E-Z Pass on a bike

[mdcruiser]

Does anyone know where/how to use the EZ Pass transponder on a motorcycle? I have a BMW Cruiser (R1200C Montana). Can I put the transponder in the pocket of my Aerostich Roadcrafter, as I have sometimes heard? In my tankbag? Or does it have to be affixed to the windshield or on one of those rather expensive (and unattractive) "Zipass" holders I see on the web? [I don't want to do this unless I have to.]

Any experience any of you all have with EZ Pass would be appreciated. I really hate stopping to fish out money for tolls on my bike. And as of this fall the Dulles Toll Road, near my home, will also take EZ Pass.

Thanks,
Michael

[MarkF]

I used mine by putting it in the top pocket of my tank bag. It worked on every toll in NJ and PA. When I went through NYC it didn't work. The obnoxious guy at the toll both said it was because it was in the tank bag, they never work there. Maybe in NYC!

MarkF

[lancew]

In Richmond VA we have the "Smart Tag", and they are specific in saying that they do NOT guarantee that it will work on a motorcycle, no matter what. Maybe it's one of those "so close to being a good idea" ideas, y'know?

[deilenberger]

Originally posted by mdcruiser
Does anyone know where/how to use the EZ Pass transponder on a motorcycle? I have a BMW Cruiser (R1200C Montana). Can I put the transponder in the pocket of my Aerostich Roadcrafter, as I have sometimes heard? In my tankbag? Or does it have to be affixed to the windshield or on one of those rather expensive (and unattractive) "Zipass" holders I see on the web? [I don't want to do this unless I have to.]

Any experience any of you all have with EZ Pass would be appreciated. I really hate stopping to fish out money for tolls on my bike. And as of this fall the Dulles Toll Road, near my home, will also take EZ Pass.

Thanks,
Michael

Mine is mounted on the inside of the windshield on my K75S - and it works fine on NJ/NY/MD/DE/PA tolls. For a while NJ had problems, but that was a problem with the toll receivers - not the EZ pass. I don't use one of those unattractive holders - I used the super-velcro they provide (3 pieces of it instead of 2) - and it really isn't visible on the other side since I have a smoked shield.

The ZIPass (intentional) holders seem a good way to loose one - the suction cups are about sure to dry out and let it fall off.

Best,

[MarkF]

Originally posted by deilenberger
I don't use one of those unattractive holders - I used the super-velcro they provide (3 pieces of it instead of 2)

The ZIPass (intentional) holders seem a good way to loose one - the suction cups are about sure to dry out and let it fall off.


3M Dual-Lock One of the best products ever made!

MarkF

P.S. NJ is looking better every day, Don.

[oldcarkook]

I have a radar detector shelf on my RT and I have the "FAST LANE" pass velcro'd on there. I never have used a radar dector on the bike so it's a good spot. I have also had it in my top front (left breast) jacket pocket and had it work fine there too. It doesn't have to be in view necessarily for the readers to pick up the transponder. I find that the more it is tucked into metal, the less likely it will read easily. It will not read in a side bag, tank bag, or top case, unless you come to a complete stop for a second which defeats the whole idea of using it to start with.

Someone needs to figure out how to bury one in a helmet and we're all set!

:clap They sure make life easy for the motorcyclist. :clap

[deilenberger]

Originally posted by oldcarkook
Someone needs to figure out how to bury one in a helmet and we're all set!

:clap They sure make life easy for the motorcyclist. :clap

I consider one a real safety feature - I was ALWAYS nervous stopping to pay a toll - and would usually take the booth with a person in it just 'cause people EXPECT you to stop in that lane. In NJ - the exact-change/token lanes were a roll-through... and I've been tagged in the rear when in my car in those lanes. Wouldn't got near them on the bike.

Best,

[iRene]

A quick aside- Maine is finally dumping the misbegotten TransPass
to join the rest of the east coast in using E-Z Pass for toll collection on the Maine pike.
I had a lot of luck carrying their transponder (about the size of a Palm Pilot)
in the upper left breast pocket of my Darien, I hope E-Z Pass will work there, too?

[Emoto]

As an aside, I had a conversation with a toll taker in CT one time because my (NY) EZPASS wasn't being picked up. It turns out that lane positioning can be important. My transponder wasn;t being picked up and I was positioned where I always am: in the left tire track. He had me back up a tad and come back down the middle of the lane (which I usually avoid due to all the spooge) and sure enough, it picked it up that time.

Just something to know about if you ever have a problem...

[deilenberger]

Originally posted by Emoto
As an aside, I had a conversation with a toll taker in CT one time because my (NY) EZPASS wasn't being picked up. It turns out that lane positioning can be important. My transponder wasn;t being picked up and I was positioned where I always am: in the left tire track. He had me back up a tad and come back down the middle of the lane (which I usually avoid due to all the spooge) and sure enough, it picked it up that time.

Just something to know about if you ever have a problem...

At least in NY and NJ - the antenna on the booth is the big white panel that is on the edge of the overhang for the lane as you approach it. It's actually reading the transponder about 5 feet before you reach the booth.

Taking it out of your tankbag and waving it around in the air while in the booth will do nothing except entertain other drivers (or mebbe not if they're waiting for you..) :clap

NJ has no barrier EZPass lanes - ie - no gate that has to open. There are gates in other states like NY, which could be a PITA if the damn thing didn't get tracked. In NJ - if it doesn't track and register - the system compares your license plate against the EZPass registry - and if it matches up - you never even receive a violation warning... although I did receive the suggestion I get a new one for one cage since it failed to register about 60% of the time (the new one fixed that..)

[arcmtnman]

mine's stuck up under the fairing/windshield of my 16v k100rs

[HarveyMushman]

Originally posted by mdcruiser
Any experience any of you all have with EZ Pass would be appreciated. I really hate stopping to fish out money for tolls on my bike. And as of this fall the Dulles Toll Road, near my home, will also take EZ Pass.


I ride the Toll Road every weekday. I used to keep my SmartTag behind the windscreen of my GS. But then I biffed in the WV woods and got a new windscreen. I haven't bothered to get new velcro thingies for the new screen; I just put the transponder in the top of my tankbag. It works most of the time. If it doesn't, I figure it's their problem, not mine.

[Rad]

E-Z Pass on a bike

I got very scared when I saw this thread title. I thought it was like the Easy Leaker, only for....well, you know:eek yuck

[YeOldCrier]

or inside windshield. I prefer it inside the fairing so when the R75/6 is parked, people walking by don't see it. And it works in NY, NJ,and the Mass Pike, can't wait till Maine switches over and NH gets off their duff.