Hiplok MD1000 Review: Next Level Portable Motorcycle Security

Motorcycle theft may not be the first thing riders think about before a long-distance trip, but for sport touring riders who park in unfamiliar places, it should be. As we explained in an earlier article, Practical Motorcycle Security for Touring Rides, choosing the right combination of deterrents – from alarms to locks – can make all the difference between peace of mind and a ruined trip.

In this article we take that discussion a step further with a hands-on look at one of the newest heavyweights in portable protection: the Hiplok MD1000, an anti-angle grinder disc lock designed to defeat the very tools professional thieves rely on most.

Who is Hiplok?

Hiplok, a U.K.-based company founded in 2009, has earned recognition as the country’s premier bicycle lock brand. Since bringing its line of bicycle locks to the U.S. in 2011, the company has built a loyal following among cyclists across the country. In recent years, the Hiplok catalog has expanded to include motorcycle locks – most notably last month’s introduction of the MD1000 disc lock. While currently available directly from Hiplok.com, the company has begun working with U.S. moto-specific retailers to expand distribution, with additional partnerships expected to be announced in the coming months.

MD1000 Out of the Box

Inside the box riders will find:

• The MD1000 disc lock (our evaluation unit came in black, though Hiplok also offers a high-visibility yellow version).
• Three coded keys, which Hiplok will replace if lost or broken.
• Two magnetic reminder tags, one yellow and one black, both made of silicone rubber for durability and visibility.
• A small keyring clip that makes it easy to keep a magnetic reminder tag with your keys.
• A ballistic-nylon zippered carrycase with an internal pocket for keys and tags.

The presentation feels premium, underscoring Hiplok’s attention to detail and its focus on combining practicality with rugged design.

Design and Build Quality

At first glance the MD1000 looks every bit the heavy-duty deterrent it claims to be. Measuring 4.13 in (105 mm) long, 3.23 in (82 mm) wide, and 1.38 in (35 mm) thick, with an 8 mm × 1.73 in (44 mm) disc opening, and weighing 2.15 lb (0.975 kg), it feels substantial in hand.

The MD1000’s lock body is made from hardened steel treated with a graphene-composite coating. This coating destroys angle-grinder discs, dramatically increasing the time and effort required to cut through the lock. The outer casing serves only to protect the motorcycle’s disc and wheel surfaces from scratches; it has no role in the lock’s security performance.  Available in black or high-visibility yellow, the finish feels tough yet refined. A groove around the body conveniently stores the magnetic reminder tag when the lock isn’t in use – a small convenience that helps prevent lost parts.

How It Works

The MD1000 is designed for use on the front wheel, where access is easier and the lock is clearly visible to would-be thieves. Installing it on the front disc takes only seconds. Most sport-touring motorcycles use 17-inch front wheels with 320 mm rotors, and the MD1000 fits comfortably on all of them.

To attach, slide the lock between the rotor and the wheel rim, then tip it upright and secure the pin through the disc. Once locked, it hangs freely without touching painted or polished surfaces. The key must be in the locked position before it can be removed from the cylinder. Riders should attach one of the magnetic reminder tags to the ignition or handlebar grip to avoid accidentally trying to move the bike with the lock in place.

The locking cylinder is anti-pick and anti-drill, and the 12 mm hardened-steel pin inspires confidence when you feel it snap into place.

Likes and Dislikes

There’s no getting around it – the MD1000 is bulky and heavy, but that’s the trade-off for serious protection. It fits neatly in a tail bag, and the included carrycase keeps the interior of your luggage clean. Riders with side cases or a top box will also have no trouble finding space for it. A tank bag, however, isn’t ideal — the lock’s weight may cause magnetically attached bags to shift on the tank, potentially creating a dangerous riding situation. And while portable, the MD1000 is simply too bulky to carry comfortably in a jacket pocket.

In daily use, the mechanism operates smoothly. The key action is solid, and the textured casing makes handling easy even with gloves. We didn’t subject the lock to destructive testing, but independent testing by ART (formally known as Stichting ART in Dutch, or ART Foundation in English) and Sold Secure, both known for rigorous real-world simulations using power tools and hand tools, backs Hiplok’s anti-grinder claims.

All Hiplok products carry a one-year warranty, but the premium 1000 Series, including the MD1000, comes with a Hiplok Lifetime Warranty of ten years [Editor’s note: we appreciate the contradiction in Hiplok’s terms, and interpret this simply as a ten-year warranty]. Registering the product within 30 days of purchase activates the ten-year coverage.

Bottom-Line: Real-World Security Value

An anti-angle grinder lock doesn’t make theft impossible – but it will slow things down, making any attempt noisy, exhausting, and far from quick. The MD1000’s graphene-composite coating can destroy grinder discs faster than they can cut, making a grab-and-go theft virtually impossible. For touring riders, that’s the point. Thieves look for the easiest target, and the MD1000 makes your bike one of the hardest.

No lock can make a motorcycle completely theft-proof. But the Hiplok MD1000 complicates matters enough that most thieves will move on. It’s a smart, well-engineered investment for anyone who wants to keep their touring machine safe wherever the ride might take them.

Pricing and Availability

The Hiplok MD1000 is available now in black or yellow directly from Hiplok.com for $199.99 USD, with free shipping.

Special thanks to Sarah Calam, Brand Activation & PR Manager at Hiplok, for supplying a sample MD1000 and for her assistance in clarifying technical details for this review.