9
Safety
Safe Riding Practices
Follow these general safe riding practices:
• Before each ride, perform the pre-ride inspections as outlined beginning on page 34.
Failure to do so may result in damage to the motorcycle or an accident.
• Until you're thoroughly familiar with the motorcycle and all of its controls, practice riding
where there is little or no traffic. Practice riding at a moderate speed on various road
surfaces and in different weather conditions.
• Know your skills and limits, and ride within them.
• Allow only licensed, experienced operators to ride your motorcycle, and then only after
they have become familiar with its controls and operation. Make sure all riders read and
understand this rider’s manual before riding.
• Do not ride when you're fatigued, ill or under the influence of alcohol, prescription drugs,
over-the-counter drugs or any other drugs. Fatigue, illness, alcohol and drugs can cause
drowsiness, loss of coordination and loss of balance. They can also affect your awareness
and judgment.
• If your motorcycle operates abnormally, correct the problem immediately. See the
VICTORY Service Manual
or an authorized VICTORY dealer.
• Ride defensively, as if you are invisible to other motorists, even in broad daylight.
A
motorist's failure to see or recognize a motorcycle is the leading cause of automobile/
motorcycle accidents
. Ride where you're clearly visible to other motorists, and observe
their behavior carefully.
• Be especially cautious at intersections, as these are the most likely places for an accident.
• To prevent loss of control, keep your hands on the handlebars and your feet on the
footrests.
• Be aware that the highway bar is not designed to protect the rider from injury in a
collision.
• Do not move or operate the motorcycle with the steering locked (if equipped), as the
severely restricted steering could result in loss of control.
• Obey the speed limit and adjust your speed and riding technique based on road, weather
and traffic conditions. As you travel faster, the influence of all other conditions increases,
which can affect the motorcycle's stability and increase the possibility of losing control.
