MV Agusta F4 750 SPR Owner's manual

Use and maintenance manual

Il presente Manuale di uso e manutenzione è disponibile nelle edizioni in lingua sotto specificate:

This Manual is available in the languages listed below:

Le présent livret d’utilisation et d’entretien est disponible dans les éditions rédigées dans les langues
spécifiées ci-dessous:

Die vorliegende Bedienungs- und Wartungsanleitung ist in folgenden Sprachen erhältlich:

Las ediciones del presente manual de uso y mantenimiento están disponibles en los siguientes idiomas:

Codice/Code/Code

Bestell-Nr./Código

Edizione Italiana

Italian Edition

Edition Italienne

Italienische Ausgabe

Edición en Italiano

8000A0960

Edizione Inglese

Edizione Francese

Edizione Tedesca

Edizione Spagnola

Edizione USA

English Edition

French Edition

German Edition

Spanish Edition

USA Edition

Edition Anglaise

Edition Française

Edition Allemande

Edition Espagnole

Edition USA

Englische Ausgabe

Französische Ausgabe

Deutsche Ausgabe

Spanische Ausgabe

USA Ausgabe

- 2 -

Edición en Inglés

Edición en Francés

Edición en Alemán

Edición en Español

Edición USA

8A00A0960

8B00A0960

8C00A0960

8D00A0960

8000A0961

Dear Customer,

We wish to thank you for your preference and congratulate you on purchasing your new F4 SPR.
Your choice is a reward for the passionate effort our technicians have put into giving the F4 SPR func­tional and aesthetic characteristics that place it above the finest motorcycles currently available on the
market, making it an exclusive and sought-after item.
If, from a purely technical standpoint, the F4 SPR represents an internationally recognized point of ref­erence on account of the innumerable innovations it introduces, its sleek, timeless design wonderfully
combines a glorious past with the new millennium.
The combination of these elements, which was made possible by love of detail, passion, and the desire
to realize a technically and aesthetically superior motorcycle, allows the F4 SPR to soar above passing
fashions, giving it the privilege of being considered a unique item.
This booklet contains useful information on the periodic maintenance operations that are needed to keep
the vehicle in full working order and maintain the warranty coverage.

For further information, please feel free to contact our Customer Care Service.

Have a good time!

MV Agusta
Claudio Castiglioni
Chairman

- 3 -

CONTENTS

chap. Subjects covered page

1 GENERAL INFORMATION 10

1.1 Purpose of the manual 10

1.2 Symbols 11

1.3 Warranty Booklet and Service Coupons 12

1.4 Identification data 13

2 SAFETY INFORMATION 20

2.1 Safety 20

2.1.1 Note on tampering 20

2.1.2 Safety rules 21

2.1.3 Installing accessories 23

2.1.4 Vehicle load 25

2.1.5 Modifications 26

2.1.6 Competitions 26

2.1.7 Recommendations for safe riding 27

2.1.8 Protective clothing 30

2.1.9 Suggestions against theft 31

2.2 Safety labels - Location 32

2.3 Safety - Visual and acoustic signals 37

3 CONTROLS AND INSTRUMENTS 38

3.1 Location of controls and instruments 38

3.2 Sidestand 39

3.3 Handlebar controls, left side 40

chap. Subjects covered page

3.4 Handlebar controls, right side 42

3.5 Ignition switch and steering lock 45

3.6 Gear lever 47

3.7 Instruments and warning lights 48

3.7.1 Warning lights 49

3.7.2 Multifunction display 50

4 OPERATION 51

4.1 Using the motorcycle 51

4.2 Running-in 52

4.3 Starting the engine 54

4.4 Selecting and setting the display functions 56

4.4.1 Selecting the display functions 57

4.4.2 Setting the measurement units 59

4.4.3 Resetting the trip mileage counters 62

4.4.4 Setting the clock 65

4.4.5 Chronometer 67

4.5 Refuelling 76

4.6 Glove compartment 77

4.7 Parking the motorcycle 78

4.8 Preriding checks 80

4.9 Riding 82

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CONTENTS

chap. Subjects covered page

5 ADJUSTMENTS 83

5.1 List of adjustments 83

5.2 Table of adjustments 85

5.3 Adjusting the front brake lever 86

5.4 Adjusting the clutch lever 86

5.5 Adjusting the rearview mirrors 87

5.6 Adjusting the steering damper 87

5.7 Adjusting the front suspension 88

5.7.1 Spring preload 89

5.7.2 Rebound damper (front suspension) 89

5.7.3 Compression damper (front suspension) 90

5.8 Adjusting the rear suspension 90

5.8.1 Rebound damper (rear suspension) 92

5.8.2 High speed compression damper
(rear suspension) 92

5.8.3 Low speed compression damper
(rear suspension) 92

5.9. Headlight adjustment 93

6 MAINTENANCE 94

6.1 Tables of scheduled maintenance and
checks 94

chap. Subjects covered page

6.2 Tools and accessories supplied 104

6.3 Table of lubricants and fluids 105

6.4 Removing/fitting the right-hand side
fairing 106

6.5 Checking the engine oil level 108

6.5.1 Topping up the engine oil level 109

6.6 Checking the coolant level 111

6.6.1 Topping up the coolant level 112

6.7 Checking the wear of the brake pads 114

6.8 Checking the brake fluid level 115

6.9 Checking the clutch fluid level 117

6.10 Checking and replacing the tyres 118

6.11 Checking and lubricating the drive chain 123

6.12 Checking the idle speed 127

6.13 Replacing parts - General information 128

6.13.1 Replacing the fuses 128

6.13.2 Replacing the low beam bulb 131

6.13.3 Replacing the high beam bulb 132

6.13.4 Replacing the front turn indicator bulbs 133

6.13.5 Replacing the rear turn indicator bulbs 134

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CONTENTS

chap. Subjects covered page

6.13.6 Replacing the rear light and brake light
bulb 135

6.13.7 Replacing the license plate light bulb 136

6.14 Battery 137

6.15 Cleaning the motorcycle 139

6.16 Prolonged inactivity 141

7 TROUBLESHOOTING FLOW CHART 142

7.1 Engine problems 142

7.2 Electrical equipment problems 147

8 TECHNICAL INFORMATION 150

8.1 Motorcycle overview 150

8.1.1 Front brake circuit 152

8.1.2 Rear brake circuit 153

8.1.3 Clutch circuit 154

8.1.4 Engine lubrication 155

8.1.5 Coolant circuit 156

8.1.6 Fuel system 157

8.2 Specifications 158

8.3 Carbon components 165

8.4 Accessories 166

8.5 Clothing 167

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INDEX

A

Accessories 166
– installation 23
Adjustments
– clutch lever 86
– front brake lever 86
– front suspension 88
– headlight 93
– rear suspension 90
– rearview mirrors 87
– steering damper 87
– table 85

B

Battery 137
Brakes
– fluid level, check 115
– front brake circuit 152
– front brake lever, adjustment 86
– pads, wear check 114
– rear brake circuit 153
Bulbs, replacement of
– front turn indicators 133
– high beam 132
– license plate light 136
– low beam 131
– rear light and brake light 135
– rear turn indicators 134

C

Carbon components 165
Chain
– check 123
– lubrication 125
Cleaning the motorcycle 139
Clutch
– circuit 154
– fluid level, check 117
– lever, adjustment 86
Competitions 26
Controls and instruments, location 38
Coolant
– level, check 111
– circuit 156
– topping up 112

D

Damper
– compression (front suspension) 90
– compression (rear suspension) 92
– rebound (front suspension) 89
– rebound (rear suspension) 92
Display, multifunction 50
– selecting functions 57
– setting measurement units 59

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INDEX

E

Electrical equipment, troubleshooting 147
Engine
– lubrication 155
– oil level, check 108
– oil level, topping up 109
– serial number 13
– starting 54
– troubleshooting 142

F

Fuel system 157
Fuses, replacement 128

G

Gear lever 47
Glove compartment 77

H

Handlebar controls
– left side 40
– right side 42
Headlight, adjustment 93
– high beam, bulb replacement 132
– low beam, bulb replacement 131

