r/Triumph • u/sylvansphinx • 19h ago
Other Lost key made from code?
Has anyone had any luck with a dealer being able to make you a key from your VIN?
I lost my only key to my ‘22 Speed Twin and saw online that dealers should be able to look it up and make you a new one, but the ones I called said they can’t do that.
Trying to avoid having to get a entire new locks 😵💫
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u/AnonymousRedCow 18h ago
I just almost went through this. I was told (by a former Triumph dealer) that a dealer could get the key code for a VIN from Triumph, but they were no longer a dealer. I called the nearest current dealer, and they said that they'd give it a try, and that required documentation varies by state (I'm in the US). They did not expect the process to be quick.
After a week, well, I found my key, so I told them that I didn't need a physical key, but would like the key code. Still waiting.
To sum, dealers have said it's possible.
By the way, I had a locksmith try and cut a key for my bike, and he got nowhere. I was not impressed by his competence
Oh, one more thing. My bike is a 2012 Sprint GT, and has no electronics in the key.
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u/sylvansphinx 18h ago
Ah, yeah see they should be able to do it. I’m gonna just call triumph dealers all over the country till I get one who says they’ll do it lol. I’m determined not to have this become a $1000+ expense
And yeah I’ve found zero locksmiths who can do motorcycles it’s crazy
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u/sylvansphinx 18h ago
Could you actually tell me which dealer told you they’d give it a try? If you don’t mind
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u/Budget-Management-45 17h ago
A Triumph dealer should generally be able to cut and program a replacement using the VIN, but they may need proof of ownership and the bike’s immobilizer details. Try another dealer or a Triumph specialist before replacing the locks.
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u/Slava_Ukraini2005 18h ago
Curious, is this a key fob or actual key? I had quite the first day experience with my Speed Triple RS, losing the one key fob on my first day of ownership.
Long story short (I posted the whole story last year when it happened) I found it the next day on the side of a highway. However, that first afternoon, I was making some calls to try to resolve having no key with my new bike and was quoted about $1k - $1.5k if I did not have a key to bring.
Basically had to replace locks, order new keys/fobs and possibly rip something out of the dash to replace it.
My key now has an AirTag on it.
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u/sylvansphinx 17h ago
Ah that sucks. Yeah I had a feeling this was gonna happen and had already ordered a key blank but no locksmith said they could cut it and I eventually forgot about making a spare and then here we are lol. AirTags for sure in the future.
Mine is a key that also needs to be programmed , not just a fob
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u/Slava_Ukraini2005 8h ago
To clarify, Speed Triple RS has “keyless ignition”. It has a key fob that looks very similar to what a lot of cars use. It has the switchblade key that pops out but you only need that to open the gas tank and pop the rear cowl off.
I believe all of the newer bikes have some sort of immobilizer chip, I just wasn’t sure if yours was the keyless ignition or not.
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u/Flywheel929 16h ago
Hello, former Triumph dealership parts manager. Triumph claims they can make you a key. It literally took months the 2 times we tried it, and one of them didn’t work when it showed up.
But don’t stress. Your dealer will have blanks, and a decent lock smith can hand cut you a key, takes a little bit, but there are two different local shops that are pretty good that managed it. Then your dealer has to marry the key and the dashboard. I’d make 2 if I were you
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u/No_Lifeguard9769 15h ago
Before replacing the whole lockset, try a motorcycle locksmith familiar with Triumphs. They may be able to cut the key and help with immobilizer programming, which could save a lot compared with replacing every lock.
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u/Saxon2060 2009 Speedmaster 14h ago edited 14h ago
Yes.
I'm in the UK.
One Triumph dealer told me they couldn't, try a different (specific) dealer in another city.
That dealer said "yes, absolutely. Give me your registration, if it's the original one I will find the VIN. I will call Triumph directly and if they have the key code on file, sometimes it's illegible, if it's not, they will tell me it and I will make you a new key."
They did, and they made me a new key. They also told me the key code so if it ever happened again I could give the bike model and that code to any dealer and they could do it.
They (franchise dealer, Triumph Manchester) could not have been more helpful.
Edit: btw literally all they need to cut the key shape is a 4 digit code that was on a metal keytag on my original spare keys. I had just lost that. To code the key they need the bike. But a mobile locksmith should be able to do that. Irrelevant part of the story but before I got an original replacement key, a car locksmith coded a chip for a generic one for me.
What Triumph can give you is the 4 digit code that corresponds to the key shape. All a dealer or a locksmith needs is that code to cut the shape, and then the bike itself and some kind of special iPad gadget that they drop the key/chip in to and sync to the bike.
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u/Temporary_Yogurt1004 12h ago
Before replacing the whole lock set, call a Triumph specialist or reputable motorcycle locksmith. They may be able to decode the ignition, cut a key, and handle immobilizer programming—just be ready to prove ownership with the title and registration.
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u/sylvansphinx 4h ago
Update: Moral of the story is don’t trust every “professional” to be competent or correct.
Thanks to you all I didn’t give up on this after multiple dealers told me no. Today I called another regional dealer who said not only can they do it, but it only takes them typically 1-2 days to hear back with the code. Very promising! Will update on how this resolves!
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u/sum-9 19h ago
Of course you can’t do that. Could be anyone’s VIN.
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u/sylvansphinx 18h ago
Yeah but you show proof of ownership like the title. It’s def a real practice
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u/Eleven10GarageChris Phoenix Triumph / Eleven10 Moto Garage 15h ago
Yes, I work at a dealer and we’ve done this for customers several times. The dealers you called were wrong. They can submit an order for a pair of factory cut keys based on your VIN, and you’ll need to take the bike to the dealer to get the rfid chips in the keys paired to the bike.
Alternatively you can just request the key code from the dealer, buy the correct blank triumph key and take it to a locksmith BUT you’ll still need to get the bike to a dealer to get the rfid chip paired.