2002 YAMAHA KODIAK 400 weight

7-19
WARNING
_

Never exceed the stated load capacity for
this ATV.


Cargo should be properly distributed and
securely attached.


Reduce speed when carrying cargo or pull-
ing a trailer. Allow greater distance for
braking.


Always follow the instructions in your
Owner’s Manual for carrying cargo or pull-
ing a trailer.
_MAXIMUM LOADING LIMIT

Vehicle loading limit (total weight of cargo,
rider and accessories, and tongue weight):
210 kg


Front carrier: 40 kg


Rear carrier: 80 kg


Storage box: 2.0 kg


Trailer hitch:
Pulling load (total weight of trailer and
cargo): 500 kgf


Tongue weight (vertical weight on trailer
hitch point): 15 kgf
U5GH62.book Page 19 Monday, August 6, 2001 9:09 AM

7-41 1. Lean towards inside of turn.
2. Support your weight on the outer footboard.
1. Se pencher vers l’intérieur du virage.
2. S’appuyer sur le repose-pied extérieur.
1. Inclínese hacia el interior del giro.
2. Descanse su peso en el descansapie exterior.
As you approach a curve, slow down and begin to
turn the handlebars in the desired direction. As
you do so, put your weight on the footboard to the
outside of the turn (opposite your desired direc-
tion) and lean your upper body into the turn. Use
the throttle to maintain an even speed through the
turn. This maneuver will let the wheel on the inside
of the turn slip slightly, allowing the ATV to make
the turn properly.
This procedure should be practiced at slow speed
many times in a large off-road area with no obsta-
cles. If an incorrect technique is used, your ATV
may continue to go straight. If the ATV doesn’t
turn, come to a stop and then practice the proce-
dure again. If the riding surface is slippery or loose,
it may help to position more of your weight over the
front wheels by moving forward on the seat.
Once you have learned this technique you should
be able to perform it at higher speeds or in tighter
curves.
U5GH62.book Page 41 Monday, August 6, 2001 9:09 AM

7-45
CLIMBING UPHILL
Use proper riding techniques to avoid vehicle
overturns on hills. Be sure that you can maneuver
your ATV well on flat ground before attempting any
incline and then practice riding first on gentle
slopes. Try more difficult climbs only after you
have developed your skill. In all cases avoid in-
clines with slippery or loose surfaces, or obstacles
that might cause you to lose control.
WARNING
_ Never operate the ATV on hills too steep for
the ATV or for your abilities. The vehicle can
overturn more easily on extremely steep hills
than on level surfaces or small hills. Practice
on smaller hills before attempting large hills. _ It is important when climbing a hill to make sure
that your weight is transferred forward on the ATV.
This can be accomplished by leaning forward and,
on steeper inclines, standing on the footboards
and leaning forward over the handlebars.
U5GH62.book Page 45 Monday, August 6, 2001 9:09 AM

7-47
WARNING
_

Always follow proper procedures for
climbing hills as described in this Owner’s
Manual.


Always check the terrain carefully before
you start up any hill.


Never climb hills with excessively slippery
or loose surfaces.


Shift your weight forward.


Never open the throttle suddenly. The ATV
could flip over backwards.


Never go over the top of any hill at high
speed. An obstacle, a sharp drop, or anoth-
er vehicle or person could be on the other
side of the hill.
_
U5GH62.book Page 47 Monday, August 6, 2001 9:09 AM

7-49
If you are climbing a hill and you find that you have
not properly judged your ability to make it to the
top, you should turn the ATV around while you still
have forward motion (provided you have the room
to do so) and go down the hill.
WARNING
_ Never attempt to turn the ATV around on any
hill until you have mastered the turning tech-
nique as described in the Owner’s Manual on
level ground. Be very careful when turning on
any hill. Avoid crossing the side of a steep hill
if possible.
When crossing the side of a hill:

Always follow proper procedures as de-
scribed in the Owner’s Manual.


Avoid hills with excessively slippery or
loose surfaces.


Shift your weight to the uphill side of the
ATV.
_
U5GH62.book Page 49 Monday, August 6, 2001 9:09 AM

7-53
WARNING
_ Use proper gear and maintain steady speed
when climbing a hill.
If you lose all forward speed:

Keep weight uphill.


Apply the brakes.


Shift into the park position after you are
stopped.
If you begin rolling backwards:


Keep weight uphill.


2WD: Never apply the rear brake while roll-
ing backwards. Apply the front brake.
4WD: Apply both front and rear brakes
gradually.
When fully stopped, shift into the park po-
sition.
Dismount on uphill side or to a side if pointed
straight uphill. Turn the ATV around and re-
mount, following the procedure described in
the Owner’s Manual.
_
U5GH62.book Page 53 Monday, August 6, 2001 9:09 AM

7-55
RIDING DOWNHILL
When riding your ATV downhill, shift your weight
as far to the rear and uphill side of the ATV as pos-
sible. Move back on the seat and sit with your
arms straight. Engine compression will do most of
the braking for you. For maximum engine com-
pression braking effect, select low range and
change to 4WD before beginning to descend the
hill. Improper braking may cause a loss of traction.
Use caution while descending a hill with loose or
slippery surfaces. Braking ability and traction may
be adversely affected by these surfaces. Improper
braking may also cause a loss of traction.
When this ATV is in 4WD, all wheels (front and
rear) are interconnected by the drive train. This
means that applying either the front brake or the
rear brake will brake all wheels. When descending
hills, using either brake lever or the brake pedal
will brake the wheels on the downhill side. Avoid
sudden application of either the front or rear brake
because the wheels on the uphill side could come
off the ground. Apply both the front and rear
brakes gradually.
U5GH62.book Page 55 Monday, August 6, 2001 9:09 AM

7-57
Whenever possible, ride your ATV straight down-
hill. Avoid sharp angles which could allow the ATV
to tip or roll over. Carefully choose your path and
ride no faster than you will be able to react to ob-
stacles which may appear.
WARNING
_ Always follow proper procedures for going
down hills as described in this Owner’s Manu-
al.
Note: a special technique is required when
braking as you go down a hill.

Always check the terrain carefully before
you start down any hill.


Shift your weight backward.


Never go down a hill at high speed.


Avoid going down a hill at an angle that
would cause the vehicle to lean sharply to
one side. Go straight down the hill where
possible.
_
U5GH62.book Page 57 Monday, August 6, 2001 9:09 AM