I travel the country in my motorhome with my Yamaha XT250 on the back and over the last 2-3 years I have certainly started to head into very remote area’s.
I travel alone and so usually ride alone, no firm plans or to advise anyone of plans etc.
Plus we all know plans can easily change.
I see the use of PLB’s mentioned in some ride info – recommend to take etc.
I did a number of the Central Otago trails a coupe of years ago and things can certainly remote.
I am looking at adding to what I carry on my backback.
even an emergency blanket, torch, lighter, cable ties, tape etc.?
small but may be very essential if the worst happens
what type of PLB’s recommended and any “rules” to when you should or not use?
I do see there appears to be some GPS type trackers but I got no one to monitor it
any other options?
appreciate feedback
Peter
A Personal Locator Beacon, also known as a Rescue or Distress Beacon, is a small electronic device that in an emergency can be used to signal rescue services that you need help.
They are a one time use device and are highly recommended for those who travel alone into areas of New Zealand with little or no cell phone reception and very sparse traffic.
In the South Island especially many tracks are well out of mobile phone signal range and may only see vehicles once per week or even less. If you have a breakdown or accident and injury or find yourself trapped due to weather conditions it could be a very long time before someone finds you, if they do at all.
To find out about how rescue beacons work, where to buy or hire a beacon and how to register your beacon see the https://beacons.org.nz website.
https://youtu.be/J56ah9rZyFI
I’ve been carrying an ACR ResQLink+ PLB for over four years now. It’s small and light, attaches to jackets or fits in a pocket, and will float if dropped in the water.
Occasionally I get an audit email from the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCCNZ) 406 Beacon Registration team to verify that my personal contact and emergency contacts information hasn’t changed. They also keep you informed about the expiry date of the PLB battery (which for the ACR ResQLink+ can be replaced at the Wilco Marine Services service centre).
Hi Peter,
Maybe take a look at the guidelines given by many of the tramping clubs. The group I go with usually take an EPIRB away from populated areas. I met some kayakers recently who had a satellite comms unit that allowed short texts to be sent when linked to a cell phone. Hunting and Fishing have them, and I am thinking of getting one myself.
I’d be interested in hearing more about your set up. I was able to put my little Honda on the back of a basic Bongo van and travel further afield, but having moved up to an XT250, it’s maybe a bit big and the carrier ends up a bit low. Hoping to move up to a proper motorhome too when dosh permits. I have put luggage on the XT from Happy Trails. Adds weight but is really useful.
Cheers
Bill
Hi Bill
thanks for reply
see photo of my motorbike on the back of my motorhome.
not a close up but you may get the idea.
I use a ramp to get bike up and down.
front wheel locks in to hold bike while doing the straps etc
frame slides into box section on each side of the towbar mounting to chassis
Hey Peter,
That’s the perfect motor home 🙂
Garmin have something similar to what BILLNBEN mentioned. I think its on a high level as if you have a certain subscription you can even send sms using the satellite connection. Im not experienced on those but seems quit handy due to all capabilities and small size.
If you are looking for something cheaper you can get the one from KTI, which if not wrong there is no additional costs with subscription/registration.
keep us updated on what you have found.
Cheers Nelson
Hi BILLNBEN,
I had one on these in the past. In fact the photo with the Husaberg Fe350 is mine.
you just need to have a 2″ tow hitch receiver in your car/truck and you are all good to go.
Doesn’t seem but it’s a very firm and solid rack. They also have one with a platform. with the jack you can drop or lift the rack with the bike fixed. Cant remember whats their weight limit.
Mx Hauler is the brand…
Hi Nelson,
I really like the look of that MX hauler kit. Looks like it lifts the bike well clear so you don’t get grounding when going up steep ramps. The one I used is the Slipstream, which looks like what Peter has. With a custom 2″ towbar on the Bongo it ended up quite low on the ground. Seen here with my previous high-powered Honda XR150.
I am going to try the Motolug collapsible trailer as an alternative while I still have the small van. According the the promo material it can be dismantled and put inside the van while one goes off on the trail to minimise risk of it being “liberated”. Will report when I have been able to try this. Will keep the slipstream carrier for now in case I upgrade to a big motorhome.
Also thanks for the tip about the KTI equipment. Will look into that. I believe you are right about the subscription with Garmin that only gives you a certain number of texts.
Cheers
Bill
Just to get back to the topic of safety…
Is there any interest in a project to make proper I.C.E. (In Case of Emergency) cards?
Credit card sized plastic card printed with the below on one side.
Cardholder’s name, Cardholder’s Phone
Emergency contact1, Relationship to contact1, Phone number of contact1
Emergency contact2, Relationship to contact2, Phone number of contact2
Medical information
ADV motorcycle riding relevant design but independent from sites, brands, social media groups on the other side.
