Accessories, Loading and Passengers
129
ACCESSORIES, LOADING AND PASSENGERS
The addition of accessories and carrying
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.
Warning
Continued
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 confi-
guration 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 tire pressures
- Excessively or unevenly worn tires
- Side winds and turbulence from other
vehicles
- Loose clothing.
Remember that the 80 mph (130 km/h)
absolute limit will be reduced by the
installation of non-approved accessories,
incorrect loading, worn tires, overall
motorcycle condition and poor road or
weather conditions.
