Roadside assistance

[TRIIICK]

Just curious about what would be the best roadside assistance plan for the Rocket. My H.O.G. and AMA membership have expired. I just read where AMA only tows you 35 miles from home. Say what you want about Harley,but there's always a dealer around every corner in the USA. I've had two flat tires and ran out of gas once in Montana. I found most folks are pretty good at helping you out going X-country. I guess i'm a little paranoid reading all the issues here on this form, my Rocket is an 05 and getting up there on miles. I can just imagine the hassel and expense getting a flat in the middle of no-where land..

AMA Roadside Assistance Program

 

[Baggage1]

I have AAA . With a MC carrier. Broke down coming back from AK almost 400 miles from home. I had to put it on my card but they reimbursed me. Broke down going up to MV last year. Car popped a radiator drain plug. AAA towed the car and the bike on the same truck. I had like 8 calls one year and they wrote me a letter about how I got my moneys worth out of em. Capped the limit I spect, oh well....

 

[Ugarte]

My idea or roadside assistance is two stage, the first being self assistance with a good tool kit and good knowledge of what is fixable on the road and what is not; and 2) outside help with either AMA or AAA. It is extremely annoying to call up a tow and find out later you could have easily fixed the problem yourself and been up and out of there in short order.

Many of the Rocket's issues that can strand you on the side of the road can be fixed, or temporarily fixed, right there. These include failing "safety" switches, ignition switch, starter relay (have an extra on hand), dead battery (I keep a portable jump battery in my saddlebag), fuses, flat tire (portable pump and tire repair kit), etc. We should all be able to tell quickly whether we are SOL or have a chance to fix it on the road. SOL would be things like blown output shaft bearing, cam chain, stripped splines etc.

The absolute last resort should be getting towed. Even in the best scenario that is going to take a lot of time and if you are a long way from home, a night or three in a motel. Harely riders nearly always have help right around the corner, that is one good reason to ride a Harley.

I have AMA Motow, but 35 miles is not good enough. AAA may be a better option. I found this on the net:

AAA Plus RV includes all Basic and AAA Plus services as well as the following services:
100 miles of towing For eligible recreational vehicles, which include motorhomes, travel and boat trailers, cars, vans, pickups with campers, and motorcycles.
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We've had this policy for the past several years and have had our motorcycle towed many times. Our last ride last season ended in an 80 mile tow -- where we were given the choice of which town in a 100 mile radius we wanted to be towed too.
Good luck!

 

[64Herald]

baggage 1 how did you get the MC policy. I asked AAA if they had one an was told they don't

 

[atomsplitter]

My bikes covered under AAA for towing. It's a little add-on to the basic coverage.

 

[Rocket Scientist]

My plan is to carry as many of the "known" problem parts as I can. TPS, clutch lifter piece, ignition bypass, mini computer with tuneboy, R3 shop manual and wiring diagram. Decent number of tools and a multimeter. If I can't fix it, I'll get towed to the nearest town and throw it in a one way U-Haul and drive it home. Hope that never has to happen.

 

[Ygransom]

baggage 1 how did you get the MC policy. I asked AAA if they had one an was told they don't

ask for the RV policy

 

[friarjohn]

I have AMA and GEICO. Haven't personally used the former, but have used the latter many times and they're always great to deal with. Haven't had to push the towing limits yet.

Last week I was in Georgia, riding a borrowed Bonneville America. On the way back to my buddy's house near Orlando, about 400 miles out, I had a blow out on the rear tire at 65. Kept it upright and got it stopped and then the REAL fun began. My buddy has AMA as well and used them. They were okay to deal with. They called around to try and help us find a tire, but nothing nearby was open or available (it was Sunday). So AMA covered the tow (14 miles) to the nearest U-haul store, but that was it. If I didn't have a flight back to Montana the next day, I would've had it towed at least to Dublin and stayed overnight to get it sorted.

 

[JoseyR3Wales]

Plus one on the AAA Plus RV coverage. Have not needed it yet but it's there if I do.

 

[TriumPhil]

Ditto

My insurer, Foremost, includes their ownroadside assistance plan for no additional charge, but unless and until I have an opportunity (if that's the right word) to try it out, I know that AAA is the best in the business, bar none!