I change mine out every year now when mine went out we were in the middle of nowhere and could not start my bike friend had to go find a place to buy a battery for me. I now also keep one on my bike just in case that happens again

 

Mine die after about a little over a year. I just changed it on account of it was dead about a week ago and prior to that was last may on my way home from Arkansas in a monsoon the damn thing quit working.

 

Picked up my bike in May 2007, Hubby got his in March of 2006...... We changed the Batteries in all the FOBS in Dec 2009.

Someone on one of the threads recounted how his FOB ended up busting open from constant banging on the frame when riding. He suggested putting velcro on the frame tube and back of the FOB. Keeps the FOB in place when riding and the added bonus is, when I stop for gas and turn the key off, when it pops out, it stay's put and doesn't fall to the ground anymore.

 

why would you have your fob on your bike? I carry mine in my pocket so its apart from the key..... that way if someone gets your key they still cant start your bike plus you dont have to worry about dropping it, getting it wet or whatever. Never occurred to me to hang it from the key............ seems like a bad idea

 

I put them together, so I dont have to worry about losing the FOB out in the boon docks somewhere, then not being able to start the bike even though I have my key. My key and FOB are on an orange plastic wrist band. When I get off the bike, the key and FOB go on my wrist, or with me into the house and hung up on a key rack.
I dont think it's a bad idea to keep them together..... besides, if the bike does get stolen, I've got plenty of insurance coverage on it.
If you like to keep your FOB and KEY separate.... that's great. I just prefer to keep mine together.

 

Simplicity! How is someone going to get your key if you only use it when you are actually riding your bike?

Yeah, I velcro the FOB to the bike so that it doesn't knock around, that is when I remember to do so. I also keep the FOB with the key. I like to keep things simple....grab the keys and the FOB is attached. That's just my preference.

As for the FOB batteries, I inconveniently found out that they don't last nearlyas long as those for my cars, plus a low FOB battery on my bike is a LOT more inconvenient! I just bought two new FOB batteries for $4 and plan on replacing them about every 2 years, if not sooner. Carrying a spare battery is also a good idea. On a longer trip, even carrying a spare FOB isn't a bad idea either.

In any case, I really don't like the whole FOB idea. Too many problems with them in just the 5 months that I've owned this bike. I'd prefer a FOB more like my cars have, use it for security, or just use the key for safer areas, I like the ability to choose one over the other.

I got spanked on here for having a low battery and the problems that ensued and I don't plan on repeating that fiasco again.

 

it still makes no sense to me...... its like keeping the disarm code to your house alarm on your key chain......... who would do that? Plus the thing isnt made to withstand banging around and water and such. I keep mine on my key chain with my house keys - I'm never out of the house without it so I dont have to worry about not having it with me. If I forget the key in the bike (which most if not all of us have done from time to time) noone can start it cuz I got the FOB with me in the bar or wherever. Even if you do forget or lose your fob somewhere you can always start the bike using the over-ride code which, of course you carry in your wallet at all times ........ or do you keep that taped to your key as well?

 

You can remove the security system. Also, newer cars are coming with a proximity fob and no key. Just push the "Start" button.

I am with CRF. I never lock my ignition anyway. No need. Worst someone will do is turn the ignition on and run my battery out. Which I doubt will happen. Fob stays in my pocket. And if I lose my fob in the middle of nowhere, I can use the bypass code easy enough. However, if I have my fob and key together, lock my ignition and lose my fob and key somewhere (JUST as likely as one losing the fob from their pocket) I am porked.

Different stroke for different folks I guess.

 

Finally - the voice of reason...... LOL

 

When I first got my bike I would leave the fob on the same ring as the bike key. It would bang around on the frame and scratched it up plus I worried if it would hurt it. Then I got smart and left it on my big key ring with the rest of my keys and just would take off the bike key when I wanted to ride the bike.
Worked like a charm till a couple years ago at Outer Banks Bike Week me and my wife were checking out of the hotel to go home. I told her to go ahead and take off in the car and I'd catch up on the bike after I got gas. Well she took off and I found out my bike wouldn't start. I had left my key ring along with the fob in my wife's car but I still had my bike key. I also never bothered to learn the code to start the bike when the fob was dead or wasn't present.
I called her up and she came back, of course laughing at me.
I still leave my fob on the big keyring seperate from my bike key though, it just makes sense.