Yikes - spare key cost

MacDoc

MacDoc

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Geez, $80 for a chipped Honda keyblank, $20 to have it cut to match the main key, $80 to have it coded. Just for a spare key to run the bike.
:eek:

I guess there is no way to disable the CISS anti-theft system.
 
My KTM only came with one key, no orange key, and no key code card. The only way to get a spare key from the dealer was to buy a new ECU and/or security module, which comes with the keys, for a LOT more than $180. So when I was in Portland, went to these guys and got my original duplicated in about 30 minutes for $65 USD:

 
I was equally surprised when my HD only came with one key.
 
Another reason to own an old bike. My 1997 ST1100 came with two keys and no chip.

When I bought my certified used car at a Mazda dealer they tried to tell me that they only had one key. I told them they would need to go and find another in their parts department or the deal was off. They agreed to supply two keys in order to complete the sale.
 
The problem is the manufacturers have proprietary rights over both the chips in the key blanks and the code to program them.
I suppose there might be a hackable solution.
 
I don't know about other makes, but both my old Ford truck and my new one, came with 2 keys. There is a procedure that allows you to program several more by yourself, if you have 2 working keys. Saving hundreds of dollars I got spares online, had a locksmith cut them, and programmed them myself.
 
My current bike uses a keyless fob. It’s awesome because you never have to fumble with keys at all, I either just clip the fob to my belt loop or tuck it away in a pocket in my jacket and when you get close enough to the bike it unlocks the ignition.

It’s not awesome in that because it’s a very uncommon limited run bike, the fob is not only specific to that bike, but stupid expensive. And it only came with 1.

I keep thinking I really should get a second, but the cheapest I can find them is $199 US. Ouchie.
 
PrivatePilot said:
My current bike uses a keyless fob. It’s awesome because you never have to fumble with keys at all, I either just clip the fob to my belt loop or tuck it away in a pocket in my jacket and when you get close enough to the bike it unlocks the ignition.

It’s not awesome in that because it’s a very uncommon limited run bike, the fob is not only specific to that bike, but stupid expensive. And it only came with 1.

I keep thinking I really should get a second, but the cheapest I can find them is $199 US. Ouchie.
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Someone I know (definitely not me) had the fob fall out of his pocket while on a group ride.

Thankfully his (again totally not me!) riding buddies stuck around and helped him find it...

I imagine his (not me I swear) advice to anyone with a fob setup would be to get a backup and throw it in a drawer.

Towing your bike anywhere then laying down $300-400 for another fob plus the time sink equals no bueno...or so I would imagine if that silly situation ever transpired.

🙂
 
Or the fob falls as you start your ride, or in your car depending on how close it needs to be to start. I’ve heard of Harleys starting without the key in the ignition, and getting stranded. My car has five fobs & four keys at the moment. Bike only came with two.
With motorcycles, you gotta pay to play.
 
Evoex said:
Someone I know (definitely not me) had the fob fall out of his pocket while on a group ride.
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I have an AirTag on it just in case. It’s one of my big fears. I have AirTags on basically every set of our keys for that matter. It’s saved me a lot of frustration a few times when I’ve lost keys in stupid places around the house or in the garage for that matter too.

Baggsy said:
Or the fob falls as you start your ride, or in your car depending on how close it needs to be to start. I’ve heard of Harleys starting without the key in the ignition, and getting stranded.
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On my bike unless it’s basically +/- 18” inside the typical seated rider area, it won’t recognize. And if it loses the connection once the bike has started there’s a big annoying light that starts flashing so I’d like to think I’d see it.

There is a manual override method to start the bike without the fob, but it consists of entering a code telegraph-style via a push button hidden under the lid of one saddlebag. It works but it would be an epic PITA as it’s something like 5-6 digits long.
 
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PrivatePilot said:
I have an AirTag on it just in case. It’s one of my big fears. I have AirTags on basically every set of our keys for that matter. It’s saved me a lot of frustration a few times when I’ve lost keys in stupid places around the house or in the garage for that matter too.



On my bike unless it’s basically +/- 18” inside the typical seated rider area, it won’t recognize. And if it loses the connection once the bike has started there’s a big annoying light that starts flashing so I’d like to think I’d see it.

There is a manual override method to start the bike without the fob, but it consists of entering a code telegraph-style via a push button hidden under the lid of one saddlebag. It works but it would be an epic PITA as it’s amending like 5-6 digits long.
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Passenger has the key, you drop them off somewhere and then have to chase them.
 
MacDoc said:
Single key ....that's disservice big time. Expensive bikes and ONE key. 🤬
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Sorry, just to clarify, I bought mine used. New, it would have included 2 black keys plus an orange key plus a key code card. I believe the key code card lets you order a spare key from KTM pre-cut and the orange key is used to pair it to your bike.
 
ah that makes more sense.
Whole thing seems a profit point for the dealers.....tho it is not big dollars.
 
Lightcycle said:
Similar cost for BMW.

I think it ended up around $200 all in. We were not in NA or EU at the time which contributed to the extra cost...

Oof.
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You were lucky enough to get the BMW dealer to reply to your requests to have a second key made? I'm impressed. Motorrad downtown dodged the question from me for months, than told me a bike they had just worked on was in perfect shape so I went it to buy it from one of their customers, took it home, and the valve cover gasket is shot.

I sent pictures to the guy and he's like "Oh, yeah that's a pretty common issue on those." And I'm like okay, so there's definitely something wrong with it, meaning:

a) It wasn't "in perfect shape" and
b) it's common enough you probably should've known to look, but you told me it was "like new"

Cool, thanks a lot. You have made things worse for me than if you did nothing. Useless would have been an improvement. That's great.

Then he quoted me full price on repairing it, because why own up to our mistakes and try to do a guy a solid? lol

This is after they tried to tell me that a battery sitting at 12.2v is one that was "brand new, just replaced." I said the battery should sit around 12.6-12.7 volts when they're brand new, and was told 12.2 volts is perfectly normal for a new battery. Maybe I'm wrong on this, correct me if I am, but the other dozens of motorcycles I've put batteries in tell me otherwise.

I ride BMWs. I recommend BMWs to my international audience on my youtube channel, but I never, ever, ever, recommend BMWs to Toronto riders. Ever.


Everrrrrr.


I picked up this F850GS months back because the missus is way more comfortable on the back than she is on the FJ09 I was hoping to get instead.... but the ******** that comes with BMW has me thinking I might just list it in the spring and she can suck it up on a less comfy bike. Her leg comfort is my pain in the ass discomfort with that brand.
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