Okay lets see if breakdown is worth it..

[Kris]

Just had the throttle cable break on the bandit. Lets see if the roadside cover with the AA is worth anything. They reckon I should see someone by 7pm... Ho hum.
____________________
NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
www.prisonplanet.com

[bridgedino]

7pm,are you roadside just now?

[Kris]

[krytenboog]

Are they there yet? Are they there yet?are they there yet? Ad nauseum

[covent.gardens]

They'll probably do the thing about sending an AA patrol who will turn up and say "can't fix it", he'll call a tow truck, which will take another hour or two to get there.

Still better than having no cover at all though.

[bridgedino]

Yep, RAC did that with me after a puncture disabled me for 2 days.

1 hour for the first van to appear, who couldn't fix a tubed tyre.

Another hour for a contractors recovery truck to appear to transport the bike the 3 miles to the nearest bike repair shop.

I could have pushed it the 3 miles within that time limit.

That's when I discovered I needed to pay an extra £20 to up grade my cover.

Apparently I could only be recovered to my home if it was 10 miles or less. I was at my work which is 22 miles from home

[Kris]

[yen_powell]

If the cable snaps, turn the tick over up so you can ride just using the clutch and gears.

Get you home, or at least away from a dodgy location like a busy road with no footpath or hard shoulder.
____________________
Blackmail is a nasty word........but not as nasty as phlegm!
XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits

[t121anf]

[tom_m]

Had similar experience at weekend on my ybr. Clutch cable snapped in middle of nowhere. Within half an hour the rac were with me and fitted a temporary cable. They then followed me on a 10 mile journey to my mechanic who fitted a new one for £15.
Second time ive had the rac out, both times been out within 30 mins. Definately be renewing in may (got first year free off yamaha with bike)

Is breakdown worth it?......
Of course it is.
____________________
Current: 2005 Kawasaki Er-5 C5P
Past: 2012 Yamaha Ybr 125, 2004 Yamaha Neos 50, 1994 Suzuki Gn 125, 2005 Aprilia Sportcity 125, 1988 Yamaha Tzr 125
Theory: Passed... Mod 1: Passed 22/08/12 Mod 2: Passed 22/10/12

[Dan79]

I've needed recovery several times, but never has the recovery guy been able (or even attempted) to fix the fault - but I don't expect them to, they are there to get you home or to a place where the vehicle can be fixed.
My current service is provided by Roadsure, via my insurer - I've needed their assistance a few times, and I can't fault them. Far better than the AA; when my bank gave me AA cover, the one time I needed them, they failed me. My RXS got a flat tyre 25 miles from home on a cold January afternoon, two hours later (starting to get dark) the recovery vehicle turned up, the man took one look, told me I wasn't covered for a flat (even though I'd explained the problem when I summoned help and had been promised recovery), and just abandoned me in the middle of some hick village. I was not happy, and luckily was able to resort to asking work colleagues coming to collect me with a flat bed and a plank.
To this day I always make sure my breakdown cover is adequate. All the best
____________________
Previous bikes - 1984 Honda VF500 (FII) Interceptor and 1990 Yamaha RXS100
Current bikes - 1984 Honda VF500 (V30) Magna

[covent.gardens]

[Dan79]

[Polarbear]

I only have cover for recovery. I really don't want some heavy handed car mechanic using 3/4" drive sockets and nut guns on my bike.

Just get me and the bike home and I'll sort it from there
____________________
Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[lozzypop1]

[Peirre oBollox]

This is why I have spare OEM cables routed & cable tied along side the path of my clutch and throttle cables. Then should either cable break, its just a case of 5mins switching the ends over. The ends of the spare cables are wrapped in tape to keep them free from dirt etc. and as they`re in place, they take up no room in my bags
____________________
I accept no responsibility for swearing, drinking, motorcycle riding or your pregnant teenage daughter.

[AndyB1989]

it really depends on the individual repairman not the company.


tried to start the car (jag xj8) and a strange noise that sounded very much like a chain snapping oh shit the cam chain has just snapped illg et it recovered to the garage. ring the AA explain i will leave the car where it is (at a mates who was going to be in all day) and they can recover it to the garage left IMPLICIT instructions DO NOT TRY TO START IT the cam chain has snapped if you try to crank it you will bend valves.

AA man arrived ignored instructions and tried to start it my m8 pointed out the written instructions and the aa man said "it wont be that m8 i do this for a living" he couldnt get it started took it it to the garage and had managed to bend every single valve cue £5000 engine rebuild paid for by the AA.

[thx1138]

11pm M3. Piston stopped firing on a Fazer. Called AA, told them, can't be fixed, need recovery.

Waited 3 hours for an agency breakdown. Agreed, couldn't be fixed, needed recovery. He was prepared to get a flat bed and take me, 10 mins wait.

AA made me wait a further 2 hours for an AA flat bed, wouldn't let agent take me.

Joined RAC.

Flat tyre. They sent an agent, to the wrong location, then when they did turn up, insisted I pay them, no the driver, but their call centre bods kept pestering me on my mobile. Despite me having everything membership, Europe, Home, Accident etc RAC sorted it, in the end.

Wish there was a really , really decent service for bikers, instead of this bolt on afterthought.

I hate having innertubes, at least sometimes the RAC or AA, depends who I am with they are both as bad as each other, have been able to fix punctures at the roadside.

[Kris]

Okay so a more in-depth review of the ‘service’ I received from the AA. Hopefully it’ll give some insight in to what to expect in a similar situation.

At 5.30pm I attempt to ride up a cobbled side street after just leaving work. I get near the top of the street (it’s on a hill) and I find I can’t accelerate anymore. The throttle isn't operating normally. I park up and see if it runs on choke. It does. I try to use the throttle and the thing just spins freely with no snapping back. I waddle the bike backwards against the kerb and park up. I whip off the bar muffs and have a look at the throttle cables at the bars: all fine. I peer under the tank but the combination of darkness and no proper light on my mobile means I can’t see what is happening at the carb end of the cable. On a bandit the throttle assembly is at the centre of the bike.

At 5.40pm I call the AA and report in. I listen to a 2 minute pre-recorded message about ‘safety at the roadside’ then get put through to an operator, a nice lady who takes my AA details. For the record I have the Roadside level of cover which means they will try to fix it and if they cannot they tow you to a nearby garage. The lady on the phone asks if I am in a vulnerable or dangerous spot, to which I reply to the negative. I was in a not so bad part of town and 20 seconds from work. She then tells me I will receive updates on the phone I am calling with and I should be seen by 7.00pm.

It starts to rain and is bloody cold. I stand in a doorway out of the rain.

At 5.56pm I get a text saying [omitted] Recovery Ltd will be attending by 6.35pm.

At 6.34pm I get a call from [omitted] Recovery Ltd. A young lady with a hint of London slang tells me they are on their way and aim to be with me in 10-15 minutes.

At approximately 6.45pm a Mercedes Sprinter type van arrives emblazoned with the recovery company logo. Whilst he parks up opposite I raise an inner smile.

At approximately 6.47pm he wanders over and says “Throttle cable broken yea? Sorry mate but I don’t think I can fix it.” My inner smile evaporates instantly.

“Haven’t you got any cable?” I ask.

“Nah mate.” Comes the reply, “They always do this. Call us when we can’t help. Our place refuse to pay for things like cable kits and expect us to pay for ‘em. I feel sorry for you guys when we turn up and can’t help. It’s bollocks.”

He tries the left grip, realises it doesn’t turn then goes for the correct side. I wince. He starts fiddling with the free play adjusters, wildly spinning them.

“Let’s have a looksee.” He says.

He wanders over the the van and gets out a lamp and small car battery. He hooks it up and peers under the tank.

“ I don’t know if it’s broken for sure, I can’t really see properly under there – even with the light.” I say. He mutters something and wanders over to the van.