I

Identification data 13
Idle speed, check 127
Ignition switch and steering lock 45
Instruments and warning lights 48

L

Levels
– brake fluid 115
– clutch fluid 117
– coolant 111
– engine oil 108
License plate light, bulb replacement 136
Location of controls and instruments 38
Lubricants and fluids, table 105

M

Maintenance and checks, tables 94
Motorcycle overview 150

P

Parking 78
Preriding checks 80
Prolonged inactivity 141
Purpose of manual 10

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INDEX

R

Rear light and brake light,
bulb replacement 135
Rearview mirrors, adjustment 87
Refuelling 76
Replacing parts, general information 128
Running-in 52

S

Safety 20
– labels, location 32
– recommendations for safe riding 27
– rules 21
– visual and acoustic signals 37
Scheduled maintenance tables 94
Side fairing, right-hand,
removal/refitting 106
Sidestand 39
Specifications 158
Spring preload 89
Steering damper, adjustment 87
Suspensions
– front, adjustment 88
– rear, adjustment 90
Symbols 11

T

Tampering, note 20
Tools and accessories supplied 104
Topping up
– coolant 112
– engine oil 109
Troubleshooting flow chart
– electrical equipment 147
– engine 142
Turn indicators
– front, bulb replacement 133
– rear, bulb replacement 134
Tyres, check 118
– puncturing 119
– replacement 120

V

Vehicle
– identification number 13
– load 25
– modifications 26

W

Warning lights 49
Warranty
– Booklet, Service Coupons and Dealers’

Guide 12

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GENERAL INFORMATION 1

1.1. Purpose of the manual

1

In addition to providing directions on operation and mainte­nance, this manual contains important information about gen­eral safety: READ THE MANUAL OVER CAREFULLY

BEFORE FIRST USING THE MOTORCYCLE.

The manual describes the model with the maximum equip­ment at print time.

This manual must be considered as a part of your motorcycle.
It must always be kept in the glove compartment, and it must
be included with the vehicle even if this one is sold back to
another owner.

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GENERAL INFORMATION 1

1.2. Symbols

Sections of text that are particularly important in terms of personal safety or possible damage to the
motorcycle are marked with the following symbols:

Danger - Failure to observe these prescriptions, even in part, may pose a serious hazard
to the driver’s and other people’s safety.

Caution - Failure to observe these prescriptions, even in part, may result in damage to the
motorcycle.

The following symbols give an indication of who is supposed to perform the different adjustments and/or
maintenance operations:

Information on operations that can be carried out by the user.

Information on operations that must be carried out only by authorized personnel.

The following symbols are used to provide further information:

The “ ” symbol points out the requirement to use a tool or a special equipment in
order to correctly perform the described operation.

§ The “ § ” symbol refers the reader to the chapter identified by the number that follows.

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1

GENERAL INFORMATION 1

1.3. Warranty Booklet and Service Coupons

1

Besides this Use and Maintenance Manual, the vehicle is
accompanied by the following documents: a Warranty Booklet
containing a Warranty and Pre-Delivery Certificate and recom­mended service coupons, and the MV Agusta Dealers’Guide.

IMPORTANT

The copy of the Warranty and Pre-Delivery Certificate to be
sent to MV Agusta must be filled in by the dealer and returned
to the factory within 10 days from the date of registration.

Every time the vehicle is serviced by a dealer, the user must
produce the Warranty Booklet so that the dealer can fill in the
service coupon and return it to MV Agusta within 10 days from
the date of the servicing.

- 12 -

GENERAL INFORMATION 1

2) engine serial number

1) vehicle identification number

1.4. Identification data

1) vehicle identification number

2) engine serial number

3) homologation data

Motorcycle identification

The motorcycle is identified by the vehicle identi­fication number. When placing orders for spare
parts, in addiction to this number, you may be

1

3) homologation data

required to provide the engine serial number and
the key identification.

We recommend writing down the main numbers
in the spaces provided below.

