Page 15 of 378

OPERATION ............................................6-1
Starting a cold engine ...........................6-3
Starting a warm engine .........................6-9
Warming up...........................................6-9
Drive select lever operation and 
reverse driving ..................................6-11
Shifting ................................................6-15
To start out and accelerate .................6-17
To decelerate ......................................6-21
Engine break-in ...................................6-23
Parking ................................................6-27
Parking on a slope ..............................6-29
Accessories and loading .....................6-31
RIDING YOUR ATV..................................7-1
Getting to know your ATV .....................7-3
Ride with care and good 
judgement ...........................................7-5
Be careful where you ride ...................7-27
Turning your ATV ................................7-39
Climbing uphill.....................................7-45
Riding downhill ....................................7-55
Crossing a slope .................................7-59
Crossing through shallow water ..........7-63
Riding over rough terrain ....................7-67
Sliding and skidding ............................7-69
67
What to do if... .................................... 7-73
What to do... ....................................... 7-73
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND 
ADJUSTMENT ......................................... 8-1
Owner’s manual and tool kit ................. 8-3
Periodic maintenance/lubrication.......... 8-7
Engine oil ............................................ 8-15
Spark plug inspection ......................... 8-25
Air filter cleaning ................................. 8-29
Carburetor adjustment ........................ 8-33
Idle speed adjustment ........................ 8-35
Throttle lever adjustment .................... 8-37
Valve clearance adjustment ............... 8-37
Front and rear brake pad 
inspection ......................................... 8-39
Inspecting the brake fluid level ........... 8-41
Brake fluid replacement ...................... 8-45
Front brake adjustment....................... 8-47
Rear brake adjustment ....................... 8-49
Parking brake adjustment ................... 8-51
Adjusting the rear brake light .............. 8-55
Clutch lever free play adjustment ....... 8-57
Drive chain slack check ...................... 8-59
Drive chain slack adjustment .............. 8-61
Lubricating the drive chain.................. 8-63
8
U5NF61.book  Page 2  Wednesday, June 13, 2001  5:18 PM 
     
        
        Page 16 of 378

Cable inspection and lubrication ........ 8-65
Brake and shift pedal/brake and 
clutch lever lubrication...................... 8-65
Front upper and lower arm 
pivot lubrication ................................ 8-67
Rear arm pivot lubrication .................. 8-69
Wheel removal ................................... 8-71
Wheel installation ............................... 8-73
Battery ................................................ 8-75
Replenishing the battery fluid ............. 8-79
Fuse replacement............................... 8-83
Replacing a headlight bulb ................. 8-85
Headlight beam adjustment................ 8-93
Tail/brake light bulb replacement ....... 8-95
Troubleshooting.................................. 8-97
Troubleshooting chart......................... 8-99
CLEANING AND STORAGE ................... 9-1
A. Cleaning ........................................... 9-1
B. Storage ............................................ 9-7
9
SPECIFICATIONS................................. 10-1
CONVERSION TABLE .......................... 11-1
1011
U5NF61.book  Page 3  Wednesday, June 13, 2001  5:18 PM 
     
        
        Page 102 of 378

5-1
EBU00113
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
Before using this machine, check the following points:
ITEM ROUTINE PAGE
BrakeCheck operation, fluid level and fluid leakage.
Fill with DOT 4 brake fluid if necessary.5-5 ~ 5-7, 
8-39 ~ 8-49
ClutchCheck operation, condition and lever free play. 8-57
Parking brakeCheck operation, condition and cable free play. 8-51 ~ 8-53
FuelCheck fuel level.
Fill with fuel if necessary.5-9 ~ 5-11
Engine oilCheck oil level.
Fill with oil if necessary.5-13 ~ 5-15, 
8-15 ~ 8-23
Drive chainCheck chain slack and condition. 
Adjust if necessary.5-15, 8-59 ~ 8-63
ThrottleCheck for proper throttle cable operation and free play. 5-17, 8-37
Wheels and tiresCheck tire pressure, wear and damage.5-19 ~ 5-25, 
8-71 ~ 8-73
Fittings and FastenersCheck all fittings and fasteners. 5-17
LightsCheck for proper operation. 5-17, 8-85 ~ 8-95
BatteryCheck fluid level. 
Fill with distilled water if necessary.5-19, 8-75 ~ 8-81
U5NF61.book  Page 1  Wednesday, June 13, 2001  5:18 PM 
     
