Honda VFR800 owner's manual: Controls & Features

Controls & Features

Ignition Switch

The ignition switch (1) is used for starting and stopping the engine (page 53) and to lock the steering for theft prevention (page 64). Insert the key and turn it to the right for the ON position. Push down on the key and turn it to the left to the LOCK (steering lock) position.

(1) ignition switch

To unlock the steering lock, insert and push down on the key and turn it to the right to the OFF position.

Instruments & Controls 35

Controls & Features

Start Button

The start button ( 1 ) is used for starting the engine. Pushing the button in starts the engine. See Starting Procedure, page 54.

When the start button is pushed, the starter motor will crank the engine; the headlight will automatically go out, but the taillight will stay on.

The starter motor will not operate if the engine stop switch is in the OFF position or the ignition switch is in the △ (hazard) position when the start button is pushed.

Engine Stop Switch

RIGHT HANDLEBAR

(1) start button (2) engine stop switch OFF RUN

The engine stop switch ( 2 ) is used to stop the engine in an emergency. To operate, push the switch to the OFF ( ) position. The switch must be in the RUN ( ) position to start the engine, and it should normally remain in the RUN ( ) position even when the engine is OFF.

36 Instruments & Controls

Controls & Features

If your motorcycle is stopped with the ignition switch ON and the engine stop switch OFF ( [icon] ), the headlight and taillight will remain on, resulting in battery discharge.

Hazard Switch

The hazard switch ( 3 ) should be used only when the motorcycle is stopped under emergency or hazardous condition.

To operate, turn the ignition key to the ON or △ (hazard) position, and slide the hazard switch. The front and rear turn signals will blink simultaneously until you slide the switch again.

Be sure to turn the switch off when the hazard warning is no longer required, or the turn signals will not work properly and may confuse other drivers.

(3) hazard switch

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Controls & Features

Headlight Dimmer Switch

The headlight dimmer switch (1) is used to change between the high and low beams of the headlight. To operate, turn the switch to HI for high beam, LO for low beam.

Turn Signal Switch

The turn signal switch (2) is used to signal a turn or a lane change. To operate, move the switch all the way in the proper direction and release it. The appropriate turn signal lights will start blinking. To cancel the light, push the switch in.

LEFT HANDLEBAR

(1) headlight dimmer switch (2) turn signal switch (3) horn button

38 Instruments & Controls

Controls & Features

Horn Button

The horn is used to alert other motorists. To operate, push the horn button (3).

SELECT Button

The SELECT button is used to switch between the coolant and air temperature displays. To operate, press the button.

The SELECT button is also used to change the speed and mileage units for the speedometer/odometer/tripmeter. To change the unit, press and hold the button (page 32 ).

The SELECT button is also used to set the digital clock (page 33 ).

RESET Button

The RESET button is used to switch between the odometer and the two tripmeter (A & B) displays. To operate, press the button.

To reset (zero) either tripmeter, press and hold the button for about 2—3 seconds until the display changes to zero.

The RESET button is also used to set the digital clock (page 33 ).

Instruments & Controls 39

40 Instruments & Controls

Before Riding

Before each ride, you need to make sure you and your Honda are both ready to ride. To help get you prepared, this section discusses how to evaluate your riding readiness, what items you should check on your motorcycle, and adjustments to make for your comfort, convenience, or safety. This section also includes important information about loading.

For information about adjusting the suspension on your Honda, see page 134.

• Are You Ready to Ride? ........ 42
• Protective Apparel ........ 42
• Rider Training ........ 44
• Is Your Motorcycle Ready to Ride? ........ 45
• Pre-ride Inspection ........ 45
• Load Limits & Guidelines ........ 48
• Loading ........ 48
• Load Limits ........ 49
• Loading Guidelines ........ 49

Before Riding 41

Are You Ready to Ride?

Before you ride your motorcycle for the first time, we urge you to:

• Read this owner’s manual.
• Make sure you understand all the safety messages.
• Know how to operate all the controls.

Before each ride, be sure:

• You feel well and are in good physical and mental condition.
• You are wearing an approved motorcycle helmet (with chin strap tightened securely), eye protection, and other protective clothing.
• You don’t have any alcohol or drugs in your system.

Make sure your passenger is ready to ride, too, and is wearing proper gear including a helmet.

If you must carry an extra helmet while riding, use a commercially-available elastic cord, strap, or net to secure the helmet to the seat.

Protective Apparel

For your safety, we strongly recommend that you always wear an approved motorcycle helmet, eye protection, boots, gloves, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt or jacket whenever you ride. Although complete protection is not possible, wearing proper gear can reduce the chance of injury when you ride. Following are suggestions to help you choose the proper gear.

42 Before Riding

Are You Ready to Ride?

Helmets and Eye Protection

Your helmet is your most important piece of riding gear because it offers the best protection against head injuries. A helmet should fit your head comfortably and securely. A bright-colored helmet and reflective strips can make you more noticeable in traffic.

An open-face helmet offers some protection, but a full-face helmet offers more. Regardless of the style, look for a DOT (Department of Transportation) sticker in any helmet you buy (USA only). Always wear a face shield or goggles to protect your eyes and help your vision.

WARNING Not wearing a helmet increases the chance of serious injury or death in a crash.

Be sure you and your passenger always wear a helmet, eye protection, and other protective apparel when you ride.

Additional Riding Gear

In addition to a helmet and eye protection, we also recommend:

• Sturdy boots with non-slip soles to help protect your feet and ankles.
• Leather gloves to help protect your hands.

(cont'd)

Before Riding 43

Are You Ready to Ride?

• A motorcycle riding suit or jacket for comfort as well as protection. Bright-colored and reflective clothing can help make you more noticeable in traffic. Avoid loose clothes that could get caught on any part of your motorcycle.

Rider Training

Developing your riding skills is an on-going process. Even if you have ridden other motorcycles, take time to become familiar with how this motorcycle works and handles. Practice riding the motorcycle in a safe area to build your skills. Do not ride in traffic until you get accustomed to the motorcycle’s controls, and feel comfortable with its size and weight.

We urge all riders to take a certified course approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF). New riders should start with the basic course, and even experienced riders will find the advanced course beneficial. For information about the MSF training course nearest you, call the national toll-free number: (800) 446-9227.

Other riding tips can be found in the Riding Tips booklet that came with your motorcycle (USA only).

44 Before Riding

Is Your Motorcycle Ready to Ride?

Before each ride, it’s important to inspect your motorcycle and make sure any problem you find is corrected. A pre-ride inspection is a must, not only for safety, but because having a breakdown, or even a flat tire, can be a major inconvenience.

WARNING

Improperly maintaining this motorcycle or failing to correct a problem before riding can cause a crash in which you can be seriously hurt or killed.

Always perform a pre-ride inspection before every ride and correct any problems.

Pre-ride Inspection

Check the following items before you get on the motorcycle:

Tires & Wheels

Look at the tires. If a tire appears low, use an air pressure gauge to check its pressure. Also look for signs of excessive wear (page 149) or damage to the tires and wheels.

Chain

Check the condition of the chain. Adjust slack and lubricate as needed (page 156).

(cont’d)

Before Riding 45

Is Your Motorcycle Ready to Ride?

Leaks, Loose Parts

Walk around your motorcycle and look for anything that appears unusual, such as a leak or loose cable.

Lights

Make sure the headlight, brakelight, taillight, and turn signals are working properly.

If you are carrying a passenger or cargo, also check the following:

Load Limits

Make sure you do not exceed the load limits (page 49).

Cargo

Check that all cargo is secure.

Adjustments

Adjust the suspension (pages 135, 137) according to your load.

46 Before Riding

Is Your Motorcycle Ready to Ride?

Check these items after you get on the motorcycle:

Throttle
Rotate the throttle to check it moves smoothly without binding.

Brakes
Pull the brake lever and press on the brake pedal to check that they operate normally.

Indicators
Turn the ignition on and check for normal operation of the indicators (page 14).

If you haven’t ridden the motorcycle in over a week, you should also check other items, such as the oil level and other fluids. See Periodic Maintenance (page 76). Periodic maintenance should also be done at least once a month, no matter how often you ride.

Remember, be sure to take care of any problem you find, or have your Honda dealer correct it before you ride.

Before Riding 47

Load Limits & Guidelines

Your motorcycle has been designed to carry you and one passenger. When you carry a passenger, you may feel some difference during acceleration and braking. But so long as you keep your motorcycle well-maintained, with good tires and brakes, you can safely carry loads within the given limits and guidelines.

However, exceeding the weight limit or carrying an unbalanced load can seriously impair your motorcycle’s handling, braking, and stability. Non-Honda accessories, improper modifications, and poor maintenance can also reduce your safety margin.

Loading

How much weight you put on your motorcycle, and how you load it, are important to your safety. Anytime you ride with a passenger or cargo, you should be aware of the following information.

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.

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Load Limits & Guidelines

Load Limits

Following are the load limits for your motorcycle:

maximum weight capacity: 399 lbs (181 kg) 408 lbs (185 kg) (Canada only) includes the weight of the rider, passenger, all cargo, and all accessories.

maximum cargo weight: 77 lbs (35 kg)

The weight of added accessories will reduce the maximum cargo weight you can carry.

Loading Guidelines

Your motorcycle is primarily intended for transporting you and a passenger. You may wish to secure a jacket or other small items to the seat when you are not riding with a passenger.

If you wish to carry more cargo, check with your Honda dealer for advice, and be sure to read the information regarding accessories on page 5 .

Improperly loading your motorcycle can affect its stability and handling. Even if your motorcycle is properly loaded, you should ride at reduced speeds and never exceed 80 mph (130 km/h) when carrying cargo.

Before Riding 49

Load Limits & Guidelines

Follow these guidelines whenever you carry a passenger or cargo:

• Check that both tires are properly inflated (page 147).

• If you change your normal load, you may need to adjust the front suspension (page 135) and the rear suspension (page 137).

• To prevent loose items from creating a hazard, make sure that all cargo is tied down securely before you ride.

• Place cargo weight as low and close to the center of your motorcycle as possible.

• Balance cargo weight evenly on both sides.

50 Before Riding

Basic Operation & Riding

This section gives basic riding instructions, including how to start and stop your engine, and how to use the throttle, clutch, and brakes. It also provides important information on riding with a passenger or cargo.

To protect your new engine and enjoy optimum performance and service life, refer to Break-in Guidelines (page 222).

To protect the catalytic converter in your motorcycle’s exhaust system, avoid extended idling and the use of leaded gasoline.

• Safe Riding Precautions ........ 52
• Starting & Stopping the Engine ........ 53
• Preparation ........ 53
• Starting Procedure ........ 54
• Flooded Engine ........ 55 Bank Angle Sensor Ignition
• Cut-off System ........ 55
• How to Stop the Engine ........ 56
• Shifting Gears ........ 57
• Braking ........ 59 Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
• (INTERCEPTOR ABS) ........ 61 ABS Indicator
• (INTERCEPTOR ABS) ........ 62
• Parking ........ 63
• Riding with a Passenger or Cargo ........ 68

Basic Operation & Riding 51

Safe Riding Precautions

Before riding your motorcycle for the first time, please review the Motorcycle Safety section beginning on page 1, and the Before Riding section beginning on page 41.

Even if you have ridden other motorcycles, take time to become familiar with how this motorcycle works and handles. Practice in a safe area until you build your skills and get accustomed to the motorcycle’s size and weight.

Make sure flammable materials such as dry grass or leaves do not come in contact with the exhaust system when riding, idling, or parking your motorcycle.

52 Basic Operation & Riding