anyone else wish they had 'smart' key fobs for their scooters?

[Stig / Major Tom]

Yeah.
Me neither.

Can't remember the last time my 'dumb' metal key wouldn't work.
Stig

[randyo]

Yeah.
Me neither.

Can't remember the last time my 'dumb' metal key wouldn't work.
Stig

I've had a frozen fuel cap on my V-strom, hazards of winter riding. I replaced with a keyless cap

[rjs987]

I actually DO like the keyless fob for my vehicles. I like that I don't have to fish out a key from my pocket every time I want to start them. I just make sure the fob is in a secure pocket before I walk out of the house and don't worry about it after that. There is always a way to start a keyless start vehicle should the battery die. Had that happen on my AK as well as on my Rav4, and when it did it was no different than using a key at that point (except there was no inserting of anything into anything). Never had any other kind of issue with that kind of system yet.

[Crankymotors]

The concept is good in theory.

Advantages:
1. You dont have to remove your keys from pocket/bag to start the vehicle
2. No lock to physically break (the old screwdriver technique)


Disadvantages
1. Needs a battery!
2. Can’t get a spare key cut at home depot…
3. Costs $big$ to replace the fob if you lose/destroy it
4. Not waterproof!( don’t store in your helmet, and someone moves your helmet….droppibg your keys in a puddle…the fob would be dead!)
5. Often carry additional keys, so cant always fit everything in pocket.
(The manufacturer should always have a key friendly place to store ‘fob’ and keys i think)
6. Some are too wide area of use (honda cub - someone could steal it while you have a coffee because the effective rf range is huge!)
7. Need to know how to initiate inductive pairing if battery in fob is dead.
8. Still need a key to unlock gas/seat/top box etc on some bikes (not on new Honda Goldwing…of course!) so you still pull the keyset out!
9. Weirdly…you can drive away without a keyfob….most cars beep etc if you do, but how would a bike notify you?


Its probably going to be standard on all bikes eventually, and as the fob gets smaller with better battery longevity and maybe additional functionality, I think we will all accept it.

You can’t stop ‘progress’ !😄

[Neil955i]

Got one now with the DTX360 Stig. It’s OK, but I couldn’t disagree with Cranky’s pros & cons. Guess I’m “old school” too.

[Stig / Major Tom]

I suspect that the Daryl brothers will still try to hammer
 screwdriver into a fobbed ignition 🙃

"Lotta verbiage for a $4 device, your honor."

Major Tom

[rjs987]

At least half of Cranky's disadvantages sound more like something personal to me. But then I guess what we all like or dislike about anything is a personal thing to each of us.

I do like things simplified, but I also know better than to live in the ancient past. Sometimes I think maybe it would be better if we were all riding horses still. My sister-in-law rides horses and compares me riding a bike to her riding a horse. Then I wouldn't need anything in my pockets except maybe some carrots.

[randyo]

starting to see keyless entry to homes, takes a "stupid-phone" app to unlock the door, I resist calling the damn things 'smart', cause they are making a generation of dependent people that don't know how to do things and think for themselves

[klaviator]

My Honda ADV150 has a key fob.  It works fine but I still need a key to open my tail box so I'm still having to carry a key around.  Everything considered I'd rather have a key but it's not a big deal either way.  I may change my mind if I ever have an issue with the FOB.  At least Honda gives you 2 FOBs unlike Yamaha who only gives you one for their Xmax.