Breakdowns - who you gonna call?

[Shewolf]

I was searching AA and they only seem to do cars, is there a similar company/service to handle bikes? Lonesome female touring and even know how to fix a flat tyre!

[Taz]

Gunnyrob had AA+ and it got him and his bike back to Auckland from Opotiki. Have you spoken to anyone at AA?
Andy.

[2wheeldrifter]

This may help you?.....http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=4385

[Lucyloo]

The AA will cover you for any vehicle that you are driving/riding.
AA+ will guarantee to get you home - normal AA will cover the first $40.00 of a tow if you require it. Not all AA service officers are motorcycle mechanics though, so it may be a bit hit and miss!
L.

[Shewolf]

Thanks heaps - that's really helpful

[klingon]

I've just upgraded to AAPlus for that reason. Last time I broke down the nice AA guy tried to get my bike going but he was no specialist and apart from checking the obvious (flat battery etc) he had no more idea what to do than I did.

With AA Plus they will guarantee to get you home, so in that situation they would have had my bike (and me!) trailered home from Kawakawa to Auckland at no charge to me. It would have been well worth the membership fee!

[ready4whatever]

I broke down the nice AA guy tried to get my bike going but he was no specialist and apart from checking the obvious (flat battery etc) he had no more idea what to do than I did.

Yip alot of AA people are to serve old grannys and single mums with no man around (poor kids, they need to learn these skills from somewhere)

[TerminalAddict]

swann insurance "maxi rider" has road side included.
I've used when I picked up a nail once

[klingon]

Yip alot of AA people are to serve old grannys and single mums with no man around (poor kids, they need to learn these skills from somewhere)

Interesting comment. I can't be bothered arguing the details (who would have thought you could fit so many misconceptions into a single sentence?)

Basically the AA mechanics are there to serve cars, and in general they are good at what they do and manage to get cars moving again using all sorts of ingenious tricks. But they are not motorbike mechanics, regardless of whether the rider of the motorbike is a granny or a single mum.

Therefore AA Plus is the best option for bikers.

[ynot slow]

AA Plus,and if you're cunning get AA membership,then when heading on a trip upgrade to plus cover.

[Str8 Jacket]

I've never heard of the AA. Who are they?

[PrincessBandit]

I've never heard of the AA. Who are they?

You obviously don't have a drinking problem then.... ;)

[Str8 Jacket]

You obviously don't have a drinking problem then.... ;)

I have absolutely no problem with alcohol at all!

[cynna]

aa do bikes - have used them a few times

they have always asked if i want them to send the aa mechanic or a tow truck. sit and wait for while and a flat deck tow truck will come and pick up your bike and take it back to your place or a workshop of your choice

[klingon]

aa do bikes - have used them a few times

they have always asked if i want them to send the aa mechanic or a tow truck. sit and wait for while and a flat deck tow truck will come and pick up your bike and take it back to your place or a workshop of your choice

That will be AA Plus. Plain old AA membership just does roadside assist and if they can't get you moving you're on your own. With AA Plus they will trailer you home if they can't get you moving.

[motorbyclist]

The AA will cover you for any vehicle that you are driving/riding.
AA+ will guarantee to get you home

BAHAHAHAHA

yeah right!

they left me and piratejafa stuck, mid winter, 6pm at night, on sh1, an hour drive from kaikoura and blenheim (bang in the middle), and basically said "too bad" - all we wanted was a tow into blenheim! we ended up door knocking to find a b&b a passing local told us about. cost a shitload too

not the first time i've heard of them bailing out either!

honda riders club has an excellent service, offer cheaper and better insurance through hondasure (golightly, underwritten by vero) and no you dont need to ride a honda

[EJK]

Another vote to AA+. They'll pick up at 12am too.

[cynna]

That will be AA Plus. Plain old AA membership just does roadside assist and if they can't get you moving you're on your own. With AA Plus they will trailer you home if they can't get you moving.

i am in AA+ but i thought the main difference was that they will bring you home if you are more then 150km away. within that distance i thought normal AA would still tow or trailer you back? if anyone is going to join they might want to look into that sincw it m ight be worth the extra $ to join aa+

[Ixion]

My understanding (I might be wrong, but I don't think so), is that AA have a network of agents (ie, tow truck guys) around the country. With 'plain' AA if they can't get you going, they'll tow you to the nearest depot. Which in town might be just round the corner, in the country the nearest town. Up to some maximum value for the tow ($80 ? something like that) After that, you're on your own .

AA+ will (they claim) tow you home, or to your destination. Wherever it may be . Might be a way to get a cheap holiday - fake a breakdown just down the road from home and ask them to take you to your "destination" in $FarAwayPlace

[Ixion]

I did the geek thing and went to their website.

Here's the guff.



If the vehicle ..has a mechanical problem that cannot be repaired on the spot, the AA will tow the vehicle to the nearest place of safety or repair .... There is no charge to the Member for this callout and/or towing charges unless requiring/requesting towage to a location beyond the nearest place of repair or safety. ...


But -


The AA will provide vehicle recovery for motorcycles on a best endeavours basis and may be subject to availability of suitable contractors. If the Member chooses not to accept the attending tow truck, any other arrangements will be at the Member's expense.


They also say they won't help if you don't have a current WoF and registration, which seems a bit off

AAPlus





Towing
If the vehicle the AA Plus Member is in breaks down, regardless of how far from home, and needs to be towed the AA will recover the vehicle to the Member's home address as listed on the AA Membership record or a repairer nominated by the Member anywhere in New Zealand, as long as the distance is no greater than would be incurred in recovering the vehicle to the Member's home. Any further towing, recovery, transportation (including ferry crossings) and collection costs will be at the expense of the Member.



And if the breakdown is more than 100 km from 'home' the AA will pay for a rental car and/or motel for three days (up to $800, or $1500 per year)

Importantly, the AAPlus terms do NOT have the motorcycle exclusion that plain AA has. Seems strange , but there y'go.

[Shewolf]

Great info and experiences from people - thanks.

A good subject area for the Wiki!

[metalslug]

Question:

During my trips from Auckland to New Plymouth, you will go through places where there is no cell phone reception at all ( especially around the gordges)...Now if the bike breakdown there....

Any good ideas?

[ynot slow]

Question:

During my trips from Auckland to New Plymouth, you will go through places where there is no cell phone reception at all ( especially around the gordges)...Now if the bike breakdown there....

Any good ideas?

Mountain climbing lol.

Had a mate who was in the tyre industry,he was the commercial manager,at times he and his workers would head off from NP to do a repair,couple of times the truck would've gone.One time he went through to Te Kuiti incase the directions were wrong,and no cell coverage,turned out the trucky decided to drive into cell coverage and let his boss know he could make NP,his boss couldn't get a message to my mate,end result 4 hour call out for nothing lol.

Similar to other areas with no cell coverage,but if you believe the network blurbs,we have coverage,so this shouldn't be a drama,tui anyone?Hopefully if in remote areas a house with landline is available.

[jetboy]

Hey guys, don't want to sound like a spammer but I have found an excellent roadside assistance provider who actually give a damn about motorcycles - i.e. if you need help then the right tools are dispatched so if you need a tow then the bastards won't lie it down, but use a flatbed with proper tie downs etc.

The company is called Journey On and you can visit their website at www.journeyon.co.nz for more information.
I'll tell you what, give me a PM before you buy anything and I'll give you a special code to put into the website which gives you a discount off the list price! Pretty sweet I reckon!

If you have any questions about the service then flick me a PM and I'll do my best to answer them for you. Personally I changed from AA to these guys simply because they will tow you to the nearest place of safety with out any additional costs, and they know how to deal with motorcycles.

