Modern motorcycles have become so reliable.
With their EFI systems and digital electronic ignition, they are almost foolproof.
You just plug the bike into a scan tool and get it diagnosed immediately.
But as reliable as moderns bikes have become, things will always go awry.
It is ironic to think as efficient as modern bikes are, they are harder to troubleshoot and more difficult to fix.
No matter what a rider should always bring along with him a decent set of tools.
Common problems such as a flat tire, mirror hanging loose or handlebar that needs adjustments need to be dealt with immediately.
You should be able to fix ninety-nine percent of road emergencies that you will most likely to encounter if the motorcycle is pre-ride inspected, you drag along necessary tools and owner's manual, must bring along credit cards and cellphone and of course basic common sense.
If your motorcycle's engine just stops with no fade in or a sputter of warning or if your tire suddenly deflate, these are considered little annoyances if it happens a block from home or on a quiet suburban street.
But if a breakdown happens on a busy, bustling interstate highway, you are in for a heart-stopping moment.
You need six hands and eight hands.
You will feel a surge of rush into your system before you can even catch your breath.
It is a situation that demands a lot of attention and snappy assessment.
It can pose a lot of additional challenges.
If you are stranded along the farthest left of five lanes, you need to make your way to the right shoulder unless you want to be stuck there for what could be hours.
If there is heavy traffic, do not try to cross to the right shoulder from the left.
Call someone and wait for help.
If there is exit possible, try for it.
Check the traffic, react quickly and pick your gaps in traffic immediately.
Move aggressively and wave your right hand to convey distress.
While doing your escape route however, simultaneously hold in the bike's clutch and fish for the petcock lever to the reserve position and jiggle the kill switch and main ignition switch that might have prompted an ignition failure.
The right shoulder of a roadway is usually wider, away from the moving traffic and more accessible for anyone who comes to help.
Get yourself and your motorcycle out of danger by moving as far from traffic as you can.
At night, turn on the hazard lights or turn signal to alert drivers that something is there and avoid it.
To avoid becoming a speed bump, you need to come up with an exit strategy or contingency plans in case you lose power or blow a tire in heavy traffic.
If you are a motorcyclist who likes riding solo, who likes trekking on little country back roads with virtually no traffic and you love the feeling of having all that scenery and asphalt to yourself, you should have plan B if something goes wrong.
If you bike breaks and you are in a remote road with no cellular service and help maybe, hours on foot or as nighttime comes until you see another vehicle.
These days you can no longer count on every driver who passes to stop and offer aid.
Prepare to fend for yourself in case you get stranded in isolated roads.
That means you need to have water, food, warm clothes and many more with you.
The old but time-tested method of telling a friend or family exactly where your destination will be and when to call for help if you have not arrived yet at the designated time and date, is still very effective.
Mechanical devices do fail but when it comes to today's complex motorcycles a breakdown is the last thing to consider.
Making major repairs on a busy roadside probably is not going to happen as often anymore but who knows being well-prepared still can be a lifesaver.
With their EFI systems and digital electronic ignition, they are almost foolproof.
You just plug the bike into a scan tool and get it diagnosed immediately.
But as reliable as moderns bikes have become, things will always go awry.
It is ironic to think as efficient as modern bikes are, they are harder to troubleshoot and more difficult to fix.
No matter what a rider should always bring along with him a decent set of tools.
Common problems such as a flat tire, mirror hanging loose or handlebar that needs adjustments need to be dealt with immediately.
You should be able to fix ninety-nine percent of road emergencies that you will most likely to encounter if the motorcycle is pre-ride inspected, you drag along necessary tools and owner's manual, must bring along credit cards and cellphone and of course basic common sense.
If your motorcycle's engine just stops with no fade in or a sputter of warning or if your tire suddenly deflate, these are considered little annoyances if it happens a block from home or on a quiet suburban street.
But if a breakdown happens on a busy, bustling interstate highway, you are in for a heart-stopping moment.
You need six hands and eight hands.
You will feel a surge of rush into your system before you can even catch your breath.
It is a situation that demands a lot of attention and snappy assessment.
It can pose a lot of additional challenges.
If you are stranded along the farthest left of five lanes, you need to make your way to the right shoulder unless you want to be stuck there for what could be hours.
If there is heavy traffic, do not try to cross to the right shoulder from the left.
Call someone and wait for help.
If there is exit possible, try for it.
Check the traffic, react quickly and pick your gaps in traffic immediately.
Move aggressively and wave your right hand to convey distress.
While doing your escape route however, simultaneously hold in the bike's clutch and fish for the petcock lever to the reserve position and jiggle the kill switch and main ignition switch that might have prompted an ignition failure.
The right shoulder of a roadway is usually wider, away from the moving traffic and more accessible for anyone who comes to help.
Get yourself and your motorcycle out of danger by moving as far from traffic as you can.
At night, turn on the hazard lights or turn signal to alert drivers that something is there and avoid it.
To avoid becoming a speed bump, you need to come up with an exit strategy or contingency plans in case you lose power or blow a tire in heavy traffic.
If you are a motorcyclist who likes riding solo, who likes trekking on little country back roads with virtually no traffic and you love the feeling of having all that scenery and asphalt to yourself, you should have plan B if something goes wrong.
If you bike breaks and you are in a remote road with no cellular service and help maybe, hours on foot or as nighttime comes until you see another vehicle.
These days you can no longer count on every driver who passes to stop and offer aid.
Prepare to fend for yourself in case you get stranded in isolated roads.
That means you need to have water, food, warm clothes and many more with you.
The old but time-tested method of telling a friend or family exactly where your destination will be and when to call for help if you have not arrived yet at the designated time and date, is still very effective.
Mechanical devices do fail but when it comes to today's complex motorcycles a breakdown is the last thing to consider.
Making major repairs on a busy roadside probably is not going to happen as often anymore but who knows being well-prepared still can be a lifesaver.