What do you do for Emergency Assistance on Far/interstate Road-trips?

[EricP]

I love to take day trips and extended stay rides. I currently own a trailer and have had to have my wife come pick me up during breakdowns in past. I’d love to come up with a means to get help without the need for my wife and my own trailer if I were to break down. What do you do?

What do you do if you break down far from home and alone? What services do you use? What’s your plan for handling such an emergency? Are you trying to get towed back home or to nearest? Have you been stranded because no parts locally?

Would love to see how you’ve planned for roadside emergencies so-as to keep moving and get you and your Spyder elsewhere.

Thanks in advance.
Eric

 

[Bangorbob]

Eric, Did you ride 2 wheels before? I guess I would do the same whether I ride 2, 3, or 4 wheels. HOPE I'm never stranded and have to figure it out. Road service.

 

[EricP]

I did not. My F3-S is my first motorcycle. I’m curious the types of plans and “insurance” (supper services) others use and prep with for such emergencies… Thanks!

 

[Bfromla]

Good tool kit(with compressor & charged jump pack emergency ready credit card)
& AMA
https://join.americanmotorcyclist.c...-R5i6RJ6mQUkWLSSkGjzqyTNbOh-6vdxoCuCgQAvD_BwE
Additionally if Have a known direction of trip-google preview of dealers along route; collect information & maybe visit, just so know where they are. If under BEST warranty have your VIN# handy.
**:roflblack::roflblack: “planned for roadside emergencies”:roflblack:opcorn: PLAN is one them 4letter words :lecturef_smilie:**

 

[T.P.]

https://member.acg.aaa.com/mn/membership/plus-premier-rv.html

This is what we have for the motorcyle/spyders in our family, Have not used it for one of ours , but used it for a fellow Spyder rider on a trip.

https://member.acg.aaa.com/mn/insurance/motorcycle-insurance.html

T.P.

 

[SLICE]

AAA/ decent road side tool kit/ fix a flat or tire plugs/ emergence only credit card.

 

[Revrent]

We use AAA RV plus (might be called something different in your state). I had it for my cars, RV and motorcycles then continued it for the spyders. I have used it on spyders and motorcycles. The RV plus covers the motorcycles. Also (many years ago) I was taught to always say I wanted a flat bed tow truck when I first called AAA. I have never had an issue. I would research where to tie down your spyders as there are some new tow truck drivers out there that might not be familiar where to tie it down correctly or how to hook up and pull it up on a flat bed. (honestly I have forgotten and need to look that up myself.

Hope that helps
John

 

[EricP]

So what I’m getting as a general plan for everyone so far is be prepared to try and fix it yourself, then if not, tow to closest dealership for service before continuing on the journey.

I was curious if anyone’s plan was more around getting it long-distance towed home for repairs, and getting a rental of some sort (cage or motorcycle) to continue on. There’s likely other options too.

 

[canamjhb]

I have a few hundred thousand miles touring 2 and 3 wheelers over the last 50+ years. I've had exactly one time when I was stranded. Dead battery when trying to leave a motel after a nights stay. Called the nearest dealer who recommended a tow company. They picked up the bike, took it to the dealer who replaced the battery and checked out the charging system. Sent me on my way after a few hours delay. Being stranded is something I think about but do not let it control what I do.....

 

[Bfromla]

So what I’m getting as a general plan for everyone so far is be prepared to try and fix it yourself, then if not, tow to closest dealership for service before continuing on the journey.

I was curious if anyone’s plan was more around getting it long-distance towed home for repairs, and getting a rental of some sort (cage or motorcycle) to continue on. There’s likely other options too.

Hard to comment without jinx. Believe the saying something like: “Prepare for worst , hope for the best.”:dontknow: Someone’s signature: “Ride more worry less”

 

[Isopedella]

I love to take day trips and extended stay rides. I currently own a trailer and have had to have my wife come pick me up during breakdowns in past.

I’d love to come up with a means to get help without the need for my wife and my own trailer if I were to break down.

What do you do? Eric

What I do?

I service all my rides annually.

During that service I also apply something thats loosely called preventive maintenance.

Like servicing stuff that hasn't yet failed but could benefit from some maintenance to ensure it is in good nick and good for another round.

Whats caused your fails and need a trailer to get home home?

 

[2dogs]

I invested in an Aluma flatbed trailer with a ramp and super chalks in case I had a failure far away from home. I have AAA RV towing to get me to a secure location and then I can handle it from there. In short, it's known as preplanning.

 

[ARtraveler]

Happily, the Spyder is not known for breaking down all the time. Yes, it has happened to an unlucky few. :bowdown:

Long tows can be very expensive. Lower 48 is usually not to much of a problem. There are more populated rather than desolate areas. The Spyder is not an easy machine to work on. Most bad situations cannot be fixed on the road. Tire repair--the fix a flat kit is good. More than a basic tool kit???

I have owned seven Spyders--five of them while living in Alaska. Over 175,000 miles there, no break downs that left me stranded. Always carried the phone and the credit card just in case.

One can over prepare for some of this stuff. :welcome:

 

[pegasus1300]

If it is an internal or computer problem, I would rent a Uhaul box Truck, load it inside, and drive it home. Almost anything else I can fix. If I am in a wreck, well someone else will have to take care of that as I probably won't be in any shape to for a few days or maybe not ever.

 

[EricP]

If it is an internal or computer problem, I would rent a Uhaul box Truck, load it inside, and drive it home.....

Now this is a good one - what size truck?

 

[ladyjaer]

I've had my Spyder since 2017. I always plot my route with gas station exits and nearest certified dealer. Unfortunately, I found out that Can Am Dealers are very few or none at all when it comes to traveling. Make sure you have roadside service with extra cash on hand. I've been with other groups where they didn't want to accept credit cards and took cash only. Travel during daylight when service dealers are open where you can get towed if necessary. Also pay attention to those mile markers on the interstate, they come in handy for giving information to roadside service.

 

[EricP]

Thanks everyone - the jist of what I’m getting is I’m already all prepped (although that uhaul idea is prime!), but will just need to be ok with triage and pivot as needed. Seems the idea is fix, find local repair to continue on, get a means to tow it back (uhaul for the win here lol). Agreed on good dealerships getting sparse. I do have lots of good tools, but one call-out not noted above: I did get (and keep on me) tow straps for in case the tow truck only has hooks. Cheap insurance against cosmetic damages. I’m thinking I’m going to adopt this mentality next breakdown (had a belt shred once, and had the sprocket go out once).

Thanks everyone!

 

[pegasus1300]

Now this is a good one - what size truck?

The size with a 6ft door. I'd have to figure some way to get it up in the bed. I think I can find one with a low deck height. I did have my brother come with pick me up in AZ with my truck and 14ft trailer when the shifter lever went out and I didn't have any parts and neither did anyone else, but I don't have that problem anymore. Got extra parts.

 

[oldguyinTX]

AAA for sure. With AAA Plus, you get 100 miles of towing before it starts coming out of your pocket. Saved my bacon, unfortunately, too many times with my 2013 RTL ( The White Elephant).

 

[Scotts8826]

Time and/or money will fix most things. Prevention goes a long way. Before my trip to Alaska I had the 9k service done even though I only had 6k on my 2020 RTL. I put on a new, rear non-oem tire. I disabled the DESS just to be safe. I took some basic tools, a 12v inflator, a tire repair kit and a can of fix a flat. A AAA rv+ membership card and a couple credit cards in my pocket. Really, there is not much you can fix on a Spyder so be sure to start the trip with full confidence in your bike.