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7-17
7 could come off the ground. The ATV could easily
tip over backwards. Apply both the front and rear
brakes gradually, or dismount the ATV immediate-
ly on the uphill side.
WARNING
EWB02450Maintain a steady speed when climbing a hill.
If you lose all forward speed:Keep weight uphill.Apply the brakes.Apply the parking brake after you are
stopped.
If you begin rolling backwards:Keep weight uphill.2WD: Never 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.4WD or 4WD-LOCK: Apply both front and
rear brakes gradually. When fully stopped,
lock the parking brake.
Dismount on uphill side or to a side if pointed
straight uphill. Turn the ATV around and re-
mount, following the procedure described inthe Owner’s Manual.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 compres-
sion braking effect, 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 surfaces. Improper
braking may also cause a loss of traction.U4S260E0.book Page 17 Tuesday, October 3, 2006 1:53 PM
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7-18
7When 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.
Whenever possible, ride your ATV straight down-
hill. Avoid sharp angles which could allow the ATV
to tip or roll over. Carefully choose your path and
ride no faster than you will be able to react to ob-
stacles which may appear.
WARNING
EWB01620Always follow proper procedures for going
down hills as described in this Owner’s Manu-
al.
Note: a special technique is required when
braking as you go down a hill.Always check the terrain carefully before
you start down any hill.Shift your weight backward.Never go down a hill at high speed.
Avoid going down a hill at an angle that
would cause the ATV to lean sharply to one
side. Go straight down the hill where possi-ble.
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
U4S260E0.book Page 18 Tuesday, October 3, 2006 1:53 PM
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8-21
8 4. Pull off the lock plate, and then remove the
sponge material from the air filter element
frame.5. Wash the sponge material gently but thor-
oughly in solvent.
WARNING
EWB01940Always use parts cleaning solvent to clean the
sponge material. Never use low-flash-point
solvents or gasoline to clean the sponge mate-
rial because the engine could catch fire or ex-plode.
6. Squeeze the excess solvent out of the sponge
material and let it dry.
1. Air filter element
1. Air filter element frame
2. Sponge material
3. Air filter element lock plate
U4S260E0.book Page 21 Tuesday, October 3, 2006 1:53 PM
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8-22
8
CAUTION:ECB00440Do not twist the sponge material when squeez-ing it.
7. Check the sponge material and replace it if
damaged.
8. Apply a quality foam air filter oil to the sponge
material.NOTE:The sponge material should be wet but not drip-ping.
9. Pull the sponge material over the air filter ele-
ment frame, and then install the lock plate.
10. Insert the air filter element into the air filter
case, and then install the air filter case cover
by hooking the holders onto the air filter case.
11. Install the seat.NOTE:The air filter element should be cleaned every 20–
40 hours. It should be cleaned and lubricated more
often if the ATV is operated in extremely dusty ar-
eas. Each time the air filter element maintenance
is performed, check the air inlet of the air filter case
for obstructions. Check the air filter case rubber
joint to the carburetor fittings and the rubber jointmanifold fittings for an air-tight seal. Tighten all fit-
tings securely to avoid the possibility of unfiltered
air entering the engine.CAUTION:ECB00460Make sure that the air filter element is prop-
erly seated in the air filter case.Never operate the engine with the air filter el-
ement removed. This will allow unfiltered air
to enter the engine, causing rapid engine
wear and possible engine damage. Addition-
ally, operation without the air filter element
will affect carburetor jetting with subsequent
poor performance and possible engine over-heating.EBU27080Cleaning the spark arrester Be sure the exhaust pipe and muffler are cool be-
fore cleaning the spark arrester.
1. Remove the bolts.
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8-26
8
EBU24043Adjusting the throttle cable free play The throttle cable free play should be checked
and, if necessary, adjusted at the intervals speci-
fied in the periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.
The throttle cable free play should measure 3.0–
5.0 mm (0.12–0.20 in) at the throttle lever. Period-
ically check the throttle cable free play and, if nec-
essary, adjust it as follows.NOTE:The engine idling speed must be checked, and ad-
justed if necessary, before adjusting the throttle ca-ble free play.
1. Loosen the locknut.
2. To increase the throttle cable free play, turn
the adjusting bolt in direction (a). To decrease
the throttle cable free play, turn the adjusting
bolt in direction (b).3. Tighten the locknut.
EBU24060Valve clearance The valve clearance changes with use, resulting in
improper air-fuel mixture and/or engine noise. To
prevent this from occurring, the valve clearance
must be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer at the inter-
vals specified in the periodic maintenance and lu-
brication chart.1. Locknut
2. Throttle cable free play adjusting bolt
3. Throttle cable free play
U4S260E0.book Page 26 Tuesday, October 3, 2006 1:53 PM
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8-29
8
Use only the recommended quality brake fluid,
otherwise the rubber seals may deteriorate,
causing leakage and poor braking performance.Refill with the same type of brake fluid. Mixing
fluids may result in a harmful chemical reaction
and lead to poor braking performance.Be careful that water does not enter the brake
fluid reservoir when refilling. Water will signifi-
cantly lower the boiling point of the fluid and may
result in vapor lock.Brake fluid may deteriorate painted surfaces or
plastic parts. Always clean up spilled fluid imme-
diately.As the brake pads wear, it is normal for the brake
fluid level to gradually go down. However, if the
brake fluid level goes down suddenly, have a
Yamaha dealer check the cause.EBU24280Changing the brake fluid Have a Yamaha dealer change the brake fluid at
the intervals specified in the NOTE after the peri-
odic maintenance and lubrication chart. In addi-tion, have the oil seals of the brake master cylinder
and calipers as well as the brake hoses replaced at
the intervals listed below or whenever they are
damaged or leaking.
Oil seals: Replace every two years.Brake hoses: Replace every four years.EBU24390Checking the front brake lever free play The brake lever free play must be checked at the
intervals specified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart. The brake lever should have a
free play of zero mm (zero in) as shown. If the free
play is incorrect, have a Yamaha dealer check the
brake system. Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 41. Brake lever free play
U4S260E0.book Page 29 Tuesday, October 3, 2006 1:53 PM
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8-31
8 1. Loosen the locknut at the brake lever and fully
turn in the brake lever free play adjusting bolt.
2. Fully loosen the brake lever free play adjust-
ing nut on the brake cable at the final gear
case.
1. Brake pedal free play
1. Brake lever free play
1. Locknut
2. Brake lever free play adjusting bolt
U4S260E0.book Page 31 Tuesday, October 3, 2006 1:53 PM
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8-33
8 5. Check the brake lever free play and, if neces-
sary, adjust it by turning the brake lever free
play adjusting bolt at the brake lever. Turn the
brake lever free play adjusting bolt in direction
(a) to increase the free play, and in direction
(b) to decrease it.6. Tighten the locknut at the brake lever.
NOTE:When adjusting the rear brake lever free play:Be sure not to step on the brake pedal.Make sure the brake pedal does not move.
Checking the brake pedal position
The top of the brake pedal should be positioned
75.0–85.0 mm (2.95–3.35 in) above the footboard.
If the brake pedal position is incorrect, have a
Yamaha dealer adjust it.
1. Brake lever free play adjusting nut
2. Brake camshaft lever
3. Gap “B”
1. Locknut
2. Brake lever free play adjusting bolt
U4S260E0.book Page 33 Tuesday, October 3, 2006 1:53 PM