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 chart for the
emission control system ...........................8-3
General maintenance and lubrication
chart ..........................................................8-5
Removing and installing the panel ..............8-9
Checking the spark plug .............................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge ................8-11
Final gear oil .............................................8-15
Differential gear oil ....................................8-19
Cleaning the air filter element ...................8-21
Cleaning the spark arrester ......................8-24
V-belt cooling duct check hose .................8-25
V-belt case drain plug ...............................8-26
Adjusting the carburetor ............................8-26
Adjusting the engine idling speed .............8-26
Adjusting the throttle cable free play .........8-28
Valve clearance ........................................8-28
Adjusting the drive select lever safety
system cable ...........................................8-29
Checking the front brake pads and
rear brake friction plates .........................8-29
Checking the brake fluid level ...................8-30
Changing the brake fluid ...........................8-31
Checking the front brake lever free play ...8-31U4S262E0.book Page 2 Tuesday, June 10, 2008 11:40 AM
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
U4S262E0.book Page 2 Tuesday, June 10, 2008 11:40 AM
5-4
5 Brake fluid leakage (front brake)
Check to see if any brake fluid is leaking out of the
hose, joint or brake fluid reservoir of the front
brake. Apply the brake firmly for one minute. If the
lever moves slowly inward, there may be a leak in
the brake system. If there is any leakage, the brake
system should be checked by a Yamaha dealer.
Brake operation
Test the brakes at slow speed after starting out to
make sure they are working properly. If the brakes
do not provide proper braking performance, check
the brake pads and friction plates for wear. (See
page 8-29.)
WARNING
EWB00580Always check the brakes at the start of every
ride. Do not ride the ATV if you find any prob-
lem with the brakes or you could lose braking
ability, which could lead to an accident. If a
problem cannot be corrected by the adjust-
ment procedures provided in this manual, havea Yamaha dealer check for the cause.
EBU19761Throttle lever Check the operation of the throttle lever. It must
open smoothly and spring back to the idle position
when released. Have a Yamaha dealer correct if
necessary.EBU19812Tires
WARNING
EWB00592Use of improper tires on this ATV, or operation
of this ATV with improper or uneven tire pres-
sure, may cause loss of control, increasing
your risk of accident.
Pay attention to the following.The tires listed below have been approved
by Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corpora-
tion of America for this model. Other tire
combinations are not recommended.
Front:
Manufacturer/model:
MAXXIS/M979
Size:
AT25 x 8-12
Type:
Tubeless
U4S262E0.book Page 4 Tuesday, June 10, 2008 11:40 AM
8-5
8
EBU21864General maintenance and lubrication chart NO. ITEMCHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOBINITIAL EVERY
Whichev-
er comes
firstmonth136612
km
(mi)320
(200)1300
(800)2500
(1600)2500
(1600)5000
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320
1 Air filter elementClean and replace if necessary.Every 20–40 hours (more often in wet or
dusty areas)
2*Front brakeCheck operation and correct if necessary.
Check fluid level and ATV for fluid leakage, and
correct if necessary.√√√√√
Replace brake pads. Whenever worn to the limit
3*Rear brakeCheck operation and correct if necessary.
Check brake lever and pedal free play, and adjust
if necessary.√√√√√
Replace brake friction plates. Whenever worn to the limit
4*Brake hosesCheck for cracks or other damage, and replace if
necessary.√√√√
Replace. Every 4 years
5*WheelsCheck runout and for damage, and replace if nec-
essary.√ √√√
6*TiresCheck tread depth and for damage, and replace if
necessary.
Check air pressure and balance, and correct if
necessary.√ √√√
7*Wheel hub bearingsCheck for looseness or damage, and replace if
necessary.√ √√√
8*V- b e l tCheck for wear, cracks or other damage, and re-
place if necessary.√ √√√
U4S262E0.book Page 5 Tuesday, June 10, 2008 11:40 AM
8-29
8
EBU24071Adjusting the drive select lever safety
system cable The drive select lever safety system cable stretch-
es with use, which can result in improper function.
