
OPERATION .................................................. 6-1
Starting a cold engine ................................ 6-1
Starting a warm engine .............................. 6-3
Operating the drive select lever and
driving in reverse ...................................... 6-3
Engine break-in .......................................... 6-4
Parking ....................................................... 6-5
Parking on a slope ..................................... 6-5
Accessories and loading ............................ 6-6
RIDING YOUR ATV ...................................... 7-1
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR ATV............... 7-2
RIDE WITH CARE AND
GOOD JUDGEMENT ................................ 7-2
BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU RIDE ............. 7-9
TURNING YOUR ATV .............................. 7-13
CLIMBING UPHILL ................................... 7-14
RIDING DOWNHILL.................................. 7-17
CROSSING A SLOPE............................... 7-18
CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW
WATER ................................................... 7-19
RIDING OVER ROUGH TERRAIN ........... 7-22
SLIDING AND SKIDDING ......................... 7-22
WHAT TO DO IF... .................................... 7-24
WHAT TO DO... ........................................ 7-24PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND
MINOR REPAIR .............................................8-1
Owner’s manual and tool kit .......................8-1
Periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart ........................................8-3
Removing and installing the panel ..............8-8
Checking the spark plug .............................8-8
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge ................8-10
Final gear oil .............................................8-14
Differential gear oil ....................................8-17
Cleaning the air filter element ...................8-19
Cleaning the spark arrester ......................8-22
V-belt cooling duct check hose .................8-24
V-belt case drain plug ...............................8-24
Adjusting the carburetor ............................8-24
Adjusting the engine idling speed .............8-25
Adjusting the throttle cable free play .........8-26
Valve clearance ........................................8-26
Adjusting the drive select lever safety
system cable ...........................................8-27
Checking the front brake pads and
rear brake friction plates .........................8-27
Checking the brake fluid level ...................8-28
Changing the brake fluid ...........................8-29
Checking the front brake lever free play ...8-29U4S260E0.book Page 2 Tuesday, October 3, 2006 1:53 PM

6-1
6
EBU19880
OPERATION
EBU19900Read the Owner’s Manual carefully before riding
the ATV.
WARNING
EWB00630Read the Owner’s Manual carefully to become
familiar with all controls in order to help pre-
vent any loss of control, which could cause an
accident or injury. If there is a control or func-
tion you do not understand, ask your Yamahadealer.EBU20031Starting a cold engine
WARNING
EWB00640Always 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.
CAUTION:ECB00150See the “Engine break-in” section on page 6-4prior to operating the engine for the first time.
1. Set the parking brake.
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 po-
sition. The neutral indicator light should come
on. If the indicator light does not come on,
have a Yamaha dealer check the electrical cir-
cuit.NOTE:The engine can be started under the following con-
ditions:The drive select lever is in the neutral position.The rear brake lever is applied with the drive se-
lect lever in any position. However, it is recom-
mended to shift into the neutral position beforestarting the engine.
U4S260E0.book Page 1 Tuesday, October 3, 2006 1:53 PM

6-4
63. Shift from neutral to reverse and vice versa by
moving the drive select lever along the shift
guide.
NOTE:When in reverse, the reverse indicator light should
come on. If the indicator light does not come on,have a Yamaha dealer check the electrical circuit.
4. Check behind for people or obstacles, and
then release the brake pedal.5. Open the throttle lever gradually and continue
to watch to the rear while backing.
WARNING
EWB00720Improper operation in reverse could make you
hit an obstacle or even a person behind you,
resulting in serious injury. When you shift into
reverse, make sure there are no people or ob-
stacles behind you. When it is safe to proceed,go slowly.EBU20682Engine break-in NOTE:For ATVs equipped with an odometer or an hour
meter, follow the figures given in km (mi) or the
figures given in hours.For ATVs not equipped with an odometer orhour meter, follow the figures given in hours.
There is never a more important period in the life of
your engine than the first 320 km (200 mi) or 20
hours of riding. For this reason, you should read
the following material carefully.
Since the engine is brand new, do not put an ex-
cessive load on it for the first 320 km (200 mi) or 20
hours. The various parts in the engine wear and
1. Drive select lever
2. F (Forward)
3. N (Neutral)
4. R (Reverse)U4S260E0.book Page 4 Tuesday, October 3, 2006 1:53 PM

