All the "should of, could of and would of" responses kind of miss the point ... Providing a service on a "prepaid contract" is expected and while we continue to hear the "woes" of those who've been left on the side of the road, the reality of the situation is that they are cheating you ... besides, what if it was your son, wife or someone special who was left on the side of the road for that amount of time ... I'm sure there would be different replies.

 

We are all old enough to know that AAA...SUCKS! point blank. One has the option to say screw it I'll call a tow company my self, get my bike towed by a company that knows what there doing. Submit the invoice after you paid it to AAA. Hope that reimburse you some of the tow bill or all of it. Harley Davidson road side assistance is not any better.

 

Were you always in your own state when you had a need for their service?
What do you think would have happened if you were in one of the rural areas in the middle of the country?
Think that AAA truck would have just been around the corner?

Glad to hear it worked out for you guys.
And you are correct, the "good stories" also need to be told.

 

Uncle ,Uncle...your responses are usually spot on,...BUT on this one.
" besides, what if it was your son, wife or someone special who was left on the side of the road for that amount of time ... I'm sure there would be different replies. "


I would for a (loved) one explain to them A get it fixed , B maybe you should not drive it and (depend) on it till it is fixed.


as Iceman24 said
Agree w/the fact you were left "hanging in the wind" for awhile arranging this tow through AAA (8-hrs is rough), but kinda think you have partial blame for running out on bike w/known fuel problems...JMO. Also, why not "phone a friend" of try other means of getting aid (load #'s in your cell, have list in saddlebag, etc.)

Lucky it was not in Idaho where I'm at. Cause you would be in the middle of frigging no where for a lONG time .

Providing a service on a "prepaid contract" is expected and while we continue to hear the "woes" of those who've been left on the side of the road, the reality of the situation is that they are cheating you ...

It's AAA that's normal.
I do agree though 8 hours on the side of the road sucks..

 

Here is the issue with AAA. They pay a flat fee to towing companies. That flat fee is very low compared to most companies tow rates. This means there is very few companies in many/most areas that will accept it. So while a tow truck could be there in 10 minutes if you looked it up and called yourself, instead you call AAA. After a 20-30 phone conversation they call the local 1st contracted company. They need to accept or decline the job. If they accept it they have generally 45 minutes to respond BUT once enroute they can press a button to extend it by 15 minute increments as many times as they need until they arrive. Just a big joke.


Call a local company and try and have it reimbursed by AAA or insurance company at a later time.

 

Your at the mercy of circumstance no matter what you have. If your in a remote area after normal business hours it's gonna take longer no matter who you are or what you have. Even "24 Hour Towing" doesn't mean a driver is setting in his truck waiting for dispatch. A lot of times it means a driver is on call and has to be woke up in the middle of the night, and if he doesn't know how to load a motorcycle do you really want him to come out ? I have an aluma "rescue trailer" in my shed and hitches on all my vehicles. I was told if you ride a motorcycle you should have a rescue trailer. Knock on wood, I've done a lot more rescuing than being rescued.

 

Biggest problem I've consistently had with AAA is the alternation of where I said I was to what they tell the tow truck driver. It's invariably wrong, sometimes comically so.

The best thing is when the driver calls you. The second best thing is to get the drivers phone number when assigned so you can call the driver directly. Then they can actually find you.

 

Now that's funny, that kind of crap happens everyday in all professions, not just towing. The towing and Roadside assistance is nothing more than an insurance policy, they are in business to make money. It's all a scam and a waste of money for the amount of times you will ever use it. Save your money and pay for the towing in the rare instance you might need it. I think the best thing going for Motorcycle Roadside assistance is the free service when you join the AMA, and no, that's not the American Medical Association.

 

Regardless of his prior bike issues, the fact remains that he broke down, called AAA and as I've said before, they are a failure. They are not dependable. Save time and money folks. Call the local towing companies yourself and get what you need.

But, wait. There are hundreds that swear that they always stop for brothers broken down on the side of the road. Always! So, are you sure you're not just making this up?

 

I think it depends on where you break down as to whether AAA is a good or bad experience.
My personal experiences dealing with them here in Colorado have been favorable, but those experiences to date have been with my cage - knock on wood, I have not yet have to call them to come get my scoot so maybe time will tell.