Honda care? They sure do!

[africajim]

Well, what is it? It's a card I got from Honda with my new Varadero. There's an emergency number on the back, they use a sub contractor, either AA or RAC or in my case CARS from Aberdeen!
Why would I need this? It's a Honda says me! I damned well needed it alright! Here's my horror story from last night;

I took the Vara over to Fiona's mum and dad's to pick up her bike. Lossiemouth to Inverurie, around 60 miles, no problem for the mighty Vara! 22.00 I needed petrol on the way home so stopped in Tesco's and filled up. I started the bike and rode 20yrds when the bike stalled. (ok, I stalled the bike) It would not restart! It wound and wound but not a cheep!
After 30 mins decided to try the Hondacare freephone number which is not free from a mobile, spoke to a guy who told me I'd have recovery there within the hour. 23.30 recovery turn up, but it's a van! They said "it's broke mate, you'll need a truck". So, another hour to wait and the truck arrived at 00.30. Bike loaded on and we set off.
less than a mile from Inverurie on the A96 we come across a body in the road, I administer first aid to this guy who has been hit by a car at 60mph. Fiona was so traumatized by his injuries she was sent home from her work today, (the guy was a mess). 03.15 I get home with the bike.
Next morning 08.00 I give it a try, it splutters into life! I rode it over to the dealers, he reckons when it stalled a squirt of petrol may have soaked the plugs and flooded the bike, once it dries out it starts ok. No fault found any way. Well, it's possible I suppose. I've done over 200 miles today stops and starts with no problems.
So, my words of wisdom for today are; Hondacare does work, but the local contractors are so-so! Roadkill can be traumatizing and sleep deprivation can be hard on you!

Steve T,
Sorry I couldn't make your run today, the bike came first! I did have my camping gear ready to go, so did my mate Andy! Hopefully we can organise for another time to test the camping gear for summer!
The mighty Vara lives on, oh and I've got my Givi boxes, still looks wide! Ha ha!

http://news.stv.tv/home/87903-one-de...oad-accidents/

[Dee Duble Yuh]

To be fair, getting a response within the hour and a recovery in two isn't as bad as many recovery services. Especially late at night on a bank holiday. I once had to wait for about 4 hours on a regular Friday evening.

Glad it turned out okay in the end. If it was just unburnt fuel, it's strange how the engine didn't start when the first van arrived. An hour ought to be enough.

[StumpyFingers]

The problems do seem to be with the Contractors nowadays.
If it failed soon after filling perhaps the fuel was contaminated and it took a little time for the filters to get it through.

[ipollen]

Hi Jim,

Sorry to hear of your bike gremlin and having to deal with the injured pedestrian. I must do my first aid sometime.

Just out of interest did you try cracking the throttle open when it did not restart normaly?

I know this is a no no on good old carbed engines but with injection it will add more air and not fuel. The engine start mapping dictates the amount of fuel and opening the throttle will lean the mixture helping to start if a little flooded. Well thats what I've been told anyway

I know it sounds wrong but it used to work on my old BMW K75s and Hayabusa.

Regards, Ian

[lowflyer]

Jeez Jim,

Bad luck, hope Fiona is coping with it. Know these things can dwell on you a bit

Catch up with you two later on, there will be plenty more good riding ( and camping ) days to come.

Take care

[africajim]

I turned the bike over with the throttle full open to attempt to dry it, most ECU's won't fuel with the throttle open at start. Still no go. The recovery guys tried it as well and again, no fire. I tried it again at 03.30 once home and off the truck, still no fire. Possibly contaminated fuel, it was smokey when it went but may have been unburnt fuel in the pipes?
Any way, another 120 miles in tonight and it's still fine. Maybe just a glitch.
Drunk pedestrian walking along the white line in the middle of the unlit A96, main trunk road between Aberdeen and Inverness, two cars come along either direction, it's a lottery which one's going to clip him. The plus side is he survived.
All's well that ends well, the drunk survived, I got a run on my bike then a nap and Fiona's Virago's here in Lossie so all is good with the world! I'll keep all updated with any problems, if any,,,, well, it is a Honda!