[Ixion]

Same breaker. "Nearest place of safety". That's not actually all that attractive, on a bike.

If you break down on the Coro loop, the nearest place of safety might be Coroglen. But then you've got to organise getting your bike back from there.

AA+ will tow you *home*. I know which I'd prefer.

[jetboy]

Same breaker. "Nearest place of safety". That's not actually all that attractive, on a bike.

If you break down on the Coro loop, the nearest place of safety might be Coroglen. But then you've got to organise getting your bike back from there.

AA+ will tow you *home*. I know which I'd prefer.
Fair enough - but as far as I know you have to pay extra for the tow home with them.
The main point of this service, as far as I understand, is to get you out of the immediate shit if the bike breaks down so you can then suss out your plans from there - if you are cruising the South Island and you live in the North Island will AA really tow you home?

[Ixion]

So they say. (AA Plus only). How true that may be I dunno. I suspect it wouldn't be a tow, it'd be tow to nearest town and then they organise a car transporter (or bike transporter). And you make your own way home (but they will pay for a rental car for three days)

[BiK3RChiK]

I just ring the other half and he sorts me out... :yes:

[jetboy]

So they say. (AA Plus only). How true that may be I dunno. I suspect it wouldn't be a tow, it'd be tow to nearest town and then they organise a car transporter (or bike transporter). And you make your own way home (but they will pay for a rental car for three days)
I see I see. The Enhanced version of the policy I have access to will either set you up with a rental vehicle for 3 days, or 3 nights accomodation if you are more than 100km away from your house.

This one costs $89.95 per year (less if you get the code from me)...I wonder how much AA Plus costs as I was only on their standard one.

I just think it's nice to have an alternative to AA offering something different thats all.

[sinned]

The upgrade to AAplus is a must for motorcycle recovery. It worked well for me with a Sunday pickup on the Rimutakas to home in Jville. I was told there is a $1500 cap per year.
Modern motorcycles are like modern cars - if they stop going it is a workshop job to fix them. Roadside assistance is limited to unlocking a car or boost starting from a flat battery.
Your MC tool kit only need include an AAPlus card and mobile.

[motorbyclist]

if you are cruising the South Island and you live in the North Island will AA really tow you home?


So they say. (AA Plus only). How true that may be I dunno.

they leave you on hold for 25 minutes, and ultimately refuse you service.

[Squiggles]

they leave you on hold for 25 minutes, and ultimately refuse you service.

Gotta be a current member :eek:

[motorbyclist]

Gotta be a current member :eek:

hey, they told us a week prior that all our AA plus was up to date, so we'd be sweet for the trip to the south island.

then we have a break down and oh no, sorry, your membership expired but your aaplus is current.

how the fuck did that happen and why weren't we told when we specifically asked if all was good for the trip? they don't know - apparently we'd have to take it up with that branch. which is about 2000km away.

so they left two bikers with a disabled bike in the middle of the south island in the middle of winter, at night with sporadic rain above us and snow within a few km of us, because of a technical error on their part.

we only wanted a lift to the next town for somewhere warm to sleep! turns out that beds were only 15km away, blenheim only an hour away.

we asked politely if they'd kindly show some goodwill and not abandon us. It would after all, be very good service/PR on their part and we'd be sure to renew all subscriptions! 25 minutes on hold later we gave up. called again, explained situation, got the girl again, effectively told too bad go freeze to death for all they care.

lucky for us we'd actually stopped within pushing distance of a rather expensive B&B, a passer by told us. Some door knocking a bell ringing later we've at least gotten indoors.



Tis not the only time i've heard of them AA members either. Myself, both my previous and current insurers offer recovery service in event of breakdown as part of the policy. AA is only handy if your mate broke down and isn't covered himself.

[Squiggles]

Myself, both my previous and current insurers offer recovery service in event of breakdown as part of the policy. AA is only handy if your mate broke down and isn't covered himself.

