2004 YAMAHA YFM50S brakes

7-35
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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7-37
With the engine idling, shift the transmission into
the drive position and 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 control. Avoid
higher speeds until you are thoroughly 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
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 the 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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7-63
CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW WATER
The ATV can be used to cross slow moving,
shallow water of up to a maximum of 20 cm 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 lin-
ings. If the ATV is operated through deep or
fast flowing water, the tires may float, caus-
ing loss of traction and loss of control,
which could lead to an accident.
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7-65
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. Tuyau de contrôle1. Manguito de retención
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7-69
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 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.
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7-75
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 7-69–7-71.)
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. Instead, apply the
front brake or dismount the ATV on the uphill
side. (See pages 7-43–7-53.)
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7-77
8If your ATV is traversing a sloping surface:
Be sure to ride with your weight positioned
towards the uphill side of the ATV to maintain
proper balance. If the ATV starts to tip, steer
down the hill (if there are no obstacles in your
way) to regain balance. If you discover that
the ATV is going to tip over, dismount on the
uphill side. (See pages
7-59–7-61.)
8If your ATV encounters shallow water:
Ride slowly and carefully through slow mov-
ing water, watching for obstacles. Be sure to
let water drain from the ATV and CHECK
YOUR BRAKES FOR PROPER OPERATION
when you come out of the water. Do not con-
tinue to ride your ATV until you have regained
adequate braking ability. (See pages 7-63–
7-65.)
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