Owners Manual

[sinolav]

I read mine before I rode my bike home. The dealer let me have the manual ahead of time.

I refer to mine frequently for maintenance checks, and specs.

I do have the shop manual for my bike, and read that too when performing service, and have questions the owners manual doesn't cover.

[Fenderplayer]

I read the owner's, technical, and electrical manuals.

I also read these forums, some good tech stuff from experienced people shared here.

[hdnt1550]

Read it once then turned it into a coaster to set frosty beverages on. Just not enough technical info in it to use it more then that. If it would not be a bad PR move a service manual should come with every bike purchase instead of the "owners manual"

[JCourneyaP]

Hey Hdnt......Now you are talking. A service Manual with every bike. I like that. But I am sure the price of the bike would jump up 3 times the service manual. Good Idea. I like. Instead of a couple free T-shirts you can opt out and get the service manual instead.

[Majicbringer]

Originally Posted by sinolav

I read mine before I rode my bike home. The dealer let me have the manual ahead of time.

Same here. It saves those embarrassing questions like, "Where's the key go?"

[harold]

I read it about 4 times per year. there is good information there. I trailered my new bike home so i could understand break in proceedures and not exceed them riding home on the interstate. The manuel includes some stupid stuff, but it also tells you about the tilt funtion,( why doesnt bike start) you dropped it and the tilt function kicked in, you have to cycle the switch. The mauel gives shift points for both break in and after riding. Do's and donts for safety, riding tips , riding with passengers , loading , tire type and pressures, dead and curb weights , max weight totals gvwr , gear speeds , shifting with bike on and off , fuse box and location , fuel compatability /octain , mpg's , fuel capacity , operating guage location , starting proceedure or lack there of , cold starts , hot starts , riding /operating safety , lane safety information , road hazard and debree idiosyncracies , safe riding. Accesories do and donts.
Bike people have to take an interest in their safety , no one else will. Harley' s are definately a different animal from the pack. The mom tells you how not to hurt your bike.
tread depth ect. There is also stupid stuff like gasoline is flamable and hazardeous but what can you say. how much reserve , is there a reserve.
In my opinion and its just my opinion , the motorcycle owners manuel is there for our benefit , oil light behavior and the likes , it only makes sence to know everything you can about your bike. waranty whats covered whats not, limitations , phone numbers for help, what voids your factory waranty - because no matter what any one tells you , thats the deal in black and white, every thing else is just sea story.
over heating functions and proceedures , what type of fuel additives will /could damage your bike. Properly checking your oil , unless you like puking oil thats important . Lighting specs. seat height , LOA. maintenance scheduel , oil specifications -engine , tranny , primary , basic maintenence.
I think there is actually the abc of riding , look were u are turning ect ect.
Hd factory numbers and address. EPA information/ construction and waranty.
Circuit information , battery and specs. breaking information and road surface info , following safely.
all these things are just the things i can think of off hand w/o referencing the index. I have memory , but why trust memory when they give you a book with the bike, i even think it covers helmets and proper riding cloths ,- yes?