Can-Am SPYDER RS, Operator'S Manual, Page: 45 / 147

REQUIRED RIDING SKILLS AND PRACTICE EXERCISES
Directions
– With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, the
parking brake engaged, and your
right foot pressing the brake pedal,
pull in and hold the clutch lever.
Watch the tachometer and apply
throttle (twist lowering your wrist) a
few times to raise the RPM to no
more than 4000. As long as the
clutch is fully pulled in the power
will not transfer to the rear wheel.
– Use the engine stop switch to cut
all power to the vehicle. Press the
switch with your right thumb while
keeping your hand on the handgrip.
Tips for Additional Practice
– Practice pressing the engine stop
switch without looking at it.
2) Learning the Friction Zone and
Basic Handling
Pulling in the clutch disengages power
to the rear wheel — if you feel like you
are losing control while doing these
exercises, you can pull in the clutch
to stop accelerating and apply the
brake as needed to slow down. You
can also use the engine stop switch to
cut power entirely.
The friction zone is the area in the travel
of the clutch lever that begins where
the clutch starts to transmit power to
the rear wheel and ends just before the
clutch becomes fully engaged. While
the clutch is partially engaged, it allows
you to precisely control engine power
transmitted to the rear wheel. Proper
use of the friction zone helps you get
moving smoothly from a stop.
Purpose
– Become familiar with the clutch and
operating within the friction zone.
– Become familiar with low speed de-
celeration and braking.
Directions
For this exercise, do NOT use any
throttle. You will be controlling your
movement using only the clutch in the
friction zone and brake.
Begin by stopping every 6 m (20 ft) (ev-
ery marker/every second line).
– Start the engine and release the
parking brake.
– With the brake pedal depressed and
the clutch lever pulled in, shift the
transmission into first gear by firmly
pushing down on the shift lever.
– Release the foot brake.
–
Slowly let out the clutch lever until
the vehicle starts to creep forward.
Hold the clutch lever at this point.
This is the friction zone. If you re-
lease the clutch too quickly, the en-
gine may stall or the vehicle may
jump forward.
If the vehicle stalls ,
restart the engine and try again, re-
leasing the clutch more gradually.
– As you approach the stopping point,
pull the clutch lever all the way in
and press the brake pedal to stop.
Pulling the clutch in does not have to
be gradual — you can do this quickly.
– When you reach the end of the
straightaway, stop, turn the han-
dlebar all the way to the right, and
turn around. Be careful not to apply
throttle as you turn. Stop when you
are in line with the straightaway in
the opposite direction.
– Repeat this exercise until you feel
comfortable.
Tips for Additional Practice
– As you become more comfortable
with the friction zone, try stopping
every 12 m (40 ft) (every other cone)
so that you can fully release the
clutch.
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SAFE OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
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