Husqvarna 401 Vitpilen - Owner's Manual > Shifting, riding

Warning

Danger of accidents Abrupt load alterations can cause the vehicle to get out of control.

• Avoid abrupt load alterations and sudden braking actions.
• Adapt your speed to the road conditions.

Danger of accidents If you change down at high engine speed, the rear wheel blocks and the engine races.

• Do not change into a low gear at high engine speed.

Danger of accidents An incorrect ignition key position causes malfunctions.

• Do not change the ignition key position while driving.

Danger of accidents Adjustments to the vehicle distract attention from traffic activity.

• Make all adjustments when the vehicle is at a standstill.

Risk of injury The passenger may fall from the motorcycle if they conduct themselves incorrectly.

• Ensure that the passenger sits correctly on the passenger seat, places his or her feet on the passenger foot pegs and holds on to the rider or the grab handles.
• Note the regulations governing the minimum age of passengers in your country.

Danger of accidents A risky riding style constitutes a major risk.

• Comply with traffic regulations and ride defensively and with foresight to detect sources of danger as early as possible.

Danger of accidents Cold tires have reduced road grip.

• Ride the first miles carefully on every journey at moderate speed until the tires reach operating temperature.

Danger of accidents New tires have reduced road grip.

The contact surface on new tires is not yet roughened.

• Run in new tires with moderate riding at alternating angles.

  Running-in phase 200 km (124 mi)

Danger of accidents Pieces of luggage which have slipped impair the handling characteristic.

• Check that your luggage is fixed properly at regular intervals.

Danger of accidents A fall can damage the vehicle more seriously than it may first appear.

• Check the vehicle after a fall as you do when preparing for use.

Note

Engine failure Overheating damages the engine.

• If the coolant temperature warning is displayed, stop immediately and take care not to endanger yourself or other traffic participants in the process.
• Allow the engine and cooling system to cool down.
• Check and, if necessary, correct the coolant level on the cooling system while it is in a cooled state.

Info

If unusual noises occur during operation, stop immediately, switch off the engine, park the vehicle properly, and contact an authorized Husqvarna Motorcycles workshop.

• Shift into a higher gear when conditions allow (incline, road situation, etc.).
• Release the throttle while simultaneously pulling the clutch lever, shift into the next gear, release the clutch lever, and open the throttle.

Info

You can see the positions of the 6 forward gears in the figure. The idle position is between the first and second gears. First gear is used for starting off or for steep inclines.

• Accelerate only up to a speed suitable for the road surface and weather conditions. Particularly in bends, do not shift, and accelerate very carefully.
• Brake if necessary and close the throttle at the same time in order to shift down.
• Pull the clutch lever and shift into a lower gear, release the clutch lever slowly, and open the throttle or shift again.
• Switch off the engine if running at idle or stationary for a long time.
• After reaching maximum speed by fully opening the throttle grip, turn the throttle back so it is ¾ open. This will barely reduce the speed but fuel consumption will be considerably lower.
• Accelerate only up to a speed suitable for the road surface and weather conditions. Particularly in bends, do not shift, and accelerate very carefully.
• Brake if necessary and close the throttle at the same time in order to shift down.
• Pull the clutch lever and shift into a lower gear, release the clutch lever slowly, and open the throttle or shift again.
• If the engine stalls (e.g. at a crossroads), just pull the clutch lever and press the electric starter button. You do not have to shift into neutral.
• If the malfunction indicator lamp lights up during a trip, please contact an authorized Husqvarna Motorcycles workshop as soon as possible.
• If the general warning symbol begins to flash in the display during the trip, several warnings have been detected.

Info

Warnings which have occurred are shown and saved in the Info display until these are no longer active.

See also: