Suzuki DR·Z400SM Owner's Manual page 5

'I'll F SPORT OF
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r
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Your motorcycle and this owner's
manual have been designed by
people like you who enjoy motor­
cycling. People become motorcy­
clists for many reasons. For
starters, street riding is fun and
invigorating. But no matter why
you became a motorcyclist, or
how experienced you are, you will
eventually face some challenging
situations.
In preparing for these challenges,
you will be fine-tuning your coordi­
nation, concentration, and atti­
tude. Learning the skills and
strategies associated with motor­
cycling is the basis for safety par­
ticipating in this sport. Many
motorcyclists find that as they
become better riders, they also
get more enjoyment from the free­
dom unique to motorcycling.
Please remember:
MOST ACCIDENTS CAN BE
AVOIDED
The most common type of motor­
cycle accident in the U.S. occurs
when a car traveling towards a
motorcycle turns left in front of the
motorcycle. Is that because other
drivers are out to get motorcy­
clists? No. Other drivers simply
don't always notice motorcyclists.
Ride defcll:,lvdy Wise motorcy
clists use
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'ill;lI(~<JY
of
assumin~
they are Invlslhlc
10
other drivers
even in broc1(J (jdylight. Pay care
ful attention fo other motorists
especially af intersections
because they may not be paying
attention to you Select a lane
position that gives you the besl
view of others, and other motor·
ists the best view of you. Wear
bright, reflective clothing. Put
reflective strips on your helmet.
IF YOU DON'T HAVE A HELMET­
BUY A HELMET, AND WEAR IT
EVERY TIME YOU RIDE
Most accidents occur within a few
miles of home, and almost half
occur at speeds of less than 30
mph. So even if you're just going
on a quick errand, be prepared ­
strap on your helmet before you
take off.
Helmets do not reduce essentia,
vision or hearing. Generally, hel
mets do not cause or intensify
injury if you crash. Helmets simply
help your skull protect your intelll
gence, your memory, your pel
sonality, and your life.
Your eyesight is equally valuable
Wearing suitable eye protectior
can help keep your visior
unblurred by the wind and saVE
your eyes from airborne hazard:
like bugs, dirt, or pebbles kickel
up by tires.
IF A COLLISION IS IMMINENT,
DO SOMETHING!
Many riders fear locking up their
hrakes or haven't learned to
:;werve to avoid an accident.
Many inexperienced riders (and
100
many seasoned riders) use
oilly their rear brake in an emer­
!J()ncy, resulting in unnecessary
Illlpacts in some cases and
lillnecessarily high impact speeds
III
other cases. Your rear brake
1:;1Il
only provide about 30% of
your motorcycle's potential stop­
I)lllg power. The front and rear
hrakes can and should be used
II
)(Jether to maximize braking
o"ectiveness.
I xperienced motorcyclists learn
10
"cover" the front brake lever by
lI<]htly resting a couple of fingers
over the lever when riding in traffic
Illld near intersections to give
IIlnir reaction time a head start.
Emergency stopping and swerv­
ing are techniques that you
should practice and master before
you find yourself in an emergency
situation. The best place to prac­
tice such techniques is in a con­
trolled environment such as the
Motorcycle Safety Foundation's
(MSF) rider training courses. The
MSF's Motorcycle Rider Courses
(fundamental techniques) and
Experienced Rider Courses
(advanced strategies) present
hands-on instruction of the basic
principles of motorcycling and a
variety of accident-avoidance
maneuvers. Even a seasoned
motorcyclist can improved his or
her riding skills, and pick up a few
new skills, through these courses.
Some insurance companies even
offer discounts to course gradu­
ates.
SPECIAL SITUATIONS REQUIRE
SPECIAL CARE
Of course, there are some times
when full-force braking is not the
correct technique. When the road
surface is wet, loose, or rough,
you should brake with care. When
you're leaned over in a corner,
avoid braking. Straighten up
before braking. Better yet, slow
down before entering the corner.
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