How to handle getting stranded?

[SteveK364]

Sometimes I wonder what would be the best way to handle a situation where your bike dies and you're stranded on the highway.

Is a wrecker capable of towing (carry) a bike?  Or do I have to find someway to get it to a shop myself?

I do have a pickup truck, but how would I ever get it into the back?  Lift it in with friends, or drive it up?  (If drive, what kind of ramp should be used?).

Any suggestions or experiences you have along these lines would be appreciated (but, hopefully never needed!)

Thanks,
Steve

[scratch]

A wrecker can, but will most likely do more damage to the bike; a flatbed is suggested.
Get a motorcycle specific ramp.  A wood board wont cut it.  Some ramps can be had for as little as $20 used, or new for $50.

[CirclesCenter]

U-HAUL.

Their little turd trailer costs about 20 bucks a day. The back folds down and is gradual enough to sit on the bike and walk it up.

Bring your own tiedowns, make sure to hook it to a truck/van/suv. Sometimes they are bitches about it.

AT LEAST 4 TIE DOWNS. Don't just strap two REALLY hard like my uncle did to my bike, unless you want to have to do more work on it.

Motorcycle ramp for 150 bucks or so? BAH! Make your own for like 20 bucks! 3 two by fours assembled in a U-shape with lots of screws. Make sure it's wide enough for your rear tire. And to those who say a two by four will break Umm, yeah...... ONE will break, three done up in a U shape? Nuh uh. the two outside ones will have the force distrubuted to them laterally.

And I can't think of the one that's wider than a two by four, but that one will work better. Like an 8 by two? Is that even a board? Whatever, you know what I mean. Yeah and put little scrap bits so that it will catch on the tailgate to make life easier.

But yeah, you don't need no fancy stinking ramp! Just some wood, screws and elbow grease.

Oh yeah, driving up a ramp?!?!?!? Not a good idea. Two friends is best (total of three people) two pushing, one guiding. Then guider gets in truck, grabs a fistful of brake and one loader gets up there, both pull bottom pushes.

Make sure that between you 400lbs is not a big deal. If it is get enough friends that it is not. (I move fridges and my buddy lifts 5 days a week, the guider was small, but scrappy and quite the load master.)

[Wrecent_Wryder]

d4

[Blueknyt]

ive used a plank of 2"x6"x8' for longest time with no issues, if it will load a 1977 honda goldwing with full fairings and hard bags, and the 85 honda V65 sabre i had, the fly weight of a GS is not even a afterthought.   

[ashman]

I have 2 boards i hinged together w/ ends that fold out to lay on the truck bed. I used to drive the GS in the back of a truck myself. Its a lil scarey the 1st time but a lot cheaper and easier then getting a trailer.

-ash

[MPA]

If you're an AMA member they offer a service called MOTOW that will tow you anywhere within 35 miles. I think it's $20 or $25 a year

[l3uddha]

AAA and a cell phone. yes, AAA will tow a bike on a flatbed. 
I have the premium or plus  whatever it is) package. $50 a year (?) and 50 miles free towing as many times as you need.
I drive a POS 92 subaru loyale that breaks down just about every other week. I havent once paid for towing.

[aaronstj]

AAA and a cell phone. yes, AAA will tow a bike on a flatbed. 

Awesome!  I have AAA and have been wondering.  Haven't bothered calling them, though.

AAA is super awesome.  I've used it several times when my car has broken down.  Very helpful.

[Wrecent_Wryder]

s2

[calamari]

I'll just push it. good exercise

[qjt18]

AAA will only tow a bike if it has full coverrage

[l3uddha]

AAA will only tow a bike if it has full coverrage

I called AAA today because I was curious about what you said.
got a confusing answer.... but I guess it IS the answer.

AAA apparently "doesn't cover motorcycles whatsoever anymore."

I guess they've made some changes in the past few years because when I first signed up with them I was put under the impression that they treated a bike like a car with their services.

Would have been nice if they told me.... 
I know a few other people that thought the same as I did. I gotta let 'em know!

[galahs]

The thought of getting stranded in the reason I always take my mobile phone with me, and my disc lock (incase I absolutely have to leave the bike as I walk for help or mobile reception)

I specificall got a mobile phone with a built in LED torch after my cousins bikes headlights turned off (blown fuse) and it was too dark to see how to change it. He had to ride home without lights in the middle of the night. 

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

If you need to load the bike into a friend's truck, home depot rents a folding aluminum ramp for $6 per day. That's the way to go. It's how I got my bike and my friend's bike into and out of my truck, when we bought them.

[SteveK364]

that home depot ramp is a great tip, man.

also, what is a disc lock that the one guy referred to?  is that something i can/should carry with me?

thanks,
steve

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Disc lock, just like it sounds. You lock it to your front brake disc, it effectively immobilizes the bike. You can buy really nice ones like the xena that have an alarm, so that if someone moves the bike while it's on, it screeches at 130db. Do a quick google for xena locks, you'll find plenty of info. I need to pick one up eventually.

[Wrecent_Wryder]

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