FRAME No.:

ENGINE No.:

- 13 -

GENERAL INFORMATION 1

Here below you can find a description of a vehicle identification number:

1

ZCG F4 01 AA Y V 000000

Manufacturer’s Letter Code

Motorcycle model

Progressive vehicle number

The vehicle identification number must be provided each time you need to contact the MV Agusta
Technical Assistance Service, in order to guarantee the traceability of your motorcycle.

- 14 -

GENERAL INFORMATION 1

Motorcycle key identification

Akey is supplied in duplicate for both the ignition and all
the locks. Keep the duplicate in a safe place.

When placing orders for spare keys, you may be requi­red to provide the key identification number. We recom­mend writing down this number in the space provided
below:

KEY No.:

- 15 -

key identification number

1

GENERAL INFORMATION 1

1

5

6

8

10

4 3 2

11

1

7

9

- 16 -

GENERAL INFORMATION 1

Bodywork parts reference colours

Bodywork parts are painted with the following reference colours:

1. - Front fairing;

2. - Left-hand rearview mirror;

3. - Right-hand rearview mirror;

4. - Air box;

5. - Fuel tank;

6. - Tail section;

7. - Fuel tank left-hand side fairing;

8. - Fuel tank right-hand side fairing;

9. - Left-hand side fairing;

10.- Right-hand side fairing;

11.- Undercowl:

Black Painting - CRC 1951-6
(Code PPG ∗0036/1 + Code PPG ∗0036/2)

-

17 -

1

GENERAL INFORMATION 1

1

15 16

17 18

12

14

- 18 -

13

GENERAL INFORMATION 1

Frame parts reference colours

Frame parts are painted with the following reference colours:

12.- Frame

Metal Bronze Painting
(Code Palinal 211E144)

13.- Front wheel rim

Aluminium Grey Painting
(Code Sebino 35204189) +
Clear Painting
(Code Sebino 35209052)

14.- Rear wheel rim

Aluminium Grey Painting
(Code Sebino 35204189) +
Clear Painting
(Code Sebino 35209052)

15.- Right-hand electrical equipment cover

16.- Left-hand electrical equipment cover

17.- Right-hand rearview mirror stand

18.- Left-hand rearview mirror stand

- 19 -

1

Black Painting - CRC 1951-6
(Code Palinal 211E357)

Black Painting - CRC 1951-6
(Code Palinal 211E357)

Metal Bronze Painting
(Code Palinal 211E144)

Metal Bronze Painting
(Code Palinal 211E144)

2.1. Safety

SAFETY INFORMATION 2

2.1.1. NOTE ON TAMPERING

2

Tampering with the noise control system is pro­hibited. In particular, the law prohibits the follow­ing acts:

1. The removal or rendering inoperative, other
than for purposes of maintenance, repair, or
replacement, of any device or element of
design incorporated into any new vehicle for the
purpose of noise control prior to its sale or deliv­ery to the ultimate purchaser or while it is in use.

2. The use of the vehicle after such device or ele­ment of design has been removed or rendered
inoperative.

Acts presumed to constitute tampering include:

1. The removal or piercing of the exhaust
silencer, the diaphragm, the manifolds, or any
other components involved in the transmission
of exhaust gases.

2. The removal or piercing of any part of the
intake system.

3. Poor maintenance.

4. The replacement of any movable parts of the

vehicle or of any intake or exhaust compo­nents with parts or components other than
those prescribed by the manufacturer.

NOTE

If you notice a progressive increase of the noise
level of your motorcycle, MV Agusta recommends
to have your noise control system controlled and
if necessary replaced.
Otherwise, riding with a defective muffler can
subject you to the penalties prescribed by state
and local provisions.

- 20 -

SAFETY INFORMATION 2

2.1.2. SAFETY RULES

IMPORTANT: READ BEFORE USE

Before riding, carefully read this manual so as

to familiarize yourself with the controls, character­istics, working and limits of the motorcycle. The
manual is aimed at providing information on some
of all the possible techniques and methods
required for safe riding.

Do not attach a sidecar, a trailer or any other
accessory to the motorcycle. Failure to observe
this warning may make the vehicle unstable and
cause serious accidents.

