2004 YAMAHA GRIZZLY 125 brake

7-37
Select a large, flat area off-road to become
familiar with your ATV. Make sure that this area
is free of obstacles and other riders. You should
practice control of the throttle, brakes, shifting
procedures, and turning techniques in this area
before trying more difficult terrain. Always avoid
riding on paved surfaces: the ATV is designed
for off-road use only, and handling maneuvers
are more difficult to perform on pavement.
Set the parking brake and follow the instruction
on page 6-3 to start the engine. Once it has
warmed up you are ready to begin riding your
ATV. Remember that the engine and exhaust
pipe will be hot when riding and afterwards; do
not allow skin or clothing to come in contact with
these components.
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7-39
With the engine idling, return the starter knob to
the closed position and shift the drive select
lever into the forward position. Then release the
parking brake. Apply the throttle slowly and
smoothly. The centrifugal clutch will engage and
you will start to accelerate. If the throttle is
applied too abruptly, the front wheels may lift off
the ground resulting in a loss of directional con-
trol. Avoid higher speeds until you are thorough-
ly familiar with the operation of your ATV.
When slowing down or stopping, release the
throttle and apply the brakes smoothly and
evenly. Improper use of the brakes can cause
the tires to lose traction, reducing control and
increasing the possibility of an accident.
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7-53
If your ATV has stalled or stopped and you
believe you can continue up the hill, restart care-
fully to make sure you do not lift the front wheels
which could cause you to lose control. If you are
unable to continue up the hill, dismount the ATV
on the uphill side. Physically turn the ATV
around and then descend the hill.
If you start to roll backwards, DO NOT use the
rear brake to stop. The ATV could easily tip over
backwards. Instead, dismount the ATV immedi-
ately on the uphill side.
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7-55
w
Maintain steady speed when climbing a hill.
If you lose all forward speed:
8Keep weight uphill.
8Apply the brakes.
8Lock the parking brake after you are
stopped.
If you begin rolling backwards:
8Keep weight uphill.
8Never apply the rear brake while rolling
backwards. Apply the front brake.
When fully stopped, apply the rear brake
as well, and then lock parking brake.
Dismount on uphill side or to a side if point-
ed straight uphill. Turn the ATV around and
remount, following the procedure described
in the Owner’s Manual.
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7-65
CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW WATER
The ATV can be used to cross slow moving,
shallow water of up to a maximum of 20 cm (7.9
inches) in depth. Before entering the water,
choose your path carefully. Enter where there is
no sharp drop off, and avoid rocks or other
obstacles which may be slippery or upset the
ATV. Drive slowly and carefully.
w
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 linings. 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.
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7-67
Test your brakes after leaving the water. Do not
continue to ride your ATV without verifying that
you have regained proper braking ability.
cC
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 condi-
tions.
q
1. Check hose1. Flexible de contrôle1. Manguito de retención
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7-71
SLIDING AND SKIDDING
Care should be used when riding on loose or
slippery surfaces since the ATV may slide. If
unexpected and uncorrected, sliding could lead
to an accident. To reduce the tendency for the
front wheels to slide in loose or slippery condi-
tions, 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.
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7-77
8If 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 rec-
ommended until you have corrected the slide.
(See pages 7-71–7-73.)
8If your ATV can’t make it up a hill you are try-
ing 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 7-45–7-55.)
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