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6-3
6 8. Continue warming up the engine until it idles
smoothly, then return the starter (choke) to
position (3) before riding.
NOTE:The engine is warm when it responds normally tothe throttle with the starter (choke) turned off.EBU20291Starting a warm engine Follow the same procedure as for starting a cold
engine, with the exception that the starter (choke)
is not required when the engine is warm. Instead,
start the engine with the throttle slightly open.EBU20440Operating the drive select lever and
driving in reverse CAUTION:ECB00170Before shifting, stop the ATV, otherwise thetransmission may be damaged.
Shifting: Neutral to High-range and High-range
to Low-range
1. Bring the ATV to a complete stop.2. Apply the brake pedal, and then shift by mov-
ing the drive select lever along the shift guide.
NOTE:Make sure that the drive select lever is completelyshifted into position.
3. Release the brake pedal, and then open the
throttle lever gradually.1. Drive select lever
2. L (Low-range)
3. H (High-range)
4. N (Neutral)
5. R (Reverse)
6. P (Park)
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6-4
6Shifting: Neutral to Reverse and Reverse to
Park
NOTE:The drive select lever cannot be shifted into or fromreverse or park without applying the brake pedal.
1. Bring the ATV to a complete stop.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Shift from neutral to reverse or from reverse to
park 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 elec-
trical circuit.Due to the synchronizing mechanism in the en-
gine, the indicator light may not come on until theATV starts moving.1. Drive select lever
2. L (Low-range)
3. H (High-range)
4. N (Neutral)
5. R (Reverse)
6. P (Park)
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7-13
7 With the engine idling, shift the drive select lever
into the low-range position or the high-range posi-
tion. 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 un-
til you are thoroughly familiar with the operation of
your ATV.
When slowing down or stopping, release the throt-
tle and apply the brakes smoothly and evenly. Im-
proper use of the brakes can cause the tires to lose
traction, reducing control and increasing the possi-
bility of an accident.
CAUTION:ECB00250Do not shift from drive position low-range to
high-range or vice versa without coming to a
complete stop. Damage to the engine or drivetrain may occur.
TURNING YOUR ATV
To achieve maximum traction on unpaved surfac-
es in 2WD or 4WD, the two rear wheels turn to-
gether at the same speed. Furthermore, when
riding in 4WD-LOCK (“DIFF. LOCK”), the frontwheels also turn together at the same speed.
Therefore, unless the wheel on the inside of the
turn is allowed to slip or lose some traction, the
ATV will resist turning. A special turning technique
must be used to allow the ATV to make turns
quickly and easily. It is essential that this skill be
learned first at low speed.
WARNING
EWB01770Always follow proper procedures for turning
as described in this Owner’s Manual. Practice
turning at low speeds before attempting to turn
at faster speeds. Do not turn at speeds too fast
for your skills or the conditions. Operate at a
slow speed and allow extra time and distance
for maneuvers when in 4WD-LOCK (“DIFF.LOCK”).
As you approach a curve, slow down and begin to
turn the handlebars in the desired direction. As you
do so, put your weight on the footboard to the out-
side of the turn (opposite your desired direction)
and lean your upper body into the turn. Use the
throttle to maintain an even speed through the turn.
This maneuver will let the wheel on the inside of
the turn slip slightly, allowing the ATV to make the
turn properly.
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7-19
7 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.
If your ATV does begin to tip over, gradually steer
in the downhill direction if there are no obstacles in
your path. As you regain proper balance, gradually
steer again in the direction you wish to travel.
WARNING
EWB01631Never attempt to turn the ATV around on any
hill until you have mastered the turning tech-
nique as described in the Owner’s Manual on
level ground. Be very careful when turning on
any hill. Avoid crossing the side of a steep hill
if possible.
When crossing the side of a hill:Always follow proper procedures as de-
scribed in the Owner’s Manual.Avoid hills with excessively slippery or loose
surfaces.
Shift your weight to the uphill side of theATV.
CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW WATER
The ATV can be used to cross slow moving, shal-
low water of up to a maximum of 35 cm (14 in) 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 care-
fully.
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8-6
8
26 Final gear oilChange.
Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary.√√
27 Cooling systemCheck coolant level and ATV for coolant leakage,
and correct if necessary.√√√√√
Replace coolant. Every 2 years
28*Moving parts and
cablesLubricate.√√√√
29*Drive select lever
safety system cableCheck operation and adjust or replace if neces-
sary.√√√
30*Throttle lever hous-
ing and cableCheck operation and correct if necessary.
Check throttle cable free play and adjust if neces-
sary.
Lubricate throttle lever housing and cable.√√√√√
31*Exhaust systemCheck for leakage and replace gasket(s) if neces-
sary.
Check for looseness and tighten all screw clamps
and joints if necessary.√√√
32 Spark arresterClean.√√√
33*Front and rear brake
switchesCheck operation and correct if necessary.√√√√√
34*Lights and switchesCheck operation and correct if necessary.
Adjust headlight beams.√√√√√ NO. ITEMCHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOBINITIAL EVERY
Whichev-
er comes
firstmonth136612
km
(mi)320
(200)1200
(750)2400
(1500)2400
(1500)4800
(3000)
hours 20 75 150 150 300U2C661E0.book Page 6 Thursday, March 16, 2006 10:45 AM
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8-15
8
EBU23221Checking the spark plug The spark plug is an important engine component,
which is easy to check. Since heat and deposits
will cause any spark plug to slowly erode, the spark
plug should be removed and checked in accor-
dance with the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart. In addition, the condition of the spark
plug can reveal the condition of the engine.
To remove the spark plug
1. Remove panel A. (See page 8-8.)
2. Remove the spark plug cap.3. Remove the spark plug as shown, with the
spark plug wrench included in the owner’s tool
kit.
To check the spark plug
1. Check that the porcelain insulator around the
center electrode of the spark plug is a medi-
um-to-light tan (the ideal color when the ATV
is ridden normally).
NOTE:If the spark plug shows a distinctly different color,
the engine could be operating improperly. Do not
attempt to diagnose such problems yourself. In-stead, have a Yamaha dealer check the ATV.
1. Spark plug cap
1. Spark plug wrench
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8-32
8
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.2. Remove the tailpipe by pulling it out of the
muffler.
3. Tap the tailpipe lightly, and then use a wire
brush to remove any carbon deposits from the
spark arrester portion of the tailpipe and inside
of the tailpipe housing.
1. Bolt
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8-42
8
Make sure the brakes are not spongy. All air
must be bled from the brake system.
Replacement of brake components requires
professional knowledge. These proceduresshould be performed by a Yamaha dealer.EBU24230Axle boots The axle boots must be checked for damage at the
intervals specified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart. Check the axle boots for tears or
damage. If any damage is found, have them re-
placed by a Yamaha dealer.
EBU24751Brake light switches The operation of the brake light switches must be
checked and, if necessary, adjusted at the inter-
vals specified in the periodic maintenance and lu-
brication chart.
The brake light switch for the brake pedal can be
adjusted as follows, but the other brake light
switches should be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer.
1. Remove panel B. (See page 8-8.)
1. Front axle boot (each side)
1. Rear axle boot (each side)
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