Of course, it hardly ever happens right outside your own garage. Usually, you find yourself stuck out on the side of the road with a mechanical problem that couldn’t have come at a worse time and the nearest garage miles away.

The good news is you don’t need to call roadside assistance for every breakdown. Often you can sort out a loose battery terminal, a blown fuse or a loose screw yourself. But with other problems, improvisation is not an option. Safety has to be the priority, especially with tires, brakes, or steering, not the desire to keep going at all costs.

1. The starter clicks, but nothing happens

The battery is usually the first thing that comes to mind. That could be the problem, but not always. It’s worth taking a look under the seat before you organise a jump-start or buy a new battery.

Connections can work loose, especially after many miles on the road. If a battery terminal has come loose, the bike can show much the same symptoms as it would with a flat battery. You don’t need a full workshop to tackle small jobs like this on the road. Well-chosen Motorcycle Tool Kits contain the essential tools for a particular bike without taking up as much room in your luggage as a large universal set.

But before you go on a long ride, it’s worth checking that you can actually remove the seat, get to the battery and do the basic jobs you might need to do on the road. If the connections are tight and the battery is still dead, the problem is probably elsewhere. Then there’s little point in messing about at the side of the road.

2. Suddenly, something starts rattling

If you know your motorbike, you’ll usually hear new sounds fairly quickly. But a rattling sound doesn’t always mean there’s a serious fault. Sometimes it’s just a loose mirror, hand guard, number plate holder or fairing panel.

That’s a good reason to stop and take a look. If it’s just a loose fastening and nothing else is broken, the job is often done in a matter of minutes. But don’t simply tighten the bolt as hard as you can. If the manufacturer has specified a torque value, follow that value.

3. The chain is noticeably loose

A chain that suddenly has a lot more slack than usual, or starts flapping around whilst riding, shouldn’t be left until the next fuel stop. The right amount of slack depends on the bike. The correct figure will be in the handbook or the manufacturer’s specifications.

If you know how to adjust the chain tension on your own bike, you can do it yourself on the road. Of course, you’ll need the proper tools for the axle and chain tensioner. If you’ve never adjusted a chain before, the side of the road isn’t the place to learn.

4. Dropped the bike? Check it before riding on

Even a low-speed drop in a car park can knock a mirror out of position, move a lever or loosen a fitting. Before you head out again, look past the scratches and make sure everything still works as it should. A mirror that’s been knocked out of position or a loose fitting may be a simple roadside fix.

Brakes and steering are another story. Motorbikes used on UK roads must be roadworthy, and the Highway Code specifically highlights brakes and steering as components that need to be kept in good working order. If you’ve dropped the bike and can’t tell whether a lever, the handlebars or part of the braking system is just out of position or actually damaged, don’t take the risk. Have it checked before you ride on.