HOG Roadside Assistance
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 997
Likes: 489
From: Louisville, KY
Agreed. And even if a dealership doesn't have their own means to pick up a bike they likely can tell you who you should contact. The problem is, what if you need a tow in the evening? Or on a day the dealership is closed? You need a backup plan.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,183
Likes: 837
From: KMHT KFMY
My plan for if I ever break down?
Call for an UBER to take me to the nearest U Haul , get a F150 and a motorcycle trailer.... go back and get the bike.
If you want 2 guys to show up to load your bike, the tow company will gladly send a second truck at your expense... that is how it is done in the towing industry.
Ahhh for the good old days when we would pick them up with the boom and strap the wheels to the wheel lift...
Call for an UBER to take me to the nearest U Haul , get a F150 and a motorcycle trailer.... go back and get the bike.
If you want 2 guys to show up to load your bike, the tow company will gladly send a second truck at your expense... that is how it is done in the towing industry.
Ahhh for the good old days when we would pick them up with the boom and strap the wheels to the wheel lift...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 10,037
Likes: 10,767
From: SE Michigan
You need to learn how to secure a bike without damaging your bike. Next time, you'll then be able to stop him from doing what you should have stopped him from doing in the first place.
I'd always assume folks don't have experience with bikes because the fact is....most folks don't have experience with bike.
The only one looking out for you you is you.
I'd always assume folks don't have experience with bikes because the fact is....most folks don't have experience with bike.
The only one looking out for you you is you.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 315
Likes: 154
From: Upstate NY
If you want 2 guys to show up to load your bike, the tow company will gladly send a second truck at your expense... that is how it is done in the towing industry.
Ahhh for the good old days when we would pick them up with the boom and strap the wheels to the wheel lift...
Having been a tow truck operator, I can attest that that is exactly what they would do. You never see two in a truck as that leaves no room for a passenger if they cant get a ride (not that they like having passengers). Also, a lot of shops have condors, but unless they are at the shop to bring it with them, it usually doesn't get used because no one wants to wait for them to go get it.
However, damaging your fender with the cable hook? That's just a bunch of crap. Towing 101, know where your stuff may make contact.....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,175
Likes: 1,966
From: Great State of Canada
Seriously ? You can't make the distinction between your underwriter and the guy driving the goddamn truck ? I think I understand your problem. Its called the "real world".
If the guy has no experience securing your ride to his truck, help him out and show him how to do it right. How hard is that ?
If the rider doesn't know how to do this either, then call the HD Dealer and get instructions. They won't be difficult.
Life isn't a concierge service. Thinking it is is gonna cost !
.
If the guy has no experience securing your ride to his truck, help him out and show him how to do it right. How hard is that ?
If the rider doesn't know how to do this either, then call the HD Dealer and get instructions. They won't be difficult.
Life isn't a concierge service. Thinking it is is gonna cost !
.
Last edited by HKMark23; Feb 6, 2020 at 08:00 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,895
Likes: 1,908
From: East Coast, USA
If you are on a road trip alone, I'd imagine many people wouldn't be comfortable leaving their bike on the side of the road unattended while they track down a motorcycle trailer.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 230
Likes: 156
From: Florence Oregon
HOG is a waste of money. I have heard of many sad stories concerning breakdowns. I got AAA with motorcycle tow now. My HOG membership expires this year and will not be renewed. Just to be fair remember the ultimate responsibility goes to the rider to make a good decision.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 1,047
From: Southwest Desert
Reading these horror stories brought back some memories. A friend's Softail Custom broke down late at night (ignition) on a highway somewhere in Georgia about 100 miles out of Savannah. (Before cell phones) We drank some warm beer and rum,(in our saddlebags) and camped along a black water creek until morning by the side of the road. I thought a trooper would see us before then, but it never happened. I got up and went into town to call a tow truck and specifically asked for a flatbed. They weren't as popular as they are now,. We got a boom truck who wrapped a chain around the frame between the tank and the front of the seat, lifted the bike and rubber bungee corded the wheels to the back of the truck. The driver said "that's how we do it." and I later learned that he was right. We needed the tow to a HD dealer badly, and couldn't see any other way to get it done. Long story short, his frame was scuffed and scratched pretty badly. You think they would wrap the chain in some rubber or cloth or something.
Savanna HD took us in and fixed us up in a day, but that image of the chain wrapped around my friends frame has horrified me ever since. I wish I had a pic to post, but cameras weren't every where back then.
Savanna HD took us in and fixed us up in a day, but that image of the chain wrapped around my friends frame has horrified me ever since. I wish I had a pic to post, but cameras weren't every where back then.
Last edited by SirHarley; Feb 6, 2020 at 11:52 AM. Reason: addendum correction
Banned
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: London
I've broken down a couple of times over the years and had to call for roadside assistance. I've never had the flatbed driver arrive with two people in the truck. I've always helped the driver load and tie down my bike and I was happy to do it.