2004 YAMAHA BEAR TRACKER 250 brake fluid

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

Replenishing the battery fluid ............. 8-73
Fuse replacement .............................. 8-77
Replacing a headlight bulb ................. 8-79
Headlight beam adjustment................ 8-81
Tail/brake light bulb replacement ....... 8-83
Troubleshooting ................................. 8-87
Troubleshooting chart ........................ 8-89
CLEANING AND STORAGE ................... 9-1
A. Cleaning .......................................... 9-1
B. Storage ........................................... 9-7
SPECIFICATIONS ................................ 10-1
CONVERSION TABLE .......................... 11-1
91011U4XE65.book Page 3 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

5-5
EBU01091
Front and rear brakes
Brake levers and brake pedal
Check for correct free play in the brake levers and
brake pedal. If the free play is incorrect, adjust it.
(See pages 8-49–8-55.)
Check operation of the levers and pedal. They
should move smoothly and there should be a firm
feeling when the brake is applied. If not, have a
Yamaha dealer inspect the brake system.
Brake fluid level (front brake)
Check the brake fluid level. Add fluid if necessary.
(See pages 8-45–8-47.)
Brake fluid leakage (front brake)
Check to see if any brake fluid is leaking out of the
hose, joint or brake fluid reservoir of the front
brake. Apply the brake firmly for one minute. If the
lever moves slowly inward, there may be a leak in
the brake system. If there is any leakage, the
brake system should be inspected by a Yamaha
dealer.Recommended brake fluid: DOT 4
U4XE65.book Page 5 Tuesday, May 6, 2003 1:38 PM

5-17
EBU11620
Fittings and fasteners
Always check the tightness of chassis fittings and
fasteners before a ride. Take the machine to a
Yamaha dealer or refer to the Service Manual for
correct tightening torque.
EBU10030
Lights
Check the headlights and tail/brake light to make
sure they are in working condition. Repair as nec-
essary for proper operation.
EBU11700
Switches
Check the operation of all switches. Have a
Yamaha dealer repair as necessary for proper op-
eration.
EBU00499
Battery
Check fluid level and fill if necessary. Use only dis-
tilled water if refilling is necessary. (See pages
8-69–8-75.)
U4XE65.book Page 17 Tuesday, May 6, 2003 1:38 PM

8-7
EBU00262
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE/LUBRICATION
ITEM ROUTINEINITIAL EVERY
1
month3
months6
months6
months1
year
Valves*Check valve clearance.
Adjust if necessary.
Spark plugCheck condition.
Adjust gap and clean.
Replace if necessary.Air filter elementClean.
Replace if necessary.Every 20–40 hours
(More often in wet or dusty areas.)
Carburetor*Check starter (choke) operation.
Adjust engine idling speed.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 element
Clean.Engine oil strainer
Clean.Final gear oilCheck 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.U4XE65.book Page 7 Tuesday, May 6, 2003 1:38 PM

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

Recommended brake fluid: DOT 4


Brake fluid replacement:
When disassembling the master cylinder or caliper, replace the brake fluid. Normally check the
brake fluid level and add fluid as required.
On the inner parts of the master cylinder and caliper, replace the oil seals every two years.
Replace the brake hoses every four years, or if cracked or damaged.
Wheels*Check balance/damage/runout.
Repair if necessary.Wheel bearings*Check bearing assemblies for looseness/damage.
Replace if damaged.Front and rear
suspension*Check operation.
Correct if necessary.Steering system*Check operation.
Correct if damaged.
Check toe-in.
Adjust if necessary.Steering shaft*Lubricate every 6 months with lithium-soap-based grease
(all-purpose grease).Fittings and fasteners*Check all chassis fittings and fasteners.
Correct if necessary.Battery*Check specific gravity.
Check that the breather hose is working properly.
Correct if necessary.Lights and switches*Check operation.
Adjust headlight beams.
ITEM ROUTINEINITIAL EVERY
1
month3
months6
months6
months1
year
U4XE65.book Page 8 Tuesday, May 6, 2003 1:38 PM

8-45 1. Minimum level mark
1. Repère de niveau minimum
1. Marca de nivel mínimo
EBU13040
Brake fluid level check
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 if neces-
sary. A low brake fluid level may indicate worn
brake pads and/or brake system leakage. If the
brake fluid level is low, be sure to check the brake
pads for wear and the brake system for leakage.
Observe these precautions:

When checking the brake fluid level, make sure
the top of the brake fluid reservoir is level.


Use only the designated quality brake fluid, oth-
erwise, the rubber seals may deteriorate, caus-
ing leakage and poor brake performance.
Recommended brake fluid: DOT 4
U4XE65.book Page 45 Tuesday, May 6, 2003 1:38 PM