Accessories, Loading and Passengers
130
ACCESSORIES, LOADING AND PASSENGERS
The addition of accessories and carriage
of additional weight can affect the
motorcycle's handling characteristics
causing changes in stability and
necessitating a reduction in speed. The
following information has been prepared
as a guide to the potential hazards of
adding accessories to a motorcycle and
carrying passengers and additional
loads.
Accessories
Warning
Do not install accessories or carry
luggage that impairs the control of the
motorcycle.
Make sure that you have not adversely
affected any lighting component, road
clearance, banking capability (i.e. lean
angle), control operation, wheel travel,
front fork movement, visibility in any
direction, or any other aspect of the
motorcycle's operation.
Warning
Never ride an accessory equipped
motorcycle, or a motorcycle carrying a
payload of any kind, at speeds above
80 mph (130 km/h). In either/both of
these conditions, speeds in excess of
80
mph (130
km/h) should not be
attempted even where the legal speed
limit permits this.
The presence of accessories and/or
payload will cause changes in the
stability and handling of the
motorcycle.
Failure to allow for changes in
motorcycle stability may lead to loss of
motorcycle control and an accident.
When riding at high speed, always be
aware that various motorcycle
configuration and environmental
factors can adversely affect the
stability of your motorcycle. For
example:
- Incorrectly balanced loads on both
sides of the motorcycle
- Incorrectly adjusted front and rear
suspension settings
- Incorrectly adjusted tyre pressures
- Excessively or unevenly worn tyres
- Side winds and turbulence from other
vehicles
- Loose clothing
