Litelok X1 & Litelok X3 review | Real world angle-grinder test

Product reviewed

• Litelok X1 and Litelok X3 portable disc/angle-grinder-resistant motorcycle locks (Litelok claims they’re among the toughest on the market).

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Key features mentioned

Ceramic composite (“Bonium”) + hardened steel construction

• X1: ceramic composite fused into hardened steel (ceramic/composite visible under coating where material is exposed).
• X3: very similar construction; shows more fused ceramic under the coating.

Attack-resistant design

Shackle dimensions / fit (wheel/spoke)

• X1: shackle internal dimensions 101 × 197 mm
• X3: internal dimensions 100 × 195 mm (slightly tighter than X1, but still fits)

Fit notes from the reviewer:

• Can be fitted over the front wheel/tire on their GS and ZX6R
• Not quite over the VFR800 (X3 is described as comparable in fit behavior)
• Can also be used through car spokes, but the reviewer notes it’s hard to angle-grind due to geometry and limited access.

Lock cylinder

• X3: uses an “Abloy Sentry” cylinder (described as one of the most pick-resistant on the market).

Weight

• X1: 1.73 kg
• X3: 2.08 kg (slightly heavier; “not much bigger” overall)

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Real-world test approach & results (angle grinder focus)

The reviewer emphasizes that manufacturer claims aren’t taken at face value and that the tests aim to be real-world comparable.

X1 test highlights

• 42” bolt croppers: “did nothing” (only cosmetic rubber splitting)
• Hammer attacks: didn’t yield (hammering tests; repeated sledgehammer strikes on a laid-down/hidden setup resulted in only cosmetic damage)
• Drilling the lock cylinder: couldn’t drill through
• Angle grinder attack (main street method)
  • Required ~1.5 discs (described as effective; not presented as a global timer)
  • Later cut another section of the shackle with just one disc, described as:
    • slightly quicker than the reviewer’s thickest chains previously tested (22 mm)
    • better than most portable security previously tested

Reviewer conclusion: X1 is the toughest portable lock they’ve tested—until they tested the X3.

X3 test highlights

• Croppers + hammer: only cosmetic damage
• Drilling out: also couldn’t drill the lock out
• Angle grinder performance: implied to be extremely strong, with the takeaway that it performed exceptionally well under grinder attack.
• Visually different from X1; attributed to the Abloy Sentry cylinder.

Grinder access & “why angle grinding works differently”

• The reviewer argues that angle grinder access is harder than expected with these locks.
• They also explain that if the lock were positioned differently (e.g., over wheel/tire vs spokes, or thinner/thicker spoke placements), cutting would likely require more discs/cuts, increasing attacker effort.

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Comparisons made

Compared to “thinner/portable security” (chains & other locks)

• The reviewer compares against:
  • Portable chains, noting that thieves may cut chains, and that chains become impractical beyond certain thickness due to weight.
• Their real-world approach is to pair the lock with a small “Noose end chain” (11 mm), because it packs small and works for day trips.
• Overall takeaway: the lock itself (X1/X3) is extremely hard to defeat versus most portable alternatives.

Compared to Hip Lock D1000

• The Hip Lock D1000 is described as “still a brilliant lock.”
• Litelok’s advantage (per this reviewer) comes from:
  • slightly larger shackle capacity / fit versatility
• Hip Lock issues described:
  • A silicone sleeve prevents fitting over the reviewer’s wheel
  • After removing the sleeve and using tape, it works via hub holes, but with more compromises
• Reviewer suggestion: Litelok’s sizing makes it more versatile for motorbikes.

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Pros (unique points stated)

• Highly angle-grinder resistant (shackle and body design)
• Shackle materials: ceramic composite + hardened steel construction
• Wheel/spoke versatility:
  • fits the reviewer’s GS and ZX6R
  • can be used on car spokes
• X3 cylinder: Abloy Sentry pick-resistant cylinder
• Strong practical protection concept: theft is made more “hassle” compared to nearby bikes

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Cons / limitations (unique points stated)

• Fit limitation on certain bikes:
  • X1 “won’t quite go over” the VFR800 (at least for the reviewer’s attempt/spec fit)
• Portable security chained still has a weakest link:
  • any chain used as part of the setup is described as the weakest link (the thief must cut the chain first)
• X3 is heavier than X1 (2.08 kg vs 1.73 kg)
• The reviewer frames lockpicking as less likely than grinder attacks in real-world motorcycle theft, so “pick resistance” is less central operationally (though still relevant).

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User experience / practicality (from the narration)

• Notes real-world theft patterns:
  • thieves commonly use an angle grinder to defeat steering locks and/or use waiting tactics
• For riders out and about, recommends layered security:
  • use the lock plus tie the bike to something with chain
• Positions these as suitable for touring/day rides without lugging heavy equipment
• Mentions paint/chipping issues on other locks (e.g., Hip Lock) and expresses a preference for brighter colors

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Broader context & claims (included in the video)

• Uses insurance data (Bennetts):
  • basic disc locks reduce theft chance by a factor of three
  • heavy-duty security is described as slightly less likely than average car
• Mentions police recommendation of a layered approach

No numeric ratings were explicitly given for X1 or X3; the video relies on test outcomes.

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Concise verdict / recommendation

• Recommendation: Buy Litelok X3 if you want the most robust portable option tested, and you value its Abloy Sentry pick-resistant cylinder and strong grinder resistance—accepting the added weight.
• If you want slightly lighter weight: X1 is still described as exceptionally tough and was the toughest portable lock until the X3 test.
• Against alternatives: Litelok provides better real-world fit versatility than the Hip Lock D1000 (per this reviewer), while the Hip Lock remains a good option.

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Unique points mentioned about the product (deduplicated)

1. X1 construction: ceramic composite fused into hardened steel (“Bonium”)
2. X1 internal shackle dimensions: 101 × 197 mm
3. X1 weight: 1.73 kg
4. X1 fits GS and ZX6R wheel; not quite VFR800
5. X1 can pass through car spokes/hub holes; angle-grinding access is difficult
6. X1 defeats 42” bolt croppers (cosmetic rubber splitting only)
7. X1 resists hammer/sledgehammer (cosmetic damage only)
8. X1 resists drilling lock cylinder (couldn’t drill through)
9. X1 angle grinder results: ~1.5 discs, later ~1 disc for another shackle section
10. X1 lock body (fused ceramic + hardened steel) is harder than the shackle
11. Effectiveness explained by needing multiple cuts in some placements (more discs if over wheel/tire or thicker spoke contexts)
12. X3 size is “pretty much the same” as X1, but heavier
13. X3 internal shackle dimensions: 100 × 195 mm
14. X3 weight: 2.08 kg
15. X3 shows more fused ceramic under coating
16. X3 uses Abloy Sentry cylinder (pick-resistant)
17. X3 survives croppers/hammer with cosmetic damage
18. X3 resists drilling out
19. Reviewer ranks X1 toughest portable until X3 proves even tougher
20. Litelok vs Hip Lock D1000: D1000 is great, but Litelok has an edge in capacity/fit for the reviewer’s bikes
21. Best practice is layered security: lock + chain (reviewer prefers an 11 mm noose-end chain)
22. Chain is the weak point in the combined setup; attacker must cut chain first
23. Locks are designed for rider practicality (day trips/touring)

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Speakers / contributors

• Single main speaker/reviewer is responsible for all testing and comparisons (no separate speakers with distinct viewpoints were identified in the subtitles).