Contingency plan for road trips - what's your?
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 6,673
Likes: 502
From: Orange County
Contingency plan for road trips - what's your?
In the event of a breakdown, what are your plans? Repair the bike, transport back home? I know this depends on the severity of the occurrence, just trying to have a plan to fall back on.
Especially when you're 1300 miles from home.
Especially when you're 1300 miles from home.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 672
Likes: 23
From: Umatilla, Fl
First, I make sure the bike is in the best shape possible. Then I carry a credit card to cover what ever repairs would be required. Lastly it would be simply a matter of renting a uhaul and bringing it back. Knock on wood, I haven't had a problem myself on the road. My brother did because he listened to my other brother convincing him that he had enough tread remaining. NOT! $800 later two new tires.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,190
Likes: 5
From: Eastern Washington
1300 miles is a tough one. If I could not get her running I would tow it to a local shop and see what the problem is. If its minor, I would probably let them fix it, or buy the parts and do it myself if I had the right tools. If it were a major overhaul to the engine or something, I am renting a truck and driving it home
Look on my GPS or Map for the nearest dealer, try to call them make sure they are open and not closed on Monday's etc or just a T-shirt shop, call for a tow, look for a hotel to stay thats close to the dealer, start swearing a lot and then hope for the best.
Had it happened glad I got through to the dealer before they closed it was Sunday and they were closed on Monday, they gave me the name of another nearby dealer that was open on Monday otherwise I would have been two nights in a hotel before my bike was even looked at.
I guess in the worse case scenario I would think about a U-Haul rental, either way your stuck with about the same problem if you're in your car and have a catstrophic failure of some sort.
Had it happened glad I got through to the dealer before they closed it was Sunday and they were closed on Monday, they gave me the name of another nearby dealer that was open on Monday otherwise I would have been two nights in a hotel before my bike was even looked at.
I guess in the worse case scenario I would think about a U-Haul rental, either way your stuck with about the same problem if you're in your car and have a catstrophic failure of some sort.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 293
From: Too close, Pa
I always carry tools, small compressor and a tire repair kit. Anything beyond a simple road side fix and I am on the phone calling the closest dealer for a tow. Last year we had a rear wheel bearing go out at 3 pm on a saturday and got lucky we were a couple miles from Woodstock HD in NY they had me picked up and back on the road in about 2 hours. Anything engine related I would probably rent a truck to get it home.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 381
Likes: 1
From: San Diego area
Broke down in Flagstaff during an Arizona sight seeing ride from San Diego. Had lots more to see so took bike to dealer where they said two days to fix. I rented a harley and rode the Grand Canyon loop and rented a room for an extra night. Back on my bike two days later and finished the ride home a few days later, Also had a starter motor go out in S. Carolina on a cross country adventure and a dealer there had it back on the road in three hours. Luckily they were on the strand next to Hooters.
Last edited by hxturbo1; Feb 13, 2013 at 10:12 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 224
From: Coeur d'Alene
If you're a HOG member you can upgrade your roadside assistance for 20 bux with coverage that will haul you to the nearest dealer or town where there is a dealer, regardless of mileage. Even if it's after hours you can at least get to a motel in that town. I figure if I can't fix it I'll just give them a call. These things typically have a way of working out OK.
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Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 20,530
Likes: 2,305
From: texas panhandle
Broke down in I-40 forty miles east of Albuquerque, NM. Called Thunderbird Harley for help. They gave me the name of a recommended tow service. The tow service wouldn't come without a credit card which struck me as odd and it irritated me. The tow service showed up in a timely manner with an enclosed trailer. I asked him if he wanted help loading the bike to which he replied no. He said if he damaged the bike, he would pay for the repair, if we damaged the bike it was on me. The guy was very careful and professional. He took me to the Harley dealership which moved my bike to the front of the line and repaired my bike. It was the world famous broken wire in the harness that plugs into the throttle body. Cost of towing was $216 which was covered by my insurance policy(foremost). Bike was repaired under warranty. The tow service was T J's tow service which I highly recommend. He had the correct towing equipment for a motorcycle, was professional, timely and his equipment was clean and in working order. Kudos to Thunderbird Harley also for getting me back on the road as we were going from Amarillo to Moab. Still turned out to be an extremely long day.
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 184
Likes: 2
From: nova scotia canada
When I'm travelling far from home I make sure I have enough money to cover a few days in a hotel, and at least 1000.00 to get bike fixed. I would use a credit card but I would have the money to cover it.
One thing I never would do is plan a trip on a vehicle I don't trust. I've heard guys talking about the fun and adventure of breakdowns...not been my experience, straight up pain in the a$$ and generally expensive.
One thing I never would do is plan a trip on a vehicle I don't trust. I've heard guys talking about the fun and adventure of breakdowns...not been my experience, straight up pain in the a$$ and generally expensive.
