Keys and paranoia

[CRXSi90]

At work today I received a couple key blanks I had ordered for my Kawasaki. I wanted a duplicate (or two) since all I have is a single key. I was so stoked to get them, since the dealer told me they were discontinued and not available, but I was able to find some NOS ones online.

A couple of my co-workers were nearby and asked what I got. I was surprised at the negative reactions I received! "Now you just need to be able to find the duplicate if you lose the key."

Personally, the more keys, the better. If there are less than 3, I start to feel uneasy. If this wasn't costing me $11 per key, I probably would have gotten another one. Is it just me...am I paranoid? Even as someone who is frugal/cheap, it seems preferable to get expensive key duplicates than pay a lot more for a new ignition or locksmith. Not to mention the serious inconvenience!

How many keys do you have?

[WMarshy]

At work today I received a couple key blanks I had ordered for my Kawasaki. I wanted a duplicate (or two) since all I have is a single key. I was so stoked to get them, since the dealer told me they were discontinued and not available, but I was able to find some NOS ones online.

A couple of my co-workers were nearby and asked what I got. I was surprised at the negative reactions I received! "Now you just need to be able to find the duplicate if you lose the key."

Personally, the more keys, the better. If there are less than 3, I start to feel uneasy. If this wasn't costing me $11 per key, I probably would have gotten another one. Is it just me...am I paranoid? Even as someone who is frugal/cheap, it seems preferable to get expensive key duplicates than pay a lot more for a new ignition or locksmith. Not to mention the serious inconvenience!

How many keys do you have?

I have 2 for my bike, thats what it came with and I have not lost one yet. Any time its not in the ignition its in my riding jacket pocket.

On the other hand, a while back my wife and I bought our car from her grandmother. The car came with 4 spare keys! (or was is 5 ) Paranoid, forgetful, cheap..? nah, just crazy.

[DGXSER]

Three is not paranoid, one for the bike, one for your wallet, and one in the night stand at home.

Locking your keys in a running car in the most remote area of the Smokey Mountains National Park and not having a spare key in your wallet is a major PITA....yes...DAMHIKIJK Now imagine it was the only key to your bike and it fell out of your pocket while you were climbing around on the rocks or some such tomfoolery. Yeah, suddenly it is not so paranoid to have that extra key or two.

[CRXSi90]

Crazy......well, I already knew that applied!

Yep, I keep keys in my wallet also. I have almost locked keys in running vehicles before when letting them warm up in the winter. It's such a habit to lock the doors when I'm getting out!

5 keys? That works too. Here's my list of what I'd do with them.

1. key chain
2. wallet
3. safe place (night stand/safe/etc...)
4. stashed on vehicle (wired underneath, behind side cover, etc...)
5. another safe place (mail to relative and have them hold onto it for you)

I've never actually stashed a key on a vehicle/bike, but I've always thought it might be a good idea.

Another idea is stashing some money, check, or traveler's check somewhere in case you have unexpected problems or run out of gas.

[fredintoon]

- - - 5 keys? That works too. - - -
Another idea is stashing some money, check, or traveler's check somewhere in case you have unexpected problems or run out of gas.

Hi Si90,
yeah, great minds think alike. I posted my own 5-key list a while back.
1) On key fob.
2) In billfold.
3) Taped to inside of right-hand sidecover.
4) At home in your sock drawer.
5) At your mom's house.
These days you'd keep a $20 tucked inside your sock?
It's said that T.E.Lawrence used to keep a two shilling piece (or perhaps a half-crown, whichever would fit?)
Inside his Brough Superior's gas tank filler cap for buying gas.

[Tat2demon]

They don't carry the blanks at your local locksmith? Luckily they carry the old Yamaha blanks here.

I have one on my bike key chain, car keychain, desk and a friend has one.

[ViperRon]

I have the original 2 sets of keys and if traveling one set is chained to belt loop of pants other I pocket. But for all it is a preference for bike and car. It really depends on risk. If you are a person who continually locks keys in car you need some spares. If you are maybe a person who has concealed carry and has a gun in the glove or trunk you may really need to be careful about having spares.

Now if you leave keys in the ignition here is just no hope for you!

[motoman]

I have the original 2 sets of keys and if traveling one set is chained to belt loop of pants other I pocket. But for all it is a preference for bike and car. It really depends on risk. If you are a person who continually locks keys in car you need some spares. If you are maybe a person who has concealed carry and has a gun in the glove or trunk you may really need to be careful about having spares.

Now if you leave keys in the ignition here is just no hope for you!

Interesting that no one has suggested an extra needs to be stashed on the scoot somewhere.

[CRXSi90]

yeah, great minds think alike. I posted my own 5-key list a while back.

I like that.

They don't carry the blanks at your local locksmith? Luckily they carry the old Yamaha blanks here.

I never made it to a locksmith because of location & hours of operation. But the motorcycle dealer I went to carried the Ilco line of generic key blanks. We tried the one that seemed to be the nearest fit, but the grooves weren't quite right. I guess the key wasn't that common. I think it's only used on small (125-250cc) dirt bikes from the mid 70's to early 80's.

[DGXSER]

Interesting that no one has suggested an extra needs to be stashed on the scoot somewhere.

Fred suggested taped to the inside of the right hand side cover.

I found a key taped to the rear axle of our Honda CRV, interestingly enough it is cut the same, opens the doors, turns the ignition, but it is not programmed correctly, so it will not start the car. I found that to be rather ingenious as whoever might find it will not be able to take the car, but if you lock your keys in the car, you can get back in.

[CRXSi90]

I found a key taped to the rear axle of our Honda CRV, interestingly enough it is cut the same, opens the doors, turns the ignition, but it is not programmed correctly, so it will not start the car. I found that to be rather ingenious as whoever might find it will not be able to take the car, but if you lock your keys in the car, you can get back in.

That is a great trick if you lock the key in. A little less helpful if you lose the programmed key completely, but hey, it's something!

[natemoen]

Fred suggested taped to the inside of the right hand side cover.

I found a key taped to the rear axle of our Honda CRV, interestingly enough it is cut the same, opens the doors, turns the ignition, but it is not programmed correctly, so it will not start the car. I found that to be rather ingenious as whoever might find it will not be able to take the car, but if you lock your keys in the car, you can get back in.

I think that is more a cost factor. $40+ for a cut and programed key or $5 for just cut.

[fredintoon]

Interesting that no one has suggested an extra needs to be stashed on the scoot somewhere.

Hi Motoman,
check out post #4; see CRXSi's key placement list's #4.
Check out post #5; see my key placement list's #3.

[MPittma100]

Keys

A while back I found an online company: http://www.keys4urride.com. They make keys from the code on the lock cylinder. I got 2 from them at the time (last year). Both keys worked perfectly. They do not have the black plastic like the originals. They are all metal.

Pricing was decent. One key was $11.95, 2 keys were $17.95 - shipping included.

MP

[CRXSi90]

A while back I found an online company: http://www.keys4urride.com. They make keys from the code on the lock cylinder. I got 2 from them at the time (last year). Both keys worked perfectly. They do not have the black plastic like the originals. They are all metal.

Pricing was decent. One key was $11.95, 2 keys were $17.95 - shipping included.

MP

You know, thinking back, I tried them early on in my search for a key. I didn't see my key on their website. I emailed them with some more info on my key. They gave me a couple choices, but neither was a match. I guess when I strike out, I really strike out!