Honda CB500X - Owner's Manual > Riding Precautions

Break-in Period

During the first 300 miles (500 km) of running, follow these guidelines to ensure your motorcycle's future reliability and performance.

• Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid acceleration.
• Avoid hard braking and rapid down-shifts.
• Ride conservatively.

Brakes

Observe the following guidelines:

• Avoid excessively hard braking and downshifting.
  • Sudden braking can reduce the motorcycle's stability.
  • Where possible, reduce speed before turning; otherwise you risk sliding out.
• Exercise caution on low traction surfaces.
  • The tires slip more easily on such surfaces and braking distances are longer.
• Avoid continuous braking.
  • Repeated braking, such as when descending long, steep slopes can seriously overheat the brakes, reducing their effectiveness. Use engine braking with intermittent use of the brakes to reduce speed.
• For full braking effectiveness, operate both the front and rear brakes together.

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)

CB500XA only

This model is equipped with an Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) designed to help prevent the brakes from locking up during hard braking.

• ABS does not reduce braking distance. In certain circumstances, ABS may result in a longer stopping distance.
• ABS does not function at speeds below 6 mph (10 km/h).
• The brake lever and pedal may recoil slightly when applying the brakes. This is normal.
• Always use the recommended front/rear tires and sprockets to ensure correct ABS operation.

Engine Braking

Engine braking helps slow your motorcycle down when you release the throttle. For further slowing action, downshift to a lower gear. Use engine braking with intermittent use of the brakes to reduce speed when descending long, steep slopes.

Wet or Rainy Conditions

Road surfaces are slippery when wet, and wet brakes further reduce braking efficiency.

Exercise extra caution when braking in wet conditions.

If the brakes get wet, apply the brakes while riding at low speed to help them dry.

Parking

• Park on a firm, level surface.
• If you must park on a slight incline or loose surface, park so that the motorcycle cannot move or fall over.
• Make sure that high-temperature parts cannot come into contact with flammable materials.
• Do not touch the engine, muffler, brakes and other high-temperature parts until they cool down.
• To reduce the likelihood of theft, always lock the handlebar and remove the key when leaving the motorcycle unattended.
  Use of an anti-theft device is also recommended.

Parking with the Side Stand

1. Stop the engine.

2. Push the side stand down.

3. Slowly lean the motorcycle to the left until its weight rests on the side stand.

4. Turn the handlebar fully to the left.

• Turning the handlebar to the right reduces stability and may cause the motorcycle to fall.

5. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position and remove the key.

Refueling and Fuel Guidelines

Follow these guidelines to protect the engine, fuel system and catalytic converter:

• Use only unleaded gasoline.
• Use recommended octane number. Using lower octane gasoline will result in decreased engine performance.
• Do not use fuels containing a high concentration of alcohol.
• Do not use stale or contaminated gasoline or an oil/gasoline mixture.
• Avoid getting dirt or water in the fuel tank.

Accessories & Modifications

We strongly advise that you do not add any accessories that were not specifically designed or approved for your motorcycle by Honda or make modifications to your motorcycle from its original design. Doing so can make it unsafe.

Modifying your motorcycle may also void your warranty and make your motorcycle illegal to operate on public roads. Before deciding to install accessories on your motorcycle be certain the modification is safe and legal.

WARNING Improper accessories or modifications can cause a crash in which you can be seriously hurt or killed.

Follow all instructions in this owner's manual regarding accessories and modifications.

Do not pull a trailer with, or attach a sidecar to, your motorcycle. Your motorcycle was not designed for these attachments, and their use can seriously impair your motorcycle's handling.

Loading

• Carrying extra weight affects your motorcycle's handling, braking and stability.
  Always ride at a safe speed for the load you are carrying.
• Avoid carrying an excessive load and keep within specified load limits.
• Tie all luggage securely, evenly balanced and close to the center of the motorcycle.
• Do not place objects near the lights or the muffler.

WARNING Overloading or improper loading can cause a crash and you can be seriously hurt or killed.

Follow all load limits and other loading guidelines in this manual.

See also: