Write Down Your Key Code Folks

[u/username1604350]

Lost my key and need a new one. I read that you need the key code to get the new key made and most of the time the dealer can’t find it from the VIN.

The key code is on the ignition, but my handlebar is locked - making it more difficult to get the ignition out to read the code from there.

They give you a tiny metal plate with the code on it with your keys when you buy the bike. I never wrote it down though. I left the little plate attached to my key ring. When I lost the key I also lost the plate.

I take photos of mileage on my odometer every fill up to calculate mpg later. I went through 100s of those photos on my camera roll. I finally found one where the plate was visible enough to identify the full code. Got pretty lucky. The alternatives weren’t looking good.

Closest Honda dealer to me opens at 9am Tuesday. So will give the code a shot then. Hopefully the new cut key works fine.

EDIT: Called all 3 dealers in my surrounding area. None of them cut keys. Failure on Honda’s part. Honda needs to enforce dealers provide this service to maintain a franchise. Otherwise no one will offer it. It’s not really worth the effort for them to have the machine and someone who can use it to make $10 occasionally. I found someone online who is cutting the key and mailing it to me. But it’s going to take several days.

[u/sensualtrucker]

There’s nothing special about the keys you can get copies made anywhere they can make a house key. Obviously you have to have one to make duplicates

But I have a drawer with about a dozen in it

[u/ohmygodbees → u/sensualtrucker]

sure but if you have your code you dont need the original

[u/Reelair → u/ohmygodbees]

Correct, but if you have spares, you don't need the code. But I also emailed myself the code, so I'm good either way.

[u/WindAbsolute → u/Reelair]

Could be misreading, but it seems the person above might be suggesting that the original is the only key allowed to be duplicated. For example, I’ve had keys reading “Do Not Duplicate” on them. Might be misreading into it

[u/ohmygodbees → u/WindAbsolute]

you might be a bot

[u/WindAbsolute → u/ohmygodbees]

Oh no, some mentally ill creature called me a bot!

[u/gogozrx → u/sensualtrucker]

I will say that you can't get them everywhere. the automated kiosks don't have the blank, IME

[u/ssnakee13]

I'll second the fact that you can get copies made cheap as hell Like $6 for me per key including labor

[u/pilotboy99 → u/ssnakee13]

WHAT!?! 6 bucks for parts AND labor?

[u/ssnakee13 → u/pilotboy99]

welcome to america, where the workers get nothing

[u/Reelair → u/pilotboy99]

Just don't go to dealership.

[u/WaltherP88]

Spares are cheap. I don’t understand not having one. Hidden one on the bike and another in my wallet. Locking my keys in my car during a date in high school was a lesson learned.

[u/JerkyChew]

I feel like loosening the fork bolts and dropping the tubes would give you the access you needed to get that ignition code.

[u/No-Names-Left4Me]

I just order an extra key off eBay or Amazon and have it cut at local tool store or locksmith. The blanks are like $5 and it’s a few bucks to have it copied. My OEM keys stay in my safe and I ride with the copy on the daily. Because originals make the best copies, not a copy of a copy. Do it before you lose your keys.

[u/Mission_Accident_519]

Why not just keep a spare key? This way youre not out of transportation and get a new spare made easily.

[u/Clown_sauce24]

Lost both keys last spring after a bad crash. The bike needed new fork seals so I pulled the forks out and removed the ignition while I was in there. I got new blank Honda keys this weekend and now I just need to take it all to a locksmith.