Suzuki GSX250F Owner's Manual page 16

WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD:
Turn the choke lever all the way
toward you. Close the throttle com-
pletely. Push the electric starter
switch and the engine will start.
Immediately after the engine
starts, return the choke lever half-
way and warm upthe engine. Re-
turn the choke lever all the way
back to its normal disengaged
position.
WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARM:
Open the throttle 1/8 to 1/4 turn
and push the electric starter
switch. Operation of the carburetor
choke system is usually not neces-
sary when the engine is warm.
STARTING OFF
After moving the side stand to the
fully up position, pull the clutch
lever in and pause momentarily.
Engage first gear by depressing the
gearshift lever downward. Turn the
throttle grip a little toward you and
at the same time release the clutch
lever gently and smoothly. As the
clutch engages, the motorcycle
will start moving forward. To shift
to the next higher gear, accelerate
gently, then close the throttle and
pull the clutch lever in simultane-
ously. Lift the gearshift lever up-
ward to select the next gear and
release the clutch lever and open
the throttle again. Select the gears
in this manner until top gear is
reached. ~
NOTE: This motorcycle is equip-
ped with a side stand/ignition in-"
terlock switch. If you shift the trans-
mission into gear· when the side
stand is down, the engine will stop
running.
USING THE TRANSMISSION
The transmission is provided to
keep the engine operating smooth-
ly in its normal operating speed
range. The gear ratios have been
carefully chosen to meet the char-
acteristics of the engine. The rider
should always select the most suit-
able gear for the prevailing condi-
tions. Never slip the clutch to con-
trol road speed, but rather down-
shift to allow the engine to run
within its normal operational range.
ACAUTION
Never allow the engine to rev into
red zone in the tachometer in any
gear.
RIDING ON HillS
• When climbing steep hills, the
motorcycle may begin to slow
down and show lackof power. At
this point you should shift to a
lower gear so that the engine will
again be operating in its normal
power range. Shift rapidly to pre-
vent the motorcycle from losing
momentum.
• When riding down a steep hill,
the engine may be used for brak-
ing by shifting to a lower gear.
• Be careful, hpwever, not to allow
the engine to overrev.
STOPPING AND PARKING
1. Turn the throttle grip away from
yourself to close the throttle
completely.
2. Apply the front and rear brakes
evenly and at the same time.
3. Downshift through the gears as
road speed decreases.
4. Select neutral with the clutch
lever squeezed towards the grip
(disengaged position) just be-
fore the motorcycle stops. Neu-
tral position can be confirmed
by observing the neutral indica-
tor light.
. 'AWARNING
• As motorcycle speed increases,
stopping distance increases pro-
gressively. Be sure you have a
safe stopping distance between
you and the vehicle or object
ahead of you.
• Using only the front or rear brake
is dangerous and can cause skid-
ding and loss of control.
• Apply the brakes lightly and with
great care on a wet highway
pavement or other slippery sur-
faces and at all corners. Any
abrupt braking on slippery or
irregular roads can cause loss of
rider control.
NO TE: Reduce your road speed be-
fore downshifting. When down-
shifting, the engine speed should
be increased before the clutch is
engaged. This will prevent unnec-
essary wear on the drivetrain com-
ponents and rear tire.
5. Park the motorcycle on a firm,
flat surface where it will not fall
over.
AWARNING
The muffler and exhaust pipes are
very hot during operation. Keep off
the muffler and exhaust pipes or
you will burn yourself. Park the
motorcycle where others are not
likely to touch them.
NOTE: If the motorcycle is to be
parked on the side stand on a slight
slope, the front end of the motorcy-
cle should face "up" the incline to
avoid rolling forward off the side
stand. You may leave the motorcy-
cle in 1st gear to help prevent it
from rolling off the side stand.
Return to neutral before starting
engine.
6. Turn the ignition key to the
"OFF" position.
7. Turn the handlebars all the way
to the left and lock the steering
for security.
8. Remove the ignition key.
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