Going to whine that your last insurers wouldnt help when that policy was expired? :lol:

My experiences with AA+ have been all good, a couple of tows from a long way out included.

[motorbyclist]

Going to whine that your last insurers wouldnt help when that policy was expired? :lol:


nope, not going to whine as that's a perfectly reasonable reason to be turned down (and that's when having a mate with an aa card is handy ;))

[Devil]

so they left two bikers with a disabled bike in the middle of the south island in the middle of winter, at night with sporadic rain above us and snow within a few km of us, because of a technical error on their part.

What the hell were you doing in the middle of the south island, in the middle of winter, at night on a shitbox?

[sleemanj]

then we have a break down and oh no, sorry, your membership expired but your aaplus is current.

I hope you wrote a letter of complaint to head office, or even to Fair Go.

Correct me if I'm getting the wrong end of the stick, but it sounds like:

1. AA Plus is an add on to the membership, you can't get AA Plus unless you are an AA member.
2. AA told you "sorry, your memberhsip is expired, your AA plus is paid up, but you can't use your AA plus because your membership is expired"

that's not on.

[mouldy]

The first A in AA stands for Automobile which is a car !
If you want your bike lovingly recovered or transported in the greater auckland region give Tim a bell on 021 029 44401 . He also does bloody well priced valet service , my dirty old 'blade had never been so clean!

[motorbyclist]

Correct me if I'm getting the wrong end of the stick, but it sounds like:

1. AA Plus is an add on to the membership, you can't get AA Plus unless you are an AA member.
2. AA told you "sorry, your memberhsip is expired, your AA plus is paid up, but you can't use your AA plus because your membership is expired"

that's not on.

that's exactly what happened.

Made worse by us checking in person before embarking on the trip and being misinformed by their staff, and simply being told to take it up with that branch - which of course was not any sort of solution to our problem and we would be unable to if we died of exposure overnight.

[LBD]

Last time I had a break down....I was well catered for. Men in white coats turned up with out me calling them....how that for service?

The even helped me into a nice warm jacket that kept my arms wrapped around my torso for warmth...very nice...:eek5::crazy:

[Shewolf]

Last time I had a break down....I was well catered for. Men in white coats turned up with out me calling them....how that for service?

The even helped me into a nice warm jacket that kept my arms wrapped around my torso for warmth...very nice...:eek5::crazy:

love it LBD

[jetboy]

The first A in AA stands for Automobile which is a car !
If you want your bike lovingly recovered or transported in the greater auckland region give Tim a bell on 021 029 44401 . He also does bloody well priced valet service , my dirty old 'blade had never been so clean!
Who does Tim work for? I've heard of a good bloke who does valet stuff around Auckland and it'd be handy to pass on his details to clients who ask for such a service :yes:

[FROSTY]

of course you could call the KB breakdown service. :whistle:

[cave weta]

Anyone who comes to grief on the Coro Loop should have my number tucked away in their cellphone

Cave Weta 021 205 7266.

Im in Waihi and have a new trailer that will take big Cruisers and sports bikes with fat tyres.
I know the loop roads corner by corner and I can be there quicker than your mum with her rented trailer and $2shop tiedowns.
Ive got super secure shipping container storage at my base and Im on the main state highway 25.

I will also look after you if you break down on the Hauraki plains or the Tauranga SH2 road.

Charges apply- but I bet Im the best service and the cheapest!:scooter::woohoo:

[Shewolf]

Anyone who comes to grief on the Coro Loop should have my number tucked away in their cellphone

Charges apply- but I bet Im the best service and the cheapest!:scooter::woohoo:

Fanbloodytastic - duly noted :yes: :rockon:

[cheesemethod]

NAC gives me roadside assist with full bike insurance with them. I think you get 2 free callouts per year, not sure on the full details tho.

[Hiflyer]

swann insurance "maxi rider" has road side included.
I've used when I picked up a nail once

was that covering the first $40 or the whole thing?