Lost the Only Key I had - Options?

[newbiker]

Hey guys,

So I had only 1 key with the bike. I can't find it at home. Called the Kawasaki dealers around, I keep getting different answers. A mobile locksmith would charge $250 .

What are my Options?

Thanks in Advance!!!
- 2016 Kawi ZX6r

 

[davidji]

I hope it would be much less if the bike were at the locksmith.

Do you have road-side assistance, and if so, would they haul it to a locksmith?

Depending on how far, it might also cost less to pay for a moto tow to the locksmith.

 

[newbiker]

I hope it would be much less if the bike were at the locksmith.

Do you have road-side assistance, and if so, would they haul it to a locksmith?

Depending on how far, it might also cost less to pay for a moto tow to the locksmith.

I have AAA tow, but the bike is locked, would be hard to even steer it on the truck. I'm really mad at myself for losing the key & not having any spare ones made.

 

[buellistic]

Ask the locksmith if you can unbolt the gas cap and bring it down
I think only 3 bolts are real too...

 

[mototireguy]

Keep calling mobile locksmiths. Maybe someone closer to you won't charge so much.

And new bike keys typically come with a key-code stamped on a little metal piece on the key ring. With that code a dealer should be able to cut a new key.

 

[MikeGyver]

Why do used bikes only come with one key? I bought a dozen or so bikes and they all only had 1 key. Where the hell are all these extra keys? LOL!

Good luck OP!

 

[Kurosaki]

Why do used bikes only come with one key? I bought a dozen or so bikes and they all only had 1 key. Where the hell are all these extra keys? LOL!

Good luck OP!

I keep the spare so I can steal the bike back after I sell it.

 

[augustiron]

You cannot unbolt the gas cap without unlocking it, there is usually a 4th bolt inside where you can't access it.

 

[davidji]

I have AAA tow, but the bike is locked, would be hard to even steer it on the truck. I'm really mad at myself for losing the key & not having any spare ones made.

I'd expect moto haulers solved that by putting front wheel on rollers.

 

[dmfdmf]

For $250 I'd keep looking, it could still turn up. Did you check if it is in the seat lock? Is it under the seat? In your helmet? Did you do anything unusual after the last ride or after working on the bike? Search all the clothes you think you were wearing when you last rode or worked on the bike.

Here is a trick -- in your mind go back to the last ride or whenever you last saw the key and visualize everything you did around the time (before and after) it went missing, almost like a meditation. The mind is great at visual recall. Focus on anything unusual or out of your normal end-of-ride routine that might have led you to put the key in some non-standard place. Retrace all your steps.

 

[splat]

The very first thing I did when I've bought each of my used bike was make 2 copies. A secondary key to use, and a third that stays tucked away in case I lose one of the first two.

If you're patient enough, find a way to open the fuel tank, remove that and bring it to a locksmith and have a key made.

 

[Pking]

I keep the spare so I can steal the bike back after I sell it.

 

[RVFRick]

Ask the locksmith if you can unbolt the gas cap and bring it down
I think only 3 bolts are real too...

You cannot unbolt the gas cap without unlocking it, there is usually a 4th bolt inside where you can't access it.

The very first thing I did when I've bought each of my used bike was make 2 copies. A secondary key to use, and a third that stays tucked away in case I lose one of the first two.

If you're patient enough, find a way to open the fuel tank, remove that and bring it to a locksmith and have a key made.

I feel for you as I bought a bike w/o keys before.

From experience with a 1995 Honda, cap won't come out by simple undoing bolts because the lock needs to be unlatched to extract from tank.

I was able to access the seat lock on my bike and remove it (fairings came off first and I was able to access the lock barrel). On the side of the lock are numbers and letters stamped into the body. Took the lock to a locksmith where they used the code to cut me several keys. I think it was $15. Had I showed up with just the code I don't think they can legally issue a key for liability reasons.

Because all my bikes' OEM keys have a code stamped into the metal - my S.O.P. is to photograph and email myself the key photo in case I ever need it.

 

[ilikefood]

Mobile locksmiths are such a ripoff. If the locksmith charges more reasonable prices if the bike is at the locksmith shop, just get the bike towed there. It will cost a hell of a lot less than $250. Give Dave a call: http://www.davescycle.com/

 

[newbiker]

Keep calling mobile locksmiths. Maybe someone closer to you won't charge so much.

And new bike keys typically come with a key-code stamped on a little metal piece on the key ring. With that code a dealer should be able to cut a new key.

UPDATE:


Called the dealer, got the key code. The dealer recommended a locksmith, since the dealer doesn't cut keys anymore. So I called that locksmith, gave him the key code and got the key made ($10). Got home - the key inserts into the lock all the way, but does not turn.

 

[HadesOmega]

I keep the spare so I can steal the bike back after I sell it.

Probably won't help you much but you can try to pick the lock. But obviously you'd need a lockpick kit. I've never tried to pick an ignition lock but I sucessfully picked a DR650 gascap once, it took about 20 minutes of finagling. The ignition would probably be harder I bet.

 

[newbiker]

For $250 I'd keep looking, it could still turn up. Did you check if it is in the seat lock? Is it under the seat? In your helmet? Did you do anything unusual after the last ride or after working on the bike? Search all the clothes you think you were wearing when you last rode or worked on the bike.

Here is a trick -- in your mind go back to the last ride or whenever you last saw the key and visualize everything you did around the time (before and after) it went missing, almost like a meditation. The mind is great at visual recall. Focus on anything unusual or out of your normal end-of-ride routine that might have led you to put the key in some non-standard place. Retrace all your steps.

I hear you - I was working on the bike installing fender eliminator kit. I took of the tail light and signals. The OEM signals won't fit in the frame that came with the kit, so I was just testing the rear light - - long story short - - while I had wires hanging around, they touched each other and the tail light, brake light and rear signals stopped working (I think I blew a fuse/fuses). So I was already upset/stressed from that. I wanted to put everything away and deal with it another day. I had obviously the key in my hand last.....but no clue where I put it without thinking. I've checked my pants, garage, everywhere...I know its somewhere, but my brain is just Blank!!!

 

[davidji]

Probably won't help you much but you can try to pick the lock. But obviously you'd need a lockpick kit. I've never tried to pick an ignition lock but I sucessfully picked a DR650 gascap once, it took about 20 minutes of finagling. The ignition would probably be harder I bet.

A guy I ride with can pick the lock to his office in under a minute.

I suspect your 20 min time would go way way down with repeated attempts.

 

[davidji]

Called the dealer, got the key code. The dealer recommended a locksmith, since the dealer doesn't cut keys anymore. So I called that locksmith, gave him the key code and got the key made. Got home - the key inserts into the lock all the way, but does not turn.

Are you certain the code is correct (locks haven't been changed)?

I'm sure there are youtube videos that will show you to cut a key blank to fit a lock, using a file. Maybe search for them. I sort of know, but I've only watched it done and had it explained to me (when I called a locksmith to do this for my car years ago). Better to hear it from someone who knows directly.

Those techniques may or may not fix your already cut key (not likely if the code was wrong). But should work on a blank. For a locksmith it's a few minutes at most.

 

[newbiker]

Ask the locksmith if you can unbolt the gas cap and bring it down
I think only 3 bolts are real too...

Tried that too. After removing all the bolts, it still won't come out, it's locked from the inside. I think need the key for that.