Roadside assistance recommendations

[Green Monster]

Just realized that my vehicle insurance carrier (whom I've been with for over 30 years) doesn't provide roadside assistance for motorcycles.  They do for my autos.  Any recommendations for roadside assistance other than changing providers?  Otherwise, I guess, its preventative maintenance, riding with necessities like extra clutch cable, etc. and out of pocket expenses when $#!T happens!

[TimTyler]

I have Allstate Roadside. Never needed it so far, but it does provide some piece of mind.

I did call them once at 2am after a 1000-mile day when the fully-faired loaded bike tipped over into a dirt ditch on the side of the road 25 miles from civilization. They had a tow on the way within 15 minutes but I managed to get the bike out with the help of a helpful rider who was passing by in a car.

[subforry]

I am not a member but was looking into it.  The AMA membership comes with M/C towing (and magazine).  In return they get $50 a year and increase their member ship by 1 which aids in their lobbying.

[MCrenshaw]

MOA roadside assistance...uh not so much. 
Me - "Hello, I've broken down on the road and need some towing assistance"
Rajeet - "Please to thank you very much for calling.  How can I help you?"
Me - "Rajeet, are you in Mumbai?"
Rajeet - "Yes, please to say and thank you very much.  How can I help you?"
Me - "Rajeet, I'm at the intersection of Hwy 34 and Farm Market Rd 1831".
Rajeet - "You are located at 1831 Market Avenue?"
Me - "You aren't from around here are you?"
Rajeet - "Let me look into this."
10 minutes later
Rajeet - "So sorry to say we cannot help you, but thanking you very much for your subscription to BMW MOA Roadside Assistance."

So I found a guy that tows Harleys for a living.  He does pretty well too, but at least he was there when I needed him.

[johnny]

aaa premier rv+...

j o

[Motorhobo]

aaa premier rv+...

j o

I had that but it was ridiculous expensive, then I found out it doesn't take you 100 miles anymore so I bagged it.  Progressive Roadside is included in the premium -- enough to get you off the road so you can go get a trailer.

[johnny]

ok... here is the deal... my motobricks have been on 6 flatbeds in the past 5 years...

my drive shaft broke... 10 hours for progressive to show up... the driver told me progressive goes to the bottom of the list because they are slow pay... he said aaa goes to the top over everything else... we would still be waiting if viffergryl had not stayed on their arse demanding service every minute on the minute...

then my final drive failed... progressive said they could not get anybody to me for 3 hours... i called a wrecker outfit about 10 miles up the road... they told me progressive called them to tow me... they told progressive 3 hours and had no intention to show up although they could come right now if it were aaa or cash...

it was 110 degrees and we had no shade... so i hired the guy direct... he told me they always tell progressive 3 hours because most folks wont wait 3 hours... he said they seldom go... why... slow pay... said always 6 months and sometimes 9 months... he said aaa goes to the top because they get paid weekly...

so my clutch goes out... only 1 wrecker within a hundert miles... told progressive 3 hours... i called them direct... told me they were not coming... just told progressive 3 hours to stay on their list... i hired the guy direct...

so i joined aaa... after a member for 2 years with aaa rv premier plus you getts 300 miles per tow one way...

been towed 3 times with aaa... less than a hour each time... always back to the barn and not the closest motorcycle shop... one was 200 miles 1 way... no questions asked... all 3 drivers say aaa is their bread and butter... seldom will fetch a progressive because of slow pay...

so there you go... whats i gotts for $10 a year for progressive cost me thousands... f-them for roadside assistance... i still use them for insurance... butts not for roadside assistance...

aaa is 100% pro... you know you f-up a couple hundert on diner and drinks a few time a year... butts you only f-up up $10 on progressive roadside assistance once a year... feeling pretty f-ing good abouts yourbaddself aints you... till for f-up a thousand outta pocket the 1st time you call for assistance...

