2003 YAMAHA BIG BEAR PRO 400 brake

7-65
CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW WATER
The ATV can be used to cross slow moving, shal-
low water of up to a maximum of 35 cm in depth.
Before entering the water, choose your path care-
fully. Enter where there is no sharp drop off, and
avoid rocks or other obstacles which may be slip-
pery or upset the ATV. Drive slowly and carefully.
WARNING
Never operate this ATV in fast flowing water or
in water deeper than that specified in your
Owner’s Manual. Remember that wet brakes
may have reduced stopping ability. Test your
brakes after leaving water. If necessary, apply
them several times to let friction dry out the lin-
ings. If the ATV is operated through deep or
fast flowing water, the tires may float, causing
loss of traction and loss of control, which
could lead to an accident.
EE.book Page 65 Monday, June 18, 2001 10:18 AM

7-67
1. Check hose
1. Flexible de contrôle
1. Manguito de retención
Test your brakes after leaving the water. Do not
continue to ride your ATV without verifying that
you have regained proper braking ability.CAUTION:
After riding your ATV in water, be sure to drain
the trapped water by removing the check hose
at the bottom of the air filter case. Wash the
ATV in fresh water if it has been operated in
salt water or muddy conditions.
EE.book Page 67 Monday, June 18, 2001 10:18 AM

7-71
SLIDING AND SKIDDING
Care should be used when riding on loose or slip-
pery surfaces since the ATV may slide. If unex-
pected and uncorrected, sliding could lead to an
accident.
To reduce the tendency for the front wheels to
slide in loose or slippery conditions, positioning
your weight over the front wheels will sometimes
help.
If the rear wheels of your ATV start to slide side-
ways, control can usually be regained (if there is
room to do so) by steering in the direction of the
slide. Applying the brakes or accelerating is not
recommended until you have corrected the slide.
EE.book Page 71 Monday, June 18, 2001 10:18 AM

7-75
WHAT TO DO IF...
This section is designed to be a reference guide
only. Be sure to read each section on riding tech-
niques completely.
WHAT TO DO...

If your ATV doesn’t turn when you want it to:
Bring the ATV to a stop and practice the turning
maneuvers again. Be sure you are putting your
weight on the footboard to the outside of the
turn. Position your weight over the front wheels
for better control. (See pages 7-41 ~ 7-45.)


If your ATV begins to tip while turning:
Lean more into the turn to regain balance. If nec-
essary, gradually let off the throttle and/or steer to
the outside of the turn. (See pages 7-41 ~ 7-45.)


If your ATV starts to slide sideways:
Steer in the direction of the slide if you have the
room. Applying the brakes or accelerating is
not recommended until you have corrected the
slide. (See pages 7-71 ~ 7-73.)
EE.book Page 75 Monday, June 18, 2001 10:18 AM

7-77

If your ATV can’t make it up a hill you are trying
to climb:
Turn the ATV around if you still have forward
speed. If not, stop, dismount on the uphill side
of the ATV and physically turn the ATV around.
If the ATV starts to slip backwards DO NOT
USE THE REAR BRAKE - the ATV may tip
over on top of you. Dismount the ATV on the
uphill side. (See pages 7-47 ~ 7-55.)


If your ATV is traversing a sloping surface:
Be sure to ride with your weight positioned to-
wards the uphill side of the ATV to maintain
proper balance. If the ATV starts to tip, steer
down the hill (if there are no obstacles in your
way) to regain balance. If you discover that the
ATV is going to tip over, dismount on the uphill
side. (See pages 7-61 ~ 7-63.)
EE.book Page 77 Monday, June 18, 2001 10:18 AM

7-79

If your ATV encounters shallow water:
Ride slowly and carefully through slow moving
water, watching for obstacles. Be sure to let
water drain from the ATV and CHECK YOUR
BRAKES FOR PROPER OPERATION when
you come out of the water. Do not continue to
ride your ATV until you have regained ade-
quate braking ability. (See pages 7-65 ~ 7-67.)
EE.book Page 79 Monday, June 18, 2001 10:18 AM

8-7
EBL00262PERIODIC 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.Crankcase breather
system*•Check breather hose for cracks or damage.
•Replace if necessary.Exhaust system*•Check for leakage.
•Retighten if necessary.
•Replace gasket(s) if necessary.Fuel line*•Check fuel hose for cracks or damage.
•Replace if necessary.Engine oil
•Replace (Warm engine before draining).Transfer gear oil
Engine oil filter
•Replace.Engine oil strainer
•Clean.Final gear oil
•Check oil level/oil leakage.
•Replace every 12 months.Differential gear oil
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.EE.book Page 7 Monday, June 18, 2001 10:18 AM

8-8 * It is recommended that these items be serviced by a Yamaha dealer.
NOTE:

Recommended brake fluid: DOT 4


Brake fluid replacement:
1. When disassembling the master cylinder or caliper cylinder, replace the brake fluid. Normally check
the brake fluid level and add fluid as required.
2. On the inner parts of the master cylinder and caliper cylinder, replace the oil seals every two years.
3. Replace the brake hoses every four years, or if cracked or damaged.
Drive select lever
safety system*•Check operation.
•Adjust if necessary.Wheels*•Check balance/damage/runout.
•Repair if necessary.Wheel bearing*•Check bearing assemblies for looseness/damage.
•Replace if damaged.Steering system*•Check operation.
•Replace if damaged.
•Check toe-in.
•Adjust if necessary.Axle boots*•Check condition.
•Replace if damaged.Fittings and Fasteners*•Check all chassis fittings and fasteners.
•Correct if necessary.
ITEM ROUTINEINITIAL EVERY
1
month3
months6
months6
months1
year
EE.book Page 8 Monday, June 18, 2001 10:18 AM