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IMPORTANT

The Owner's Manual for this vehicle contains warnings, instructions and other information you must read and fully understand before safely riding or performing maintenance on this vehicle. Always follow the warnings and instructions in Owner's Manual.

Click the link above for the Table Of Contents, or download a full PDF of the Owner Manual in the Owner Support area of Polaris.com.

Follow These General Safe Riding Practices

  • Before each ride, perform the pre-ride inspections. Failure to do so may result in damage to the motorcycle or an accident.

  • Until you're thoroughly familiar with the motorcycle and all of its controls, practice riding where there is little or no traffic. Practice riding at a moderate speed on various road surfaces and in different weather conditions.

  • Know your skills and limits, and ride within them.

  • Allow only licensed, experienced operators to ride your motorcycle, and then only after they have become familiar with its controls and operation. Make sure all riders read and understand this rider’s manual before riding.

  • Do not ride when you're fatigued, ill or under the influence of alcohol, prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs or any other drugs. Fatigue, illness, alcohol and drugs can cause drowsiness, loss of coordination and loss of balance. They can also affect your awareness and judgment.

  • If your motorcycle operates abnormally, correct the problem immediately. See the INDIAN MOTORCYCLE Service Manual or an authorized INDIAN MOTORCYCLE dealer or other qualified dealer.

  • Ride defensively, as if you are invisible to other motorists, even in broad daylight. A motorist's failure to see or recognize a motorcycle is the leading cause of automobile/motorcycle accidents. Ride where you're clearly visible to other motorists, and observe their behavior carefully.

  • Be especially cautious at intersections, as these are the most likely places for an accident.

  • To prevent loss of control, keep your hands on the handlebars and your feet on the footrests.

  • Be aware that a highway bar is not designed to protect the rider from injury in a collision.

  • Obey the speed limit and adjust your speed and riding technique based on road, weather and traffic conditions. As you travel faster, the influence of all other conditions increases, which can affect the motorcycle's stability and increase the possibility of losing control.

  • Do not move or operate the motorcycle with the steering locked (if equipped), as the severely restricted steering could result in loss of control.

  • Reduce speed when:

    • The road has potholes or is otherwise rough or uneven.

    • The road contains sand, dirt, gravel or other loose substances.

    • The road is wet, icy or oily.

    • The road contains painted surfaces, manhole covers, metal grating, railway crossings or other slippery surfaces.

    • The weather is windy, rainy or otherwise causing slippery or rapidly changing conditions.

    • Traffic is heavy, congested, not allowing sufficient space between vehicles or otherwise not flowing smoothly.

    • You are being passed in either direction by a large vehicle that may produce a wind blast in its wake.

  • When approaching a curve, choose a speed and lean angle that allows you to pass through the curve in your own lane without applying the brakes. Excessive speed, improper lean angle or braking in a curve can cause loss of control.

  • Ground clearance is reduced when the motorcycle leans. Do not allow components to contact the road surface when leaning the motorcycle in a curve, as this could cause loss of control.

  • Do not tow a trailer. Towing a trailer can make the motorcycle hard to handle.

  • Retract the sidestand fully before riding. If the sidestand is not fully retracted, it could contact the road surface and cause loss of control.

  • To maximize braking effectiveness, use the front and rear brakes together. Be aware of the following braking facts and practices:

    • The rear brake provides 40% of the motorcycle's stopping power, at most. Use the front and rear brakes together.

    • To avoid skidding, apply the brakes gradually when the road is wet or rough, or contains loose or other slippery substances.

    • If possible, avoid applying the brakes while making a turn. Motorcycle tires have less traction during turns, so braking will increase the possibility of skidding. Bring the motorcycle to the upright position before applying the brakes.

    • With new pads and rotors, allow up to 250 mi (500 km) of operation in urban driving conditions (not highway cruising) to allow pads to mate with new rotors. Brakes should be used frequently. During this time brake performance will be less effective. Avoid using brakes harshly unless in an emergency. Brake efficiency will gradually increase during this seating period.

Parent topic: Safe Riding Practices