I wander over and say, “If you’ve got a 10mm socket I can take the tank off and we can have a proper look. It comes off real easy; only two bolts.”

He comes out with some ratty old (but functional) socket set and gets out a 10mm socket whilst I remove the seat.. I really want to take over, seeing as I know all the fiddly parts that can fall out and be lost in the carcass of the bike – but my politeness takes over and I watch him attack the first bolt. The ratchet knocks against the side of the petrol tank with a mighty “CLLLLAAAANNNNGGGG!”

I wince harder.

“Sorry mate.” He says. He looks sheepish so I politely smile.

After I lift the tank off we both peer under and see the problem immediately. The return cable has come off the bracket so just needs reattaching. His earlier fiddling has removed the free play necessary to do this, which he spots and rectifies. The cable gets attached and we re-adjust the throttle free play at the handlebar end.

We refit the tank and I put the seat back on and fire her up. All is well.

He goes back to the van, putting everything away. When he reappears I ask if I have to sign anything – which I don’t – then I bid him farewell and leave.
____________________
NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
www.prisonplanet.com

[Acemastr]

Do people not carry a toolkit on their bikes? I could completely disassemble my bike with the one Honda provide.
____________________
2017 KTM 350 XC-F - 2014 Yamaha R6 - 2005 Yamaha YZ125
2016 Toyota Tacoma Limited

[DrDonnyBrago]

Autoaid - call them, "Bike is broken, unfixable, I want RECOVERY"


They send the closest recovery bod and take you home.

[UnspeedySam]

[andyscooter]

when i had an immobiliser issue and the bike wouldnt start i had a 3 hour wait i wanted to be towed home as i knew the immobiliser was wet and had had trouble before

as soon as it dried out it started fine

bearing in mind it was brand new and i used piaggio assist

then the first van turned up said its a bike we cant tow bikes with this van we dont normally do bikes (why piaggio assist sent a comany that dont do bikes i dont know )

we will have to send somthing else

hour later the second van turns up without a trailer

i can tow it but will have to go fetch the trailer

off he goes

45 minits later he turns up tries the key which doesnt work says i will have to tow it were are you going

i was about 30 miles from home at this point so tell him to take me there

thats out of my area i may have to drop you off before and get someone else to collect you from there

gets in van on phone

at this point im on the phone to piaggio assist saying ive now been waiting over FIVE hours for recovery to my house and the idiots they sent still havnt loaded my bike onto a trailer to get me home

he gets off the phone saying he will have to wait for authurisation

ten minites later they phone and say its ok he loads me and off we go

i broke down at 4 o clock in the afternoon and got home just after ten at night

since then i have always phone a mate with a van and paid for fuel instead
____________________
gilera runner vxr200 (chavped)
if its spelt wrong its my fat fingers and daft auto correct on my tablet

[Islander]

I've been an RAC member for years and have been recovered a fair few times. Furthest and best was on my way home from Orkney (I lived in London at the time) and got a puncture in Inverness. RAC don't fix tubed punctures so it was a recovery vehicle all the way home - and it was the worst torrential rain I've ever seen too. Result!

I've been recovered from Birmingham to London (puncture), Ashford to London (collapsed wheel bearing), and Shetland to Orkney for a car - they gave me a hire car for 3 days for that one, recovered the car to the ferry and from the ferry to home at the other end.

I've found them to be excellent value over the years and have certainly had my money's worth out of them.

[Andyk]

having been recovered once when the bikes eletrics kept failing had set off to work bike stopped limped it home and phone the axa recovery expecting several hours wait as i was at home n just wanted it taking to the dealership, next thing text saying will have a company with u within an hour.... knock at the door within 40mins pops out ramp says "you just want it taking to the delarship" i say yes bike gets loaded into the back of an awesome van (cctv so you could see your bike in the back etc) drove to garage unloaded bike. Job was done completely hassel free.....

guess its luck of the draw who you get?