
4-9
4 pectedly. This could distract the operator and
increase the risk of losing control and causing
an accident.
WARNING
EWB00140Always ride at a slow speed when the ATV is in
differential gear lock, and allow extra time and
distance for maneuvers.
All wheels turn at the same speed when the dif-
ferential gear is locked, so it takes more effort
to turn the ATV. The effort needed to turn in-
creases with the riding speed. You may lose
control and have an accident if you cannot
make a sharp enough turn for the speed youare traveling.TIPIf the differential gear lock is not engaging prop-
erly, turn the handlebar back and forth to help it
engage.Riding before the differential gear lock is proper-
ly engaged will cause the engine speed to be
limited until engagement is complete.When the ATV is in four-wheel-drive differential
gear lock, the maximum traveling speed is limit-
ed to 31 km/h (19 mi/h). However, if conditionsrequire full engine power to be available, push
and hold the override switch to disable the differ-
ential gear lock speed limiter. (See page 4-5 for
a detailed explanation of this switch.)EBU18280Throttle lever Once the engine is running, movement of the throt-
tle lever will increase the engine speed.
Regulate the speed of the ATV by varying the
throttle position. Because the throttle is spring-
loaded, the ATV will decelerate, and the engine will
return to an idle any time the hand is removed from
the throttle lever.1. Throttle lever
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5-2
5
Front brakeCheck operation. If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed hy-
draulic system.
Check brake pads for wear, and replace if necessary.
Check brake fluid level in reservoir, and add recommended brake 
fluid to specified level if necessary.
Check hydraulic system for leakage. Correct if necessary.5-3, 8-29, 8-30, 8-31
Rear brakeCheck operation, and correct if necessary.
Lubricate cables if necessary.
Check lever and pedal free play, and adjust if necessary.5-3, 8-29, 8-32
Throttle leverMake sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate cable and lever hous-
ing if necessary.
Check cable free play, and adjust if necessary.5-4, 8-28
Control cablesMake sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate if necessary. 8-38
Wheels and tiresCheck wheel condition, and replace if damaged.
Check tire condition and tread depth. Replace if necessary.
Check air pressure. Correct if necessary.5-4, 5-5, 5-6
Brake pedal Make sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate pedal pivoting point if 
necessary.8-39
Brake leversMake sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate lever pivoting points if 
necessary.8-38
Axle bootsCheck for cracks or damage, and replace if necessary. 8-36
Chassis fastenersMake sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are properly tightened. 5-6
Instruments, lights and 
switchesCheck operation, and correct if necessary. 5-6 ITEM ROUTINE PAGE
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6-6
6 incline, place the ATV transversely across the
incline, shift the drive select lever to the for-
ward position, stop the engine, apply the park-
ing brake, and then 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 ATV to a stop by applying the brakes
in the forward position.
2. Stop the engine.
3. With the rear brake lever and pedal applied,
apply the parking brake, and then slowly re-
lease the brake pedal.
EBU20910Accessories and loading EBU20920Accessories
Accessories can affect the handling and control of
your ATV. Keep the following in mind when consid-
ering an accessory or operating an ATV which has
accessories.Choose only accessories designed for your
ATV. Your Yamaha dealer has a variety of gen-
uine Yamaha accessories. Other accessories
may also be available on the market. However,
it is not possible for Yamaha to test all non-
Yamaha accessories, nor control over their qual-
ity or suitability. Choose a genuine Yamaha ac-
cessory, or one that is equivalent in design and
quality.Accessories should be rigidly and securely
mounted. An accessory which can shift position
or come off while you are riding could affect your
ability to control the ATV.Do not mount an accessory where it could inter-
fere with your ability to control the ATV. Exam-
ples include (but are not limited to) a heavy or
bulky object attached to the handlebars which
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7-7
7Loading and accessories
Use extra caution when riding the ATV with addi-
tional loads, such as accessories or cargo. The
ATV’s handling may be adversely affected. Re-
duce your speed when adding additional loads.
