Stupid Q about bikes & RAC Homestart

Cash-Strapped.T32

Hey all, just a quick question if it's no trouble, I'd just like to ask you guys beforehand in case I'm asking for something that's not covered by the policy (writing this at work so I'm trying to keep it brief.

Basically, one of my bikes is a large maxi-scoot (Burgman), I was out on the motorway day before yesterday being followed home by a colleague in a work pickup.
Bike died on me on the motorway, suspected seizure on my part.

Since my mate was right behind me it was easier to load the bike on the back of his truck rather than ring the RAC (which I have as part of my insurance, inc homestart but no other "extras").


Tomorrow I need to call out the RAC before work to help me get the bike to a local scooter workshop to get the damage fixed - Since I am assuming the RAC aren't exactly maxi-scooter specialists, and I doubt the guy will have any luck getting the bike running at my house (particularly with it being a suspected nipped-up cylinder), do you think I will run into any difficulties asking them to help me transport it to the workshop?

Thanks very much, apologies if it sounds like a dumb question, but I've been caught out by so many companies with so many different types of small-print I've learned to ask the silly-sounding questions before I begin..
Cheers!

forgotmyname

You would be surprised, My BIL had a yamaha scooter and it refused to start after filling it with fuel, Did the
obvious checks plenty of 2 stroke oil and nothing hanging off.

Called the RAC/ AA ?, When he arrived we went over to get a coffee and he had the covers off and checking the wiring.

After checking a few connectors it sprang into life, Popped a cable tie around it and put it all back together.

If they transport it i would want to watch how they secured it though. Visions of a ratchet strap over delcate parts
springs to mind.

Cash-Strapped.T32

Cheers FMN; To be honest I would be very very surprised if the bloke is able to fix it, but I'm always open to being proved wrong (in fact I make it a policy to be wrong as often as possible! ).

In the past when my 125's needed recovery (only twice, & never serious, 1x snapped rive-belt, & 1x holed inlet manifold) I always found them to be bang-on when it comes to securing the bike, but then again I always got the same bloke so he obviously knew his stuff - I'll be sure to keep an eye out.


To be utterly honest though, the Burgman is my "banger", it's the bike version of a grotty old estate that you use to lug wardrobes or sofas about in with eons-old crisp packets floating round the footwell..
So short of ratcheting it down so hard he snaps it in half or cracks the panels I doubt they could do much damage (possibly putting my being wrong policy into effect once again ..;)), certainly I wouldn't worry about the paintwork being scratched.


Anyway, so we're saying that there's no reason why the RAC would refuse to honour my homestart policy & trailer the bike to a workshop (local) if it turns out the guy can't get it running, or if he diagnoses it as something he can't fix then & there?

That's a relief.

passatrider

I hate to put a dampner on things but I would of thought you could only use 'Homestart' if the vehicle actually broke down there? I know they would probably never find out but better to check the terms and conditions on this one perhaps?

brokenant

passatrider wrote: »

I hate to put a dampner on things but I would of thought you could only use 'Homestart' if the vehicle actually broke down there? I know they would probably never find out but better to check the terms and conditions on this one perhaps?

It's fine as long as you've not had them out for the same issue before. Even if it wasn't what sort of idiot would tell them.

Cash-Strapped.T32

brokenant wrote: »

Even if it wasn't what sort of idiot would tell them.

Honestly? Me.
I'm exactly the sort of idiot that would tell them if the guy asked, which is sort'a why I started the thread.

No, this isn't a recurring problem or anything that I'm talking about (as mentioned, I've not had to use the service that many times & certainly never with this bike), but as regarding anything else, if the bloke asked me I would answer truthfully unless I know better..

So, what Passat is saying if I've got it right is that by the strictest letter of the rules, Homestart only applies to vehicles that will not start at home - And not those which packed in on the roads, and have later been brought home?

Well imo that's fine then, because I saved the RAC the job of coming out to me (by getting a mate to bring me home) so I'm not "diddling" them or anything by calling them out @home - I'll just keep it simple; The bike won't start, will not turn over, and in my expert medical opinion, I suspect a seized piston.

Easy, job done. :cool:
Cheers lads. Thanks.

gpc273

Having had experience of using the rescue services for broken bikes I would advise when you ring to specify and specify again that its a motorbike.
Hopefully you'll get a mechanic who's more bike minded and a proper bike trailer. They keep several bike trailers at varoius locations around the country and if you specify again and again then it could save a lenghty wait for the trailer to arrive.

Cash-Strapped.T32

Good point mate - very first time I had to use them I just assumed it would flag up the vehicle I was reg'd under (a bike), but the guy turned up & had to do another 30min round trip to get a bike trailer because no-one had told him; I make sure to spell it out now..

Rolandtheroadie

When I broke down a couple of weeks ago, I told them on the phone it wouldnt be repairable.
This stopped them sending someone out to try and fix it first before arranging an uplift.

forgotmyname

Used to read the classic car mags and the RAC used to send the normal recovery people out to see if they could fix the problem even when the owner knew what was wrong and they had no chance of fixing it at the roadside.

mikey72

A lot of owners tell them it can't be repaired at the roadside when they have punctures or a bulb goes.