        
        Page 106 of 378
5-5
EBU00948*
Front and rear brakes
Brake lever and brake pedal 
Check that there is no free play in the brake le-
ver. If there is free play, have a Yamaha dealer
adjust it. Check for correct brake pedal height.
If the pedal height is incorrect, have a Yamaha
dealer adjust it. (See pages 8-47 ~ 8-49.) 
Check the operation of the lever and pedal.
They should move smoothly and there should
be a firm feeling when the brakes are applied. If
not, have the machine inspected by a Yamaha
dealer.
Brake fluid level 
Check the brake fluid level. Add fluid if neces-
sary. (See pages 8-41 ~ 8-45.)
Recommended brake fluid: DOT 4
U5NF61.book  Page 5  Wednesday, June 13, 2001  5:18 PM 
     
        
        Page 108 of 378
5-7
Brake fluid leakage 
Check to see if any brake fluid is leakage out of
the pipe joints or master cylinders. Apply the
brakes firmly for one minute. If there is any
leakage, have the machine inspected by a
Yamaha dealer.
Brake operation 
Test the brakes at slow speed after starting out
to make sure they are working properly. If the
brakes do not provide proper braking perfor-
mance, inspect the brake pads for wear. (See
page 8-39.)WARNING
_ Always check the brakes at the start of every
ride. Do not ride the ATV if you find any prob-
lem with the brakes or you could lose braking
ability, which could lead to an accident. If a
problem cannot be corrected by the adjust-
ment procedures provided in this manual,
have the ATV inspected by a Yamaha dealer. _ 
U5NF61.book  Page 7  Wednesday, June 13, 2001  5:18 PM 
     
        
        Page 250 of 378

8-7
EBU00262
3-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 element•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.
•Tighten 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.)Engine oil filter element•Clean. 
•Replace if necessary.Engine oil strainer•Clean.Drive chain•Check and adjust slack/alignment/clean/lube.Brakes*•Check operation/fluid leakage/See NOTE page 8-8. 
•Correct if necessary.Clutch*•Check operation. 
•Adjust if necessary.Wheels*•Check balance/damage/runout. 
•Replace if necessary.U5NF61.book  Page 7  Wednesday, June 13, 2001  5:18 PM 
     
        
        Page 251 of 378

8-8 * It is recommended that these items be serviced by a Yamaha dealer.
** Lithium-soap-based grease
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.
Wheel bearings*•Check bearing assembly for looseness/damage.
•Replace if damaged.Steering system*•Check operation.
•Repair if damaged.
•Check toe-in.
•Adjust if necessary.Upper and lower arm 
pivot and steering 
shaft*•Lubricate every 6 months.**Rear arm pivot*•Lubricate every 6 months.**Fittings and Fasteners*•Check all chassis fittings and fasteners.
•Correct if necessary.Battery*•Check specific gravity.
•Check breather hose for proper routing.
•Correct if necessary.
ITEM ROUTINEINITIAL EVERY
1
month3 
months6 
months6 
months1
year
U5NF61.book  Page 8  Wednesday, June 13, 2001  5:18 PM 
     
        
        Page 284 of 378
8-41 1. Minimum level mark
1. Repère de niveau minimum 
1. Marca de nivel mínimo
Front
Avant
Delantero1. Minimum level mark
1. Repère de niveau minimum
1. Marca de nivel mínimoRear
Arrière
Trasero
EBU00918*
Inspecting the brake fluid level
Insufficient brake fluid may let air enter the brake
system, possibly causing the brakes to become in-
effective. Before riding, check that the brake fluid
is above the minimum level mark and replenish
when necessary. 
Observe these precautions:
When checking the fluid level, make sure the
top of the master cylinder is level by turning the
handlebars.
Use only the designated quality brake fluid.
Otherwise, the rubber seals may deteriorate,
causing leakage and poor brake performance.
Recommended brake fluid: DOT 4
U5NF61.book  Page 41  Wednesday, June 13, 2001  5:18 PM