2011 Polaris Cross Country Owners Manual - Page 12

2011 Polaris Cross Country Manual

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Safety Safe Riding Practices • 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 produces a wind blast in its wake • 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. • 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. • Retract the sidestand fully before riding. If the sidestand is not fully retracted, it could contact the road surface and cause loss of control. • Do not tow a trailer. Towing a trailer can make the motorcycle hard to handle. 8

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8
Safety
Safe Riding Practices
°
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 flow-
ing smoothly.
°
You are being passed in either direction by a large vehicle that produces a wind blast in its wake.
°
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.
°
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 con-
tact the road surface when leaning the motorcycle in a curve, as this could cause loss of
control.
°
Retract the sidestand fully before riding. If the sidestand is not fully retracted, it could con-
tact the road surface and cause loss of control.
°
Do not tow a trailer. Towing a trailer can make the motorcycle hard to handle.