SpYder Assistance List

[KenAcker]

That's certainly not the best name for it but I needed something to get this thread started. When I owned my Honda Goldwing, I was a member of the GWRRA (GoldWingRoadRider'sAssociation) which included a nicely published magazine. The club solicited names, addresses, and phone numbers of those GWRRA members who were able and willing to provide one or more of some pretty critical services to other Goldwingers who were on the road and needed assistance. I truly don't remember the specific list of assistance offerings but they surely would have been something like the following:

Specific Mechanical Knowhow (Spyder-specific in our case)
Tools (wrenches, battery charger, etc.)
Trailer to Pick Up Ailing Spyder and Deliver to Dealer or Member's House
Temporary use of Garage/Driveway/Tools/Electricity/Etc.
Location of Local Dealerships & Phone Numbers
Food/drink (no lodging)
Food and Lodging (temporary)
Locations/Phone Numbers of Local Medical Facilities (Hospitals, Walk-In Medical Centers, Dentists, etc.).

If this already exists, I apologize. If it doesn't, it probably should ... especially considering the likelihood of mechanical problems with our Spyders in-as-much as the factory bugs have not yet all been exterminated.

If there is enough interest in this, there should be some level of security for the folks who are willing to offer the listed services. E.g., the Spyder-owner in need should be willing to provide picture ID of some kind, driver's license number, address, and phone number, especially if they are given unescorted access to tools, garage, trailer, even the house.

I won't feel at all badly if you have a hard spot with this whole idea. It's merely a suggestion. I'm going to post this on both Spyder forums just in case one approves and one disapproves.

Regards,

Ken

 

[Director]

Ken, as I indicated to you in my reply on the Spyder Talk forum, the Kawasaki Concours Owners Group (COG) has a similar system for their members. I think this is an excellent idea.

Bruce

 

[NancysToy]

The BMW Motorcycle Owners Association does the same thing. Their book, Anonymous, is published once a year and distributed to BMWMOA members. Unfortunately, there is a cost to things like this, and it takes an organization like one of the owners' groups to fund it with part of their dues. I'm not sure there are enough Spyder owners out there to form a solid group. Extended warranties, and most motorcycle insurance, will provide road minimal service. That helps, at least.
-Scotty

 

[sabunim5]

Ken, The American Motorcyclist Assoc. has Help N Hands. This is a call an 800 number system that puts you in touch with members willing to help, so it involves ongoing expense for operator(s) and phone line(s) 24/7. I floated this same idea you are proposing on both major forums quite a few months ago. There were rumblings of approval and interest, but no forward movement. My suggestion was a web based system; basically an embelishment of the owners map. Liability and privacy issues were sited as some of the potential problems. Many of us would volunteer. I hope you are better than I was at turning the dream into reality. nojoke Ryde Safe and Enjoy:thumbup:
sabunim5:spyder: