Maintenance help on the road

[N2 Overspeed]

I finally picked her up a week ago (in Dallas TX), took the long way home 2000 miles later, but along the way I needed a oil change. Well this is where I met up with Carlos of Backwoods Choppers in Pagosa Springs CO. he let me change my own oil & Filter (I brought a filter along) using his tools and drain pan, good guy (no relation ...etc>) for the price of buying oil from him. Of course I tipped him - but just wanted to give him a big THANKS, for helping me out. If you in the area, he will work on any brand. Tell em I sent ya (he was wondering what the big blue beast was when I pulled up). Oh and by the way this bike rocks ::012::.....(but you guys knew that...)

 

[mobyfubar]

Last summer I had an unpluggable flat in the middle of nowhere in Arkansas. The guys at Sunrise Honda/Yamaha/Kawasaki/Suzuki/Polaris in Searcy, AR got me in as soon as I got there and had a new tire on and the bike ready to go in less than an hour. They were very friendly and helpful.

It's nice to find someone helpful when you're in need and far from home.

 

[jajpko]

Last summer I had an unpluggable flat in the middle of nowhere in Arkansas. The guys at Sunrise Honda/Yamaha/Kawasaki/Suzuki/Polaris in Searcy, AR got me in as soon as I got there and had a new tire on and the bike ready to go in less than an hour. They were very friendly and helpful.

It's nice to find someone helpful when you're in need and far from home.

::026:: The guys at Sunrise are really great.

 

[SisuTen]

Might I suggest an AMA membership. Along with supporting many fellow riders in many ways, you also get free road service for ALL of your vehicles (including the wife's cage). Pretty good deal!

Paul

 

[Twitch]

I ditched AAA a long time ago after realizing the roadside assistance that comes with AMA membership is much better. It covers all cars, all bikes and all drivers in my household. It's also nice to know that there are a lot of small shops out there to help us while we're on the road as well, such as in the stories above.

 

[20valves]

Might I suggest an AMA membership. Along with supporting many fellow riders in many ways, you also get free road service for ALL of your vehicles (including the wife's cage). Pretty good deal!

+1

 

[Rynn Storm]

I ditched AAA a long time ago after realizing the roadside assistance that comes with AMA membership is much better. It covers all cars, all bikes and all drivers in my household. It's also nice to know that there are a lot of small shops out there to help us while we're on the road as well, such as in the stories above.

AMA included towing is 35 miles. AAA/RV (covers motorcycles) is 100 miles. AAA/RV Premiere is 200 miles. Of course the AAA/RV ($125) coverage is far more than AMA ($39).

 

[mobyfubar]

When I had my flat in AR, I tried to arrange a tow from AMA. I spent at least 2 hours on the phone or waiting for calls back from them, and I had to call around to locate a tire myself. They would have saved me about $50 on the tow but I would have had to wait so much longer for them to get there that the dealer with the tire would have been closed before I arrived. It was disappointing ::010::

However, every situation is different, and it may well work fine the next time I call them (though I hope I never have to).

 

[Twitch]

Another good benefit imo of the AMA Program that AAA didn't have is trip interruption payments. If an accident interrupts your trip, the program would pay for lodging and meals up to $100 a day for up to three days. Here’s a LINK to the details and it's included in the AMA membership, not extra. I’ve got three drivers in my household, two who ride motorcycles. My AMA membership covers everyone and every vehicle, where the AAA had an extra fee for each…$30 less than the full membership price for each additional member in household, but extra.

 

[tomatocity]

To get the free roadside service from AMA you must a Champion member. This means you allow AMA to automatically renew your membership every year. Very good deal. I have yet to use their services though I bet there is both good and bad expereinces as life is.

I have been a member of AAA since August 1972. My latest experience was having my KLR towed (flatbed) from Yuma AZ to San Diego CA with a cost of ZERO unless I consider the McDonalds Angus burger I bought for the driver and the tip I gave him. I have AAA insurance so it is required that I have their roadside service. I have the 100 mile membership.

Is there a perfect roadside service? Probably not mainly because humans and mother nature is involved.

 

[SisuTen]

Yeah, insurance is what it is. Most bad experiences on the road are a crapshoot and a successful resolution depends more upon where the problem occurs than whether the carrier is competent. You just have to mitigate the consequences as much as you can, smile and move on.

Paul