2004 YAMAHA BEAR TRACKER 250 wheel

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 ......................................6-19
Engine break-in ...................................6-21
Parking ...............................................6-23
Parking on a slope .............................6-25
Accessories and loading ....................6-27
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 ................................7-41
Climbing uphill.....................................7-47
Riding downhill ....................................7-57
Crossing a slope .................................7-61
Crossing through shallow water ..........7-65
Riding over rough terrain ....................7-69
Sliding and skidding ............................7-71
What to do if ........................................7-75
What to do...........................................7-75
67
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND
ADJUSTMENT ......................................... 8-1
Owner’s manual and tool kit ................. 8-3
Periodic maintenance/lubrication.......... 8-7
Engine oil ............................................ 8-13
Final gear oil ....................................... 8-21
Spark plug inspection ......................... 8-27
Air filter element cleaning ................... 8-31
Carburetor adjustment ....................... 8-37
Idle speed adjustment ........................ 8-39
Valve clearance adjustment .............. 8-41
Throttle lever adjustment ................... 8-41
Front brake pad check ........................ 8-43
Rear brake shoe inspection ............... 8-43
Brake fluid level check ........................ 8-45
Brake fluid replacement ...................... 8-47
Front brake lever free play.................. 8-49
Rear brake adjustment ....................... 8-51
Adjusting the rear brake light switch ... 8-57
Clutch adjustment .............................. 8-59
Cable inspection and lubrication......... 8-61
Brake lever and brake pedal
lubrication ........................................ 8-63
Steering shaft lubrication .................... 8-63
Wheel removal.................................... 8-65
Wheel installation ............................... 8-67
Battery ............................................... 8-69
8
U4XE65.book Page 2 Tuesday, May 6, 2003 1:38 PM

2-5

Never attempt wheelies, jumps, or other stunts.


Always inspect your ATV each time you use it
to make sure it is in safe operating condition.
Always follow the inspection and maintenance
procedures and schedules described in this
manual.


Always keep both hands on the handlebars
and both feet on the footboards of the ATV dur-
ing operation.


Always go slowly and be extra careful when op-
erating on unfamiliar terrain. Always be alert to
changing terrain conditions when operating the
ATV.


Never operate on excessively rough, slippery
or loose terrain until you have learned and
practiced the skills necessary to control the
ATV on such terrain. Always be especially cau-
tious on these kinds of terrain.
U4XE65.book Page 5 Tuesday, May 6, 2003 1:38 PM

3-1
EBU00032
1-DESCRIPTION AND MACHINE
IDENTIFICATION1. Rear carrier
2. Seat
3. Fuel tank cap
4. Front carrier
5. Brake pedal
6. Front wheel
7. Headlight
8. Fuel cock
9. Starter (choke)
10. Recoil starter11. Tail/brake light
12. Rear wheel
13. Shift pedal
14. Drive select lever
15. Rear brake lever
16. Parking brake
17. Main switch
18. Front brake lever
19. Throttle lever
20. Horn switch
21. Handlebar switchNOTE:The machine you have purchased may differ
slightly from those shown in the figures of this
manual.
U4XE65.book Page 1 Tuesday, May 6, 2003 1:38 PM

5-1
EBU00113
1-PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
Before using this machine, check the following points:
ITEM ROUTINE PAGE
Front brakeCheck operation, free play, fluid level and fluid leakage.
Fill with DOT 4 brake fluid if necessary.5-5–5-7,
8-45–8-49
Rear brakeCheck operation, condition and free play.
Adjust if necessary.5-5–5-7,
8-51–8-55
FuelCheck fuel level.
Fill with fuel if necessary.5-9–5-11
Engine oilCheck oil level.
Fill with oil if necessary.5-13, 8-13–8-19
Final gear oilCheck for leakage. 5-15, 8-21–8-25
ThrottleCheck for proper throttle cable operation. 5-15, 8-41
Wheels and tiresCheck tire pressure, wear and damage.5-19–5-25,
8-65–8-67
Fittings and fastenersCheck all fittings and fasteners. 5-17
Lights and switchesCheck for proper operation. 5-17, 8-79–8-85
BatteryCheck fluid level.
Fill with distilled water if necessary.5-17, 8-69–8-75
U4XE65.book Page 1 Tuesday, May 6, 2003 1:38 PM

6-17
EBU00650
To start out and accelerate:
1. Release the throttle lever.CAUTION:
Always close the throttle while shifting gears.
Otherwise, damage to the engine and drive
train may result. 2. Shift into first gear and release the shift ped-
al.
3. Open the throttle gradually.
4. Once the machine has attained adequate
speed, release the throttle lever.
5. Shift into second gear and release the shift
pedal.
6. Open the throttle gradually.
7. Follow the same procedure when shifting to
the next higher gear.
WARNING
Always open the throttle gradually. Opening
the throttle abruptly would increase the
chance of an accident. It could make the ma-
chine wheelie or overturn.
U4XE65.book Page 17 Tuesday, May 6, 2003 1:38 PM

6-19
EBU00208
To decelerate:
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 make the wheels stop rotating. This
could cause loss of control, an accident and
injury. It could also cause engine or drive train
damage.
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6-25
EBU00220
Parking on a slope
WARNING
Avoid parking on hills or other inclines. Park-
ing on a hill or other incline could cause the
ATV to roll out of control, increasing the
chance of an accident. If you must park on an
incline, put the machine in low gear, apply the
parking brake, and block the front and rear
wheels with rocks or other objects.
Do not park the ATV at all on hills that are so
steep you could not walk up them easily.1. Bring the machine to a stop by applying the
brakes in low gear.
2. Stop the engine.
3. With the rear brake lever and pedal applied,
apply the parking brake and slowly release
the rear brake pedal.
U4XE65.book Page 25 Tuesday, May 6, 2003 1:38 PM

7-21
During operation
Always keep your feet on the footboards during
operation. Otherwise your feet may contact the
rear wheels.
WARNING
_ Always keep both hands on the handlebars
and both feet on the footboards of your ATV
during operation. Removing even one hand or
foot can reduce your ability to control the ATV
or could cause you to lose your balance and
fall off of the ATV. If you remove a foot from a
footboard, your foot or leg may come into con-
tact with the rear wheels, which could injure
you or cause an accident. _ Avoid wheelies and jumping. You may lose control
of the ATV or overturn.
WARNING
_ Never attempt stunts, such as wheelies or
jumps. Don’t try to show off. _
U4XE65.book Page 21 Tuesday, May 6, 2003 1:38 PM