Therefore, the safety system cable should be
checked and adjusted by a Yamaha dealer at the
intervals specified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart.EBU28413Checking the front brake pads and rear
brake friction plates The front brake pads and the rear brake friction
plates must be checked for wear at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart.TIPThis ATV is equipped with a wet, multiple-disc type
rear brake, which is located inside of the final gearcase.
EBU24171Front brake pads
Check each front brake pad for damage and mea-
sure the lining thickness. If a brake pad is dam-
aged or if the lining thickness is less than 1.0 mm
(0.04 in), have a Yamaha dealer replace the brake
pads as a set.TIPThe wheels need to be removed to check thebrake pads. (See page 8-47.)1. Brake pad
2. Lining thickness
2
1
U4S262E0.book Page 29 Tuesday, June 10, 2008 11:40 AM
8-30
8
EBU28421Rear brake friction plates
The rear brake is provided with a wear indicator,
which allows you to check the brake friction plate
wear without having to disassemble the brake. To
check the brake friction plate wear, check the posi-
tion of the wear indicator while applying the brake.
If a brake friction plate has worn to the point that
the wear indicator reaches the wear limit mark,
have a Yamaha dealer replace the brake friction
plates as a set.
EBU24251Checking the brake fluid level Insufficient brake fluid may allow air to enter the
brake system, possibly causing it to become inef-
fective.
Before riding, check that the brake fluid is above
the minimum level mark and replenish if neces-
sary. A low brake fluid level may indicate worn
brake pads and/or brake system leakage. If the
brake fluid level is low, be sure to check the brake
pads for wear and the brake system for leakage.
Observe these precautions:When checking the fluid level, make sure that
the top of the brake fluid reservoir is level.
1. Wear indicator
2. Wear limit mark
1. Minimum level mark
U4S262E0.book Page 30 Tuesday, June 10, 2008 11:40 AM
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
INDEX
AAccessories and loading ................................................ 6-6
Air filter element, cleaning ............................................ 8-21
Axle boots .................................................................... 8-36BBattery .......................................................................... 8-41
Brake fluid, changing ................................................... 8-31
Brake fluid level, checking ........................................... 8-30
Brake lever free play, checking the front ...................... 8-31
Brake lever, front .......................................................... 4-11
Brake levers, checking and lubricating ........................ 8-38
Brake light switches ..................................................... 8-37
Brake pads and friction plates, checking ..................... 8-29
Brake pedal and brake lever free play (rear) and
brake pedal position, adjusting and checking ............ 8-32
Brake pedal and rear brake lever ................................. 4-11
Brake pedal, checking and lubricating ......................... 8-39
Brakes, front and rear .................................................... 5-3CCables, checking and lubricating ................................. 8-38
Carburetor, adjusting ................................................... 8-26
Carrier, front ................................................................. 4-19
Carrier, rear .................................................................. 4-19
Chassis fasteners .......................................................... 5-6
Cleaning ......................................................................... 9-1DDifferential gear lock indicator light ................................ 4-3
Differential gear oil ................................................ 5-3, 8-19Drive select lever ......................................................... 4-12
Drive select lever and driving in reverse ........................ 6-3
Drive select lever safety system cable, adjusting ........ 8-29
Drive shaft universal joint, lubricating .......................... 8-39
EEngine break-in .............................................................. 6-4
Engine, cold start ........................................................... 6-1
Engine idling speed ..................................................... 8-26
Engine oil ....................................................................... 5-3
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge ................................... 8-11
Engine, starting a warm ................................................. 6-3
Engine stop switch ......................................................... 4-4FFinal gear oil ......................................................... 5-3, 8-15
Four-wheel-drive indicator light ...................................... 4-3
Fuel ....................................................................... 4-14, 5-3
Fuel cock ..................................................................... 4-15
Fuel tank cap ............................................................... 4-13
Fuses, replacing .......................................................... 8-43HHandlebar switches ....................................................... 4-4
Headlight beam, adjusting ........................................... 8-46
Headlight bulb, replacing ............................................. 8-45
Horn switch .................................................................... 4-5IIdentification numbers .................................................. 11-1
Indicator lights and warning light ................................... 4-2
Instruments, lights and switches .................................... 5-6
U4S262E0.book Page 1 Tuesday, June 10, 2008 11:40 AM