|
dan7uk
|
 |
« on: July 15, 2025, 02:02:33 PM » |
|
I have a 99 Interstate and I would like to take longer road trips, like a week or more. All the Honda dealers in my area will not touch the bike because it's over ten years old. My question is what would you do if you were many miles from home and you had a break down you could not fix on your own?
I stay on top of my general maintenance but there is always a chance of break downs on these 20 year old plus bikes. Remember most Honda dealers will not touch them.
|
|
|
|
« Last Edit: July 15, 2025, 02:11:02 PM by dan7uk »
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Valker
Member
Posts: 3004
Wahoo!!!!
Texas Panhandle
|
|
« Reply #1 on: July 15, 2025, 02:31:04 PM » |
|
Many independent shops will still work on older bikes. I can do most stuff myself (on the Valk) so I carry spare parts if on a long trip-knowing my definition of a 'long trip' is probably different than yours. I recently got back from a two week bimble from Texas to WA and back through upper MT. I did carry a plug kit and compressor along with my normal tool kit, but I carried zero spare parts. It was about 4300 miles. I have 248,000 miles on my Valkyrie.
|
|
|
|
« Last Edit: July 15, 2025, 04:07:36 PM by Valker »
|
Logged
|
I ride a motorcycle because nothing transports me as quickly from where I am to who I am.
|
|
|
Willow
Administrator
Member
Posts: 16634
Excessive comfort breeds weakness. PttP
Olathe, KS
|
|
« Reply #2 on: July 15, 2025, 03:14:57 PM » |
|
Hundreds of VRCC members scattered around the country. You'd be surprised at what can be done.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Jess from VA
|
|
« Reply #3 on: July 15, 2025, 04:11:10 PM » |
|
In a pinch, you get a Honda dealer service mgr on the phone (wherever you are) and ask him to refer you to the best local independent shop he knows. They may ordinarily be business competitors, but if they are refusing to touch your bike (based on age), you'd hope he'd be willing to give you a referral.
My independent shop mechanic was the lead tec at the largest Honda dealer in VA for years, until they pissed him off and he went on his own. He's the best bike mechanic I've ever known (all makes and models). His shop has 50 or more bikes in it year round. The Honda dealer screwed up.
|
|
|
|
« Last Edit: July 15, 2025, 04:17:56 PM by Jess from VA »
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Serk
|
|
« Reply #4 on: July 15, 2025, 04:25:07 PM » |
|
Heh, I thought I'd beat the system by getting a Gold Wing for traveling... (Anyone will work on a 'Wing, right?)
Gold Wing broke down a thousand+ miles from home, and the local shop wouldn't work on it either.
(Besides too old, they mostly do ATV's now it seems.)
So I had the bike shipped home (Not cheap) and worked on locally.
Got plane tickets home for the kiddo and I.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away...  IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
|
|
|
Moonshot_1
|
|
« Reply #5 on: July 15, 2025, 06:03:13 PM » |
|
"My question is what would you do if you were many miles from home and you had a break down you could not fix on your own?"
It depends on if it is a minor break down that is reasonably fixable or a major break down that is not a reasonable fix.
If there is no resource to fix a minor break down, ship it or rent a U-Haul to get it home to get it fixed.
If there is a major break down, the repair would likely exceed the market value of the 20+ year old bike. I'd go to the nearest dealer and find a decent ride home.
For any extended trip I pack a small lap top. As Willow suggested, this site is a tremendous resource and can be a great help. I can attest to this. The knowledge base here is astounding.
Have an emergency fund to help bail you out of such problems you might face on the road.
Find a roadside asst. program that works for you. We got coverage through our insurance comp.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Mike Luken
Cherokee, Ia.
Former Iowa Patriot Guard Ride Captain
|
|
|
|
Hook#3287
|
|
« Reply #6 on: July 16, 2025, 03:55:03 AM » |
|
My back up plan for something I can not fix on the road is U-haul and a credit card.
That's assuming I'm to far away to get a ride home and return with my trailer.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
t-man403
Member
Posts: 1671
Valk-a-maniac
Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
|
|
« Reply #7 on: July 16, 2025, 05:52:00 AM » |
|
Hundreds of VRCC members scattered around the country. You'd be surprised at what can be done.
Amen on this! 2015 I believe, I was saved by a fellow member that had a spare U-joint while I was on the opposite side of Canada from where I live. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"Men are like steel. When they lose their temper, they lose their worth". Chuck Norris
|
|
|
|
