AA and breakdown cover

[johnnyrod]

What do you think of motorcycle breakdown cover providers? I had to call the AA on Friday later afternoon, turns out my battery has died (charging system still intact at the time). I was on the way to Wales for a weekend, had to stop about 60 miles from home, and it wouldn't start. They came out pretty quickly and the guy had a bunch of toys to test it, so in a few mins we knew what was wrong. However...

The one choice I had really was that he'd jump start the bike and it'd run so I could get home. As this was doable I went for it. If I'd needed to stop for fuel or stalled, I'd have been screwed, and it killed my weekend and cost me a hotel room for the night as it was after 6pm and I couldn't really do anything else. I spoke to the AA today and they didn't seem too bothered, they can't carry every spare part (I'm not expecting miracles), and I guess if it wasn't rideable they'd have to take me home in a truck. It's an easy fix though (non-bike-specific part, even Halfords have them though not in stock near me at the time) and I'd lay money if you were in a car they'd find you a battery somewhere.

So... am I expecting too much? Would I really have got anything different in a car? Are the others (RAC, dunnno who else) any better? They didn't seem bothered about getting me going again (the guy said "I can boost it but it won't start again by itself"), and going home wasn't what I wanted.

Sorry it's a bit of a long post, the last time I called the AA was 1998, but I would rather be giving my money to an outfit that will come up with the goods when I need them. What do you think?

I guess the AA and the RAC are far more car orientated then bikes as i would guess 95% of their call outs are to cars.

To give them their due i have called the AA out 3 or so times to my bike, and none of the guys that came out had had much experience with bikes, but all of them managed to sort my problem out the best they could.

At the end of the day they are an emergency breakdown team and not a mobile mechanic. They do there best to get you home so your not stranded.

[johnnyrod]

Is there an outfit people would call really good with bikes?

[maviczap]

RAC were good with KellyJo's breakdown, but we'd already sussed that the reg/rect had blown, which had fubarred the battery. So it was a recovery trip ride home. Wasn't much they could do on a Sunday in the middle of Norfolk.

I've got my cars and bike done through Rescuemycar.com as they are a lot cheaper than the other 2, and folk on here seem to recommend them for good service.

As webber said, its a get you home service, not a mobile mechanic. Even in a car they'ed recover the car if they couldn't fix it quickly

Originally Posted by maviczap

RAC were good with KellyJo's breakdown, but we'd already sussed that the reg/rect had blown, which had fubarred the battery. So it was a recovery trip ride home. Wasn't much they could do on a Sunday in the middle of Norfolk.

I've got my cars and bike done through Rescuemycar.com as they are a lot cheaper than the other 2, and folk on here seem to recommend them for good service.

As webber said, its a get you home service, not a mobile mechanic. Even in a car they'ed recover the car if they couldn't fix it quickly

My dad's car was covered through rescuemycar.com then my mum wanted to buy me breakdown cover, as my bike was with me in Sheffield for a few weeks and she didn't want me to get stranded.

RAC are MUCH cheaper if you get the whole family involved. We've paid something like £130 for me, my dad and mum and my sister to be covered, as individuals, no matter what vehicle we're in, passenger or driver. Great value for money, works out just over £30 each for the year.

[appollo1]

who is your insurer?

i am insured with Carole Nash and part of the deal is free breakdown cover. Maybe worth checking if your insurer has brakdown cover in their policies as it will be bike specific i think!!

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by Scythe92

RAC are MUCH cheaper if you get the whole family involved. We've paid something like £130 for me, my dad and mum and my sister to be covered, as individuals, no matter what vehicle we're in, passenger or driver. Great value for money, works out just over £30 each for the year.

Cheaper for me for just me and my wife with rescuemycar.com

My kids are only 6 & 13

I think you are expecting too much. There are a hell of a lot of different batteries out there, you can't expect the AA man to have a spare in his truck, whether you are in a car or on a bike. Also they are a recovery service, not a repair service, you don't pay them to source parts and fix the problem, you pay them to rescue you from the side of the road and get you home or to someone who you do then pay to do a repair. They only do repairs if they have the parts and that's the easiest way to get you going again.

Im just working my way through the RAC guys until I find a cute one with good bike knowledge, then im gonna marry him!!

[johnnyrod]

Ralph I know what you mean but they state that they try to repair you at the side of the road, this is why I'm asking really. Do repairs come much easier, other than the odd flat tyre? There are million different cars out there too.

Will check out my insurance next time around, it was an extra last time.