2005 YAMAHA KODIAK 450 warning

6-1
EBU00162
OPERATION
Read the Owner’s Manual carefully before riding
the ATV.
WARNING
Read the Owner’s Manual carefully to become
familiar with all controls. Loss of control could
cause an accident or injury. If there is a control
or function you do not understand, ask your
Yamaha dealer.
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6-3
EBU15071
Starting a cold engine
WARNING
_ Always make sure all control cables work
smoothly before you begin riding in cold
weather. If the control cables are frozen or do
not work smoothly, you could be unable to
control the ATV, which could lead to an acci-
dent or collision. _1. Apply the rear brake lever.
2. Turn the fuel cock to “ON”.
3. Turn the main switch to “ON” and the engine
stop switch to “”.
4. Shift the drive select lever into the neutral or
park position.
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6-15
4. Check behind for people or obstacles, and
then release the brake pedal.
5. Open the throttle lever gradually and contin-
ue to watch to the rear while backing.
WARNING
_ Improper operation in reverse could make you
hit an obstacle or person behind you, resulting
in serious injury. When you shift into reverse,
make sure there are no obstacles or people be-
hind you. When it is safe to proceed, go slowly. _
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6-21
EBU06761
Parking on a slope
WARNING
_ Avoid parking on hills or other inclines. Park-
ing on a hill or other incline could cause the
ATV to roll out of control, increasing the
chance of an accident. If you must park on an
incline, place the machine transversely across
the incline, apply the parking brake, and block
the front and rear wheels with rocks or other
objects.
Do not park the ATV at all on hills that are so
steep you could not walk up them easily. _1. Bring the machine to a stop by applying the
brakes.
2. Stop the engine.
3. With the brake pedal applied, shift the drive
select lever to the park position “P”.
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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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7-5
RIDE WITH CARE AND GOOD JUDGEMENT
Get training if you are inexperienced.
Beginners should get training from a certified in-
structor.
Become familiar with this ATV at slow speeds first,
even if you are an experienced operator. Do not
attempt to operate at maximum performance until
you are totally familiar with the ATV’s handling and
performance characteristics.
WARNING
_ Never operate this ATV without proper instruc-
tion. Beginning and inexperienced operators
should regularly practice the skills and the op-
erating techniques described in this Owner’s
Manual. The risk of an accident is greatly in-
creased if the operator does not know how to
operate the ATV properly in different situations
and on different types of terrain. _
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7-7
Riding your ATV requires skills acquired
through practice over a period of time.
Take the time to learn the basic techniques well
before attempting more difficult maneuvers.
Not recommended for children under 16 years
of age.
WARNING
_ A child under 16 should never operate an ATV
with engine size greater than 90cc. Use by chil-
dren of ATVs that are not recommended for
their age can lead to severe injury or death of
the child. _
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7-9
This ATV is designed to carry operator and
cargo only–passengers prohibited.
WARNING
_ Never carry a passenger. The long seat is to al-
low the operator to shift position as needed
during operation. It is not for carrying passen-
gers. Carrying a passenger on this ATV greatly
reduces your ability to balance and control this
ATV. It could cause an accident, resulting in
harm to you and/or your passenger. _
U1D960.book Page 9 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 3:59 PM