To ensure maximum reliability and maintain
the vehicle in perfect working order, it is essential
to perform the servicing detailed in the Scheduled
Maintenance Table and to follow all the instruc­tions provided in this manual. For further infor­mation, speak with your dealer, who will have the
necessary technical skills and information to
assist you.

MV Agusta continually strives to improve the
quality of all of its motorcycles. Therefore, modifi­cations that improve the performance of the bike
are made as soon as they are developed.
Therefore, your motorcycle may not be described
exactly by the illustrations and text contained in
this manual.

If you find difficulties in understanding any pic­ture or information contained in this manual, con­tact your MV Agusta dealer to obtain the neces­sary explanations.

If you find difficulties in reading any information
contained in this manual, contact your MV Agusta
dealer.

In order to avoid compromising handling and
stability of your motorcycle, you should obey the
following warnings:

• do not attach any object to the vehicle;

• do not remove any part and/or component;

• do not modify the vehicle in any way;

• do not wear garments that could adversely
affect control and handling of the motorcycle.

- 21 -

2

SAFETY INFORMATION 2

Do not ride this motorcycle if you do not pos-

sess a regular driving licence. Failure to heed this
warning constitutes a breach of the Highway
Code, besides posing a serious hazard to the dri-

2

ver’s and other people’s safety.

Do not try to service or repair this motorcycle if

you do not possess the necessary skills.

Motorcycle riding demands your complete
attention. Do not ride if you are ill, in poor physi­cal condition, or because of worry, etc., unable to
concentrate on the task at hand.

Always wear a helmet, even on short rides.

Always wear suitable clothes, especially when

travelling by night (e.g. garments with fluorescent
bands).

When refuelling, switch off the engine and
refrain from smoking.

When refuelling, stay away from the vehicle to
avoid inhaling harmful fumes. Should the fuel
come into contact with the skin or clothes, imme­diately wash with water and change the contami­nated garments.

Since petrol is highly flammable, avoid spilling
the fuel onto the tank and the exhaust pipes when
refuelling.

Do not start the engine in closed places.
Exhaust gases are toxic and can quickly saturate
the air and cause fainting or even death.

Before starting the engine in a closed place,

ensure that the area is well ventilated.

When travelling during the day , use the low beam.
While the vehicle is in motion, always rest the

feet on the specially designed supports.

While riding, always keep both hands on the

handlebars.

Park the vehicle where it is unlikely to be
bumped into or damaged. Even slight or involun­tary bumps can cause the vehicle to topple over,
with subsequent risk of serious harm to people or
children.

To prevent the vehicle from tipping over, never
park it on soft or uneven ground, nor on asphalt
strongly heated by the sun.

- 22 -

SAFETY INFORMATION 2

Engine and exhaust pipes become very hot

during riding. Always park your motorcycle where
people or children can not easily reach these
parts, in order to avoid serious burns.

Parts at high temperature

Do not cover your motorcycle with a canvas
soon afterwards riding. Before covering your
motorcycle, wait until the engine and the exhaust
pipes have thoroughly cooled.

If your motorcycle has been involved in an
accident, check all levers, wires, hoses, brake
calipers and other main parts for damage. Do not
use the vehicle if you detect a damage that could
adversely affect safety. Have all the main parts
checked by an authorized MV Agusta dealer, in
order to verify the absence of defects and/or

damages that the owner could not be able to
detect.

2.1.3. INSTALLING ACCESSORIES

MV Agusta provides a range of accessories spe-

cially designed for your vehicle. It is essential that
these accessories are installed by an MV Agusta
dealer.

WARNING
Use only MV Agusta original acces­sories. The use of non-genuine acces­sories can make the vehicle unsafe by
reducing its handling, stability and the
effectiveness of the braking system. For
this reason, the installation of any non­genuine accessory makes the warranty
null and void and relieves MV Agusta of
all responsibility.

- 23 -

2

SAFETY INFORMATION 2

Every time you apply accessories that affect

the weight and/or the aerodynamic characteristics
of your motorcycle, they must be assembled on its
lower side and near to its center, as much as it is

2

possible. The brackets and the anchor bolts must
be carefully checked after the assembling, to
ensure a stable framework and an unmovable
support for the accessory. In fact, an eventual
breaking of these stands could cause dangerous
situations during riding.

Verify that the assembling of the accessories
does not cause a reduction of the minimum ground
clearance and of the inclination of your motorcy­cle. Moreover, verify that the assembling of the
accessories does not cause any interference with
the handling of the steering system, with the travel
of the suspensions and/or with the movement of
any other component involved in driving.

Any accessory positioned on the handlebar or
on the front fork can reduce the handling and
adversely affect the stability of the vehicle.

Therefore, the choice of the accessories should
be accurate and restricted to components of light
weight and small dimensions only.

Your motorcycle could undergo lightening or
other instability effects in case of wind blowing
sideways and transversely; this may also happen
when your motorcycle runs into or it is overtaken
by vehicles of great dimensions. Under these con­ditions, the accessories adversely affect your dri­ving safety, especially if they are incorrectly
assembled or of the wrong type. It is therefore
necessary to pay great attention in choosing and
assembling any accessory.

Some accessories force the rider to drive in an
unnatural position. This may obviously restrict
your freedom of movement and cause loss of con­trol of the vehicle.

Additional electric accessories can cause an
overload of the electrical system of your motorcy­cle; this could damage the wires, causing danger
of short circuit and electric shock.

- 24 -

SAFETY INFORMATION 2

2.1.4. VEHICLE LOAD

This motorcycle is designed for use by the rider
only. To use the vehicle in complete safety and
respect of the Highway Code provisions, it is
essential not to exceed the maximum weight of
the motorcycle, which corresponds to 325 kg.
This value comes out from the sum of the follow­ing weights, according to the European standard
CEE 92/61:

• weight of the motorcycle;

• weight of the driver;

• weight of the load and all the accessories.

WARNING: Since the load can strongly
affect handling, braking, performance
and safety characteristics of your
motorcycle, you should always keep in
mind the following warnings.

• NEVER OVERLOAD YOUR MOTOR­CYCLE! Driving an overloaded motorcy­cle can cause damage to the tyres, loss
of control of the vehicle and serious

- 25 -

injury. Verify that the total weight (inclu­ding the weight of the motorcycle, the
driver, the load and all the accessories)
does not exceed the maximum load
values specified for your vehicle.

• Never carry any incorrectly fastened
object on your motorcycle, because it
could move from its position during riding.

• Steadily fasten the heaviest objects near
the center of the motorcycle, and equally
divide the load on both sides of the vehicle.

• Do not insert any object or accessory
in the spaces on the frame trellis, in
order to avoid interferring with the
movable parts of the motorcycle.

• Before riding, always check the wear
and the pressure of the tyres.

• Adjust the suspensions according to
the load.

• Even if the motorcycle is correctly
loaded, drive with caution and never
exceed 130 km/h when you carry a load.

2

SAFETY INFORMATION 2

2.1.5. MODIFICATIONS

MV Agusta suggests neither to remove any origi-

nal device, nor to modify the motorcycle in any

2

way that could change its shape or its working.

WARNING
Any modifications made to the vehicle
(e.g. alteration and/or removal of com­ponents) can make the vehicle unsafe or
unlawful. MV Agusta cannot be held
responsible for any damage to people
and objects subsequent to eventual
modifications made to the original con­ditions of your motorcycle. Modifying
the vehicle immediately voids the war­ranty and relieves MV Agusta of all
responsibility.

2.1.6. COMPETITIONS

WARNING
Riding the vehicle in competitions
requires considerable skill and experi­ence as well as an accurate setup of the
motorcycle.

MV Agusta has designed a number of special

components for use in competitions and/or sport­ing events. The use of such components is strict­ly limited to areas closed to traffic. Failure to
observe this restriction constitutes a breach of the
Highway Code for which MV Agusta cannot be
held responsible.

