How to Handle Your Motorcycle’s Brake Failure?

As we all know, motorcycle riding is an exciting sport with many unexpected incidents and risks. As a motorcycle rider, it is really terrible to meet brake failure.

I believe every motorcyclist doesn't want to encounter brake failure which is every motorcyclist's nightmare. But you can make a difference by knowing what to do in such a terrible situation.

In this article, the guide will show you the tips to handle brake failure step by step. These tips are designed to keep you safe and help you regain control when the unthinkable happens.

Understanding Brake Failure

If you want to solve one problem you should know what the problem is first. Before further information solutions. let’s understand what brake failure means.

Brake failure occurs when your motorcycle's braking system stops working or doesn’t perform as expected.

The result? See the following photo! An accident may happen, and your body may get hurt and the motorcycle may be damaged.

motorcycle accident caused by brake failure

This can happen due to various reasons

1. Hydraulic system failure: There are three main reasons cause hydraulic system failure—air in the brake lines, fluid leak, and low brake fluid.
2. Worn-out brake pads: Worn-out brake pads are too thin to create friction.
3. Overheating: After prolonged or aggressive use, brakes may be overheated and will lead to "brake fade."
4. Mechanical failure: There are broken cables, faulty calipers, or damaged brake levers. All of these can cause Mechanical failure.

Note: Brake failure is rare when your motorcycle is well-maintained, but it’s always wise to be.

Tips to Handle Brakes Failure

I know it is terrible to face brake failure on a motorcycle, but staying calm is crucial. Here are some steps you should follow to handle the situation safely:

1. Stay Calm and Avoid Panic

When your brakes fail, staying calm is the first and most important thing you should do. Because it can lead to poor decisions to be panicky. The most common situation is abruptly swerving or losing control of the motorcycle. Don't worry. Let's take a deep breath and focus on taking corrective action.

Remember, panicking can change nothing. Instead, it can only cloud your judgment and make the situation worse. Just focus on controlling the motorcycle and remind yourself that there are ways to slow down without brakes.

2. Use Engine Braking

Engine braking effectively decreases motorcycle speed without using the brakes. This technique eases off the throttle and downshifts gears to slow down the motorcycle.

The way to do it is to roll off the throttle and shift to a lower gear gradually. Don't downshift too quickly, or it will cause the rear wheel to lock up. And the motorcycle will be unstable.

Tips: To be familiar with the feeling, you should practice engine braking during your normal rides. It’s a skill every rider should master.

3. Pump the Brakes

press and release the brake lever

Sometimes, we can restore some functionality by pumping the brakes.

As the brake failure is caused by some temporary issue such as air in the hydraulic system.

Quickly press and release the brake lever (front brake). We can also brake the pedal (rear brake) multiple times. All the actions can help build pressure in the system.

Note: Pumping the brakes works best for hydraulic brake systems, especially if the issue is minor.

4. Use the Rear Brake if the Front Brake Fails

Although the rear brake can't provide stopping power the same as the front brake, it can still help reduce speed. So we can use the rear brake to slow down the motorcycle's speed when the front brake system fails.

use the rear brake to slow down the motorcycle's speed

In our daily rides, we should learn to balance both brakes so that we can get a feel for their individual stopping power.

Pay attention, when you use the rear brake, please apply it gently to avoid skidding. The rear wheel will lock up because of sudden or aggressive use.

5. Engage the Clutch to Avoid Stalling

Stalling can make the motorcycle harder to control. Every motorcyclist should pull the clutch lever in just before the motorcycle stops completely.

Especially when the motorcycle is slowing down with engine braking, engaging the clutch is necessary as you come to a complete stop. This action can prevent the engine from stalling.

6. Look for an Escape Route

When the brakes fail, we usually can't stop the motorcycle immediately. Keep calm and scan the road ahead to look for an escape route.

A safe place to slow down or stop can prevent accidents and reduce the impact of a crash. Open spaces, soft surfaces like grass or gravel, or an uphill road. All is OK. In this process, it is important to avoid collisions.

7. Use Natural Friction to Your Advantage

ride on loose surfaces to increase friction

An uneven road surface can slow down the motorcycle more effectively than a smooth one. Steer your motorcycle onto a surface that increases friction, such as gravel, sand, or grass as much as possible.

You should approach the road surface at a controlled speed without sharp turns or aggressive inputs to the handlebars, if possible.

Note: Be prepared to reduce stability when riding on loose surfaces.

8. Use the Kill Switch as a Last Resort

If all else ways fail and you’re still unable to slow down. You can use the kill switch to turn off the engine as a last resort.

Turning off the engine can make the motorcycle harder to control. Be ready to maintain balance. Then, flip the kill switch located on the handlebars.

Note: This action will stop the motorcycle from accelerating further, but it also disables power to the rear wheel. Please only use it if you’re traveling at a low speed or have no other options.

9. Signal and Warn Others

Warning others can help prevent collisions and ensure the drivers around you give you space. When you’re unable to stop the motorcycle quickly, remember to use hand signals, horn, or hazard lights (if available) to alert others.

Here are some signals we should know. Extend the left arm waving or use the motorcycle’s horn to indicate a problem.

10. Practice Emergency Stops Regularly

Practicing emergency-stopping techniques (engine braking, using the rear brake effectively, and finding escape routes in traffic) can help us react instinctively and stay calm in real-life situations.

It is the best way to prepare for brake failure as well. We'd better practice in a safe, open area at least once a month to keep our skills sharp.

Preventing Brake Failure

As the saying goes, prevention is always better than cure. Not only should we know how to handle brake failure, but also we should know some tips to prevent it.

Here are some tips for maintaining motorcycles' braking system:

1. Regular Maintenance

Check the brake pads, fluid levels, and hydraulic lines for wear or damage is essential. Don't forget to schedule regular maintenance for your motorcycle, such as brake inspections.

Related reading for motorcycle maintenance

Winter Motorcycle Tire Maintenance Tips - 10 Must Dos

How to Clean Your Motorcycle Chain

2. Replace Brake Pads on Time

Studies have shown that worn-out brake pads are a common cause of brake failure. As soon as they wear down to the minimum thickness, please replace them.

replace brake pads on time to prevent brake failure

3. Check Brake Fluid Levels

As we all know, low brake fluid can lead to brake pressure loss. As a result, please check and top up the brake fluid regularly and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to replace it.

4. Avoid Overheating the Brakes

As brake failure may caused by overheating with aggressive riding or prolonged use.

To avoid excessive braking, especially on downhill roads, use engine braking to reduce the load.

5. Ride wisely

If you ride wisely, and maintain your motorcycle properly, the brake's lifespan can be extended. For example, keep a safe speed and following distance, especially in wet or slippery conditions. This can prevent you from a harsh break. Also, pay attention to the max payload capacity of your motorcycle and avoid overweight. Proper maintenance and smooth riding help ensure your brakes perform reliably.

Conclusion

Although brake failure is every rider’s nightmare, we can still do something to make it not so bad.

By staying calm and using the abovementioned techniques, you can safely handle this situation and minimize risks.

Remember, preparation is key. Practice emergency stops, maintain your motorcycle regularly, and always stay alert while riding.

With the right skills and mindset, you can ride confidently—even in the face of unexpected challenges like brake failure.

Rodney L Herron

Rodney L is a technical writer and product consultant with over a decade of experience in the motor industry. Rodney is a fan of performance machines that run fast and loud and an expert in all things custom. His numerous articles and write-ups are available at our knowledge base. Whether it’s something wrong with your motorcycle or you are building a custom bike, you can trust Rodney’s experience.