What To Do If Your Motorcycle Breaks Down
No matter how much you plan and prepare, accidents happen. Sometimes, things don’t work the way they’re supposed to, like your usually-reliable touring motorcycle. If you’re about to head out on a long-distance trip and you’re concerned about your bike breaking down in the middle of nowhere, you should check out the following guide by Indian® Motorcycle of Orange County. We know a thing or two about motorcycle repair, so we’ve provided these recommendations to help you be prepared just in case you suffer a breakdown.
Our dealership is located in Westminster, California, so if you have any professional maintenance needs, call up our service department for help! Our staff can also help answer questions you might have about long-distance riding or how to build a tool kit for your motorcycle.
Options: Repair Or Run?
When you realize something is amiss on your motorcycle, your immediate concern is how to safely steer your way to the shoulder or down an exit, away from traffic. If your bike is malfunctioning heavily, it might be all you can do to get to the shoulder, but if you think you have a little time, you might be able to pull further off the highway at the next exit to get yourself to a safer place. Signal to other drivers to alert them of your distress and be mindful as you work your way through traffic, as not everyone will see the problem or respond quickly to you.
Now that you’re parked off the highway, you’ll have to look your bike over and determine whether you want to fix the issue yourself or if you need to call for help. If you have the tools and the knowledge to address the problem and you’re also not in danger of being hit by a car, then by all means, repair your bike and get moving again.
However, if your motorcycle has a major issue or you’re on a narrow shoulder with high-speed traffic buffeting you around, calling for help is the better option. Don’t be ashamed to do this -- it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you spy a repair shop or gas station within walking distance, head over there to see if they can assist you or find someone in town who can. Otherwise, you can call a friend with a truck or roadside assistance, so long as you get yourself far from traffic while you do it. If you’re in your hometown, you likely have several people to call in an emergency, but if you’re traveling further away, you may have to look up some numbers for local mechanics.
Do You Have The Right Tools?
If you don’t have a well-stocked tool kit on your motorcycle, there’s no chance you’ll be able to do much of anything in the event of a breakdown. Carrying tools with you lets you repair issues quickly by the side of the road so you can keep riding instead of calling a tow truck. Some of the tools you might want to stash in a kit include wrenches, screwdrivers, tire patches, a small air compressor, fuel siphon and pliers. You can either build this kit yourself from scratch or seek out a pre-assembled motorcycle repair kit that has everything you need in one convenient package.
Keep It From Happening Again
The best way to prevent yourself from suffering another motorcycle breakdown on the highway is to properly maintain your bike. Regular checks and professional maintenance appointments can address and fix minor problems before they become major. Make sure to adhere to the recommended oil change schedule for your brand of motorcycle, as dictated by the owner’s manual.
Check tire pressure and tread wear before every ride and make sure there are no objects embedded in your tires. Don’t ride on worn-down tires. Look over the battery for signs of corrosion, tighten belts and chains and refill coolant.
If you find anything you can’t address yourself, the service team at Indian® Motorcycle of Orange County is more than happy to help you! Give us a call to set up your next motorcycle maintenance appointment today.
Now you know how to guard yourself against a breakdown as well as how to deal with one if it happens despite your best efforts. If you’re looking to trade in your motorcycle or own your very first bike, come down to our dealership in Westminster to see our wide selection of new and used motorcycles for sale. Indian Motorcycle® of Orange County serves the greater Los Angeles metro area, including the cities of Long Beach and Santa Ana, California.