2004 YAMAHA WOLVERINE 450 weight

6-31

Ride more slowly than you would without a
load. The more weight you carry, the slower
you should go. Although conditions vary, it is
good practice not to exceed low range whenev-
er you are carrying heavier loads or when tow-
ing a trailer.


Allow more braking distance. A heavier vehicle
takes longer to stop.


Avoid making sharp turns unless at very slow
speeds.


Avoid hills and rough terrain. Choose terrain
carefully. Added weight affects the stability and
handling of the ATV.WARNING
_ Never exceed the stated load capacity for this
ATV. Overloading this ATV or carrying or tow-
ing cargo improperly could cause changes in
vehicle handling which could lead to an acci-
dent. Cargo should be properly distributed and
securely attached. Reduce speed when carry-
ing cargo or pulling a trailer. Allow greater dis-
tance for braking. _
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7-19
WARNING
_

Never exceed the stated load capacity for
this ATV.


Cargo should be properly distributed and
securely attached.


Reduce speed when carrying cargo or pull-
ing a trailer. Allow greater distance for
braking.


Always follow the instructions in your
Owner’s Manual for carrying cargo or pull-
ing a trailer.
_
MAXIMUM LOADING LIMIT

Vehicle loading limit (total weight of
cargo, rider and accessories, and
trailer hitch vertical load): 210 kg


Front carrier: 40 kg


Rear carrier: 80 kg


Storage box: 2.0 kg


Trailer hitch:
Pulling load (total weight of trailer and
cargo): 500 kgf
Tongue weight (vertical weight on
trailer hitch point): 15 kgf
U5ND61.book Page 19 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM

7-41 1. Lean towards inside of turn.
2. Support your weight on the outer footboard.
1. Se pencher vers l’intérieur du virage.
2. S’appuyer sur le repose-pied extérieur.
1. Inclínese hacia el interior del giro.
2. Descanse su peso en el descansapie exterior.
As you approach a curve, slow down and begin to
turn the handlebars in the desired direction. As
you do so, put your weight on the footboard to the
outside of the turn (opposite your desired direc-
tion) and lean your upper body into the turn. Use
the throttle to maintain an even speed through the
turn. This maneuver will let the wheel on the inside
of the turn slip slightly, allowing the ATV to make
the turn properly.
This procedure should be practiced at slow speed
many times in a large off-road area with no obsta-
cles. If an incorrect technique is used, your ATV
may continue to go straight. If the ATV doesn’t
turn, come to a stop and then practice the proce-
dure again. If the riding surface is slippery or loose,
it may help to position more of your weight over the
front wheels by moving forward on the seat.
Once you have learned this technique you should
be able to perform it at higher speeds or in tighter
curves.
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7-45
CLIMBING UPHILL
Use proper riding techniques to avoid vehicle
overturns on hills. Be sure that you can maneuver
your ATV well on flat ground before attempting any
incline and then practice riding first on gentle
slopes. Try more difficult climbs only after you
have developed your skill. In all cases avoid in-
clines with slippery or loose surfaces, or obstacles
that might cause you to lose control.
WARNING
_ Never operate the ATV on hills too steep for
the ATV or for your abilities. The vehicle can
overturn more easily on extremely steep hills
than on level surfaces or small hills. Practice
on smaller hills before attempting large hills. _It is important when climbing a hill to make sure
that your weight is transferred forward on the ATV.
This can be accomplished by leaning forward and,
on steeper inclines, standing on the footboards
and leaning forward over the handlebars.
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7-47
WARNING
_

Always follow proper procedures for
climbing hills as described in this Owner’s
Manual.


Always check the terrain carefully before
you start up any hill.


Never climb hills with excessively slippery
or loose surfaces.


Shift your weight forward.


Never open the throttle suddenly. The ATV
could flip over backwards.


Never go over the top of any hill at high
speed. An obstacle, a sharp drop, or anoth-
er vehicle or person could be on the other
side of the hill.
_
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7-49
If you are climbing a hill and you find that you have
not properly judged your ability to make it to the
top, you should turn the ATV around while you still
have forward motion (provided you have the room
to do so) and go down the hill.
WARNING
_ Never attempt to turn the ATV around on any
hill until you have mastered the turning tech-
nique as described in the Owner’s Manual on
level ground. Be very careful when turning on
any hill.
Avoid crossing the side of a steep hill if possi-
ble.
When crossing the side of a hill:

Always follow proper procedures as de-
scribed in the Owner’s Manual.


Avoid hills with excessively slippery or
loose surfaces.


Shift your weight to the uphill side of the
ATV.
_
U5ND61.book Page 49 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM

7-53
WARNING
_ Use proper gear and maintain steady speed
when climbing a hill. If you lose all forward
speed:

Keep weight uphill.


Apply the brakes.


Shift into the park position “P” after you
are stopped.
If you begin rolling backwards:


Keep weight uphill.


2WD: Never apply the rear brake while roll-
ing backwards. Apply the front brake.
When fully stopped, shift into the park po-
sition “P”.
4WD or 4WD-LOCK: Apply both front and
rear brakes gradually. When fully stopped,
shift into the park position “P”.
Dismount on uphill side or to a side if pointed
straight uphill. Turn the ATV around and re-
mount, following the procedure described in
the Owner’s Manual.
_
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7-55
RIDING DOWNHILL
When riding your ATV downhill, shift your weight
as far to the rear and uphill side of the ATV as pos-
sible. Move back on the seat and sit with your
arms straight. Engine compression will do most of
the braking for you. For maximum engine com-
pression braking effect, select low range “L” and
change to 4WD or 4WD-LOCK before beginning
to descend the hill. Improper braking may cause a
loss of traction. Use caution while descending a hill
with loose or slippery surfaces. Braking ability and
traction may be adversely affected by these sur-
faces. Improper braking may also cause a loss of
traction.
When this ATV is in 4WD or 4WD-LOCK, all
wheels (front and rear) are interconnected by the
drive train. This means that applying either the
front brake or the rear brake will brake all wheels.
When descending hills, using either brake lever or
the brake pedal will brake the wheels on the down-
hill side. Avoid sudden application of either the
front or rear brake because the wheels on the up-
hill side could come off the ground. Apply both the
front and rear brakes gradually.
U5ND61.book Page 55 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM