RE: Make extra keys!

[99Saki500]

Well I saw the thread about someone losing their key so why not describe me losing mine.

*skip to bottom for cliff notes*

Imagine you are in motorcycle boots carrying rain gear and helmet while you hike 1 mile to a damn dam just for fun (it's 5:00pm). You take the trail-less-traveled route and follow what appears to be a deer trail. Then you climb up the side of a mountain of dirt/trees/random debris because this trail ends before it gets to the dam. Meanwhile you still have the helmet and rain gear in tow. So, you have made it back to the trail and head to the dam. You arrive and it is now around 5:45 and getting quite dark so you head back. At this point you reach into your little pocket in your jeans, the one that is in the big pocket, to find out you have no key! First you are upset then you are upset and after that you are still upset. So you hike back to the bike, following the real trail and retrace your steps as much as you can. By the time you return to the bike the second time you have to hide the bike in the woods and hike home, still in motorcycle boots and carrying all your gear. You do have your cell phone, but keep in mind that it does not work in the boonies! So you get home 5 miles later and have to go back down to get your bike in the rain. Then you pay $100 to get the locksmith to make you a new one because you do not have the security-torque wrench nor do you have the time because the bike is your only means of transportation. So you get 3 keys because $30 a key sounds better then $100 a key.

CF: Lot keys in woods while hiking, walked home 5 miles, bike is only transportation, work the next day, 3 keys and $110 later bike is running.

[kc6wfs]

I have extra keys at home. guess that would not do me much good.
Think I'll put extra keys in my wallet...

Dave

[CTRider]

Here's an idea that just popped into my head (scary thought):

If there is someone you often ride with, trade extra keys with that person (you give him or her one and he or she gives you one). If you lose your keys on a ride, it's likely the other person will have the copy. If you are out alone, they are someone you can call to bring the extra copy.

Obviously, this requires some trust in who you give the key to, but if it's someone you are close enough to ride with on a regular basis, they have probably already earned your trust.

[99Saki500]

Well that is why I leave one copy at work because my boss is there about 15ish hours a day so if I need it I can always count on him being there.

[bross]

Originally Posted by CTRider

Here's an idea that just popped into my head (scary thought):

If there is someone you often ride with, trade extra keys with that person (you give him or her one and he or she gives you one). If you lose your keys on a ride, it's likely the other person will have the copy. If you are out alone, they are someone you can call to bring the extra copy.

Obviously, this requires some trust in who you give the key to, but if it's someone you are close enough to ride with on a regular basis, they have probably already earned your trust.

That's what Jodie and I do, we keep each other's keys locked up in our tool compartments. I haven't checked my bike jackets, but my winter jacket has a little snap hook in the pocket, that I leave my spare truck key clipped to. That's so I can start the truck to let it warm up, but lock it / unlock it with this spare key. You can't lock the doors when the engine is running unless you use a key in the door. At least if you clipped your spare key to your coat you wouldn't lose it, unless you lost your coat.

[VindianaJones]

Originally Posted by 99Saki500

Well I saw the thread about someone losing their key so why not describe me losing mine.

*skip to bottom for cliff notes*

Imagine you are in motorcycle boots carrying rain gear and helmet while you hike 1 mile to a damn dam just for fun (it's 5:00pm). You take the trail-less-traveled route and follow what appears to be a deer trail. Then you climb up the side of a mountain of dirt/trees/random debris because this trail ends before it gets to the dam. Meanwhile you still have the helmet and rain gear in tow. So, you have made it back to the trail and head to the dam. You arrive and it is now around 5:45 and getting quite dark so you head back. At this point you reach into your little pocket in your jeans, the one that is in the big pocket, to find out you have no key! First you are upset then you are upset and after that you are still upset. So you hike back to the bike, following the real trail and retrace your steps as much as you can. By the time you return to the bike the second time you have to hide the bike in the woods and hike home, still in motorcycle boots and carrying all your gear. You do have your cell phone, but keep in mind that it does not work in the boonies! So you get home 5 miles later and have to go back down to get your bike in the rain. Then you pay $100 to get the locksmith to make you a new one because you do not have the security-torque wrench nor do you have the time because the bike is your only means of transportation. So you get 3 keys because $30 a key sounds better then $100 a key.

CF: Lot keys in woods while hiking, walked home 5 miles, bike is only transportation, work the next day, 3 keys and $110 later bike is running.

I have a second set of keys on me at all times. It has my car key and bike key on it so that if i lose my main set i always have the other set. I always put it in a different pocket than my main keys as well.

[trikebubble]

I keep a spare key safety-pinned inside my riding jacket. Always.

[damarble]

Shortly after I got my current car I learned the hard way that it will randomly lock the doors behind you, even if it's running. Since then I have carried an extra in my wallet and will do the same for the bike once it's on the road.

[pitchinguy]

Keep one in my wallet!

[CTRider]

Originally Posted by pitchinguy

Keep one in my wallet!

Where do you put the condom, then?

[rbentnail]

Ok, my turn. Here's my dumbass move. Was stranded yesterday b/c I forgot my keys.

So there I am, standing in my driveway, that instant in time when the door closes behind you, realizing that you don't have your keys. Almost as instantly the tsunami of thoughts and emotions washes over you: Gotta call the wife. Where's my cellphone? In the truck. Truck's locked. S**T!! Spare key!! I have a spare key. Where is it? In my wallet. Where's my wallet? In the house, on the counter, next to my keys. S**T!! Tools. I need tools. Naturally I head for the toolbox on the truck. Man, I really feel stoopit now. I always keep it locked. Where's the key? 3 guesses. So I head for the workshop. Where's the danged key? Wait, I know. Back to the truck I go. There it is. In the ashtray!! S**T!! I'm starting to get really anxious now, 'cause now I am really stranded. So I start looking at and checking doors and windows. Rapidly running out of choices. But viola!! A window that's only 1/2 locked (we have the vinyl ones w/2 locks & the latch thingees for folding in for cleaning) and 1/2 latched. Excellent, I'm in. Wait. No tools!! S**T!! Dumbass!!! Wait again. Clothes hanger. I used one the other day to help a guy out, giggling all the while b/c he locked his keys in his car (I'm really, really sorry now for laughing at you!! Please forgive me!!!!). What did I do with it? The truck!! In the bed of the truck!! Yes!! There it is!! No problem, I'm in now. Get my stuff, go to work. Today I'm off to the hardware store to get copis of the house keys to put outside somewhere.

[Shuey1]

I have a vulcan nomad 1500 but no keys. DOes the bike have an immobilser cause if it does how will i get round that? I have removed the ignition barrel but not sure how to proceed. Oh nothing dodgy about this - someone has abandoned the bike in my comercial garage for the last 3 years - no idea how to contact him in POland - think its time to get the thing going again!!

[48Rob]

If you hide a key on the bike, locking your keys in the house, in the car, loosing your jacket, wallet, etc. are no longer a concern...at least with regard to having a key.

[robertsm53]

I have a key hidden on the bikes, fer instance taped in the side cover, or inside a turn signal lense, where u may need a phillips screwdriver to get at it, a very commn tool carried in most bike tool kits, thank u fellow rider, or as a last resort, a broken lense is cheaper than a locksmith

[V2K_CCTX]

Same way...cant stand it when you buy a used car or bike and there is only ONE key...have to get a spare asap cuz with my luck i will lock it in (no not on the bike) or lose it...

[CTRider]

I don't have to worry about locking myself out of my apartment since I have one of those heavy steel combination code key vaults screwed into the frame between the storm and security door. Since I have extra keys for the bike and truck in my apartment, I'm okay as long as I'm home.

If I'm going to be away on a distant trip, I carry the extra key(s) for whatever vehicle I have with me in a random piece of clothing that is with me.

[classicblack]

Post is over 2.5 years old..

[VindianaJones]

[CTRider]

Originally Posted by VindianaJones

And its still as relevant today as it was then. A far cry from the Harley threads and many others on here.

Agreed.

That's the only reason I responded again. Not to mention, I got the key vault since the last time I posted in the thread, so it was worth an update.

[northernman]

No matter if I am riding, or driving a cage, I ALWAYS carry 2 keys.

Nothing worse than losing a key in the bush, and having to walk 80 kms to a more major road.
Did that at about 18 years old, and never again for this guy.