Suzuki GSX-R 1000 Owners Manual: If a collision is imminent, do something
Many riders fear locking up their brakes or haven't learned to swerve to avoid an accident.
Many inexperienced riders (and too many seasoned riders) use only their rear brake in an emergency, resulting in unnecessary impacts in some cases and unnecessarily high impact speeds in other cases. Your rear brake can only provide about 30% of your motorcycle's potential stopping power. The front and rear brakes can and should be used together to maximize braking effectiveness.
Experienced motorcyclists learn to "cover" the front brake lever by lightly resting a couple of fingers over the lever when riding in traffic and near intersections to give their reaction time a head start.
Emergency stopping and swerving are techniques that you should practice and master before you find yourself in an emergency situation. The best place to practice such techniques is in a controlled environment such as the motorcycle safety foundation's (msf) rider training courses. The msf's motorcycle rider courses (fundamental techniques) and experienced rider courses (advanced strategies) present hands-on instruction of the bas1c principles of motorcycling and a variety of accident-avoidance maneuvers. Even a seasoned motorcyclist can improved his or her riding skills, and pick up a few new skills, through these courses.
Some insurance companies even offer discounts to course graduates.
If you don't have a helmet, buy a helmet and wear it every
time you ride
Most accidents occur within a few
miles of home, and almost half
occur at speeds of less than 30
mph. So even if you're just going
on a quick errand, be preparedstrap
on your helmet before you
t ...
Special situations require special care
Of course, there are some times
when full-force braking is not the
correct technique. When the road
surface is wet, loose, or rough,
you should brake with care. When
you're leaned over in a corne ...
Other materials:
Batiery
The battery is located under the
front seat. Remove the front seat
by referring to the seat lock
and helmet holders section.
This battery is sealed type
and requires no maintenance.
Have your dealer check the battery's
state of charge periodically.
The standard charging rate is
1.2A x ...
Front fork parts inspection
Refer to “front fork disassembly and assembly” .
Inner and outer tubes
Inspect the inner tube and outer tube for scratches
Slide bushing / guide bushing
Inspect the slide bushing and guide bushing for wear or
damage. If they are worn or damaged, replace them with
new ones. If they are not ...
Riding on hills
When climbing steep hills, the
motorcycle may begin to slow
down and show lack of 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 prevent the motorcycle
from losing momentum.
When ...