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7-17
7could 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.U4S262E0.book Page 17 Tuesday, June 10, 2008 11:40 AM
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7-18
7 When 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
U4S262E0.book Page 18 Tuesday, June 10, 2008 11:40 AM
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8-22
8 4. Pull the air filter element out of the air filter
case.5. Pull off the air filter element lock plate, and
then remove the sponge material from the air
filter element frame.
1. Air filter case cover holder
2. Air filter case cover
1. Air filter element
U4S262E0.book Page 22 Tuesday, June 10, 2008 11:40 AM
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8-23
86. 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.
7. Squeeze the excess solvent out of the sponge
material and let it dry.
NOTICEECB00440Do not twist the sponge material when squeez-ing it.
8. Check the sponge material and replace it if
damaged.
9. Apply a quality foam air filter oil to the sponge
material.TIPThe sponge material should be wet but not drip-ping.
10. Pull the sponge material over the air filter ele-
ment frame, and then install the lock plate.
1. Air filter element frame
2. Sponge material
3. Air filter element lock plateU4S262E0.book Page 23 Tuesday, June 10, 2008 11:40 AM
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8-28
8
EBU24045Adjusting 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.TIPThe engine idling speed must be checked, and ad-
justed if necessary, before adjusting the throttle ca-ble free play.
1. Slide the rubber cover back.
2. Loosen the locknut.
3. To increase the throttle cable free play, turn
the throttle cable free play adjusting bolt in di-
rection (a). To decrease the throttle cable free
play, turn the adjusting bolt in direction (b).4. Tighten the locknut.
5. Slide the rubber cover to its original position.
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. Rubber cover
2. Throttle cable free play adjusting bolt
3. Locknut
4. Throttle cable free play
U4S262E0.book Page 28 Tuesday, June 10, 2008 11:40 AM
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8-31
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.EBU24281Changing the brake fluid Have a Yamaha dealer change the brake fluid at
the intervals specified in the TIP after the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart. In addition,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 dam-
aged or leaking.
Oil seals: Replace every two years.Brake hoses: Replace every four years.EBU24393Checking 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 no
free play as shown. If there is free play, have a
Yamaha dealer check the brake system. Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 41. Brake lever free play
U4S262E0.book Page 31 Tuesday, June 10, 2008 11:40 AM
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8-33
81. 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
U4S262E0.book Page 33 Tuesday, June 10, 2008 11:40 AM
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8-35
85. 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.
TIPWhen 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
U4S262E0.book Page 35 Tuesday, June 10, 2008 11:40 AM