Can-Am spyder gs 2008, Operator'S Manual

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STREET STRATEGIES
Time of Day and Weather
In dim light, such as at night, at dawn
or dusk, or in poor weather such as rain
or fog, you may be harder to see. Glare
at dawn and dusk or very bright sun-
light can also make it harder for other
motorists to see you.
Clothing
Bright colors or reflective clothing can
increase your visibility.
Be Careful Even When Motorists
See You
Even when motorists seem to notice
you, they may still drive in a way that
puts you at risk of a crash. Drive de-
fensively, and don’t rely on other mo-
torists to operate their vehicles safely.
Lane Position
Normally, position the Spyder roadster
in the center of the lane. This position
keeps the front tires in the lane. It al-
so provides distance from vehicles in
other lanes, reducing wind from large
vehicles and reducing the risk of being
struck by vehicles that leave their lane.
This position also keeps your front
wheels out of the slippery area in the
middle of the lane, helping maintain
braking and steering ability. If you are
used to driving a car, remember that
you are centered on the Spyder road-
ster, rather than seated to the side, so
your perspective is different.
You can move to the left or right part
of the lane, to avoid hazards, keep dis-
tance from other vehicles, or handle
curves. You can also move to the left
or right part of the lane to get a bet-
ter view or to be seen by other vehi-
cles. Because of the Spyder roadster’s
center seat position and width, it may
be harder to see around traffic, even
when you are near the edge of the
lane. You may need a greater following
distance behind wide or tall vehicles.
Avoid putting your wheel outside of
the lane to see around traffic. In order
for drivers ahead to see you, you must
be able to see their mirrors. When you
are being followed by a large vehicle,
passing vehicles may not be able to
see you easily if you are not in the left
part of the lane.
rmo2008-001-075_a.
1. Vehicle in left portion of lane
Because the Spyder roadster is wider
than a motorcycle, the range of lane
positions is smaller. When riding in the
left or right part of the lane be sure that
the front wheels stay in the lane.
On multilane roads, choose a lane that
is appropriate for your speed in the
flow of traffic, and also consider your
ability to see and be seen, and possible
paths for evasive maneuvers (such as
swerving into other lanes or onto the
shoulder).
Common Riding Situations
Intersections
Intersections, including small inter-
sections with alleys and driveways,
present an additional risk due to the
cross traffic. Always watch for traffic
in all directions: behind, in front and to
the left and right.
When stopping at an intersection, stop
in the middle of the lane, even if you
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SAFE OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
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