 

j o

[Vito from Progressive]

Mr. Johnny,

We ats Progressive is very sorry for the troubilz you has had.

Please provide me with your address and time you will be there and I will visit with my associates Rocko and Clem and try to work things out with you.

Vito Sandamartino
Progressive Fixit Dept.

[johnny]

greetings vito from progressive...

welcome to motobrick.com...

the only thing that progressive aints done is break my slipstream deflector... butts thats ok cause somebody broke it in may...

inbound pm to you vito from progressive... i hopes rocko and clem can getts this fixt too...

j o

[Vito from Progressive]

Mr. Johnny,

Clem's Bulgarian cousin might have just what you need.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-K100RS-K1100RS-screen-blade-windshield-repair-kit-/251575709757

I'll check to see if this is covered under your Progressive policy.

Vito Sandamartino
Progressive Fixit Dept.

[johnny]

that one is not covered... butts this one is...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-K1100RS-f-ed-up-slipstream.deflector.buyitnow-$995.95/ortradefor/clutch mechanism/576293772515757097

j o

[Green Monster]

Fellow brickers,

Appreciate all the great insight and experience you have submitted...along with the insanely humorous satire!

I will look into all of these options and may also consider Met Life as my organization receives a discount through them.

much obliged y'all

[Jumpin Jimmy B]

 Insurance.

You can forget Met Life for MC insurance.

 The company I work for also has that group buy set up. Just awesom for auto insurance, never an issue. They did not want to quote my MC,
when I asked them too anyway they were 6 times more than progressive, same everything.

[Scott_]

Similar with West Bend.
I have them for house/auto, and when I have asked for mc quotes, I was told no, they wouldn't quote.

[Motorhobo]

Ok, Johnny -- I am converted. I have a  check from AAA for $114 that they refunded me when I cancelled my RV/moto...I think I will just cash it and write them another check.

My AAA story is a flat tire on Bainbridge Island, across the Puget Sound from Seattle. AAA sent a flatbed and drove bike and riders on the ferry across the Sound to my front door -- no extra charge for the ferry ride because the total distance was under 100 miles.

I had no idea Progressive Roadside sucked such butt. Thanks for enlightening me.

[Motorhobo]

ok... here is the deal... my motobricks have been on 6 flatbeds in the past 5 years...

Oh, so you're the guy I can blame for my AAA dues going the the roof! More ducttape, less service calls...

But seriously -- to continue on this topic, does anyone have any info on the AMA roadside? Before I give AAA Plus RV somewhere close to $150/yr to subsidize the towing of some Grandpa's 40 ft RV when all I have is a 500lb motorcycle (which is not to say I haven't had a 40 ft RV -- but I don't now)  I'd like to explore the AMA thing and maybe even support MC advocacy.

The only problem I have with the AMA is their mission statement on helmet use --

"The AMA notes there is a clear distinction between the voluntary use of helmets and mandatory helmet use laws. Some view the helmet solely as a mechanical safety device, similar to a seat belt. Many motorcyclists view the helmet as an accessory of personal apparel, and its use or non-use is connected with a chosen lifestyle and their right as adults to make their own decisions."

I'm not 100% comfortable supporting an m/c organization that lobbies against helmet laws for 'lifestyle' reasons. That's just bullch1t. But aside from all that -- can one rely on their roadside assistance to actually get a flatbed out to render assistance when necessary?

[johnny]

https://www.mts-towing.com

there are lotts of options... some swear by mts...

dairyland is supposed to be good...

https://www.dairylandinsurance.com/motorcycle/motorcycle-roadside-assistance
j o

[Scott_]

ok... here is the deal... my motobricks have been on 6 flatbeds in the past 5 years...

Motobrick aside, how many times has your truck been on the hook........ :eek:

[Grim]

Uhall $29 for a 14ft truck with ramp $1 a mile. ;)
If I'm available I'd do the same rate with my trailer if you break down local.  ;D