New Key - Not so Easy

[offroadfx4_imp]

I thought I had lost my primary key so I went to the local Honda dealer 2 miles away.

They said they could order it for $40 but not cut it. I would have to take it somewhere to be cut.

I called the dealer 12 miles away and they said they could cut it in house ($15) so I went there and ordered one.

When it came in, they tried to cut it from the code and the computerized machine ruined the new key. They refunded my $15 cut fee.

They ordered a new one an no cost, but when it came in, Honda hadn't told them what was wrong with the machine so they were afraid to cut it.

They tried to get me to take it to another company and let them copy from my old key. Of course if they messed up, I had to eat that $40 key.

In the mean time I found my primary key so I told them no thanks and got a refund for the key.

Has anyone else gotten a new key? Did they have any problems cutting it?

[kennyw]

Not yet, but I need to make a spare. Your not making me feel any better about the process.

[the Ferret]

I got one from Mr lock. Took in my old key, they pulled down a blank off the wall, cut it, I walked out and tried it in the ign, perfect and it is now hidden on the bike. $ 4

http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread....=Spare+key

[Cormanus]

Offroad, I got a new key for my Shadow a couple of years ago, but it was more complicated than in the US because Hondas here come with HISS—Honda's security system. I got a blank from Honda (Which had all the electronics in the plastic head for around AU$45 and then had to take it to a key shop where there was no problem cutting the duplicate. Then I had to go to the Honda Dealer to have them code the key to the bike. Took them half an hour or so to take the seat off and do whatever, but they didn't charge me.

I think the moral of the story is that, if you don't have to deal with the security system and there's no problem getting a blank it shouldn't cost too much.

Good luck.

[Hedge_imp]

I had my key in the seat lock and forgot it was there and when I walked by the bike I hit it and bent it. Stamford Honda ordered me a new one and cut it for me and it fits and works perfectly. It cost me $41.15 after tax.

[redbirds_imp]

My local locksmith cuts any motorcycle key for less than $5 including the blank. The exception was a spare key for my Moto Guzzi. I had to go to a specialist locksmith in Jacksonville who had the special milling equipment then off to the dealer to get the new key programmed to the bike's code. Total cost was over $100.

[Lord Popgun]

If you get an aftermarket blank and you want the little Honda emblem that is on your stock key, you can order them. I have 4 I got to do something with sometime.

They are stick on. They do have a small notch to align correctly on a stock key. Look at your key and you will see what I'm talking about. I'd post a pic, but I'm not at home.

[flynrider]

I bent my key in the seat lock about 2 hrs. after bringing the bike home. The local hardware store key shop had to order a blank, but they were able to cut me a new one a few days later. Total cost was less than $10.

[shdwghst457_imp]

I went to the dealership where I bought my bike and had them cut two keys using my spare as the master (and a day later I found my primary, of course). They didn't have my code in the system, but duplicating the existing key was no issue at all. They were Honda blanks, too. Now both originals are put away!

[Lord Popgun]

I ordered the Honda blanks but the service manager said (and showed me) their key cutter was a chintzy nipper thing of some sort. They didn't like the thing and sent me to a locksmith they use and he cut both blanks in a couple minutes.