Where to put your EZ-Pass?
May 6th, 2009 by Leo
This is the age old question of motorcycling…where to stick that EZ-Pass tag? What you don’t want to do is slow down, unzip your jacket pocket, wave the tag with one hand while coasting on the clutch with the other – then drop your tag in the middle of the roadway. So what’s a commuter to do?
For those not in the Northeast, you have the same problem with Fast Lane and Sunpass… Fortunately most of those electronic pass lanes don’t have gates that come down until you pay the toll, so you can just roll on through whether your tag reads or not. If your tag doesn’t read they’re supposed to photograph your license plate and either mail you a fine or charge your account. These camera systems are’t very good at getting motorcycle license plates, so most bikers wind up getting a free ride. This has led people to say things like “just put your EZ Pass under the passenger seat, it’ll read thru the seat.” No it won’t. For EZ-Pass readers around NY anyway… Others say it’ll read thru your jacket pocket. Sometimes that works, but it’s hit or miss. Either way, it’ll probably be okay because they’ll never send you a bill.
But in NY there’s ther Tri-Borough Bridge (now Robert F Kennedy Bridge) that still has one of those gates that don’t lift up until you pay. So if you have one of these to go thru, or just want to be a good citizen and make sure you pay your toll, what’s a biker to do?
Assuming you don’t have a flat enough windshield to stick it to: The premium option is to get a RAM mount setup or something similar. This will probably cost you upwards of $50. Not a bad investment if you have other electronics you want to mount, but it’s a little pricey for just a lowly EZ-Pass. A slightly cheaper option is the JJ CyclePass for around $20. But if you have a bike with clipon handlebars, you’ll have to stick this thing on the mirrors. That’s pretty smart, but rather insightly. Also it gets in the way if you’re in the habit of folding up your mirrors when you park (like I do). A third option is to put the EZ-Pass in the clear plastic part of your tank bag (most seem to have a clear plastic cel phone pocket on top these days). But I don’t like tank bags, the small ones hold too little to be useful, and the large ones get in the way with my low handlebars. So what’s a cheapo biker to do?
If you’re only going to use this occasionally, you might want to try my super ghetto option… Behold the Ghetto-Pass.
I put the velcro part of the tag on an old plastic conference ID and just wear it around my neck inside my jacket. When I get to the Tri-Borough Bridge I still have to pull it out (with my right hand, while holding the clutch in with my left) and hold it up for the system to read my tag, but afterward I can just let go and grab the throttle, and I don’t have to worry about dropping the tag somewhere.
What do you do with your tag? Have a good idea? Share the wealth and post a comment! – Cheers!
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As a postscript, after trying some different options on my 600rr, I still use this conference ID tag thingy… Mainly because I only use it occasionally…
But if I’m going on a long trip through several tolls, I now put the lanyard (string, whatever) around the windshield with the EZ Pass inside – and tape the EZpass to the windshield… If the tape falls off, it’ll just dangle there – but usually a couple of lines of tape is good for whatever trip I’m on. When I get to my destination, I take it off and throw away the tape.
Anyway – if you see any good cheap alternatives for folks who either don’t want to – or can’t use velcro on their windscreen – or don’t want to make it a permanent attachment – then share the wealth!
I put the tag inside a ziploc bag that can house it comfortably. I then wrap the excess plastic around the central portion of the handlebar (near the ignition key) and kep it in place with one of those big black binder clips. It holds great and doesn’t move.