Honda Vtx 1300 C Owners Manual

Overloading or improper loading
can cause a crash and you can be
seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this manual.
32Loading
Load Limits & Guidelines
Before Riding
Your motorcycle has been designed to
carry you and one passenger. When you
carry a passenger, you may f eel some
dif f erence during acceleration and braking.
But so long as you keep your motorcycle
well-maintained, with good tires and
brakes, you can saf ely carry loads within
the given limits and...

402 lbs (182 kg)
40 lbs (18 kg) 410 lbs (186 kg)
33 Loading Guidelines Load Limits
Load Limits & Guidelines
Before Riding
maximum weight capacity:
maximum cargo weight:Your motorcycle is primarily intended f or
transporting you and a passenger. You
may wish to secure a jacket or other small
items to the seat when you are not riding
with a passenger.
If you wish to carry more cargo, check
with your Honda dealer f or advice, and be
sure to read the inf ormation regarding
accessories on page . Following are...

34
Load Limits & Guidelines
Before Riding
Follow these guidelines whenever you
carry a passenger or cargo:
To prevent loose items from creating a
hazard, make sure that all cargo is tied
down securely bef ore you ride.
Place cargo weight as low and close to
the center of your motorcycle as
possible.
Balance cargo weight evenly on both
sides. Check that both tires are properly
inflated, and that pressure in the rear
tire is increased to suit the load (page
).
If you change your normal load, you
may need...

35
Basic Operation & Riding
Basic Operation & Riding
This section gives basic riding instructions,
including how to start and stop your
engine, and how to use the throttle, clutch,
and brakes. It also provides important
inf ormation on riding with a passenger or
cargo.
To protect your new engine and enjoy
optimum perf ormance and service lif e,
ref er to Break-in Guidelines (page ).
For inf ormation about carburetor
adjustment f or riding at high altitude, see
page ......................... Saf e Riding...

36
Saf e Riding Precautions
Basic Operation & Riding
Motorcycle Saf ety
Bef ore Riding Bef ore riding your motorcycle f or the f irst
time, please review the
section beginning on page 1, and the
section beginning on page
.
Even if you have ridden other motorcycles,
take time to become familiar with how
this motorcycle works and handles.
Practice in a saf e area until you build your
skills and get accustomed to the
motorcycle’s size and weight.
Make sure flammable materials such as
dry grass or leaves do...

37 Preparation
Starting & Stopping the Engine
Basic Operation & Riding
Always f ollow the proper starting
procedure described below.
For your saf ety, avoid starting or operating
the engine in an enclosed area such as a
garage. Your motorcycle’s exhaust
contains poisonous carbon monoxide gas
which can collect rapidly in an enclosed
area and cause illness or death.
Your motorcycle can be started with the
transmission in gear by pulling in the
clutch lever bef ore operating the starter.
Your motorcycle is...

µµ
(1)
(A) fully ON
(B) fully OFF
((BB))
((AA))
(1) choke knob LEFT SIDE
38Starting Procedure
Starting & Stopping the Engine
Basic Operation & Riding
High Air Temperature. The low oil pressure indicator should go
of f a f ew seconds af ter the engine starts.
If the indicator stays on, stop the engine
immediately and check the engine oil level. To restart a warm engine, f ollow the
procedure f or
Normal Air Temperature
10° 35°C (50° 95°F)
03/03/07 13:05:16 31MEM600_047 

µ
39
Starting & Stopping the Engine
Basic Operation & Riding
Normal Air
Temperature. High Air Temperature
35°C (95°F) or above
Do not use the choke.
(cont’d) Immediately af ter the engine starts,
operate the choke knob to keep f ast idle. Start the engine.
When engine rpm begins to pick up,
operate the choke knob to keep f ast idle. Follow steps 1-2 under Low Air Temperature
10°C (50°F) or below About a half minute af ter the engine
starts, push the choke knob ( ) in all
the way to f ully OFF ( ).
If...

40Flooded Engine
Starting & Stopping the Engine
Basic Operation & Riding
Extended use of the choke may impair
piston and cylinder wall lubrication and
damage the engine.If the engine f ails to start af ter repeated
attempts, it may be f looded with excess
fuel. To clear a flooded engine:
Leave the engine stop switch set to
RUN.
Open the throttle f ully.
Press the start button f or 5 seconds. Snapping the throttle or f ast idling f or
more than about 5 minutes at normal air
temperature may cause exhaust...

41 How to Stop the Engine
Starting & Stopping the Engine
Basic Operation & Riding
High Air
Temperature
If
Your Engine Quits or Won’t Start,If your motorcycle is stopped with the
engine stop switch OFF and the ignition
switch ON, the headlight and taillight
will remain on, resulting in battery
discharge.
To stop the engine in an emergency, use
the engine stop switch. To operate, press
the switch to the OFF position. Emergency Engine Stop If the engine starts, quickly close the
throttle, then open it...