What should I do first when my motorcycle breaks down?

Hazard lights on, get off the road and somewhere safe, behind the crash barrier on a motorway. Only then deal with the bike.

Can you fix a motorcycle flat tyre at the roadside?

With tubeless tyres often yes, with a plug kit and a way to inflate. Then ride gently to a tyre shop. With inner tubes it is better to call roadside assistance.

How do you start a motorcycle with a dead battery?

With a manual gearbox you can bump start it in second gear. Otherwise you need jump leads or a jump starter.

Which number do I call after a crash?

112, the single emergency number across the EU.

Motorcycle breakdown: what to do when your bike stops

By Mirko Genovese · October 23, 2026

A flat tyre, a dead battery, running dry before the next fuel station: sooner or later it happens to everyone. With a little preparation a breakdown stays a nuisance instead of a problem. Here is what to do, in the right order.

Safety first

Switch on the hazard lights and pull as far off the road as you can.
Get away from traffic: on motorways and fast roads, stand behind the crash barrier.
Make yourself and the bike visible, for example with a high-visibility vest, especially in the evening or in poor light.
If anyone is hurt or there is danger, call 112 straight away, the emergency number across Europe.

Flat tyre

With tubeless tyres a plug repair kit plus a small CO₂ cartridge or compressor will often get you slowly to the nearest tyre shop. With inner tubes a roadside repair is harder: better call roadside assistance. After an emergency repair, ride gently and have the tyre checked as soon as possible.

Dead battery

If the bike has a manual gearbox and you find a slope or someone to push, try a bump start: second gear, clutch in, push, then release the clutch quickly. Otherwise you need jump leads or a portable jump starter and another vehicle. If the battery keeps going flat, have the battery and charging system checked.

Out of fuel

It happens more often than people admit, especially in the mountains and on Sundays, when fuel stations are scarce. A small approved fuel can or a friend with a hose can save you, but the real fix is to fill up before remote stretches.

What to carry under the seat

A tyre repair kit and a way to inflate the tyre.
The bike’s basic toolkit, some duct tape and cable ties.
A small torch or your phone light.
Your insurer’s or motoring club’s roadside assistance number, saved in your phone.
A charged phone, ideally with a power bank.

Who to call

For a breakdown with nobody hurt, call the roadside assistance included with your insurance or a motoring club. For a crash, an injury or danger, call 112. And often another rider helps: motorcyclists are happy to stop and lend a hand.

Ask for help with Moket

During a ride with Moket you can ask other riders for help, for example when you are out of fuel or have a flat tyre or a dead battery. We alert up to 30 riders who are out riding near you or have set a help zone: they see the kind of problem and a rough distance, and your exact position only if you send it yourself. Not an emergency service: for crashes and injuries, call 112.

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