Roadside Assistance

[thepeacebullgrunt]

I am looking for an affordable independent roadside assistance
with towing service as safety complement of my State farms policy.

State Farms is proposing me a good policy at $300 per year
but they don't provide any TOWING SERVICE...

[BigEasy]

Hey Fred, check into the AMA roadside plan. I haven't used it for a bike yet but did use it to get my truck towed in last fall. The guy on the phone was very polite and thorough asking enough questions that he knew to send a flat bed instead of a front hook truck because the 4wd unit on my truck is not supposed to be towed more than a mile. The plan is free if you sign up for AMA membership with auto renewal, pretty good deal IMHO.

As far as towing coverage provided by an insurance company, I don't know if it is still the same but, many years ago a towing claim was considered the same as any other claim against your policy. I had the misfortune of using the towing coverage in the same 18 month period I had a minor fender bender, and KZ 1000LTD stolen, resulting in Allstate refusing to renew me and the fun experience of paying for high risk premiums for the next several years. I'd carefully look into that before using it.

[thepeacebullgrunt]

Thanks BigEasy !
this is it --> http://www.ama-cycle.org/joinama/index.asp they write "available FREE with selected memberships" do you know on what do they based they selection ?

I had no crash in 10yrs living in US, Use only an M1 license, 3 speeding ticket in 10yrs.... what else could disqualify me ?

As independent roadside assistance
Is anyone knows any other options on the market ?

[waynemathews]

Thanks BigEasy !
this is it --> http://www.ama-cycle.org/joinama/index.asp they write "available FREE with selected memberships" do you know on what do they based they selection ?
[/color] [/b]

Availability depends on your payment method, to get the free roadside assistance you have to let them automatically renew you with a credit card. If you prefer to pay by check or are a life member, then you can get the roadside assistance for $35 per year.

[thepeacebullgrunt]

Yes, I saw that waynemathews thanks but I was wondering if there was other parameters in their selection process.

Anyway I just called BMW road assistance and they keep running one assistance program for me until the end of my warranty which is probably in 2 or 3 months. But ask a yearly $99 for a road assistance extension that cover towing in a 100 miles radius, jump start and "tire change" as the guy said (for cars Ok but for bikes... how is that possible ?)

I wonder if on the market their is such kind of "PREMIUM roadside assistance".... more expensive maybe but with much more services and coverages for all kind of troubles ?

[BMWNA]

When new, BMW Motorcycles come with Roadside Assistance coverage for 3 years unlimited miles. Riders requiring Roadside Assistance may initiate service by calling (877) 680-2176.

If you would like to renew your Roadside Assistance once the coverage expires, you can call 1-800-203-0936 to enroll or for more details.

In addition to the standard Roadside Assistance benefits, some of the special benefits provided by BMW Motorrad Roadside Assistance include Trip Interruption, Personalized Trip Routing and more. For a full list of all benefits you can call us at (877) 680-2176 Option 3.

BMW Motorrad Customer Relations

[websterize]

Welcome, BMW Motorrad!

When new, BMW Motorcycles come with Roadside Assistance coverage for 3 years unlimited miles. Riders requiring Roadside Assistance may initiate service by calling (877) 680-2176.

If you would like to renew your Roadside Assistance once the coverage expires, you can call 1-800-203-0936 to enroll or for more details.

In addition to the standard Roadside Assistance benefits, some of the special benefits provided by BMW Motorrad Roadside Assistance include Trip Interruption, Personalized Trip Routing and more. For a full list of all benefits you can call us at (877) 680-2176 Option 3.

BMW Motorrad Customer Relations

[dumfounded]

$99 for a 100 miles seems like a good deal. I was towed recently with the BMW program and had to wait over an hour and a half, but that's probably a problem with my area/time of day and not the program. The tow truck driver treated the bike very well and was willing to drop the bike at my house instead of the dealer (which was closed and my house was much closer). I believe AMA is limited to 35 miles. My AAA RV coverage does 100 miles, but cost $111.

[thepeacebullgrunt]

you can call 1-800-203-0936 to enroll or for more details.

In addition to the standard Roadside Assistance benefits, some of the special benefits provided by BMW Motorrad Roadside Assistance include Trip Interruption, Personalized Trip Routing and more. For a full list of all benefits you can call us at (877) 680-2176 Option 3.

BMW Motorrad Customer Relations

Well guys ! thank you.... but I am going to request full details for that if possible on paper because when you call as I did yesterday the operators gave all kind of different versions of the service for the same price....not to mention all sort of restrictions & exceptions for which you must obviously pay for.

[BigEasy]

Yes, I saw that waynemathews thanks but I was wondering if there was other parameters in their selection process.

Anyway I just called BMW road assistance and they keep running one assistance program for me until the end of my warranty which is probably in 2 or 3 months. But ask a yearly $99 for a road assistance extension that cover towing in a 100 miles radius, jump start and "tire change" as the guy said (for cars Ok but for bikes... how is that possible ?)

I wonder if on the market their is such kind of "PREMIUM roadside assistance".... more expensive maybe but with much more services and coverages for all kind of troubles ?

I believe there are no requirements but paying via the auto renewal

$99 for a 100 miles seems like a good deal. I was towed recently with the BMW program and had to wait over an hour and a half, but that's probably a problem with my area/time of day and not the program. The tow truck driver treated the bike very well and was willing to drop the bike at my house instead of the dealer (which was closed and my house was much closer). I believe AMA is limited to 35 miles. My AAA RV coverage does 100 miles, but cost $111.

I also believe 35 miles is correct but they have siginificantly reduced per mile rates should you need to go further. In the instance that I used it I had them tow it to the closesst Chevy dealer and after getting thier estimate I called AMA and had them tow it to my Indy shop and IIRC the extera 20 miles cost me like $5-6.00

[ajs3102]

$99 for a 100 miles seems like a good deal. I was towed recently with the BMW program and had to wait over an hour and a half, but that's probably a problem with my area/time of day and not the program. The tow truck driver treated the bike very well and was willing to drop the bike at my house instead of the dealer (which was closed and my house was much closer). I believe AMA is limited to 35 miles. My AAA RV coverage does 100 miles, but cost $111.

I used my AAA RV coverage this past weekend and I couldn't be more pleased with their service. I have the family plan that covers my wife also even if she is not the driver of the car. Also, if you lock youself out of your house they send a locksmith Let's say she's out with some of her girlfriends and they have trouble. She's covered (at least that what they told me while I was writing the check )

Anyway, this past Saturday I was selling my big heavy harley ultra classic to some guy in VA. He and his wife were driving down 7 hours to get it. I told him I would have the bike gassed up and waiting for him. I got up early Sat morning to gas it up, pressed the starter and NOTHING . My heart sank because I new my battery was only 3 months old. (I'm not normally a big cusser but I used about 3 years worth of curse words I'd been saving for an emergency situation). I got a hold of myself and called AAA and told them I need my big heavy harley towed to my local HD dealership. The girl asked me if I was ok and in a safe location. Then she told me a tow truck equipped to tow a big heavy harley will be to me in 45 min. I said OK and then went and calmed myself down with an Egg McMuffin. She called me back and told me the truck will arrive at 8:06. Then the truck called me and said he was on the way. The truck arrived with a special motorcycle attachment and the driver was tattooed and professional. AAA called to make sure he'd arrived. He knew what he was doing and had a great attitude. Had my harley waiting at the dealership at 8:45- they open at 9:00. AAA called again to make sure I was pleased. Then the guy from VA called me all happy and said he was getting close. I told him to take his time and told him the ugly details. I felt horrible . I told him I was having professionals look at it and would and would give him an update as soon as I know something.

The doors opened at 9:00 and 4 people were ahead of me in line. When it was my turn they asked me if I had an appoitment . I said no but I have a dude from VA driving 7 hours with his wife to buy my motorcycle and it won't start. I guess my bug eyes spooked him 'cus he told me they'd look at it ASAP. Well, after waiting 2 hours for somebody to look at the bike I told them to call me when they know something and went home. I called the VA fellow and told him I sill didn't know anything but I'm sure its simple. I waited 1 hour and called the dealership and they told me it was on the rack and would call me back soon. I waited another hour and called them back and they said they were "stumped" that they have 2 of their best techs on it and havn't figured it out but they they would keep working at it. I felt sick . I took a shower and then drove back out to the dealership. When I arrived they had just found out the problem. TWO LOOSE BOLTS. Bolts that were holding the starter worked loose and the starter lost its ground.
I called the VA dude (a bit nerve racked but very nice) and he met me at the dealership and bought the bike .

I received a email from him after a few days telling me the bike ran perfectly and that he had a great trip. .