Benelli 251S Manuel Du Propriétaire page 102

Be a Responsible Owner
As the vehicle's owner, you are responsi-
ble for the safe and proper operation of
your motorcycle.
Motorcycles are single-track vehicles.
Their safe use and operation are depen-
dent upon the use of proper riding te-
chniques as well as the expertise of the
operator.
Every operator should know the following
requirements before riding this motor-
cycle.
He or she should:
• Obtain thorough instructions from a
competent source on all aspects of
motorcycle operation.
• Observe the warnings and mainte-
nance requirements in this Owner's
Manual.
• Obtain quali ed training in safe and
proper riding techniques.
• Obtain professional technical servi-
ce as indicated in this Owner's Ma-
nual and/or when made necessary
by mechanical conditions.
• Never operate a motorcycle without
proper training or instruction. Take
a training course. Beginners should
receive training from a certi ed in-
structor. Contact an authorized mo-
torcycle dealer to nd out about the
training courses nearest you.
Safe Riding
Perform the pre-operation checks each
time you use the vehicle to make sure it
is in safe operating condition. Failure to
inspect or maintain the vehicle properly
increases the possibility of an accident or
equipment damage. See page 4-1 for a list
of pre-operation checks.
• This motorcycle is designed to carry
the operator and a passenger.
• The failure of motorists to detect
and recognize motorcycles in tra c
is the predominating cause of auto-
mobile/motorcycle accidents. Many
accidents have been caused by an
automobile driver who did not see
the motorcycle. Making yourself
conspicuous appears to be very ef-
fective in reducing the chance of this
type of accident. Therefore:
• Wear a brightly colored jacket.
• Use extra caution when you
are approaching and passing
through intersections, since in-
tersections are the most likely
places for motorcycle accidents
to occur.
• Ride where other motorists can
see you. Avoid riding in another
motorist's blind spot.
• Never maintain a motorcycle
without proper knowledge.
Contact an authorized motor-
cycle dealer to inform you on
basic motorcycle maintenance.
1 - 1
Safety information
Certain maintenance can only
be carried out by certi ed sta .
• Many accidents involve inexperien-
ced operators. In fact, many opera-
tors who have been involved in ac-
cidents do not even have a current
motorcycle license.
• Make sure that you are qua-
li ed and that you only lend
your motorcycle to other qua-
li ed operators.
• Know your skills and limits.
Staying within your limits may
help you to avoid an accident.
• We
recommend that
practice riding your motorcycle
where there is no tra c until
you have become thoroughly
familiar with the motorcycle
and all of its controls.
• Many accidents have been caused
by error of the motorcycle operator.
A typical error made by the opera-
tor is veering wide on a turn due to
excessive speed or undercornering
(insu cient lean angle for the spe-
ed).
• Always obey the speed limit
and never travel faster than
warranted by road and tra c
conditions.
• Always signal before turning or
changing lanes. Make sure that
other motorists can see you.
• The posture of the operator and
EN
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you