Indian FTR 1200 - Owner's Manual > Carrying a Passenger

WARNING Do not carry a passenger unless the motorcycle is equipped with passenger seat and passenger footrests.

• Do not exceed the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) for your motorcycle. Refer to the Specifications section of this manual or the Manufacturing Information/VIN label on the motorcycle frame for model-specific information.
• Adjust ride height as needed. See the Rear Shock Preload (Ride Height) Inspection and Rear Shock Preload (Ride Height) Adjustment sections for details.
• Direct the passenger to hold onto you or to the passenger handholds with both hands and to keep both feet on the passenger footrests. Do not carry a passenger who cannot place both feet firmly on the passenger footrests. A passenger who is not holding on properly, or who cannot reach the passenger footrests, can shift their body erratically, which can make the motorcycle hard to handle and cause loss of control.
• Before riding, be sure your passenger knows safe riding procedures. Discuss any safety information unfamiliar to your passenger. A passenger who is unaware of safe riding procedures may distract you or make movements that make the motorcycle hard to handle.
• Adjust your riding style to compensate for the differences in handling, acceleration and braking caused by the additional weight of the passenger. Failure to do so can cause loss of control.

PROTECTIVE APPAREL

Wear protective apparel to decrease the risk of injury and increase riding comfort.

• Always wear a helmet that meets or exceeds established safety standards. Approved helmets in the USA and Canada bear a U.S.

  Department of Transportation (DOT) label. Approved helmets in Europe, Asia and Oceania bear the ECE 22.05 label. The ECE mark consists of a circle surrounding the letter E, followed by the distinguishing number of the country which has granted approval. The approval number and serial number will also be displayed on the label. Laws in some areas require that you wear an approved helmet. Head injuries are the leading cause of fatalities in accidents involving motorcycles. Statistics prove that an approved helmet is the most effective protection in preventing or reducing head injuries.

• Wear eye protection to protect eyes from wind or airborne particles and objects. Laws in some areas require that you wear eye protection. We recommend that you wear approved Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) bearing markings such as VESC 8, V-8, Z87.1, or CE. Make sure protective eyewear is kept clean.
• All riders should wear bright or light-colored and/or reflective clothing to improve visibility to other motorists. A motorist's failure to see or recognize a motorcycle is the leading cause of automobile/motorcycle accidents.
• Wear gloves, a jacket, heavy boots and long pants to prevent or reduce injury from abrasions, lacerations or burns should the motorcycle fall. Wear boots with low heels, as high heels can catch on pedals or footrests. The combination of boots and pants should completely cover legs, ankles and feet, protecting skin from engine and exhaust system heat.
• Do not wear loose, flowing clothing or long boot laces, as they can catch on handlebars, levers or footrests, or they can become entangled in the wheels, causing loss of control and serious injury.

USE OF ACCESSORIES

Because INDIAN MOTORCYCLE cannot test and make specific recommendations concerning every accessory or combination of accessories sold, the operator is responsible for determining that the motorcycle can be safely operated with any accessories or additional weight. Use the following guidelines when choosing and installing accessories:

• Do not install accessories that impair operator visibility or the stability, handling or operation of the motorcycle. Before installing an accessory, be sure that it does not:
  • reduce ground clearance when the motorcycle is either leaned or in a vertical position;
  • limit suspension or steering travel or your ability to operate controls;
  • displace you from your normal riding position;
  • obscure lights or reflectors.
• Bulky, heavy or large accessories can cause instability (due to the lifting or buffeting effects of wind) and loss of control.
• Do not install electrical accessories that exceed the capacity of the motorcycle's electrical system. Never install higher wattage light bulbs than those supplied as original equipment. An electrical failure could result and cause hazardous loss of engine power or lights, or damage to the electrical system. See the Electrical Precautions section for details.
• Use only genuine INDIAN MOTORCYCLE accessories designed for your model.
• Do not exceed the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) for your motorcycle.

MODIFICATIONS

Modifying the motorcycle by removing any equipment or by adding equipment not approved by the manufacturer may void your warranty. Such modifications could make the motorcycle unsafe to ride and could result in severe injury to operator or passenger, as well as damage to the motorcycle. Some modifications may not be legal in your area of operation. If in doubt, contact your authorized INDIAN MOTORCYCLE dealer.

PARKING THE MOTORCYCLE

When leaving the motorcycle unattended, turn the engine off. Your motorcycle is equipped with a keyed ignition. Remove the ignition key to prevent unauthorized use.

Park the motorcycle where people are not likely to touch the hot engine or exhaust system or place combustible materials near these hot areas. Do not park near a flammable source such as a kerosene heater or an open flame, where hot components could ignite combustible materials.

Park the motorcycle on a firm, level surface. Sloped or soft surfaces may not support the motorcycle. If you must park on a slope or soft surface, follow the precautions.

SADDLEBAG

Whenever operating with a saddlebag or while carrying cargo:

• Never ride at excessive speeds. Saddlebags and cargo, combined with the lifting or buffeting effects of wind, can make the motorcycle unstable and cause loss of control.
• Do not exceed the individual weight limit of the saddlebag.
• NEVER EXCEED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR) or the GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR), regardless of whether or not the saddlebag is loaded to capacity. Exceeding the weight rating can reduce stability and handling and cause loss of control.

See also: