I’ll start by giving a huge shoutout to Jeff and the team at Smokin HD in Winston.

I left the house about an hour ago and once on I-40 east bound toward Winston-Salem I see a fellow biker on the side of the road across the interstate west bound. Right at that moment two bikes ride right by him and don’t even wave! What the heck people. Help a fellow biker out.

I hit exit 174 at Farmington Road and circle back around to him. He was grateful I stopped and even commented about all the two wheelers that have ridden right by him.

We discussed his situation. He’s solo and 350 miles from home. He is pretty certain his stator has gone out even though there is no check engine light on. Voltage is very low and the bike will barely crank over twice.

I told him I have a trailer five miles away I can go get and I’m happy to bring food and something to drink. He was okay and had snacks and water. He had called four HD dealerships and three told him they cannot help him. One of those three was Tilley’s in Statesville which is actually the closest as the crow flies. They S U C K anymore. Don and Robinette would be ashamed at the poor level of service that dealership offers now days.

He said one dealership called him back and said they were on the way, but the road noise from the semi’s made it hard to communicate and he did not know who was coming. I was not going to leave him.

I called Jeff at Smokin and confirmed that it was indeed them that were coming to the rescue. They had a guy on the way, but they were not clear where this gentlemen was at. I was able to provide the exact mile marker and he thanked me for calling and assured me they had it under control and would help this guy out.

We exchanged names and phone numbers and I told RT to call me if there is anything I can do to help him. Pass along a little NC hospitality!

He is from the Chattanooga, TN area and laughed about riding in the rain for three days and when the sun comes out he’s on the side of the road. He is riding a 2010 Ultra that he bought 10 years back with 13k miles on it. He showed me he now has 85k miles on her and it’s the first time the bike has left him strained.

We’ve been there and it’s a bad feeling. Help out your fellow bikers guys. It’s bad enough to be broke down and be looking a a big repair bill. Add to that you are a long way from home and even a restaurant or bathroom and it stinks.

I’ll follow up with him in a couple of hours and give you guys an update on his status.

 

You are the caliber of friend I'm grateful for, and try to be.
Dealerships don't want to deal with my old stuff anyway. After 45 years, my bike is family. Friends get that.

 

I was stuck in sand in a national forest in Michigan (don't ask), about 20 minutes from Sandy's Harley. It was about 330 on a Saturday and I barely had a cell signal, I called them for help, and they said sorry, we cant help you we're about to close. I yelled at them, but still no help.

I hadn't seen a soul anywhere near where I was for about an hour, but luckily I saw some dudes in a pickup truck that helped get me up and out. Otherwise I'm sure I would have been spending the night there.

 

Cosmic - how true - thanks for stopping. When I come upon a disabled bike, I try to get their attention and see if they need help. Even if in my truck, I tend to make sure all is OK.

Few years ago, I trailered my bike to Montana. On the way back, came upon a guy that was down - pilled over and discovered he was out of gas. Was able to get some gas for him and all was Ok. We exchanged info - he didn't have money for gas.

Know what, about 2 years later, he sent me a $25 girt card. I will always remember this guy - he was from Cadillac, MI

 

Good on you, Cos!
@Cosmic Razorback

 

@Cosmic Razorback You sir have earned 1,000 Karma points to be redeemed when you most need it. Nice job helping out a fellow rider.

(footnote I had never heard of the Helmet on the Ground behind your bike is a sign that the rider needs help until I learned that here on HDForums)
Symbol of Distress

 

I am glad that I'm not the only person to get stuck in sand on an HD. I had help from a guy who just left a job interview at the industrial plant just down the road.

 

Yeah, a hellish nightmare. I was actually on my way to that dealer from further north, had set my GPS to avoid unpaved roads, but it kept insisting I get on to one, I think there just wasnt a 100% paved route. So ok, fine, I get on to this gravel road, no big deal, it gets more and more wooded, and I see a sign "you are now entering the national forest". Um... ok, nervous, but whatever. And then all of a sudden the gravel road turned to sand, and I mean heavy, deep, beach style sand. The kind of sand that a 950lb motorcycle has no chance against, and it wasn't long before I went down. And of course I couldnt get it back up again because I couldn't set my feet in the sand.

So yeah, a nightmare.

 

Years ago, I followed along with our HOG chapter on a "Northwoods" ride.
About the time the road turned into a game trail, I decided the Road Captain was an idiot, and turned around. Went back into town and had dinner.
They finally showed up after dark.

 

I ran my bike out of gas once (yep) near Boone, NC and luckily had a friend with me who went on to get some gas.
While waiting for 40 minutes, I swear no less than 10 bikes stopped to ask if they could help.
A couple were going the other way (on a four lane) and had turned around at the next exit to come back and check on me. Talk about some awesome people...

Anyway, it was fun telling each Biker that stopped that I ran out of gas. Serves me right. haha

Cosmic. Well done Sir....