2003 YAMAHA BEAR TRACKER 250 warning

7-29
Do not ride on any public road, street or highway.
Riding on public roads can result in collisions with
other vehicles.
WARNING
Never operate this ATV on any public street,
road or highway, even a dirt or gravel one. You
can collide with another vehicle. In many ar-
eas, it is illegal to operate ATVs on public
streets, roads and highways.
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7-31
Know the terrain where you ride. Ride cautiously in
unfamiliar areas. Stay alert for
holes, rocks, or
roots in the terrain, and
other hidden hazards
which may cause the ATV to upset.
WARNING
Go slowly and be extra careful when operating
this ATV on unfamiliar terrain. Always be alert
to changing terrain conditions when operating
the ATV.
WARNING
Do not operate on excessively rough, slippery
or loose terrain until you have learned and
practiced the skills necessary to control the
ATV on such terrain. Failure to use extra care
when operating on excessively rough, slippery
or loose terrain could cause loss of traction or
vehicle control, which could result in an acci-
dent, including an overturn.
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7-33
When riding in an area where you might not easily
be seen, such as desert terrain, mount a caution
flag on the ATV. DO NOT use the flag pole bracket
as a trailer hitch.
WARNING
Always mount a caution flag on the ATV to
make you more visible when operating in ar-
eas where you might not be seen by other off-
road vehicles. Watch carefully for other vehi-
cles. Do not ride in areas posted “no trespassing”. Do
not ride on private property without getting permis-
sion.
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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.
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7-41
TURNING YOUR ATV
To achieve maximum traction while riding off-road,
the two rear wheels are mounted solidly on one
axle and turn together at the same speed. There-
fore, unless the wheel on the inside of the turn is
allowed to slip or lose some traction, the ATV will
resist turning. A special turning technique must be
used to allow the ATV to make turns quickly and
easily. It is essential that this skill be learned first at
low speed.
WARNING
Always follow proper procedures for turning
as described in this Owner’s Manual.
Practice turning at low speeds before attempt-
ing to turn at faster speeds. Do not turn at
speeds too fast for your skills or the condi-
tions.
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7-47
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.
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7-49
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 or make
sudden gear changes. 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.
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7-51
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.
U4XE64.book Page 51 Thursday, May 30, 2002 1:49 PM