- 26 -

SAFETY INFORMATION 2

2.1.7. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SAFE RID­ING

Besides being a means of transport, your motor­cycle is a source of recreation and excitement.
However, the configuration of the vehicle does not
exclude a certain amount of risk. To ensure maxi­mum safety, in addition to scrupulously observing
the warnings and instructions provided in the pre­vious paragraphs, it is essential to take a few
additional precautions.
In particular:

Before starting off

Follow all the directions given in the section “PRE­RIDING CHECKS”. Conduct an overall check of
all safety-related aspects of the motorcycle.

Familiarizing with the vehicle

The rider’s ability and his mechanical skills form
the basis of riding safety. It is advisable to practise
riding in areas without traffic until you have
become familiar with the vehicle and its controls.

Being aware of one’s limits

When riding, never exceed your limits nor those
imposed by law. Being aware of your limits and
acting accordingly will help you avoid accidents.

Adverse weather conditions

Be very careful when riding in adverse weather
conditions. On wet roads, for example, the brak­ing distance increases as a result of reduced tyre
traction. It is therefore necessary to travel at mod­erate speed and avoid abrupt braking and accel­eration. Pay particular attention when riding on
slippery surfaces such as road markings, man­holes, level crossings, bridges, gratings, etc.
Considering that a motorcycle cannot provide the
same degree of shock protection as a motor vehi­cle, it is essential to adopt a “defensive” riding atti­tude, particularly in the adverse weather condi­tions described above.

- 27 -

2

SAFETY INFORMATION 2

Keeping even one foot or hand away from

their designed supports could cause loss of con­trol of the vehicle and increase the risk of acci­dents. Always keep both hands on the handlebars

2

and both feet on the footrests during riding.

Change gears as necessary to ensure that the
proper gear ratio is chosen in all riding conditions,
allowing the engine to run at optimum speed at all
times. Avoid high gear ratios when travelling at
reduced speed (excessively low rpm) as well as
low gear ratios when travelling at high speed
(excessively high rpm).

Always operate the clutch system when you
change gear, in order to avoid damage of the
engine, of the gearbox and of the transmission.
These components have not been designed to
take the shocking stress caused by the forced
coupling of a gear.

Do not keep the clutch disengaged for a long
time during riding, unless you have to change
gear. Failure to heed this warning may lead to the

overheating and to the abnormal wear of the clut­ch components.

When rapid acceleration is required (e.g. when
passing), select a lower gear to obtain better
acceleration.

When the motorcycle is being ridden at high
speed, gearing down several times in rapid suc­cession can cause the engine to overspeed. As a
result, the rear wheel may lock, causing loss of
control of the vehicle, as well as damage to the
engine and transmission.

When riding down long hills, reduce the speed
of your motorcycle by closing the throttle and
using a low gear ratio to take advantage of engine
braking. Use the front and rear brakes as little as
possible to maintain your speed, in order to pre­vent brake overheating and fade.

Special attention should be given to the braking
system, which plays a key role in ensuring safety.
When braking, always take account of the speed of
the vehicle and the condition of the road surface.

- 28 -

SAFETY INFORMATION 2

The braking action should always be applied gen­tly and gradually to both wheels.
Performing this operation and, more in general,
riding the vehicle always requires the utmost
care. Therefore, caution should be exercised by
all users, and in particular by inexperienced rid­ers.

When you make a turn, avoid sudden braking.
Failure to observe this warning could lead to the
sliding of the wheels and the loss of control of the
vehicle. Always operate the brakes before starting
a turn.

When you are laterally blown by a sudden gust
of wind (as it may happen when you’re overtaken
by a vehicle of great dimensions, when you come
out of a tunnel or when you’re driving in a hilly
zone), you could lose control of the vehicle. While
driving under the above mentioned conditions,
reduce your speed and be careful to avoid
sideways gusts of wind.

Maintain a safe distance behind vehicles in
front of you and adjust your speed to the weather
and traffic conditions. Remember that, as your
bike picks up speed, stopping distances increase
and the motorcycle becomes more difficult to con­trol. In any case, never exceed the speed limits
imposed by the Highway Code.

When travelling during the day keep the low
beam on, in order to be better seen by other road
users.

It is strictly forbidden to drink alcoholic bever­ages or take drugs before riding. Even very small
amounts of these substances adversely affect the
rider’s ability to control the vehicle.

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