Honda Vtx 1800 F Service Manual

							52Loading Guidelines
Load Limits & Guidelines
Before Riding
Do not attach large or heavy items (such
as a sleeping bag or tent) to the
handlebar, f orks, or f ender. Balance cargo weight evenly on both
sides. Place cargo weight as low and close to
the center of your motorcycle as
possible. To prevent loose items from creating a
hazard, make sure that all cargo is tied
down securely bef ore you ride. If you change your normal load, you
may need to adjust the rear suspension
(page ). Check that both tires are properly
inflated, and that pressure in the rear
tire is increased to suit the load (page
). Follow these guidelines whenever you
carry a passenger or cargo:
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 .
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.5136
130
04/08/11 14:31:54 31MCH630_061 
						

							53
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 ).
To protect the catalytic converter in your
motorcycle’s exhaust system, avoid
extended idling and the use of leaded
gasoline......................... Saf e Riding Precautions . 54
............ Starting & Stopping the Engine . 55
......................................... Preparation . 55
............................. Starting Procedure . 56
.................................. Flooded Engine . 57
Bank Angle Sensor Ignition
................................. Cut-Of f System . 57
.................... How to Stop the Engine . 58
........................................ Shif ting Gears . 59
.................................................. Braking . 61
................................................... Parking . 63
......... Riding with a Passenger or Cargo . 67 204
04/08/11 14:32:00 31MCH630_062 
						

							54
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.43
04/08/11 14:32:05 31MCH630_063 
						

							55 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 PGM-FI indicator is OFF.
04/08/11 14:32:15 31MCH630_064 
						

							56Starting Procedure
Starting & Stopping the Engine
Basic Operation & Riding
The engine will not start if the throttle is
f ully open (because the electronic control
module cuts of f the f uel supply).Press the start button with the throttle
completely closed. Any Air Temperature This motorcycle has a fuel-injected engine
with an automatic f ast idle. Follow the
procedure indicated below.
Snapping the throttle or f ast idling f or
more than about 5 minutes at normal air
temperature may cause exhaust pipe
discoloration. The low oil pressure indicator should go
of f a f ew seconds af ter the engine starts.
If the low oil pressure indicator lights
during operation, stop the engine
immediately and check the engine oil level.
04/08/11 14:32:22 31MCH630_065 
						

							µ
57 Flooded Engine Bank Angle Sensor Ignition
Cut-of f System
Starting & Stopping the Engine
Basic Operation & Riding
If
Your Engine Quits or Won’t Start, 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.
Follow the normal starting procedure.
If the engine starts, then open the
throttle slightly if idling is unstable.
If the engine does not start, wait 10
seconds, then f ollow steps again.Your motorcycle’s banking (lean angle)
sensor system is designed to automatically
stop the engine and f uel pump if the
motorcycle is overturned.
Bef ore restarting the engine, you must
turn the ignition switch to the OFF
position and then back to ON. The engine
will not restart until you perf orm this
procedure.
If the engine still won’t start, ref er to
page
. 1.
4.
5. 2.
3.
14
167
04/08/11 14:32:33 31MCH630_066 
						

							58How to Stop the Engine
Starting & Stopping the Engine
Basic Operation & Riding
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.
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.Emergency Engine Stop
To stop the engine in an emergency, use
the engine stop switch. To operate, press
the switch to the OFF position.
04/08/11 14:32:41 31MCH630_067 
						

							60
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 9 mph (15 km/h), when engine
roughness is evident, or when engine
stalling is imminent; and shif t down to 1st
gear for acceleration.
04/08/11 14:33:01 31MCH630_069 
						

							61
Braking
Basic Operation & Riding
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.
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. Your motorcycle is equipped with a new
braking system. Operating the f ront brake
lever applies the f ront brake. Operating
the rear brake pedal applies the rear brake
and a portion of the f ront brake. For f ull
braking ef f ectiveness, use both the lever
and pedal simultaneously, as you would
with a conventional motorcycle braking
system.
As with a conventional motorcycle
braking system, excessively hard
application of the brake controls may
cause wheel lock, reducing control of the
motorcycle.
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.
04/08/11 14:33:07 31MCH630_070