Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200X Forty-Eight - Owner's Manual > Gear Shift Lever

Location

See Shift Lever and Shift Pattern. The gear shift lever is located on the left side of the motorcycle and is operated with the left foot. The shift lever changes gears in a sequential five-speed transmission.

Shift Pattern

The clutch must be fully disengaged before attempting a gear shift. Failure to fully disengage the clutch can result in equipment damage.

See Shift Lever and Shift Pattern. Each gear must be engaged in sequence. Lift the gear shift lever to up-shift and press the lever to downshift. After each gear change, release the gear shift lever to allow it to return to its resting position. See Shifting Gears.

Neutral

Neutral is located between first and second gear. The transmission can be shifted to neutral from either first or second gear. Lift or press the gear shift lever one-half of its stroke. In neutral, the indicator lamp will light.

Shift Lever and Shift Pattern

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)

Identification

See Wheel Speed Sensor Clip (ABS Identification). Sportster models with the ABS option can be identified by a wheel speed sensor on the left side of the front wheel.

The wheel speed sensor has a clip with 'ABS' on it.

See ABS Module (EHCU). These motorcycles also have an ABS module (EHCU) mounted just in front of the rear wheel.

Wheel Speed Sensor Clip (ABS Identification)

ABS Module (EHCU)

Brake System

Front Brake Lever

Do not position fingers between hand control lever and handlebar grip. Improper hand positioning can impair control lever operation and cause loss of vehicle control, which could result in death or serious injury.

See Brake Controls. The front brake hand lever (1) controls the front wheel brake and is located on the right handlebar. Operate the hand lever with the fingers of the right hand.

Rear Brake Pedal

See Brake Controls. The rear brake pedal (2) controls the rear wheel brake and is located on the right side. Operate the rear brake pedal with the right foot.

Brake Controls

1. Front brake lever
2. Rear brake pedal

Non-ABS Brake System

Apply brakes uniformly and evenly to prevent wheels from locking. Use front and rear brakes equally for best results.

Do not apply brake strongly enough to lock the wheel. A locked wheel will skid and can cause loss of vehicle control, which could result in death or serious injury.

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)

The optional Harley-Davidson anti-lock brake system assists the rider in maintaining control when braking in a straight-line emergency situation. ABS operates independently on front and rear brakes to keep the wheels rolling and prevent uncontrolled wheel lockups either on dry pavement or on slick surfaces such as gravel, leaves or when riding in wet conditions.

How ABS Works

The ABS monitors sensors at the front and rear wheels to determine wheel speed. If the system detects one or both wheels are slowing down too quickly, which indicates they are close to locking, the ABS reacts. If the deceleration rate does not match a criteria stored in memory, the ABS also reacts. The system rapidly opens and closes valves to modulate the brake caliper pressure utilizing only the brake lever/pedal pressure being applied by the rider. During ABS activation, the system provides the electronic equivalent of manually pumping the brakes. ABS is capable of cycling up to seven times per second.

The rider will recognize ABS activation by the slight pulsing sensation in the hand lever or the rear brake pedal. The pulsing sensation may also be accompanied by a clicking sound from the ABS module. Both are the result of normal operation. Refer to ABS Symptoms and Conditions.

How To Use ABS

While an advantage in emergency braking, ABS is not a substitute for safe riding. The safest way to stop a motorcycle is upright with both wheels straight.

Harley-Davidson ABS is a manual assist system. When stopping in an emergency stopping situation, maintain pressure on the brakes through all ABS events. Do not modulate or "pump" the brake controls. The wheels will not lock until the end of the stop when motorcycle speed reaches approximately 4 mph 6 km/h and ABS is no longer needed.

ABS cannot prevent lockup of rear wheel due to engine braking. ABS will not aid in cornering or on loose/uneven surfaces. A locked wheel will skid and can cause loss of vehicle control, which could result in death or serious injury.

ABS: Tires and Wheels

Motorcycles equipped with ABS must always use Harley-Davidson tires and wheels. The ABS monitors the rotational speed of the wheels through individual wheel speed sensors. Changing to different diameter wheels or different-sized tires can alter the rotational speed. This can upset the calibration of the ABS and have an adverse effect on its ability to detect and prevent uncontrolled wheel lockups. Operating at tire pressures other than those specified in Specified Tires can reduce ABS braking performance.

ABS Symptoms and Conditions

Jiffy Stand

Always park motorcycle on a level, firm surface. An unbalanced motorcycle can fall over, which could result in death or serious injury.

The jiffy stand is located on the left side of the motorcycle. The stand swings outward to support the motorcycle for parking.

The jiffy stand locks when placed in the full forward (down) position with vehicle weight on it.

If the jiffy stand is not in the full forward (down) position with vehicle weight on it, the vehicle can fall over which could result in death or serious injury.

Be sure jiffy stand is fully retracted before riding. If jiffy stand is not fully retracted, it can contact the road surface causing a loss of vehicle control, which could result in death or serious injury.

Jiffy Stand Interlock: International Models

Some international models have a jiffy stand interlock.

If the transmission is in neutral, the motorcycle will start and run. If the jiffy stand is down and the transmission in gear, engaging the clutch stalls the motorcycle. The message "SidEStAnd" scrolls across the odometer. Raising the jiffy stand or putting the transmission in neutral will permit the engine to run. The odometer will clear the message.

If the stand lowers at a speed greater than 10 mph 15 km/h , the engine will continue to run. The indicators will flash twice. The message "SidEStAnd" will scroll across the odometer. The message remains until the system detects the jiffy stand in the fully retracted position again. The rider can continue to ride while in this mode.

The rider can clear the text messages at any time by pressing the TRIP/trigger switch once while the vehicle is powered up.

See also: