The transmission is provided to keep the engine operating smoothly in its normal operating speed range. The gear ratios have been carefully chosen to meet the characteristics of the engine. The rider should always select the most suitable gear for the prevailing conditions. Never slip the clutch to control road speed, but rather downshift to allow the engine to run within its normal operational range. The table below shows the approximate speed range for each gear.
Shifting up schedule

Shifting down schedule

Disengage the clutch when the motorcycle speed drops below 12 miles/h (20 km/h).
Warning
Reduce speed before downshifting. |
Warning
Reduce your speed and downshift before entering the corner. |
|
Caution Revving the engine into the red zone can cause severe engine damage. Never allow the engine to rev into the red zone in any gear. |
Starting off
Riding on hillsBattery current leakage inspection
Inspect the battery current leakage in the following
procedures:
turn the ignition switch off.
Remove the front seat. Refer to “exterior parts
removal and installation” in section 9d (page 9d-
6).
Disconnect the battery (–) lead wire.
Measure the current betwee ...
Cylinder inspection
Refer to “engine top side disassembly” .
Refer to “engine top side assembly” .
Cylinder distortion
Check the gasket surface of the cylinder for distortion.
Use a straightedge and thickness gauge. Take clearance
readings at several places. If any reading exceeds the
service limit, replace t ...
Fuel
Your motorcycle requires premium
unleaded gasoline with a
minimum pump octane rating of
90 ((r+m)/2 method). In some
areas, the only fuels that are
available are oxygenated fuels.
Oxygenated fuels which meet the
minimum octane requirement and
the requirements described below
may be used i ...