UNDERSTANDING RISK ON THE ROAD
Before you operate the Spyder road-
ster, consider your risk of being hurt or
killed in a crash, how you can reduce
the risk and whether you are willing to
take the risk. There are many factors
that contribute to the risk that you face.
You can control some of these factors,
but others, like the behavior of other
drivers, are beyond your control. Here
are some of the factors that affect your
risk:
Type of Vehicle
Different types of vehicles vary in
terms of size, visibility and maneuver-
ability and provide different degrees of
protection.
The Spyder roadster is small and ma-
neuverable. Maneuverability can help
avoid crashes. However, smaller vehi-
cles are harder to see, which increases
the chance that other motorists will
cause a crash. In some situations, the
Spyder roadster is less likely to be in
a crash than a motorcycle. For exam-
ple, you are less likely to tip over at low
speeds while operating the vehicle.
However, in other situations, the vehi-
cle is more likely to be in a crash. For
example, because the vehicle is wider,
it will not fit through as small an open-
ing as many motorcycles.
In cars and trucks, the structure of the
vehicle provides protection in crashes
and from other road hazards. In addi-
tion, passengers can protect them-
selves by wearing seat belts. You
should expect that riding the Spyder
roadster is riskier than riding in a car
and that the risk of injury is more like
riding a motorcycle.
As when riding a motorcycle, you can
reduce the risk of injuries by wearing a
helmet and riding gear.
Operator Skills and
Judgment
Every driver has some control over
their own risk on the road. Drivers
who develop good skills will have bet-
ter control of their vehicle. Do not rely
on your experience with motorcycles,
automobiles, ATVs, snowmobiles or
any other kind of vehicle to prepare
you to operate the Spyder roadster.
Learn how this vehicle is different.
Read this Operator's Guide, watch the
SAFETY DVD
video, and if available,
take a training course. Become profi-
cient with the controls and be able to
do the practice exercises accurately
and with confidence before going on
the road.
When you begin riding on the road,
start with less challenging situations
(e.g., light traffic, lower speeds, good
weather, no passenger) and gradually
move on to more challenging riding
situations as you develop your skills.
Plan ahead to avoid situations that are
too difficult for your skill level, or that
present more risk than you want to
take on.
Even skilled drivers cause crashes.
For example, if you use your skills to
do extreme maneuvers or stunts, you
increase your risk. The smart driver
uses good judgment along with skills
to increase the margin of safety and
minimize risk. Learn the defensive
driving techniques in
STREET STRATE-
GIES
subsection.
Rider Condition
A driver needs to be alert, sober, and
physically ready to ride. Never use this
vehicle with drugs or alcohol. Riding
when intoxicated, tired or otherwise
impaired increases the risk of a crash.
Alcohol, drugs, medications, fatigue,
drowsiness and emotions can all in-
hibit your ability to ride safely. Like
riding a motorcycle, riding the Spyder
roadster is a challenging activity —
being in good physical and mental con-
42
_____
SAFE OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
______
Summary of Contents for SPYDER F3TM 2016
Page 10: ...GENERAL PRECAUTIONS This page is intentionally blank 8 _______________ ...
Page 11: ...VEHICLE INFORMATION _______________ 9 ...
Page 39: ...SAFE OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS ______ SAFE OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS ______ 37 ...
Page 87: ...PRE RIDE INSPECTION _______________ 85 ...
Page 90: ...PRE RIDE CHECKLIST This page is intentionally blank 88 ______________ ...
Page 91: ...MAINTENANCE _______________ 89 ...
Page 113: ...ROAD SIDE REPAIRS ______________ 111 ...
Page 133: ...TECHNICAL INFORMATION ______________ 131 ...
Page 144: ...SPECIFICATIONS This page is intentionally blank 142 ______________ ...
Page 145: ...WARRANTY ______________ 143 ...
Page 160: ...This page is intentionally blank 158 ______________ ...
Page 161: ...CUSTOMER INFORMATION ______________ 159 ...
Page 164: ...CHANGE OF ADDRESS OWNERSHIP This page is intentionally blank 162 ______________ ...
Page 165: ...CHANGE OF ADDRESS OWNERSHIP ______________ 163 ...
Page 166: ...CHANGE OF ADDRESS OWNERSHIP This page is intentionally blank 164 ______________ ...
Page 167: ...CHANGE OF ADDRESS OWNERSHIP ______________ 165 ...
Page 168: ...CHANGE OF ADDRESS OWNERSHIP This page is intentionally blank 166 ______________ ...
Page 169: ...CHANGE OF ADDRESS OWNERSHIP NOTES ______________ 167 ...
Page 170: ...CHANGE OF ADDRESS OWNERSHIP NOTES 168 ______________ ...