forces awkward positioning.

If you are securing your motorcycle to a ground anchor inside a garage, try to position the bike between the chain and the wall. This makes it harder for a thief to access both the chain and the anchor.

In summary

The chain's length does influence motorcycle security — but not directly by making a chain harder to cut. Instead, it affects how well you can use the chain to secure your bike in real scenarios.

We advise you to aim for a chain long enough to reach typical anchor points without excess slack, and focus on keeping it tight and elevated for best overall security.