After a quick look around looks like the cost, including posting within NZ, would be around:
Not worth to start below 10 cards.
$17/card if we order 10+
$15/card if we order 20+
$14/card if we order 30+
These are absolutely non-profit prices, covering only the production and posting.
Something similar to this just without branding:
Just back from the Dusty Butt and we had a serious incident on day one. One of our guys had a series of offs and ended up with 4 busted ribs and a punctured lung.
Naturally we had no cellphone coverage. Luckily we were close to a group of DOC workers who had both a PLB and a Garmin thingee that could text via satellite. They fired up both and got the chopper in. If they hadn’t had been there then we would have had to ride to cellphone reception or borrow someone else’s PLB which they conceivably may have needed later in the ride.
I’ll be looking at getting a PLB if I give the Dusty another go (Damn, it’s fun) although I think we may have one at work that I may be able to borrow…
Totally recommend one for those far away spots…
For some reason I thought PLB’s would be hugely expensive. Just had a look on TM and they are under $400. No excuse to not get one.
Just had a look myself. This unit appears to be the cheapest:
I wonder how you can find out if they are any good? Anyone using one?
I’d be interested in knowing how water and crash proof they are…
Saw riders with them on shoulder straps on the Dusty. Obviously nice to have them close to hand but I’d hate to bust one and not be able to light it up…
Hi Team, as a person who rides solo adventure most of the time I have spent the extra and have a SPOT Gen3, there is an annual subscription. The peice of mind it gives the home base makes it worth it. Spot Gen3 has the ability to have 3 preset messaging, you preset the button, ie, ” 1: all safe and staying here at the moment” (2: serious issue, rider is OK but bike broken send help, etc. Preset message can be sent to mulitple persons both as email and txt. There is also another button for 10 minute foot steps without extra charge that others can review, more frequent stepping attracts addtionial charges. You can review your footsteps post ride etc. The 4th button Red SOS goes direct to USA and returns to NZ search and rescue. Have not had to press button 4 so far very close as came across a very serious accident outside any coverage. Note Spot also has releases another unit that allows satelite txting etc. Note all message have the GPS cordinates. Hope that assists. Cheers Matthew
Further Information to actual Spot 3 cost as per current setting.
Firstly being from the USA it is our NZ/USA currency fluctuations that makes the pricing differance.
Here is the last 3 years actaul paid cost for the Spot 3.
8/03/2018 GUS SPOT MESSENGER 866-651-7768 CA 247.23 US DOLLAR at a Conversion Rate of 0.7244 (NZ$341.30) $341.30
7/03/2019 GUS SPOT MESSENGER 866-651-7768 CA 258.73 US DOLLAR at a Conversion Rate of 0.6744 (NZ$383.66) $383.66
21/02/2020 SPOT COVINGTON LA 258.73 US DOLLAR at a Conversion Rate of 0.6302 (NZ$410.58) $410.58
I am starting to think that other options are worth searching.
Appreciate forums comments as to other tech coming through.
At this stage with current riding events, keeping Spot as makes for happy home etc.
Regards Matthew
For safety I take a Garmin Inreach Mini. There’s an app you can get for your smartphone phone and the Garmin will connect with this app which will allow you to send text messages when you’re in the middle of nowhere with no cell phone coverage and there’s also an SOS button. If you’re in a real tricky area attach the to Garmin to your jacket somewhere so if you come off and land miles from your bike you can hit the SOS button and the Calvary will be on its way.
Recently you may have read the story about a rider dying at an event in the South Island somewhere I think it may have been a scramble of some sort. The guy who was first on the scene called in the chopper with one of these and wrote a really good article on how affective it was. When you hit the SOS button the Garmin automatically sends a text message to a couple of emergency contacts you’ve pro selected and the SOS itself goes to a contact centre in the states which coordinates with search and rescue New Zealand.
The Garmin Inreach Mini is the best unit available in my opinion. While there are many PLB’s available there arent many that allow texting and / or email. I am a solo rider as I choose my own company and want to escape the city life at times. Unfortunately that increases the risk. I and my family now feel a little more at ease being able to get in touch when required. Also with the Inreach you can purchase either monthly or yearly subscription. I personally do the monthly sub on a as and when required basis. Don’t ride anywhere anymore without it.
A good idea is to also make up a ICE Card (in case of emergency) so in the case that you are unconscious first responders know who to contact as well as any allergies and pre-existing conditions.
Here’s a good reason why you should carry a PLB or Spot tracker , Garmin Inreach or similar device, especially when riding alone.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/125081711/man-lay-near-dirt-road-seriously-injured-for-more-than-24-hours-after-motorbike-crash