WARNING
EWB01460Never exceed the stated load capacity for
this ATV.Cargo should be properly distributed and se-
curely attached.Reduce speed when carrying cargo or pull-
ing a trailer. Allow greater distance for brak-
ing.Always follow the instructions in your Own-
er’s Manual for carrying cargo or pulling atrailer.
During operation
Always keep your feet on the footboards during op-
eration, otherwise they may contact the rear
wheels. MAXIMUM LOADING LIMIT
ATV loading limit (total weight of cargo, rider, 
accessories, and tongue):
210.0 kg (463 lb)
Fro nt c arr i er :
40.0 kg (88 lb)
Rear carrier:
80.0 kg (176 lb)
Storage compartment:
2.0 kg (4 lb)
Trailer hitch:
Pulling load (total weight of trailer and car-
go):
4900 N (500 kgf, 1102 lbf)
Tongue weight (vertical weight on trailer 
hitch point):
147 N (15 kgf, 33 lbf)
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7-8
7
WARNING
EWB01470Always keep both hands on the handlebars
and both feet on the footboards of your ATV
during operation. Removing even one hand or
foot can reduce your ability to control the ATV
or could cause you to lose your balance and
fall off of the ATV. If you remove a foot from a
footboard, your foot or leg may come into con-
tact with the rear wheels, which could injureyou or cause an accident.Avoid wheelies and jumping. You may lose control
of the ATV or overturn.
WARNING
EWB01480Never attempt stunts, such as wheelies orjumps. Don’t try to show off.
Modifications
WARNING
EWB01490Never modify this ATV through improper in-
stallation or use of accessories. All parts and
accessories added to this ATV should be gen-
uine Yamaha or equivalent components de-
signed for use on this ATV and should be
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7-13
7With the engine idling, return the starter (choke) to
the closed position, shift the drive select lever into
the forward position, and then release the parking
brake. 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.
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 front
wheels 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 techniquemust 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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7-14
7
This procedure should be practiced at slow speed
many times in a large unpaved area with no obsta-
cles. If an incorrect technique is used, your ATV
may continue to go straight. If the ATV doesn’t
turn, come to a stop and then practice the proce-
dure again. If the riding surface is slippery or loose,
it may help to position more of your weight over the
front wheels by moving forward on the seat.
Once you have learned this technique, you should
be able to perform it at higher speeds or in tighter
curves.Improper riding procedures such as abrupt throttle
changes, excessive braking, incorrect body move-
ments, or too much speed for the sharpness of the
turn may cause the ATV to tip. If the ATV begins to
tip over to the outside while negotiating a turn, lean
more to the inside. It may also be necessary to
gradually let off on the throttle and steer to the out-
side of the turn to avoid tipping over.
Remember: Avoid higher speeds until you are
thoroughly familiar with the operation of your ATV.
CLIMBING UPHILL
Use proper riding techniques to avoid ATV over-
turns on hills. Be sure that you can maneuver your
ATV well on flat ground before attempting any in-
cline and then practice riding first on gentle slopes.
Try more difficult climbs only after you have devel-
oped your skill. In all cases avoid inclines with slip-
pery or loose surfaces, or obstacles that might
cause you to lose control.
1. Lean towards inside of turn.
2. Support your weight on the outer footboard.U4S262E0.book  Page 14  Tuesday, June 10, 2008  11:40 AM 

7-16
7
WARNING
EWB01600Never 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.If your ATV has stalled or stopped and you believe
you can continue up the hill, restart carefully to
make sure you do not lift the front wheels which
could cause you to lose control. If you are unable
to continue up the hill, dismount the ATV on the up-
hill side. Physically turn the ATV around and then
descend the hill.
If you start to roll backwards, DO NOT apply either
brake abruptly. If you are in 2WD, apply only the
front brake. If you are in 4WD or 4WD-LOCK, be-
cause all wheels are interconnected by the drive
train, applying either brake will brake all wheels,
therefore, avoid sudden application of either the
front or rear brake as the wheels on the uphill side
U4S262E0.book  Page 16  Tuesday, June 10, 2008  11:40 AM