Yamaha WR450F Owner's Manual page 9

motorist's blind spot.
• Never maintain a motorcycle
without proper knowledge. Con-
tact an authorized motorcycle
dealer to inform you on basic
motorcycle maintenance. Cer-
tain maintenance can only be
carried out by certified staff.

Many accidents involve inexperi-
enced operators.
• Make sure that you are qualified
and that you only lend your mo-
torcycle to other qualified opera-
tors.
• Know your skills and limits.
Staying within your limits may
help you to avoid an accident.
• We recommend that you prac-
tice riding your motorcycle until
you have become thoroughly fa-
miliar with the motorcycle and all
of its controls.

Many accidents have been caused
by error of the motorcycle opera-
tor. A typical error made by the op-
erator is veering wide on a turn
due to excessive speed or under-
cornering (insufficient lean angle
for the speed).
• Always obey the speed limit and
never travel faster than warrant-
ed by road and traffic conditions.
• Always signal before turning or
changing lanes. Make sure that
other motorists can see you.

Ride cautiously in unfamiliar ar-
eas. You may encounter hidden
obstacles that could cause an ac-
cident.

The posture of the operator is im-
portant for proper control. The op-
erator should keep both hands on
the handlebar and both feet on the
operator footrests during operation
to maintain control of the motorcy-
cle.

Never ride under the influence of
alcohol or other drugs.
Protective Apparel
The majority of fatalities from motorcy-
cle accidents are the result of head in-
juries. The use of a safety helmet is the
single most critical factor in the preven-
tion or reduction of head injuries.

Always wear an approved helmet.

Wear a face shield or goggles.
Wind in your unprotected eyes
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SAFETY INFORMATION
could contribute to an impairment
of vision that could delay seeing a
hazard.

The use of a jacket, heavy boots,
trousers, gloves, etc., is effective in
preventing or reducing abrasions
or lacerations.

Never wear loose-fitting clothes,
otherwise they could catch on the
control levers, footrests, or wheels
and cause injury or an accident.

Always wear protective clothing
that covers your legs, ankles, and
feet. The engine or exhaust sys-
tem become very hot during or af-
ter operation and can cause burns.
Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
All engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide, a deadly gas. Breathing car-
bon monoxide can cause headaches,
dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, confu-
sion, and eventually death.
Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odor-
less, tasteless gas which may be
present even if you do not see or smell
any engine exhaust. Deadly levels of
carbon monoxide can collect rapidly
and you can quickly be overcome and
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