What Happens If Chain Breaks On Motorcycle

When the chain of a motorcycle suddenly breaks on the road, the first thing you feel is that the power of the rear wheel disappears completely in an instant. It feels as if the car has been kicked into a fake neutral. You will hear the engine speed soaring, but the car will not go at all.

In this instant, there are two biggest dangers:

The broken chain slams forward, breaking your engine shell and even your leg.
The chain is directly stirred into the tooth plate and locks the rear wheel on the spot, which may cause very dangerous sideslip or even fall off the car.
Never pinch the brakes, especially the rear brake. Your first and most critical action must be to pull the clutch to the end immediately and smoothly. This action can instantly cut the power link between the still roaring engine and the mess behind it. Steady your faucet, keep your eyes on the distance, and use your inertia to slip the car smoothly to the side of the road.

Remember, pulling the clutch is the best way for you to deal with all the subsequent troubles, and it is also the key to stop you safely.

Understanding The Immediate Dangers

The Whipping Chain

You know, the moment the engine breaks under the huge torque, the chain itself carries great kinetic energy. This energy will make it whip like a whip. Its path is not accurate, but in my experience, the most common place it hits is the side cover of the engine, which is strong enough to crack the metal and cause catastrophic oil leakage. In more unlucky cases, the chain may also be thrown outward and directly pumped on the rider’s leg or foot. The injury is definitely not light.

Rear Wheel Lock-Up

I’m afraid this is the most deadly result. A broken chain can easily stir between the front and rear cranksets, the rear rocker arm or the engine housing. This kind of “mixing” situation can make the rear wheel lock instantly. Once the rear wheels lock up, it is almost certain that the car will slip. If you happened to be pressing the car in the corner, it is likely that you did not even have a chance to react, directly is a violent high-side or low-side, the consequences are unimaginable.

How To Deal With Danger

Whether you can save your life and your car depends on whether you can react calmly, correctly and quickly. Let’s take the key steps apart.

Pull The Clutch Immediately

I have to emphasize 1 times again, this is the most important of all operations. Pull the clutch to the end, and you will instantly cut off the power output of the engine. This is equivalent to stopping the “feeding” force to the broken chain, which can prevent it from further shaking and hurting people and cars, or getting deeper into the dental tray. This is your primary means of controlling the expansion of the disaster.

Do Not Panic Or Use Brakes Abruptly

The chain suddenly broke, it was really scary. But squeezing the brakes in a panic is a human instinct and a dangerous reaction. Especially if you slam on the rear brake, if the rear wheel is already locked due to the chain jam at this time, your foot down this will only make the situation worse and make the car more unstable.

Maintain Control And Coast To Safety

Raise your eyes and look in the direction you want to go instead of staring at the chain on the ground. Grasp the handlebars and control any instability that may arise. Use the remaining inertia of the car to smoothly and safely glide it to the shoulder of the road or other safe place. After the speed drops a lot, gently use your front and rear brakes until it comes to a complete stop.

Author：Landon

As a rider with over 17 years on the road and countless hours in the garage, I’ve seen firsthand how a simple mechanical failure can turn dangerous in an instant. My passion is to share clear, practical, and life-saving advice learned from my own experiences. I write to help fellow motorcyclists understand their machines better and react correctly when things go wrong, ensuring we all get to enjoy the ride and make it home safely.