The Queens English

Not since I owned a 1972 Datsun 240Z have I enjoyed reading an owners manual so much as I now do with the Gator 150 manual.

The 240Z manual was written by someone in Japan who was about as good at English translations of Japanese as I am Japanese translations of English. In that particular manual the 240Z was called a "Fairlady" and warned that if this or that wasn't done it would cause an "engine trouble".

The Chinese are now at about the same point in motor vehicle production as Japan when Hondas and the like were first sold in the US, except in China there are now no less than 200 manufacturers of motorcycles!

Anyhow, here are a few lines from the Gator 150 owners manual for your enjoyment.

Luggage: The mass of luggage should be distributed averagely of scooter double side, if not, can break the stability of scooter.

Keys: There are two keys with scooter. Keep one of them for false key.

Tachometer: Tachometer indicates engine rotate how many times in one minute.

Fuel Gage: When the needle goes to the red area, the balance of gasoline is less than 1.5L and should go to the gas station soon.

Mobile Indicator: This indicator will be on when a phone call is coming to your mobile.

Starting from Stop: Before you start to drive on, please give the starting signal by turning signal light wink and be sure safety to drive.

Driving on a Slope: When climbing a steep slope, the scooter may slow down as a result of insufficient power. In this case, you should turn throttle grip toward yourself to increase fuel for the forwarding power.

Stopping: Before stopping, take your breaking distance carefully. It takes two times of breaking distance in the rainy or snow weather.

Maintenance: If your scooter has been used under an awful circumstances, for instance, you have turned the throttle to its full for a long time while running it through windy and dusty region, you should give a special inspection to it after this running in order to maintain its reliability.