Honda Vtx 1300 C Owners Manual

							shifting pattern
42
Shif ting Gears
Basic Operation & Riding
As a general rule, shif t while moving in
a straight line.
Close the throttle and pull the clutch
lever in completely bef ore shif ting.
Improper shif ting may damage the
engine, transmission, and drive train.
Learn to recognize the engagement
point as you release the clutch lever. It
is at this point the transmission of
power to the rear wheel resumes.
Upshif t to a higher gear or reduce
throttle bef ore engine rpm (speed) gets
too high. Learn the relationship between
engine sound and the normal shif ting
points.
Downshif t to a lower gear bef ore you
f eel the engine laboring (lugging) at
low rpm. Your motorcycle has f ive f orward gears in
a one-down, f our-up shif t pattern which is
coordinated with a cable-operated clutch
system.
Learning when to shift gears comes with
experience. Keep the following tips in
mind:
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							43
Shif ting Gears
Basic Operation & Riding
Shif ting Up:
Shif ting Down: Avoid downshif ting to help slow your
motorcycle when engine rpm is high.
Downshif ting when engine speed is
near its allowable maximum may over-
rev the engine and cause possible
damage.
To prevent transmission damage, do not
coast or tow the motorcycle f or long
distances with the engine of f .
Recommended Shif t Points
Ride in the highest gear that lets the
engine run and accelerate smoothly. This
will give you good f uel economy and
ef f ective emissions control. When
changing gears under normal conditions,
use these recommended shif t points:From 1st to 2nd:
From 2nd to 3rd:
From 3rd to 4th:
From 4th to 5th:12 mph (20 km/h)
19 mph (30 km/h)
25 mph (40 km/h)
31 mph (50 km/h)
From 5th to 4th:
From 4th to 3rd:22 mph (35 km/h)
16 mph (25 km/h)
Pull the clutch lever in when speed drops
below 12 mph (20 km/h), when engine
roughness is evident, or when engine
stalling is imminent; and shif t down to 1st
gear for acceleration.
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							44
Braking
Basic Operation & Riding
Applying the brakes too hard may cause
the wheels to lock and slide, reducing
control of your motorcycle. If this happens,
release the brake controls, steer straight
ahead until you regain control, then
reapply the brakes more gently. To prevent stalling the engine, pull the
clutch lever in before coming to a
complete stop. For support, put your lef t
f oot down f irst, then your right f oot when
you are through using the brake pedal. Your motorcycle is equipped with disc
braking systems which are hydraulically
activated. Depressing the brake pedal
applies the rear disc brake. Operating the
brake lever applies the f ront disc brake.
As a general rule, the f ront braking system
provides about 70 percent of total stopping
power.
For f ull braking ef f ectiveness, use both
the pedal and lever simultaneously. Using
both braking systems will stop your
motorcycle faster with greater stability.
To slow or stop, apply the brake lever and
brake pedal smoothly, while downshif ting
to match your speed.Gradually increase braking as you feel the
brakes slowing your speed. The increase
in engine compression f rom downshif ting
will help slow your motorcycle.
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							45
Braking
Basic Operation & Riding
When possible, reduce your speed or
complete braking bef ore entering a turn.
Avoid braking or closing the throttle
quickly while turning. Either action may
cause one or both wheels to slip and
reduce your control of your motorcycle.
Your ability to brake in a turn and to brake
hard in an emergency situation are
important riding skills. We suggest
attending a Motorcycle Safety Foundation
experienced rider training course
(page ) to retain these skills.
When riding in wet or rainy conditions, or
on loose surf aces, the ability to maneuver
and stop will be reduced. All of your
actions should be smooth under these
conditions. Rapid acceleration, braking or
turning may cause loss of control. Foryour saf ety, exercise extreme caution
when braking, accelerating or turning.
When descending a long, steep grade,
use engine compression braking by
downshif ting, with intermittent use of
both brakes. Continuous brake
application can overheat the brakes and
reduce their effectiveness.
Riding with your f oot resting on the
brake pedal or your hand on the brake
lever may actuate the brakelight, giving
a f alse indication to other drivers. It
may also overheat the brakes, reducing
effectiveness. 28
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							46
Parking
Basic Operation & Riding
Catalytic Converter Look f or a level parking area. If you
can’t park on a paved surf ace, make
sure the ground surf ace is f irm,
especially under the side stand.
If you must park on a hill, leave the
transmission in gear and position the
rear tire against the curb at a 45 degree
angle.To lower the side stand, use your f oot
to guide it down. Remember that
lowering the side stand with the
transmission in gear will stop the
engine, even if the clutch lever is
pulled in. That is a function of the
side stand ignition cut-of f system. Use the side stand to support the
motorcycle while parked.
If you have to park on a sof t surf ace,
insert something solid under the side
stand f or support. Check that the side stand is down all
the way so that the side stand ignition
cut-of f system (page ) is activated. Make sure flammable materials such as
dry grass or leaves do not come in
contact with the exhaust system when
parking your motorcycle. Ref er to
,page . 1. 2.
37
189
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							(1) steering lock (2) ignition key(1)
(2) RIGHT FRONT
47
Parking
Basic Operation & Riding
Use the steering lock ( ), which locks
the handlebar in place. Turn the
handlebar all the way to the lef t. Insert
the ignition key ( ) in the lock and turn
it 180 degrees clockwise. Remove the
key.
(cont’d) 3. 1
2
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							Riding with a helmet attached to
the holder can interfere with the
rear wheel or suspension and
could cause a crash in which you
can be seriously hurt or killed.
Use the helmet holder only while
parked. Do not ride with a helmet
secured by the holder.
(4)
(3)
(2) LEFT REAR
(2) ignition key
(3) helmet holder(4) holder pin
48
Parking
Basic Operation & Riding
Turn the f uel valve OFF. Use the helmet holder ( ) to secure
your helmet with your motorcycle:
Insert the ignition key ( ) and turn it
counterclockwise to unlock the
holder.
Hang your helmet on the holder pin
().
Push in on the holder pin. Remove
the key.
5. 4. 3
2
4
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							49 Thef t-Prevention Tips
Parking
Basic Operation & Riding
If you decide to use an anti-thef t device,
select one of good quality and be sure to
f ollow the manuf acturer’s instructions.
Park your motorcycle in a locked
garage whenever possible. If a garage
isn’t available, park in a concealed area
or in a well-lit area with enough
pedestrian traf f ic to discourage a thief .
Always take the ignition key with you.
Always use the steering lock (page ),
even if you’re parking f or just a minute
or two. A thief can easily push an
unlocked motorcycle to a waiting truck.
In addition to the steering lock, use a
good quality anti-theft device made
specifically to lock a motorcycle to a
secure object.Keep your owner’s manual, current
registration, and insurance inf ormation
with your motorcycle. This will make it
easier f or the authorities to f ind you if
your motorcycle is stolen and recovered.
47
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							50
Riding with a Passenger or Cargo
Basic Operation & Riding
Load Limits,
Loading Guidelines, Your motorcycle is designed to carry you
and one passenger. Whenever you add a
passenger or cargo, you must be caref ul
not to exceed the total load limits for this
vehicle ( page ). Make
sure your cargo is properly secured
(page).
Also consider adjusting the suspension
(page ) f or the extra load.
Be aware that carrying a passenger or
heavy cargo can affect acceleration,
braking, and handling.Bef ore riding with a passenger, make sure
your passenger is wearing the proper
protective apparel (page ).
Tell your passenger to hold the seat strap
or your waist, lean with you in the turns,
and keep their feet on the passenger
f ootpegs at all times, even when the
motorcycle is stopped at a traf f ic light. 33
33
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							51Servicing Your Honda
Servicing Your Honda
Maintenance, replacement or repair of
the emission control devices and
systems may be performed by any
motorcycle repair establishment or
individual using parts that are
‘‘certified’’ to EPA standards.
Bef ore You Service Your Honda To help keep your motorcycle in good
shape, this section includes a Maintenance
Schedule f or required service, a list of
periodic checks you should perf orm at
least once a month, and step-by-step
instructions for specific maintenance tasks.
You’ll also f ind important saf ety
precautions, inf ormation on f uels and oils,
and tips f or keeping your Honda looking
great.
For inf ormation about the exhaust
emission and noise emission requirements
of the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) and the Calif ornia Air
Resources Board (CARB), see page .
For inf ormation about replacing f uses, see
page .
(cont’d) USA only
........... The Importance of Maintenance . 54
............................... Maintenance Safety . 55
............ Important Saf ety Precautions . 56
............................ Periodic Maintenance . 58
.......................... Maintenance Schedule . 60
.............................. Maintenance Record . 65
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