2015 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS Owners Manual - Page 129

128 SAFE OPERATION In general your actions should be smooth as sudden acceleration, braking or turning may cause loss of control, especially when riding in wet conditions or on loose roadway surfaces, when the ability to maneuver will be reduced. When going up steep slopes, shift to a lower gear so that there is plenty of power to spare rather than overloading the engine. When applying the brakes, use both the front and rear brakes. Applying only one brake for sudden braking may cause the motorcycle to skid and lose control. When going down long slopes, control vehicle speed by closing the throttle. Use the front and rear brakes for auxiliary braking. In wet conditions, rely more on the throttle to control vehicle speed and less on the front and rear brakes. The throttle should also be used judiciously to avoid skidding the rear wheel from too rapid acceleration or deceleration. Riding at the proper rate of speed and avoiding unnecessarily fast acceleration are important not only for safety and low fuel consumption but also for long vehicle life and quieter operation. On rough roads, exercise caution, slow down, and grip the fuel tank with the knees for better stability. When quick acceleration is necessary as in passing, shift to a lower gear to obtain the necessary power.