for your head, if it happens to have caused the damage! Above all, stay alert. You must always be aware of what's happening in front, behind and at the sides, and also be conscious of the nature of the road surface beneath you. Violent acceleration and braking both increase the rates of wear of tires and mechanical components. Do not allow the engine speed to drop too low on uphill gradients: change down in good time. On downhill gradients, you can obtain increased engine braking by selecting the next-lower gear, but make sure the maximum engine speed limit is not exceeded. Never ride downhill with the clutch released, in neutral or - particularly dangerous - with the ignition switched off. when braking, always apply both brakes uniformly and smoothly. Gradually increase pressure on the brake lever or pedal as necessary, but try at all costs to avoid wheel locking.

Note that thanks to a recent technical development your motorcycle is equipped with brake pads which slow the machine down immediately even when wet. As you brake to a standstill, make it a habit to select neutral rather than just keeping the clutch pulled up. Holding the clutch out of engage-ment at the lever for long periods, or allowing it to slip, can cause local overheating and unnecessary wear To stop the engine, always turn off the ignition. Close the fuel tap when parking the machine or leaving the engine stopped for a lengthy period. Off-road riding The R 80 G/S is not a competition machine. Despite this, it will negotiate quite difficult sections of terrain if you exercise the necessary care and foresight. To improve handling and traction across country, you can reduce the rear tire pressure to 1.5 bars (app. 21 lb/in2) and the front tire pressure to 1.2 bars (app. 17 lb/in2), but when you return to made-up roads, do not forget to increase tire pressures again or

keep your speed below 100 km/h (app. 60 mile/h). Straight-ahead riding Does this heading surprise you? Do you feel that anyone can ride a motorcycle safely in a straight line? Well, this is not entirely true. The road surface is a vital factor in safe high-speed riding, and far more important for the motorcyclist than for instance, his opposite number in a fast car. Is the road dry or wet? Is there a steep camber? Is it bumpy or wavy? Are these hazards have to be considered. Shadows under trees can mean a layer of frost at low temperatures, even in spring or before the winter season proper has arrived. And in spring, sand and chippings used to combat ice and snow frequently collect at the edge of the road before the authorities r emove them Another danger to look out for Look well ahead at all times. Never disregard a road junction, even a minor track or yard entrance And there are certain times, particularly at weekends, when inexperienced or absent-minded drivers take to the roads