Page 49 of 154
4-23
4
WARNING
EWB00430This shock absorber assembly contains highly
pressurized nitrogen gas. Read and under-
stand the following information before han-
dling the shock absorber assembly.Do not tamper with or attempt to open the
cylinder assembly.Do not subject the shock absorber assembly
to an open flame or other high heat source.
This may cause the unit to explode due to ex-
cessive gas pressure.Do not deform or damage the cylinder in any
way. Cylinder damage will result in poor
damping performance.
Do not dispose of a damaged or worn out
shock absorber assembly yourself. Take the
shock absorber assembly to a Yamaha deal-
er for any service.
Compression damping setting (for slow com-
pression damping):
Minimum (soft):
16 click(s) in direction (b)*
Standard:
11 click(s) in direction (b)*
Maximum (hard):
1 click(s) in direction (b)*
* With the adjusting screw fully turned in di-
rection (a)
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5-1
5
EBU19201
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
EBU19224Inspect your vehicle each time you use it to make sure the vehicle is in safe operating condition. Always
follow the inspection and maintenance procedures and schedules described in the Owner’s Manual.
WARNING
EWB00481Failure to inspect or maintain the vehicle properly increases the possibility of an accident or equip-
ment damage. Do not operate the vehicle if you find any problem. If a problem cannot be corrected
by the procedures provided in this manual, have the vehicle inspected by a Yamaha dealer.Before using this vehicle, check the following points:
ITEM ROUTINE PAGE
FuelCheck fuel level in fuel tank, and add recommended fuel if neces-
sary.
Check fuel line for leakage. Correct if necessary.4-11, 5-4
Engine oilCheck oil level in engine, and add recommended oil to specified lev-
el if necessary.
Check ATV for oil leakage. Correct if necessary.5-4, 8-12
CoolantCheck coolant level in reservoir, and add recommended coolant to
specified level if necessary.
Check cooling system for leakage. Correct if necessary.5-4, 8-16
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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.5-4, 8-29, 8-30, 8-32
Rear 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.5-4, 8-29, 8-30, 8-32
ClutchCheck operation, and correct if necessary.
Lubricate cable if necessary.
Check lever free play, and adjust if necessary.8-35
Throttle leverMake sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate cable and lever hous-
ing if necessary.
Check cable free play, and adjust if necessary.5-5, 8-27
Control cablesMake sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate if necessary. 8-39
Drive chainCheck chain slack, and adjust if necessary.
Check chain condition. Lubricate if necessary.5-5, 8-36, 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.5-5
Shift pedalMake sure that operation is smooth.
Correct if necessary.8-40
Brake pedal Make sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate pedal pivoting point if
necessary.8-40 ITEM ROUTINE PAGE
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Page 52 of 154
5-3
5
Brake and clutch leversMake sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate lever pivoting points if
necessary.8-40
Chassis fastenersMake sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are properly tightened. 5-7
Instruments, lights and
switchesCheck operation, and correct if necessary. 5-7 ITEM ROUTINE PAGEU1AS61E0.book Page 3 Thursday, February 11, 2010 2:17 PM
Page 53 of 154

5-4
5
EBU19541Fuel Make sure that there is sufficient fuel in the tank.
(See page 4-11.)EBU19560Engine oil Make sure that the engine oil is at the specified lev-
el. Add oil as necessary. (See page 8-12.)EBU19631Coolant Make sure that the coolant is at the specified level.
Add coolant as necessary. (See page 8-16.)TIPThe coolant level must be checked on a cold en-
gine since the level varies with engine tempera-
ture.EBU19711Front and rear brakes Brake lever and brake pedalCheck that there is no free play in the brake le-
ver. If there is free play, have a Yamaha dealer
check the brake system.
Check for correct brake pedal height. (See page
8-32.) If the pedal height is incorrect, have a
Yamaha dealer adjust it.Check the operation of the lever and pedal. They
should move smoothly and there should be a
firm feeling when the brakes are applied. If not,
have a Yamaha dealer check the brake system.
Brake fluid level
Check the brake fluid level. Add fluid if necessary.
(See page 8-30.)
Brake fluid leakage
Check to see if any brake fluid is leaking out of the
pipe joints or brake fluid reservoirs. Apply the
brakes firmly for one minute. If there is any leak-
age, have a Yamaha dealer check the brake sys-
tem.
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 for wear. (See page 8-29.)Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 4
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5-5
5
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.EBU19770Drive chain Check the condition of the drive chain and check
the drive chain slack. Lubricate and adjust the
drive chain as necessary. (See page 8-36.)EBU19794Tires Check tire pressure regularly to make sure it is at
the recommended specifications. Also check for
wear and damage.
Tire pressure
Use the low-pressure tire gauge to check and ad-
just tire pressures when the tires are cold. Tire
pressures must be equal on both sides.
WARNING! Operation of this vehicle with im-
proper tire pressure may cause severe injury
or death from loss of control or rollover. Tire
pressure below the minimum specified couldalso cause the tire to dislodge from the rim un-
der severe riding conditions.
[EWB02541]
Set tire
pressures to the following specifications:
The low-pressure tire gauge is included as stan-
dard equipment. Make two measurements of the
tire pressure and use the second reading. Dust or
dirt in the gauge could cause the first reading to be
incorrect.Recommended tire pressure:
Fro nt
27.5 kPa (0.275 kgf/cm², 4.0 psi)
Rear
27.5 kPa (0.275 kgf/cm², 4.0 psi)
Minimum tire pressure:
Fro nt
24.5 kPa (0.245 kgf/cm², 3.6 psi)
Rear
24.5 kPa (0.245 kgf/cm², 3.6 psi)
Maximum tire seating pressure:
Fro nt
250 kPa (2.5 kgf/cm², 36 psi)
Rear
250 kPa (2.5 kgf/cm², 36 psi)
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Page 55 of 154
5-6
5
Tire wear limit
When the tire groove decreases to 3 mm (0.12 in)
due to wear, replace the tire.Tire information
This ATV is equipped with tubeless tires with
valves.
WARNING
EWB02551Use of improper tires on this ATV may cause
loss of control, increasing your risk of an acci-
dent.After extensive tests, only the tires listed below
have been approved for this model by Yamaha
Motor Co., Ltd.
1. Low-pressure tire gauge
1. Tire wear limit
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Page 56 of 154
5-7
5
Aftermarket tires and rims
The tires and rims that came with your ATV were
designed to match the performance capabilities
and to provide the best combination of handling,
braking, and comfort. Other tires, rims, sizes, and
combinations may not be appropriate.
EBU19840Chassis fasteners Make sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are prop-
erly tightened.
EBU19850Instruments, lights and switches Check that all instruments, lights and switches are
working properly. Correct if necessary. Front:
Manufacturer/model:
DUNLOP/KT341 Radial
Size:
AT21 x 7R10
Ty p e :
Tu b e l e s s
Rear:
Manufacturer/model:
DUNLOP/KT345 Radial
Size:
AT 2 0 x 1 0 R 9
Ty p e :
Tu b e l e s s
U1AS61E0.book Page 7 Thursday, February 11, 2010 2:17 PM