Motorcycle Safety; Important Safety Information - Honda XR250 Tornado Owner's Manual

Owner´s Manual

MOTORCYCLE SAFETY

Important Safety Information

Your motorcycle can provide many years of service
and pleasure if you take responsibility for your own
safety and understand the challenges that you can
meet on and off-road.
There is much that you can do to protect yourself when
you ride. You'll find many helpful recommendations
throughout this manual. Following are a few that we
consider most important.
Always Wear a Helmet
It's a proven fact: helmets significantly reduce the
number and severity of head injuries. So always wear
an approved motorcycle helmet and make sure your
passenger does the same. We also recommend that
you wear eye protection, sturdy boots, gloves, and
other protective gear (page 10).
Make Yourself Easy to See On-Road
Some drivers do not see motorcycles because they
are not looking for them. To make yourself more
visible, wear bright reflective clothing, position yourself
so other drivers can see you, signal before turning or
changing lanes, and use your horn when it will help
others notice you.
Be Alert for Off-Road Hazards
The terrain can present a variety of challenges when
you ride off-road. Continually "read" the terrain for
unexpected turns, drop-offs, rocks, ruts, and other
hazards. Always keep your speed low enough to allow
time to see and react to hazards.
Ride Within Your Limits
Pushing the limits is another major cause of
motorcycle accident both on-road and off.
Never ride beyond your personal abilities or faster than
conditions warrant. Remember that alcohol, drugs,
fatigue and inattention can significantly reduce your
ability to make good judgements and ride safely.
Keep Your Bike in Safe Condition
For safe riding, it's important to keep your motorcycle
properly maintained. Having a breakdown can be
difficult, especially if you are stranded off-road far
from your base. To help avoid problems, inspect your
motorcycle before every ride and perform all
recommended maintenance. Never exceed load limits,
and use only accessories that have been approved by
Honda for this motorcycle. See page 11 for more
details.
Don't Drink and Ride
Alcohol and riding don't mix. Even one drink can
reduce your ability to respond to changing conditions,
and your reaction time gets worse with every additional
drink. So don't drink and ride, and don't let your friends
drink and ride either.
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