Smashed locks
 

First off, I want to make it clear that I'm concerned only with real-life theft. It's academically interesting to know that any chain smaller than X can be cut with a 42" croppers, 18lb sledge hammer, thermite, carbide chainsaw, thermal lance, etc... these are generally not tools that are used by bicycle thieves.

While researching bike locks, I've been able to find two reports of a Kryptonite New York 3000 getting busted in the field (with pictures, both on bikeforums).

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=561246
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=319779

I've found one report of the Kryptonite "orange" New York chain getting cut in the field (on a bike with no resale value!), but no real-life reports of the yellow "Fahgettaboudit" chain being cut. Also no real-life reports of any of the Krypto 18mm U-locks (NYFU, M18) getting cut.

Has anyone else had "good" locks broken? By good locks I'm referring to name-brand chains 11mm (7/16") or thicker and name-brand U-locks with a shackle diameter 16mm (5/8") or thicker.

We've all heard about using two type of locks: Has anyone ever lost a bike that was tied down with a good U-lock and a good chain? Two good U-locks?

Has anyone had the only bike left in the parking garage after the van left with all the other bikes?

Post your busted lock story: I'm interested in what type of lock(s), what city, what part of the city, what kind of bike, how the locks were used, what time of day and anything else that makes for interesting reading and helping everyone find the high water mark of what locks really tell crooks to go somewhere else.

Also, tell us what works (so far ;)). I sometimes use a NY3000 through the rear wheel, frame and parking rack (leaving little or no wiggle room) and a NYFU around the head-tube and parking rack, with a loop-end cable pulled snuggly around the parking rack, through the front wheel and held by the NYFU; I know cables are crap, but I'm betting that no one will cut the cable to get my front wheel (especially in a city where most wheels are only attached with a quick-release, and most bikes are locked with thinner cables).

The bottom line is that a determined thief with good equipment can get through anything eventually...It's a matter of how much time he wants to spend.
Here at the university, we've been selling the kids a good-grade Kryptonite U-lock for years. I can count on one hand the number of these we've had defeated. Most of these have been by prying; the old technique of using two large pipe prybars that pretty much fit inside the lock.
We had one thief tell us he'd used a car jack.
One enterprising fellow brought a battery-powered angle grinder with a cutoff wheel. We know because we have a witness who talked to him...Thought the guy had lost his keys....

If you just have to lock up your bike for long periods, don't do it in a dark alley. Most pros want a quick, easy job.