Spare keys and touring?

Off-topic
1

What do folks do regarding carrying a spare set of keys when you go away on long trips?

I have two keys and alarm fobs for my Tiger.
I’m not sure if I should take a spare set with me or not.
Where do you put them if you do?
I can’t put them in the panniers because I need the key to open the panniers (Triumph’s one key for everything), or under the seat (same reason).
The only place I can carry the spare key would be in my jacket or tank bag, but they are just as likely to fall out of that as the other set will.

What do you do?

2

I keep my spare key in my jacket’s inner pocket. Generally if I’m travelling with someone else I give it to them to keep.

3

I ran the risk last time and just took one. I think certain GSXR keys are universal. Super organised touring types usually give a spare set to someone in the group. Rob did that when we went on a day trip to Belgium which I thought was pretty organised. Other people in the group hadn’t even brought their V5.

4

I always carry a spare set of keys when abroad. Either I give them to a buddy that will always be with me, or carry them in my zip up trouser pocket.

5

Spare set. Carry cable tied to hidden part of bike in a zipped bag. You can access if in need and you need to know where it is in need…

6

my spare keys go to a mate too.

if I’m travelling on my own, keys normally go in my trouser pocket so the spare set go in my jacket.

7

I normally make sure my donkey has mine when we’re abroad

8

This may be a dumb question but @Joby, why would you need to take your V5 on a trip?

9

There’s no way I would travel thousands of miles from home with only one key. I’ve dropped keys before… what if there was a gutter or some thick foliage rendering it lost? No thanks.

If alone, I carry it on a chain around my neck. If I’m with someone, I give it to them for safe-keep, and visa-versa. That’s what we do.

10

This may be a dumb question but @Joby, why would you need to take your V5 on a trip?

The Vienna Convention on Road Traffic is the agreement that means you can generally assume you’ll be able to drive over any given border. It requires little of the driver, but it does require they carry the paperwork that names you as the keeper of the vehicle (or that names them as someone permitted to drive it). It’s also where the requirement for oval country-code stickers comes from.

11

And you come unstuck if you need emergency bits as some places will not sell to you without seeing the V5. See Baron’s video when his brake pads went in France.

12

Ok, so I think that is a unanimous vote for carrying a spare set of keys.
Cheers.

13

Thanks Big Red and brains_t

14

lol something like that would not even enter my mind!

15

Yeah you are supposed to take your V5 and a paper copy of your insurance certificate when you travel to Europe. And your licence of course. I wouldn’t bother trying to be clever with PDF copies on your phone as if you do get stopped they’ll just hold you up even longer.

16

I’m taking originals and copies of the V5 and insurance docs, in case the originals get lost.
Same with my passport and drivers license.

Managed to pack everything into 2 panniers and a backpack that will spend most of its time in the top box.

4 days to go- can’t wait.

17

From hotel to hotel, send yourself, next day DHL parcel with spare keys.

On arrival always go to reception and say:

“My names R… James R is there a parcel for me?” (Bond tune in background from your iPhone speaker).

R

ps. Have fun and be careful!

18

I also keep scanned copies of stuff in a One Drive or similar.

19

I like blades idea.

20

P.s you’ll need your v5 if anything goes wrong with your bike for spare parts. (I even needed mine for my chain)