2006 YAMAHA BRUIN 250 steering

OPERATION ............................................6-1
Starting a cold engine ...........................6-3
Starting a warm engine ........................6-9
Warming up ..........................................6-9
Drive select lever operation and
reverse driving ..................................6-11
Shifting ................................................6-15
To start out and accelerate .................6-17
To decelerate ......................................6-19
Engine break-in ...................................6-21
Parking ...............................................6-23
Parking on a slope ..............................6-25
Accessories and loading ....................6-27
RIDING YOUR ATV..................................7-1
Getting to know your ATV .....................7-3
Ride with care and good judgement .....7-5
Be careful where you ride ...................7-27
Turning your ATV ................................7-41
Climbing uphill.....................................7-47
Riding downhill ....................................7-57
Crossing a slope .................................7-61
Crossing through shallow water ..........7-65
Riding over rough terrain ....................7-71
Sliding and skidding ............................7-73
What to do if ........................................7-77
What to do...........................................7-77
67
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND
ADJUSTMENT ......................................... 8-1
Owner’s manual and tool kit ................. 8-3
Periodic maintenance/lubrication.......... 8-7
Engine oil and oil filter element........... 8-17
Final gear oil ....................................... 8-31
Spark plug inspection ......................... 8-37
Air filter element cleaning ................... 8-43
Carburetor adjustment ....................... 8-49
Idle speed adjustment ........................ 8-51
Valve clearance adjustment .............. 8-53
Throttle lever adjustment ................... 8-53
Select lever safety system cable
adjustment ........................................ 8-55
Front brake pad check ........................ 8-55
Rear brake shoe inspection ............... 8-57
Brake fluid level check ........................ 8-59
Brake fluid replacement ...................... 8-61
Front brake lever free play.................. 8-63
Adjusting the brake pedal and rear
brake lever........................................ 8-65
Adjusting the rear brake light switch ... 8-73
Clutch adjustment ............................... 8-75
Cable inspection and lubrication......... 8-77
Brake lever and brake pedal
lubrication ........................................ 8-79
Steering shaft lubrication .................... 8-81
8
EE.book Page 2 Friday, May 27, 2005 5:00 PM

6-29

Do not mount an accessory where it could in-
terfere with your ability to control the ATV. Ex-
amples include (but are not limited to) a heavy
or bulky object attached to the handlebars
which could make steering difficult, an acces-
sory that limits your ability to move around on
the seat, or one that limits your view.


Use extra caution when riding an ATV with ac-
cessories. The ATV may handle differently
than it does without accessories.
EE.book Page 29 Friday, May 27, 2005 5:00 PM

7-61
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.
EE.book Page 61 Friday, May 27, 2005 5:00 PM

7-73
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.
EE.book Page 73 Friday, May 27, 2005 5:00 PM

8-8
Engine oil
Replace (Warm engine before draining).Engine oil filter element
Clean.Engine oil strainer
Clean.Final gear oilCheck oil level/oil leakage.
Replace.Front brake*Check operation/fluid leakage/see NOTE page 8-9.
Correct if necessary.Rear brake*Check operation.
Adjust if necessary.Select lever safety
system cable*Check operation.
Adjust if necessary.Clutch*Check operation.
Adjust if necessary.Wheels*Check balance/damage/runout.
Repair if necessary.Wheel bearings*Check bearing assemblies for looseness/damage.
Replace if damaged.Front and rear
suspension*Check operation.
Correct if necessary.Steering system*Check operation/Replace if damaged.
Check toe-in/Adjust if necessary.Steering shaft*Lubricate every 6 months with lithium-soap-based grease
(all-purpose grease).Fittings and fasteners*Check all chassis fittings and fasteners.
Correct if necessary.
ITEM ROUTINEWhichever
comes firstINITIAL EVERY
month136612
km
(mi)320
(200)1,200
(750)2,400
(1,500)2,400
(1,500)4,800
(3,000)
hours 20 75 150 150 300
EE.book Page 8 Friday, May 27, 2005 5:00 PM

8-81 1. Grease nipple
1. Graisseur
1. Boquilla de engrase
EBU14060
Steering shaft lubrication
Lubricate the pivot point with a grease gun.
EBU01112
Wheel removal
1. Loosen the wheel nuts.
2. Elevate the ATV and place a suitable stand
under the frame.
3. Remove the nuts from the wheel.
4. Remove the wheel.Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
(all purpose grease)
EE.book Page 81 Friday, May 27, 2005 5:00 PM