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 guidelines.How much weight you put on your
motorcycle, and how you load it, are
important to your saf ety. Anytime you
ride with a passenger or cargo, you should
be aware of the f ollowing inf ormation.
However, exceeding the weight limit or
carrying an unbalanced load can seriously
impair your motorcycle’s handling,
braking, and stability. Non-Honda
accessories, improper modifications, and
poor maintenance can also reduce your
saf ety margin.
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							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 the load limits f or your
motorcycle:
includes the weight of the rider,
passenger, all cargo, and all accessories.
Improperly loading your motorcycle can
affect its stability and handling. Even if
your motorcycle is properly loaded, you
should ride at reduced speeds and never
exceed 80 mph (130 km/h) when carrying
cargo. The weight of added accessories will
reduce the maximum cargo weight you
can carry.(Canada only)
5
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							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 to adjust the rear suspension
(page ).Do not attach large or heavy items (such
as a sleeping bag or tent) to the
handlebar, f orks, or f ender.
116
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							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 Precautions . 36
............ Starting & Stopping the Engine . 37
......................................... Preparation . 37
............................. Starting Procedure . 38
.................................. Flooded Engine . 40
.................... How to Stop the Engine . 41
........................................ Shif ting Gears . 42
.................................................. Braking . 44
................................................... Parking . 46
......... Riding with a Passenger or Cargo . 50 182
183
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							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 not come in contact
with the exhaust system when riding,
idling, or parking your motorcycle.25
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							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 equipped with a side
stand ignition cut-of f system. If the side
stand is down––the engine cannot be
started unless the transmission is in neutral.
If the side stand is up––the engine can be
started in neutral, or in gear with theclutch lever pulled in. After starting with
the side stand down, the engine will stop if
the transmission is put in gear bef ore
raising the side stand.
Bef ore starting, insert the key, turn the
ignition switch ON, and conf irm the
f ollowing:
The transmission is in NEUTRAL
(neutral indicator light ON).
The engine stop switch is set to RUN.
The low oil pressure indicator is ON.
The f uel valve is ON.
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							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)
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							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 idling is unstable, open the throttle
slightly.With the throttle 1/8 1/4 open, press
the start button. Leaving the throttle closed, start the
engine. If the engine is cold, pull the choke
knob out all the way to f ully ON ( ).
B1 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.1.
2.
3.
1.
2. A
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							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 pipe
discoloration.Continue warming up the engine until it
runs smoothly and responds to the
throttle when the choke knob is at f ully
OFF ( ).
Push the choke knob in all the way to
f ully OFF. 1. 3.
4. 2.
3. B
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							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 slightly if idling is
unstable.
If the engine does not start, wait 10
seconds, then f ollow the
procedure (page ).
If the engine still won’t start, ref er to
page
.
Normal Engine Stop
To stop the engine, shif t into neutral and
turn the ignition switch OFF.
The engine stop switch should normally
remain in the RUN position even when the
engine is OFF. 5.
39
145
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