Motorcycle Safety
SAFE RIDING RULES
Motorcycle riding requires special efforts on your part to ensure your safety. Know these requirements before you ride:
- Always make a pre-ride inspection (page 47) before you ride the motorcycle. You may prevent an accident or equipment damage.
- Many accidents involve inexperienced riders. Most states require a special motorcycle riding test or license. Make sure you are qualified before you ride. NEVER lend your motorcycle to an inexperienced rider.
- Many automobile/motorcycle accidents happen because the automobile driver does not "see" the motorcyclist.
Make yourself conspicuous to help avoid the accident that wasn't your fault:
- Wear bright or reflective clothing.
- Don't ride in another motorist's "blind spot."
- Obey all national and local laws and regulations.
- Excessive speed is a factor in many accidents. Obey the speed limits, and NEVER travel faster than conditions warrant.
- Signal before you make a turn or lane change. Your size and maneuverability can surprise other motorists.
- Don't let other motorists surprise you. Use extra caution at intersections, parking lot entrances and exits, and driveways.
- Keep both hands on the handlebars and both feet on the footpegs while riding. A passenger should hold on to the motorcycle or the operator with both hands and keep both feet on the passenger footpegs.
CAUTION:
Do not ride over curbs or rub the wheel against an obstacle, as wheel damage may result.
PROTECTIVE APPAREL
- Most motorcycle accident fatalities are due to head injuries: ALWAYS wear a helmet. You should also wear a face shield or goggles as well as boots, gloves, and protective clothing. A passenger needs the same protection.
- The exhaust system becomes hot during operation, and it remains hot for a while after stopping the engine. Be careful not to touch the exhaust system while it is hot. Wear clothing that fully covers your legs.
- Do not wear loose clothing which could catch on the control levers, footpegs, or wheels.
MODIFICATIONS
Modification of the motorcycle, or removal of original equipment may render the vehicle unsafe or illegal. Obey all federal, state and local equipment regulations.
LOADING AND ACCESSORIES
To prevent an accident, use extreme care when adding and riding with accessories and cargo. Addition of accessories and cargo can reduce a motorcycle's stability, performance and safe operating speed. Never ride an accessory-equipped motorcycle at speeds above 130 km (80 mph). And remember that this 130 km (80 mph) limit may be reduced by installation of non-Honda accessories, improper loading, worn tires and overall motorcycle condition, poor road or weather conditions. These general guidelines may help you decide whether or how to equip your motorcycle, and how to load it safely.
Loading
The combined weight of the rider, passenger, cargo and additional accessories must not exceed the maximum weight capacity;
| 201 kg (443 lbs) | ...without | CBS/ABS/TCS (Except AR, SW) |
| 200 kg (441 lbs) | ...without | CBS/ABS/TCS (AR, SW) |
| 191 kg (421 lbs) | ...with | CBS/ABS/TCS (Except AR, SW) |
| 190 kg (419 lbs) | ...with | CBS/ABS/TCS (AR, SW) |
Cargo weight alone should not exceed 27 kg (60 lbs).
- Keep cargo and accessory weight low and close to the center of the motorcycle. Load weight equally on both sides to minimize imbalance. As weight is located farther from the motorcycle's center of gravity, handling is proportionally affected.
- Adjust tire pressure (page 31).
- All cargo and accessories must be secure for stable handling. Recheck cargo security and accessory mounts frequently.
- Do not attach large, heavy items to the handlebars, fork, or fender. Unstable handling or slow steering response may result.
- Do not exceed the maximum weight capacity of Honda accessories.
Saddlebag: 9 kg (20 lbs) Each side Fairing pocket: 2 kg (4.5 lbs) Each side - The Honda fairing and saddlebag are designed for this motorcycle only. Do not install them on any other motorcycle.
- Do not store articles between fairing and motorcycle. They may interfere with steering causing loss of control.
- Do not use the handlebars to hold the motorcycle with a rope during transportation or the handlebars may be bent.
Accessories
Genuine Honda accessories have been specifically designed for and tested on this motorcycle. Because the factory cannot test all other accessories, you are personally responsible for proper selection, installation, and use of non-Honda accessories. Always follow the guidelines under Loading, and these:
- Carefully inspect the accessory to make sure it does not obscure any lights, reduce ground clearance and banking angle, or limit suspension travel, steering travel or control operation.
- Large fork-mounted fairings or windshields, or poorly designed or improperly mounted fairings can produce aerodynamic forces that cause unstable handling. Do not install fairings that decrease cooling air flow to the engine.
- Accessories which alter your riding position by moving hands or feet away from controls may increase reaction time in an emergency.
- Do not add electrical equipment that will exceed the motorcycle's electrical system capacity. A blown fuse could cause a dangerous loss of lights or engine power.
- This motorcycle was not designed to pull a sidecar or trailer. Handling may be seriously impaired if so equipped.
- Any modification of the cooling system may cause overheating and serious engine damage. Do not modify the radiator shrouds or install accessories which block or deflect air away from the radiator.