6-5
6 polish themselves to the correct operating clear-
ances. During this period, prolonged full-throttle
operation or any condition that might result in en-
gine overheating must be avoided.
0–160 km (0–100 mi) or 0–10 hours
Avoid prolonged operation above 1/2 throttle. Vary
the speed of the ATV regularly. Do not operate it at
one set throttle position.
160–320 km (100–200 mi) or 10–20 hours
Avoid prolonged operation above 3/4 throttle. Rev
the engine freely, but do not use full throttle at any
time.
320 km (200 mi) or 20 hours and beyond
The ATV can now be operated normally.
CAUTION:ECB00220If any engine trouble should occur during the
engine break-in period, immediately have aYamaha dealer check the ATV.
EBU20700Parking When parking the ATV, stop the engine, shift the
drive select lever into the forward position, apply
the parking brake, and then turn the fuel cock to
“OFF”.EBU20760Parking on a slope
WARNING
EWB00830Avoid 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 an1. Parking brake lock plate
U4S260E0.book Page 5 Tuesday, October 3, 2006 1:53 PM

INDEX
AAccessories and loading ................................................ 6-6
Air filter element, cleaning ............................................ 8-19
Axle boots .................................................................... 8-34BBattery .......................................................................... 8-39
Brake fluid, changing ................................................... 8-29
Brake fluid level, checking ........................................... 8-28
Brake lever free play, checking the front ...................... 8-29
Brake lever, front .......................................................... 4-11
Brake levers, checking and lubricating ........................ 8-36
Brake light switches ..................................................... 8-35
Brake pads and friction plates, checking ..................... 8-27
Brake pedal and brake lever free play (rear) and
brake pedal position, adjusting and checking ............ 8-30
Brake pedal and rear brake lever ................................. 4-11
Brake pedal, checking and lubricating ......................... 8-37
Brakes, front and rear .................................................... 5-3CCables, checking and lubricating ................................. 8-36
Carburetor, adjusting ................................................... 8-24
Carrier, front ................................................................. 4-19
Carrier, rear .................................................................. 4-19
Chassis fasteners .......................................................... 5-7
Cleaning ......................................................................... 9-1DDifferential gear lock indicator light ................................ 4-3
Differential gear oil ................................................ 5-3, 8-17Drive select lever ......................................................... 4-12
Drive select lever and driving in reverse ........................ 6-3
Drive select lever safety system cable, adjusting ........ 8-27
Drive shaft universal joint, lubricating .......................... 8-37
EEngine break-in .............................................................. 6-4
Engine, cold start ........................................................... 6-1
Engine idling speed ..................................................... 8-25
Engine oil ....................................................................... 5-3
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge ................................... 8-10
Engine, starting a warm ................................................. 6-3
Engine stop switch ......................................................... 4-4FFinal gear oil ......................................................... 5-3, 8-14
Four-wheel-drive indicator light ...................................... 4-3
Fuel ....................................................................... 4-14, 5-3
Fuel cock ..................................................................... 4-15
Fuel tank cap ............................................................... 4-13
Fuses, replacing .......................................................... 8-40HHandlebar switches ....................................................... 4-4
Headlight beam, adjusting ........................................... 8-44
Headlight bulb, replacing ............................................. 8-42
Horn switch .................................................................... 4-5IIdentification numbers .................................................. 11-1
Indicator lights and warning light ................................... 4-2
Instruments, lights and switches .................................... 5-7
U4S260E0.book Page 1 Tuesday, October 3, 2006 1:53 PM