2004 YAMAHA WOLVERINE 450 wheel

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. _
U5ND61.book Page 21 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM

7-37
With the engine idling, shift the drive select lever to
the low position “L” or the high position “H”. 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 control. Avoid higher speeds until you
are thoroughly familiar with the operation of your
ATV.
When slowing down or stopping, release the throt-
tle and apply the brakes smoothly and evenly. Im-
proper use of the brakes can cause the tires to
lose traction, reducing control and increasing the
possibility of an accident.CAUTION:_ Do not shift from drive position low “L” to high
“H” or vice versa without coming to a com-
plete stop. Damage to the engine or drive train
may occur. _
U5ND61.book Page 37 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM

7-39
TURNING YOUR ATV
To achieve maximum traction while riding off-road
in 2WD or 4WD, the two rear wheels are mounted
solidly on one axle and turn together at the same
speed. Furthermore, when riding in 4WD-LOCK
(“DIFF.LOCK”), the front wheels also turn together
at the same speed. Therefore, unless the wheel on
the inside of the turn is allowed to slip or lose some
traction, the ATV will resist turning. A special turn-
ing technique must be used to allow the ATV to
make turns quickly and easily. It is essential that
this skill be learned first at low speed.
WARNING
_ Always follow proper procedures for turning
as described in this Owner’s Manual. Practice
turning at low speeds before attempting to turn
at faster speeds. Do not turn at speeds too fast
for your skills or the conditions. Operate at a
slow speed and allow extra time and distance
for maneuvers when in 4WD-LOCK
(“DIFF.LOCK”). _
U5ND61.book Page 39 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.
U5ND61.book Page 41 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM

7-51
If your ATV has stalled or stopped and you believe
you can continue up the hill, restart carefully 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 apply either
brake abruptly. If you are in 2WD, apply only the
front brake. When this ATV is in 4WD or 4WD-
LOCK, all wheels (front and rear) are interconnect-
ed by the drive train. This means that applying ei-
ther 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 downhill side. Avoid sudden application of ei-
ther the front or rear brake because the wheels on
the uphill side could come off the ground. The ATV
could easily tip over backwards. Apply both the
front and rear brakes gradually, or dismount the
ATV immediately on the uphill side.
U5ND61.book Page 51 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM

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

7-59
CROSSING A SLOPE
Traversing a sloping surface on your ATV requires
you to properly position your weight to maintain
proper balance. Be sure that you have learned the
basic riding skills on flat ground before attempting
to cross a sloping surface. Avoid slopes with slip-
pery surfaces or rough terrain that may upset your
balance.
As you travel across a slope, lean your body in the
uphill direction. It may be necessary to correct the
steering when riding on loose surfaces by pointing
the front wheels slightly uphill. When riding on
slopes be sure not to make sharp turns either up or
down hill.
U5ND61.book Page 59 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM

7-71
SLIDING AND SKIDDING
Care should be used when riding on loose or slip-
pery surfaces since the ATV may slide. If unex-
pected and uncorrected, sliding could lead to an
accident.
To reduce the tendency for the front wheels to
slide in loose or slippery conditions, 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.
U5ND61.book Page 71 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM