New key or rekey: which do you need?
The question is not how the key went missing but whether anyone could connect it to your motorcycle. A key that fell out of a pocket on a trail is a lost key. A key taken with a wallet, a registration card or a garage remote is a key with an address attached.
| Situation | Usual answer |
|---|---|
| Key lost somewhere with nothing identifying you or the bike | Cut a new key, and add a spare |
| Keys stolen with ID, registration or a bag showing your address | Rekey the locks, and erase the key on chip-key bikes |
| Keys taken from the bike or by someone who knows where it parks | Rekey the locks, and erase the key on chip-key bikes |
| Used bike, previous owner may have copies | Rekey or erase, depending on the system |
| Ignition replaced, now two keys for one bike | Rekey to bring the locks back to one key |
What does rekeying a motorcycle lock mean?
Most motorcycle locks hold a row of small sliding parts that line up only when the correct key is inserted. Rekeying means the locksmith takes the cylinder out, changes that internal combination so it matches a new key, and refits it. The lock body stays on the bike, and the old key will no longer turn it.
It is done lock by lock. A typical motorcycle has an ignition with a built-in steering lock, a seat lock and a fuel cap, and many have a helmet holder or factory luggage on the same key. To finish the job properly every one of them is changed to the new key, otherwise the old key still opens whatever was skipped.
- Ignition and steering lock: the most involved, because the switch usually has to come off the bike
- Seat lock: usually quick once the seat is open
- Fuel cap: the cylinder sits inside the cap assembly, and some caps are replaced instead of rekeyed
- Helmet and luggage locks: easy to forget, and worth doing at the same visit
When is replacing the locks the better choice?
Rekeying needs a lock in sound condition. A cylinder that is badly worn, corroded or damaged in a theft attempt is better replaced, and some lock assemblies are not built to be taken apart. Several makers also sell complete matched sets. Royal Enfield's parts catalog groups the ignition, fuel cap and other locks into common-key lock sets, and Indian's own guidance for a Scout or FTR with no keys is a new ignition switch and lockset. A matched set costs more in parts than rekeying, but it gives you new locks and new keys in one step.
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Chip keys: erasing an old key from the immobilizer
On an immobilizer bike, a key is two things: a cut blade and a registered chip. Erasing the missing key from the bike's memory means its chip is no longer accepted, so it cannot start the engine. How that is done depends on the make, and the owner's manuals describe it at this level:
- BMW: an authorized dealer can disable a lost key, and the manuals ask you to bring all remaining keys
- Suzuki: the manual suggests having the dealer deactivate a lost key so it can no longer start the bike
- KTM models with an orange programming key: that key is used to deactivate a lost black key
- Vespa and Piaggio: every key must be presented when keys are stored, and the codes of keys not presented are deleted
- Moto Guzzi models with an immobilizer: storing new keys cancels the existing codes, so bring every key you want to keep
- Ducati: on older systems the red key or the Code Card is what allows keys to be deleted and reprogrammed
- Harley-Davidson with the security system: the module accepts two assigned fobs at a time, and a trained technician assigns a new one
- Bikes with no immobilizer, including many Kawasaki and Suzuki models sold in the US, the KTM 390, 690, 790 and 890 families and the Moto Guzzi V7 through V7 III: there is no chip to erase, so rekeying is the whole job
Why erasing alone is not enough
An erased chip key is still a correctly cut key. It will turn the ignition switch, release the steering lock and open the seat and the fuel cap, and on many bikes the registration and tool kit sit under that seat. If the key was stolen, combine the two jobs: erase it from the immobilizer and rekey the mechanical locks. If it was simply lost with nothing linking it to you, erasing it is usually enough.
On keyless bikes, change the security PIN as well if the old one could have been written on anything that went missing. Any new key that we originate needs photo ID and the registration or title, as California Penal Code 466.6 requires.
Quick questions
Does rekeying mean I have to buy new locks?
No. Rekeying keeps your existing locks and changes their internal combination to fit a new key. New locks are only needed when a cylinder is worn out, damaged or not serviceable.
Can only the ignition be rekeyed?
It can, but you would then carry one key for the ignition and another for the seat and fuel cap, and the old key would still open those. Doing every lock keeps the bike on one key.
Will my chip keys need programming again after a rekey?
The chips themselves do not change when the locks are rekeyed, but you will have newly cut keys. Either the existing chips are moved into the new keys where the key design allows it, or new chip keys are registered to the bike.
I bought a used bike with two keys. Should I still rekey?
That is a judgment call. If the seller seemed organized and handed over everything, many riders leave it. If keys were missing from the original set, rekeying or erasing removes the doubt.
Services that can help
- Gas Cap, Seat, Steering and Saddlebag LocksGas cap, seat, steering, helmet and saddlebag locks.Details →
- Transponder and Immobilizer Key ProgrammingChip keys and fobs programmed to your immobilizer.Details →
- Motorcycle Key ReplacementNew keys cut by code or from the lock, for all major makes.Details →
Key details by make
Keep reading
- Motorcycle Keys Stolen but the Bike Is Still There?If your motorcycle keys were stolen and the bike is still there, assume the thief may come back for it.
- One Key for All Your Motorcycle Locks: Keying AlikeA motorcycle that needs different keys for the ignition, fuel cap and seat has almost always had a lock replaced.
- Bought a Used Motorcycle With No Key? Here's What to DoA used or auction motorcycle without keys can usually get new ones, but plan on the full all-keys-lost process and bring the signed title or other transfer paperwork plus photo ID, since a locksmith or dealer has to tie you to the VIN.
- Motorcycle Immobilizers Explained: HISS, KIPASS and MoreA motorcycle immobilizer is an anti-theft system that only lets the engine start when it recognizes a coded chip in the key or a paired fob.
- Motorcycle Keys for Rental and Fleet BikesA rental or fleet bike should never be down to its last key.
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Sources
- https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1218489/Bmw-R-1200-Rt.html?page=38
- https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1088188/Suzuki-Dl650a.html?page=17
- https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1149350/Ktm-1190-Rc8.html?page=172
- https://www.manualslib.com/manual/804221/Vespa-Gts-250.html?page=18
- https://www.thisoldtractor.com/mg_manuals/owners_manual_v85_en.pdf
- https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10173096-0001.pdf
- https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2017/MC-10109612-9999.pdf
- https://www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-us/self-help/article/KA-01819/
- https://underthehood.co.in/products/royal-enfield-rap00018-b-lockset-assembly-super-meteor-650
- https://california.public.law/codes/ca_penal_code_section_466.6
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