2003 YAMAHA BEAR TRACKER 250 engine

7-37
With the engine idling, lift the shift pedal to the 1st
gear position and then release the parking brake.
Apply the throttle slowly and smoothly. The centrif-
ugal clutch will engage and you will start to accel-
erate. Once the ATV has attained adequate
speed, release the throttle and lift the shift pedal to
the 2nd gear position. Release the shift pedal and
apply the throttle smoothly. Use this same proce-
dure as you move into the higher gears. Be sure to
coordinate the use of the throttle and shift pedal
properly. If the throttle is applied too abruptly or if
the throttle is not released during shifting, or if the
shift pedal is not released before applying the
throttle, the front wheels may lift off the ground re-
sulting in a loss of directional control. Avoid higher
speeds until you are thoroughly familiar with the
operation of your ATV.CAUTION:
Do not shift gears without releasing the throt-
tle. Damage to the engine or drive train may oc-
cur.
U4XE64.book Page 37 Thursday, May 30, 2002 1:49 PM

7-39
When slowing down or stopping, release the throt-
tle and apply the brakes smoothly and evenly. As
you slow down, shift to a lower gear. Be sure that
the engine has sufficiently slowed before engaging
a lower gear. Improper use of the brakes or shift-
ing can cause the tires to lose traction, reducing
control and increasing the possibility of an acci-
dent.
WARNING
Make sure the engine has sufficiently slowed
before shifting to a lower gear. Engaging a low-
er gear when the engine speed is too high
could cause the wheels to stop rotating.
U4XE64.book Page 39 Thursday, May 30, 2002 1:49 PM

7-57
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. Choose a low gear which will allow
the engine compression to do most of the braking
for you. Improper braking may cause a loss of trac-
tion.
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.
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.
U4XE64.book Page 57 Thursday, May 30, 2002 1:49 PM

8-1
EBU00516
1-PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND
ADJUSTMENTPeriodic inspection, adjustment and lubrication will
keep your machine in the safest and most efficient
condition possible. Safety is an obligation of the
machine owner. The most important points of ma-
chine inspection, adjustment and lubrication are
explained on the following pages.
WARNING
Never service an engine while it is running.
Moving parts can catch clothing or parts of the
body, causing injury. Electrical components
can cause shocks or can start fires. Turn off
the engine when performing maintenance un-
less otherwise specified. Have a Yamaha deal-
er perform service if you are not familiar with
machine service.
U4XE64.book Page 1 Thursday, May 30, 2002 1:49 PM

8-7
EBU00262
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE/LUBRICATION
ITEM ROUTINEINITIAL EVERY
1
month3
months6
months6
months1
year
Valves*•Check valve clearance.
•Adjust if necessary.
Spark plug•Check condition.
•Adjust gap and clean.
•Replace if necessary.Air filter•Clean.
•Replace if necessary.Every 20–40 hours
(More often in wet or dusty areas.)
Carburetor*•Check idle speed/starter operation.
•Adjust if necessary.Cylinder head breather
system*•Check breather hose for cracks or damage.
•Replace if necessary.Exhaust system*•Check for leakage.
•Retighten if necessary.
•Replace gasket if necessary.Fuel line*•Check fuel hose for cracks or damage.
•Replace if necessary.Engine oil
•Replace (Warm engine before draining).Engine oil filter
•Clean.Engine oil strainer
•Clean.Final gear oil•Check oil level/oil leakage.
•Replace.Front brake*•Check operation/fluid leakage/see NOTE page 8-8.
•Correct if necessary.Rear brake*•Check operation.
•Adjust if necessary.Clutch*•Check operation.
•Adjust if necessary.U4XE64.book Page 7 Thursday, May 30, 2002 1:49 PM

8-13 1. Oil filler cap 2. Dipstick
3. Maximum level mark 4. Minimum level mark
1. Bouchon de remplissage d’huile 2. Jauge
3. Repère de niveau maximum 4. Repère de niveau minimum
1. Tapa de relleno de aceite 2. Varilla de nivel de aceite
3. Marca de nivel máximo 4. Marca de nivel mínimo
EBU01100
Engine oil
Engine oil level measurement
1. Place the machine on a level surface.
2. Warm up the engine for several minutes and
stop it. Wait at least ten minutes for the oil to
drain back into the crankcase before check-
ing the oil level.NOTE:_ Be sure to wait at least ten minutes until the oil lev-
el settles before checking. _3. Remove the engine oil filler cap and wipe the
dipstick off with a clean rag. Insert the dip-
stick in the filler hole without screwing it in.
4. Remove the dipstick and check the oil level.
5. The oil level should be between the maxi-
mum and minimum marks. If the level is low,
add oil to raise it to the proper level.
6. Install the engine oil filler cap.CAUTION:_ Make sure no foreign material enters the
crankcase. _
U4XE64.book Page 13 Thursday, May 30, 2002 1:49 PM

8-15 1. Drain bolt 2. O-ring
3. Compression spring 4. Oil strainer
1. Boulon de vidange 2. Joint torique
3. Ressort de compression 4. Crépine d’huile
1. Perno de drenaje 2. Junta tórica
3. Muelle de compresión 4. Tamiz de aceite
Engine oil replacement and oil filter element
cleaning
1. Place the machine on a level surface.
2. Warm up the engine for several minutes and
stop it.
3. Place a container under the engine to collect
the used oil.
4. Remove the engine oil filler cap and then the
drain bolt to drain the oil.CAUTION:_ When removing the drain bolt, the compres-
sion spring, oil strainer and O-ring will fall out.
Take care not to lose these parts. _
U4XE64.book Page 15 Thursday, May 30, 2002 1:49 PM

8-17 1. Oil filter cover
2. Oil filter element
3. O-ring
1. Couvercle du filtre à huile
2.Élément du filtre à huile
3. Joint torique
1. Tapa del filtro de aceite
2. Elemento del filtro de aceite
3. Junta tórica
5. Remove the oil filter cover and oil filter ele-
ment.
6. Clean the oil strainer and oil filter element
with solvent.
7. Inspect the O-ring and replace it if damaged.
8. Install the oil filter element, O-ring and oil filter
cover.
9. Install the oil strainer, compression spring,
O-ring and drain bolt.
10. Tighten the drain bolt and the oil filter cover
bolts to the specified torques.CAUTION:_ Before installing the drain bolt, be sure to in-
stall the O-ring, compression spring and oil
strainer. _11. Fill the engine with oil and install the engine
oil filler cap. Tightening torque:
Drain bolt (engine):
43 Nm (4.3 m·kgf)
Oil filter cover bolt:
10 Nm (1.0 m·kgf)
U4XE64.book Page 17 Thursday, May 30, 2002 1:49 PM