Kawasaki J300 - Owner's Manual > Moving Off

• Check that the center stand is up.
• Open the throttle slowly.

NOTE

• The motorcycle is equipped with a side stand switch. This switch is designed so that the engine does not start if the side stand is down.

Braking

• Close the throttle completely.
• When stopping, always apply both brakes at the same time.
• Never lock the brakes, or it will cause the tires to skid. When turning a corner, it is better not to brake at all. Reduce your speed before you get into the corner.
• Even in motorcycles equipped with ABS, braking during cornering may cause wheel slip. When turning a corner, it is better to limit braking to the light application of both brakes or not to brake at all. Reduce your speed before you get into the corner.
• For emergency braking, concentrate on applying the brakes as hard as possible without skidding.

1. Front Brake Lever

1. Rear Brake Lever

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)

ABS is designed to help prevent the wheels from locking up when the brakes are applied hard while running straight. The ABS automatically regulates brake force. Intermittently gaining gripping force and braking force helps prevent wheel lock-up and allows stable steering control while stopping.

Brake control function is identical to that of a conventional motorcycle. The right side brake lever is used for the front brake and the left side brake lever for the rear brake.

Although the ABS provides stability while stopping by preventing wheel lock-up, remember the following characteristics:

• To apply the brake effectively, use the front brake lever and rear brake lever simultaneously in the same manner as conventional motorcycle brake system.
• ABS cannot compensate for adverse road conditions, misjudgment or improper application of brakes. You must take the same care as with motorcycles not equipped with ABS.
• ABS is not designed to shorten the braking distance. On loose, uneven or downhill surfaces, the stopping distance of a motorcycle with ABS may be longer than that of an equivalent motorcycle without ABS. Use special caution in such areas.
• ABS will help prevent wheel lock-up when braking in a straight line, but it cannot control wheel slip which may be caused by braking during cornering.

  When turning a corner, it is better to limit braking to the light application of both brakes or not to brake at all. Reduce your speed before you get into the corner.

• Same as conventional brake system, an excessive sudden braking may cause wheel lock up that makes it harder to control a motorcycle.
• During braking, ABS will not prevent the rear wheel lifting.

WARNING

ABS cannot protect the rider from all possible hazards and is not a substitute for safe riding practices.

Be aware of how the ABS system operates and its limitations.

It is the rider's responsibility to ride at appropriate speeds and manner for weather, road surface and traffic conditions.

• The computers integrated in the ABS compare vehicle speed with wheel speed. Since non-recommended tires can affect wheel speed, they may confuse the computers, which can extend braking distance.

WARNING

Use of non-recommended tires may cause malfunctioning of ABS and can lead to extended braking distance. The rider could have an accident as a result. Kawasaki recommends use of the recommended standard tires for this motorcycle.

NOTE

• ABS indicator may come on under motorcycle riding condition. (ex. The front or rear wheel races.) In this case, first turn the ignition switch to the position, and then back to the position, and run the motorcycle at the speed of approx. 10 km/h (6 mph) or above. ABS indicator goes off by this operation, but if it remains lit, you should have the ABS checked by an authorized Kawasaki dealer.
• When the ABS is functioning, you may feel a pulsing in the brake lever.

  This is normal. You need not suspend applying brakes.

• ABS does not function at speeds of approx. 10 km/h (6 mph) or below.
• ABS does not function if the battery is discharged.

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