Getting your broken bike to the mechanical repairs shop

In many parts of the world motorbikes radically outnumber cars on the roads. A motorbike can be an incredibly efficient and more environmentally friendly way to get around, but there are certainly some aspects of motorbikes that many Australians would be wary of. Apart from being exposed to the elements, one fear some people has is that if it breaks down, getting it to a mechanic will be problematic. There is a perception that motorbikes present a different set of challenges when they break down, at least compared to a car.

What to do if your motorcycle breaks down?

A motorcycle is no different to a car in that it has an engine and moving parts, all of which can break down at some point. The fact is however that these days, this very rarely does happen. The easiest thing you can do is make sure your motorbike is serviced regularly. A good mechanic will be able to discern any areas of concern and carry out preventative maintenance. This is no different to driving a car. The manufacturer's service log will also outline important work that needs to be done after certain amounts of kilometres have been covered. And just like with a car, if something does go wrong, it will all be much easier to deal with if you have some kind of roadside assistance. Roadside assistance can provide:

• Mechanical assistance on the spot.
• If the problem is not major they may well be able to get you going again until you can at least reach a mechanic
• If the problem is more serious, roadside assistance can organise towing and the rider can usually travel in the tow truck as the motorbike is transported to a mechanic

There is a perception that if a motorbike breaks down it will almost certainly have to be towed and that this is a more serious problem in general. The fact is that all vehicles break down and cars often have to be towed as well. This is a fact of life if you ride or drive.

Motorbike mechanics: Other information

It is advised that you take out some form of roadside assistance if you plan driving or riding anywhere. Roadside assistance can provide you with on the spot mechanical help and if need be a full range of towing options. Usually by paying a yearly premium you will receive a range of cover that would prove much cheaper if you break down, than what would happen if you did not have it and had to organise towing. There are a great many organisations that provide this kind of assistance now and it pays to do a little research and see who has the best deal. One thing to remember is that if your motorbike breaks down you can't sit in it while you wait for help and you can not lock it up and leave it like you could with a car either, so any assistance package needs to be able to guarantee a fairly quick response time.