1. Get safe
- Move off the road if you can, onto the shoulder or a safe area, as far from traffic as possible.
- Turn on the hazard lights, and if you have a reflective vest or triangle, use them.
- Stand away from the road behind a guardrail or barrier, not next to the bike in the traffic lane.
2. If anyone is hurt
Call the local emergency number first. Give the location and the number of people hurt, and follow the dispatcher’s instructions. Do not move an injured person unless there is an immediate danger, and leave medical care to trained responders.
3. Check the simple things
- Fuel: is the tank empty or the fuel tap set to reserve?
- The kill switch, the side stand sensor and the neutral or clutch switch.
- Battery terminals: loose or dirty connections can mimic a dead battery.
- Visible damage, loose cables or leaking fluids.
Do not take risks with repairs on the roadside. If you cannot find the problem quickly and safely, call for help.
4. Call for help
- Call your roadside assistance, a friend or a mechanic, and tell them exactly where you are.
- Share your phone location, and tell someone your plan and the time you expect to be moving again.
- Stay with the bike if it is safe, and out of traffic.
Keep in the bike for emergencies
- A reflective vest, a small first-aid kit and a torch or headlamp.
- A tyre repair kit and a compressor or CO₂ cartridges.
- A phone power bank and a charging cable.
- The number of your roadside assistance, and your emergency contact written down.
This guide is general and not medical advice. In an emergency, call the local emergency number and follow the dispatcher’s instructions.