2003 YAMAHA BEAR TRACKER 250 weight

2-7

Always follow proper procedures for turning as
described in this manual. Practice turning at
low speeds before attempting to turn at faster
speeds. Do not turn at excessive speed.


Never operate the ATV on hills too steep for the
ATV or for your abilities. Practice on smaller
hills before attempting larger hills.


Always follow proper procedures for climbing
hills as described in this manual. Check the ter-
rain 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 or make sudden
gear changes. Never go over the top of a hill at
high speed.
U4XE64.book Page 7 Thursday, May 30, 2002 1:49 PM

2-9

Always follow proper procedures for going
down hills and for braking on hills as described
in this manual. Check the terrain carefully be-
fore 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.


Always follow proper procedures for crossing
the side of a hill as described in this manual.
Avoid hills with excessively slippery or loose
surfaces. Shift your weight to the uphill side of
the ATV. Never attempt to turn the ATV around
on any hill until you have mastered the turning
technique described in this manual on level
ground. Avoid crossing the side of a steep hill if
possible.
U4XE64.book Page 9 Thursday, May 30, 2002 1:49 PM

4-33 1. Spring preload adjusting ring
1. Anneau de réglage de la précontrainte de ressort
1. Regulador de ajuste la precarga del muelle
1. Special wrench
1. Clé spéciale
1. Llave especial
EBU01103
Rear shock absorber adjustment
The spring preload can be adjusted to suit the rid-
er’s weight and riding conditions.
Adjust the spring preload as follows:
To increase the spring preload, turn the adjusting
ring in direction
a.
To decrease the spring preload, turn the adjusting
ring in direction
b.NOTE:_ A special wrench can be obtained at a Yamaha
dealer to make this adjustment. _
Standard position: B
A - Minimum (soft)
E - Maximum (hard)
U4XE64.book Page 33 Thursday, May 30, 2002 1:49 PM

6-31
EBU00234
Loading
Cargo or a trailer can change the stability and han-
dling of an ATV.
You must use common sense and good judge-
ment when carrying cargo or towing a trailer. Keep
the following points in mind:

Never exceed the weight limits shown. An
overloaded ATV can be unstable.
MAXIMUM LOADING LIMIT

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


Front carrier: 30 kg


Rear carrier: 45 kg


Storage box: 2 kg


Trailer hitch:
Pulling load (total weight of trailer and
cargo): 330 kgf
Tongue weight (vertical weight on trailer
hitch point): 15 kgf
U4XE64.book Page 31 Thursday, May 30, 2002 1:49 PM

6-33

Do not exceed the maximum tongue weight.
You can measure tongue weight with a bath-
room scale. Put the tongue of the loaded trailer
on the scale with the tongue at hitch height. Ad-
just the load in the trailer, if necessary, to re-
duce the weight on hitch.


If you are carrying cargo and towing a trailer, in-
clude the tongue weight in the maximum vehi-
cle load limit.


Load cargo on the carrier as close to the center
of the vehicle as possible. Put cargo at the front
of the rear carrier. Center the load from side to
side.


Tie down cargo securely to the carriers. Make
sure cargo in the trailer cannot move around. A
shifting load can cause an accident.


Make sure the load does not interfere with con-
trols or your ability to see where you are going.
U4XE64.book Page 33 Thursday, May 30, 2002 1:49 PM

6-35

Ride more slowly than you would without a
load. The more weight you carry, the slower
you should go. Although conditions vary, it is
good practice not to exceed 2nd gear whenev-
er you are carrying heavier loads or when tow-
ing a trailer.


Allow more braking distance. A heavier vehicle
takes longer to stop.


Avoid making sharp turns unless at very slow
speeds.


Avoid hills and rough terrain. Choose terrain
carefully. Added weight affects the stability and
handling of the ATV.WARNING
Never exceed the stated load capacity for this
ATV. Overloading this ATV or carrying or tow-
ing cargo improperly could cause changes in
vehicle handling which could lead to an acci-
dent.
Cargo should be properly distributed and se-
curely attached. Reduce speed when carrying
cargo or pulling a trailer. Allow greater dis-
tance for braking.
U4XE64.book Page 35 Thursday, May 30, 2002 1:49 PM

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):
165 kg


Front carrier: 30 kg


Rear carrier: 45 kg


Storage box: 2 kg


Trailer hitch:
Pulling load (total weight of trailer and
cargo): 330 kgf
Tongue weight (vertical weight on trailer
hitch point): 15 kgf
U4XE64.book Page 19 Thursday, May 30, 2002 1:49 PM

7-43 1. Lean towards inside of turn.
2. Support your weight on the outer footrest.
1. Se pencher vers l’intérieur du virage.
2. S’appuyer sur le repose-pied externe.
1. Inclínese hacia el interior del giro.
2. Descanse su peso en el descansapie externo.
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.
U4XE64.book Page 43 Thursday, May 30, 2002 1:49 PM