Spare bike keys on big trips

[Kayaker413]

Morning all,
What's general opinion with spare bike keys on a bike holiday? Last year taking the bike around Europe,I didn't really think about it but working abroad I always used to have a key safe under my van with a spare set of keys. Which I did use on a couple of occasions (drunken misplacement of keys) but have never managed to completely loose a set.

Do people take their spare keys? Where's the best place to leave them? In luggage, under seat? Not sure a key safe is much of an option on the bike......

Thoughts please and thanks in advance.


Ps: do people use those extending key things? Are they annoying? I am terrible for leaving my keys in the ignition.....

[Pug27]

I take my spare, I leave it in my tank bag which I generally take with me when off the bike. Or I will put it in the inside pocket of my jacket.
Not much point leaving it under the seat because if the main key is gone and the key is under the seat  you wouldn't be able to get it in a hurry. You could leave it duct taped to the inside of a pannier/top box if you keep the pannier key separate from the bike key, but if you loose that key you'll have the same problem.
As a rule of thumb I keep mine where I don't need a key to get to it, just in case.

[Brockett]

How about theis ? Get a key cut that has no immobiliser code. It will only unlock the mechanical gubbins. Then fix this in a place you can get at  - zip tie / tape  in place . Then have a real spare key under the saddle so you can use the non coded key to get your saddle up and access the coded spare.

[Pug27]

How close does the transponder in the key have to be to the ignition? just in case the none coded key starts the bike as its picking up the signal from the spare under the seat.

[cubeconn]

I always take one. When on trips with others we swap with each other. If just you and pillion (or my case going in the car with missus as she doesn't go on bike anymore) then the pillion could carry it somewhere. If on my own, I just keep in my pocket with my wallet / phone. If they have to be removed for safe keeping the key goes with them.

[kwackboy]

I've been on many trips and always take a spare key.  I just keep it in my tank bag (which come with me everywhere) with all the rest of my valuables.

[Kayaker413]

I thought about under the seat as they are relatively easy to get under even if it is locked... My issue is that if it's in my jacket it would be with my main key.
3 of us on the trip so maybe swapping is the answer.

[Kayaker413]

Used something like this on my van but can't think of anywhere on the bike that I could put it on and leave it. Rather than removing to ride.

Look at this on eBay  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151885322031

[Freddyfruitbat]

I thought about under the seat as they are relatively easy to get under even if it is locked

How, pray?   I have a horrible habit (which I'm trying hard  to lose) of opening the seat and without thinking, putting down my keys on the exposed underseat area, which means that if I then snap the seat back in place, I'm royally screwed.

A couple of months ago I was on a group weekend away in Wales; Sunday morning everyone was revving up in the hotel carpark and I'd lost my keys.   I convinced myself I'd locked them under the seat, but fortunately a search of my room turned them up there, under a cushion.   Really got me thinking though!

[Kayaker413]

I have done it before by pulling the seat up hard infront of the seat latch making it bend enough to come off the front hooks. Not a nice feeling doing it but you can get in there.

[Sam]

Just come back from a week in Spain. Me & my mate always swap spare keys - actually that reminds me, I still have his spare set & he has mine!! 

[Tusker]

I take the spare, it is either in my tank bag with wallet, passport etc and the bag always goes with me . or on a lanyard around my neck...

[Angustoyou]

Never bother myself.  All of us that ride together have never lost one.  Even if we did I'm sure between us we could get a bike going.  I have zipped pockets for keys, phone and wallet. I'd be more concerned about losing my wallet. Proper PIA losing that while away.

[vstroman]

I'd take a spare set of keys always,probably keep them in the tank bag, don't understand this idea of swapping keys with a mate though?

[Sasquatch]

Vstroman - swapping keys only works if your mate is touring with you ;)

[Angustoyou]

If you are liable to lose your keys, you are liable to lose the spare too, hence swapping.  The idea being you might look after someone elses property better than your own.

I'd be quite concerned about taking a trip with people that are scared of looking after their own bike keys.  What do they think is going to happen to them?  Certainly wouldn't leave a set on the bike.  What a pleasant surprise that would be for a thief!  Right up there with leaving cash hidden on your bike.  What a great way to encourage theft! 

Each to their own and all that, just don't see the point.  Worst case I could get the missus to post me the spares, but I'd have hot wired it long before they arrived.

[vstroman]

Yeah well I'd agree with that, if someone doesn't trust themselves to look after their own keys,there's no way I'd trust them to look after mine,
keeping a spare set of pannier keys is handy though, it's possible to lock a Givi e55 without the key,and your bike keys could be inside!! happened me in the wilds of Co.Kerry, luckily I had a spare key for the e55 in my pocket,had no phone signal where I was either!! could have been a long walk

[alibx11]

I always keep a full set of spare keys covering the panniers, top box, ignition and disc locks in the bum pocket of my jacket when on long trips, don't even notice they're there, don't bother when I'm just running around locally though.