break down advice
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I always have a fully charged cell phone with me when I ride. I also have AAA coverage for my bikes.
Last summer, I had to use both, when the clutch cable on my Triumph parted. Within an hour a flatbed equipped with a special bike pallet showed up. The two guys unloaded the pallet, carefully attached the bike and then dragged the pallet up onto the flatbed. There was no drama on the ride to the dealership. When we got there, the process was reversed and the bike was rolled into the shop, safe and sound without so much as a smudge or a scratch.
I'll tell ya, it's one of the best investments that I ever made! ;D
Last summer, I had to use both, when the clutch cable on my Triumph parted. Within an hour a flatbed equipped with a special bike pallet showed up. The two guys unloaded the pallet, carefully attached the bike and then dragged the pallet up onto the flatbed. There was no drama on the ride to the dealership. When we got there, the process was reversed and the bike was rolled into the shop, safe and sound without so much as a smudge or a scratch.
I'll tell ya, it's one of the best investments that I ever made! ;D
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290 Posts
I used to drive a tow truck in Idaho, and I can say that AAA is one of the best bargains around, you would not want to know what we would charge to tow a motorcycle 100 miles, okay, I'll tell you anyway ($325).. and AAA would cover the cost entirely. So for piece of mind, a cell phone, and a AAA card and your set (plus the AAA card works on ANY vehicle that the cardmember is riding in or on) I don't know about other places, but you had to have the plus coverage to cover a motorcycle. Thats my .02
Man--you guys are lucky--I also always travel with a fully charged cell phone ,only trouble is the best roads around here rarely have cell service . I've had a cell phone for over 10 years and there have been many times when I had my phone, but no service. My current service, AT&T ,totally sucks in town but does at least work close to most of the mountain towns...get in a canyon though and there's no hope. I've had AAA for my car for many years, I'm going to add my bikes as well. The dealer for my Honda 919 is 1 mile from my house, my Duc dealer is 50 miles away 
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238 Posts
Totally agree with all the above....
Cell Phone & AAA card....plus my Leatherman & Maglite...just in case ;D
Cell Phone & AAA card....plus my Leatherman & Maglite...just in case ;D
G
Guest
·god [email protected], i have put off getting a cell for no special reason, now you scared me into it. plus i didn't even know AAA had bike service : : Excuse me I am now going to get drunk and tell myself "I live in the dark ages" 1000 times
: Excuse me I am now going to get drunk and tell myself "I live in the dark ages" 1000 timesI am thinking I want one of these. Not just for the motorcycle, but for being out 4wheeling,kayaking,hunting and skiing. http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/
http://www.csaa.com/membership/aaaplusmembership/0,7987,1006020300,00.html
Here is the info for the AAA plus, I have had it for about 10 years. Tells you everything you get.
Here is the info for the AAA plus, I have had it for about 10 years. Tells you everything you get.
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290 Posts
Allycat is right, even if your particular vehicle isn't covered, you can sometimes get around that. Remember that AAA covers the cardmember, not a specific vehicle, so if you already have AAA you will be covered as long as you have the plus coverage (which will get you 100 miles as opposed to 5 miles, and will cover motorcycles) Also FYI, you should tip the driver generously, it takes a lot more time and care to load and tow a motorcycle and AAA rates are on the low side, you trade off the low rates for quantity, although a AAA tow takes just as much time as a regular tow. If AAA doesn't cover a motorcycle in your area, there are other motor clubs that might, and also you should check on your regular insurance that you have on your motorcycle, a lot of times, towing coverage can be had for just a few dollars a month extra, the only problem with that is that you may have to pay for the service at the time, and get reimbursed by your insurance company, although in my experience it usually isn't too much of a hassle. Some insurance companies are better than others about reimbursement. Also, if it's an option, you can call different towing outfits, and check to see if they can direct bill your motorcycle insurance, that will save you the out of pocket expense. Again, you should have some kind of towing insurance on you motorcycle, because you are at a tow truck drivers mercy, they can charge you whatever they want to tow you, and a motorcycle usually has a premium attatched to it for towing. Sorry for being so long, I've just seen too many sad stories about towing (not from my former customers though ;D)
I had a bad breakdown once in SF after a huge dog show in SF. My radiator ruptured! Gets better! Massive traffic as the 49's had just won, I had 2 of my dogs in my convertable and I had to get off the freeway and park my car in front of the W hotel downtown SF on a Saturday night. So, I call Triple tell them I need a tow to Oakland and I have my 2 show dogs in the car. Most tow companies will not tow your vechicle with animals inside because of liability. The driver shows up about 15 minutes later, I am crying as my boyfriend is not home to come get us. The driver loads up my car, tells me to put my dogs in the truck and we drive back to Oakland.
We get to my door my boyfriend is home and is like where are the dogs, what is going on? I told him to give me all the cash he had in his wallet, which was a hundred dollar bill only. Ran out gave the driver a massive hug and the money. It makes all the difference on how you treat people in the service industry, he could of easily said no to my dogs. I sent triple a letter about it and told them he really went above and beyond to make sure my dogs and I were safe.
We get to my door my boyfriend is home and is like where are the dogs, what is going on? I told him to give me all the cash he had in his wallet, which was a hundred dollar bill only. Ran out gave the driver a massive hug and the money. It makes all the difference on how you treat people in the service industry, he could of easily said no to my dogs. I sent triple a letter about it and told them he really went above and beyond to make sure my dogs and I were safe.
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729 Posts
Anybody mention AMA's Motow yet? Haven't had to use them yet so can't say how well it works....
-R.
-R.
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290 Posts
Don't know about the AMA motor club, there are about 500 motor clubs in the U.S., AAA has by far the best coverage of any motor club, If you are thinking about signing up for a particular club, just for poops and giggles, call around to the local towing companies and see if any will accept your particular motor club, or call the club itself and get a list of local providers, if there are lots of local providers and they will accept the cards, go ahead with them. I can't stress enough about the locality or number of providers that a motor club will service. While towing in Idaho, we received calls almost daily from motor clubs trying to find someone to tow a cardmember, and the whole time that person was sitting on the side of the road (or in a ditch, or in a snowbank...........) while their motor club was on the phone trying to get someone in Podunk, ID. Damn Ally, why didn't you ever get to north Idaho and break down, $100? A guy gave me $150 once, but I had to change 3 tires, and tow his pickup, and his trailer with 2 kids and 3 dogs (it was a little cramped).
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