Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200X Forty-Eight - Owner's Manual > Safe Operating Rules

Motorcycles are different from other vehicles. They operate, steer, handle and brake differently. Unskilled or improper use could result in loss of control, death or serious injury.

• Take a rider training course.
• Read owner's manual before riding, adding accessories or servicing.
• Wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing.
• Never tow a trailer.

Before operating your motorcycle, read and follow the operating and maintenance instructions in this manual. Follow these basic rules for your personal safety.

• Know and respect the rules of the road. Carefully read and familiarize yourself with the motorcycle safety information provided by your country or state. Read the RIDING TIPS booklet in your owner's kit (in the U.S.) and the MOTORCYCLE HANDBOOK from your state or regional traffic authority. See Rules of the Road.
• Before starting engine, check for proper operation of brake, clutch, shifter, throttle controls, correct fuel and oil supply.

Harley-Davidson parts and accessories are designed for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Using non-Harley-Davidson parts or accessories can adversely affect performance, stability or handling, which could result in death or serious injury.

• Use only Harley-Davidson approved parts and accessories. Use of certain other manufacturer's performance parts may void your new motorcycle warranty, except where prohibited by law. See your Harley-Davidson dealer for details.

Stop the engine when refueling or servicing the fuel system. Do not smoke or allow open flame or sparks near gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and highly explosive, which could result in death or serious injury.

When refueling your motorcycle, observe the following rules.

• Refuel in a ventilated area with the engine turned off.
• Remove fuel filler cap slowly.
• Do not smoke or allow open flames or sparks when refueling or servicing the fuel system.
• Do not fill fuel tank above the bottom of the filler neck insert.
• Leave air space to allow for fuel expansion.

Do not store motorcycle with gasoline in tank within the home or garage where open flames, pilot lights, sparks or electric motors are present. Gasoline is extremely flammable and highly explosive, which could result in death or serious injury.

Engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

Do not run motorcycle in a closed garage or confined area. Inhaling motorcycle exhaust, which contains poisonous carbon monoxide gas, could result in death or serious injury.

• A new motorcycle must be operated according to the special break-in procedure. See Break-in Riding Rules.
• Operate motorcycle at moderate speed and out of traffic until you become thoroughly familiar with its operation and handling characteristics under all conditions.

NOTE: Harley-Davidson recommends that you obtain information and formal training in the correct motorcycle riding technique. In the United States, both the Harley-Davidson Riding Academy (1-414-343-4056) and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (1-800-446-9227) offer beginning and advanced rider safety courses.

Travel at speeds appropriate for road and conditions and never travel faster than posted speed limit. Excessive speed can cause loss of vehicle control, which could result in death or serious injury.

• Do not exceed the legal speed limit or drive too fast for existing conditions. Always reduce speed when poor driving conditions exist. High speed increases the influence of any other condition affecting stability and increases the possibility of loss of control.
• Pay strict attention to road surfaces and wind conditions. Keep both hands on the handlebar grips when riding the motorcycle. Any two-wheeled vehicle may be subject to upsetting forces such as wind blasts from passing trucks, holes in the pavement, rough road surfaces and rider control error. These forces may influence the handling characteristics of your motorcycle. If you experience these conditions, reduce speed and guide the motorcycle with a relaxed grip to a controlled condition. Do not brake abruptly or force the handlebar. This may aggravate an unstable condition.
• Keep cargo weight concentrated close to the motorcycle and as low as possible to minimize the change in the motorcycle's center of gravity.

  Distribute weight evenly on both sides of the vehicle. Do not load bulky items too far behind the rider or add weight to the handlebars or front forks.

  Do not exceed maximum specified load in each saddlebag.

NOTE: New riders should gain experience under various conditions while riding at moderate speeds.

• Operate your motorcycle defensively. Remember, a motorcycle does not afford the same protection as an automobile in an accident. One common risk for an accident occurs when another vehicle turns left in front of an on-coming motorcyclist. Operate only with headlamp on.
• Wear an approved helmet, clothing and foot gear suited for motorcycle riding. Bright or light colors are best for greater visibility in traffic, especially at night. Avoid loose, flowing garments and scarves.

Avoid contact with exhaust system and wear protective clothing that completely covers legs while riding. Exhaust pipes and mufflers get very hot when engine is running and remain too hot to touch, even after engine is turned off. Failure to wear protective clothing could result in burns or other serious injury.

• When carrying passengers, it is your responsibility to instruct them on proper riding procedures. See the RIDING TIPS booklet included in your owner's kit (in the U.S.)
• Do not allow other individuals, under any circumstances, to operate your motorcycle unless you know that they are experienced and licensed riders.

  Make sure they are thoroughly familiar with the operation of your particular motorcycle.

• Protect your motorcycle against theft. Using the fork lock immediately after parking your motorcycle will discourage unauthorized use or theft.
• Safe motorcycle operation requires alert mental judgment combined with a defensive driving attitude. Do not allow fatigue, alcohol or drugs to endanger your safety or that of others.
• For vehicles with a sound system, adjust the volume to a non-distracting level before operating vehicle.
• Proper care and maintenance, including tire pressure, tire condition, tread depth and proper adjustment to steering head bearings are important to the stability and safe operation of the motorcycle. Maintain your motorcycle in proper operating condition. Refer to Regular Service Intervals: 2016 Sportster Models.

Do not operate vehicle with forks locked. Locking the forks restricts the vehicle's turning ability, which could result in death or serious injury.

Perform the service and maintenance operations as indicated in the regular service interval table. Lack of regular maintenance at the recommended intervals can affect the safe operation of your motorcycle, which could result in death or serious injury.

Do not operate motorcycle with loose, worn or damaged steering or suspension systems.

Contact a Harley-Davidson dealer for repairs. Loose, worn or damaged steering or suspension components can adversely affect stability and handling, which could result in death or serious injury.

Regularly inspect shock absorbers and front forks. Replace leaking, damaged or worn parts that can adversely affect stability and handling, which could result in death or serious injury.

Use Harley-Davidson replacement fasteners. Aftermarket fasteners can adversely affect performance, which could result in death or serious injury.

• See your Harley-Davidson service manual for proper torque values.
• Aftermarket fasteners may not have the specific property requirements to perform properly.

Be sure tires are properly inflated, balanced, undamaged, and have adequate tread. Inspect your tires regularly and see a Harley-Davidson dealer for replacements. Riding with excessively worn, unbalanced, improperly inflated, overloaded or damaged tires can lead to tire failure and adversely affect stability and handling, which could result in death or serious injury.

Replace punctured or damaged tires. In some cases, small punctures in the tread area may be repaired from within the removed tire by a Harley-Davidson dealer. Speed should NOT exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) for the first 24 hours after repair, and the repaired tire should NEVER be used over 80 mph (130 km/h). Failure to follow this warning could lead to tire failure and result in death or serious injury.

Only install original equipment tire valves and valve caps. A valve, or valve and cap combination, that is too long or too heavy can strike adjacent components and damage the valve, causing rapid tire deflation. Rapid tire deflation can cause loss of vehicle control, which could result in death or serious injury.

Do not exceed the motorcycle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Exceeding these weight ratings can lead to component failure and adversely affect stability, handling and performance, which could result in death or serious injury.

When lifting a motorcycle using a jack, be sure jack contacts both lower frame tubes where down tubes and lower frame tubes converge. Never lift by jacking on cross-members, oil pan, mounting brackets, components or housings. Failure to comply can cause serious damage resulting in the need to perform major repair work.

• GVWR is the sum of the weight of the motorcycle, accessories and the maximum weight of the rider, passenger and cargo that can be safely carried.
• GAWR is the maximum amount of weight that can be safely carried on each axle.
• The GVWR and GAWR are shown on the information label which is on the frame downtube in some destinations. See Specifications.

Do not tow a disabled motorcycle. Towing can adversely affect stability and handling, which could result in death or serious injury.

Do not pull a trailer with a motorcycle. Pulling a trailer can cause tire overload, damage and failure, reduced braking performance, and adversely affect stability and handling, which could result in death or serious injury.

Batteries, battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds, and other chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.

Do not open storage compartments while riding. Distractions while riding can lead to loss of control, which could result in death or serious injury.

Consult a Harley-Davidson dealer regarding any questions or problems that occur in the operation of your motorcycle. Failure to do so can aggravate an initial problem, cause costly repairs, cause an accident and could result in death or serious injury.

Direct contact of D.O.T. 4 brake fluid with eyes can cause irritation. Avoid eye contact. In case of eye contact flush with large amounts of water and get medical attention. Swallowing large amounts of D.O.T. 4 brake fluid can cause digestive discomfort. If swallowed, obtain medical attention. Use in well ventilated area. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

• Make sure all equipment required by federal, state and local law is installed and in good operating condition.

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