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7-5
7
can cause the tires to lose traction, reducing
control and increasing the possibility of an ac-
cident.
WARNING
EWB00712Make sure the engine has sufficiently
slowed before shifting to a lower gear. En-
gaging a lower gear when the engine
speed is too high could make the wheels
stop rotating and lose traction. This could
cause loss of control, an accident and inju-
ry. It could also cause engine or drivetrain
damage. Recommended shift points
The recommended shift points during accel-
eration and deceleration are shown in the ta-
ble below.To drive in reverse
WARNING
EWB03300Before you shift into reverse, make sure
there are no obstacles or people behind
you. When it is safe to proceed, go slowly.
Hitting an obstacle or
person could result
in serious inju ry or death. 1. Stop the vehicle and continue to apply
the brake pedal.
2. Check behind you.
3. Press the clutch pedal, and pull the re- verse gear lock lever.
4. Shift the transmission into reverse.Shift up points: 1st → 2nd: 19 km/h (12 mi/h)
2nd → 3rd: 33 km/h (21 mi/h)
3rd → 4th: 44 km/h (27 mi/h)
4th → 5th: 53 km/h (33 mi/h)
Shift down points: 5th → 4th: 30 km/h (19 mi/h)
4th → 3rd: 17 km/h (11 mi/h)
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7-7
7
EBU35061Selecting the drive modeThe vehicle handles differently in each of the drive modes: “2WD”, “4WD” and “DIFF LOCK”. For
example, the vehicle requires more effort to turn in “DIFF LOCK” than in “2WD”. Always stop the
vehicle before changing the position of th e On-Command drive knob. The drive mode icon
changes according to the selected drive mode. The drive mode icon and the “DIFF LOCK” indi-
cator light come on as follows:
Knob position Indication Drive mode
(none)
“2WD” (two-wheel drive): Drive power is supplied to the rear
wheels only.
“4WD” (four-wheel drive): Drive power is supplied to the
front and rear wheels.
“DIFF LOCK” (four-wheel drive with the differential gear
locked): Drive power is supplied to the front and rear wheels
and the differential gear is locked.
Unlike in four-wheel drive, all wheels turn at the same
speed.
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7-8
7
TIPWhen the knob is set to “DIFF LOCK” or “4WD ”, the drive mode icon and the indicator light
will flash until the differential gear is completely locked or unlocked.
Turning the steering wheel back and forth will help the differential gear lock to engage or dis-
engage.
To protect the drivetrain from damage, vehicle speed is limited until the differential gear lock
has properly transitioned. UB5J7BE0.book Page 8 Tuesday, June 18, 2019 10:07 AM
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8-1
8
EBU31950
BASIC GUIDE FOR SAFE USE
EBU31962As a YXZ1000R owner you are responsible
for the safe and proper operation of this vehi-
cle. Read this chapter and review the safety
instructions in Chapter 3 before operating the
vehicle. Use these chapters and the labels on
the vehicle to instruct new operators and pas-
sengers. Do not allow anyone else to operate
the vehicle or ride as a passenger if you are
unsure that he/she is willing and able to follow
these instructions.
WARNING
EWB03340Follow these instructions to reduce your
risk of an accident and to reduce the risk
of serious injury or death in the event of an
accident.
EBU35765KNOW YOUR VEHICLEThis off-road vehicle will handle and maneu-
ver differently from cars, ATVs, go-carts, golf-
cars and grounds-keeping vehicles. The
YXZ1000R has higher ground clearance and
other features to handle rugged terrain, and,
as a result, can overturn in situations where
some vehicles may not. This would include
vehicles made primarily for pavement, roads,
improved paths, or grounds-keeping. If you
do not use care in maneuvering the
YXZ1000R, you can cause it to roll over even
on flat, open areas.
Doing things with a YXZ1000R that some
people do for thrills in other vehicles [such as
sideways sliding, skidding, fishtailing (rear-
wheel sliding), or donuts] could lead to side
rollovers. These rollovers can result in
crushed limbs and other serious injuries or
death to drivers or passengers.
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8-10
8
Seat and shoulder bolsters
The seats and shoulder bolsters are designed
to help keep you in the vehicle. Do not put
your hand or arm on or outside of the shoul-
der bolster during operation. Your hand or
arm may be struck by objects or crushed
against outside objects or the ground during
a rollover.Floorboard
The floorboard allows you to brace your feet,
which helps you keep your body in the vehicle
in the event of an accident or rollover. Keep
your feet on the floorboard during operation.
Steering wheel
Keep both hands on the steering wheel ex-
cept when using your right hand to operate
the shift lever. Do not hold the steering wheel
with your thumbs inside the rim. Keep your
palms on the outside
of the steering wheel.
Similar to other off-road vehicles, if the1. Wire loop
1
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8-11
8
YXZ1000R hits a deep rut or large obstacle,
the steering wheel could briefly jerk in one di-
rection or back and forth as the tires and ve-
hicle respond to the obstacle. This quick
motion could injure your thumbs or wrist if
your thumbs or hand(s) are inside the steering
wheel. Grip the steering wheel so that your
thumbs will not be hit by the spokes. As an
example, see the illustration.
CORRECT GRIP EXAMPLE
INCORRECT GRIP EXAMPLE
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8-13
8
Practice for new Yamaha YXZ1000R users
Become familiar with the performance char-
acteristics of the vehicle in a large, flat area
that is free of obstacles and other vehicles.
Practice controlling the accelerator pedal,
clutch, brakes, steering, and shift lever. Drive
at slow speeds with gradual acceleration and
smooth turns. Practice applying the accelera-
tor pedal smoothly. Practice slowing down
before turning. Practice maintaining a steady
amount of throttle (accelerator pedal position)
through the turn. Avoid higher speeds until
you are thoroughly familiar with the operation
and handling of the vehicle. Remember, driv-
ing aggressively or making abrupt maneuvers
even on flat, open areas can cause side roll-
overs.Become familiar with the way the vehicle han-
dles in the various drive modes. Start off with
two-wheel drive “2WD”, then four-wheel drive
“4WD”, and finally four-wheel drive with the
differential locked “DIFF LOCK”. Steering
may take more effort in four-wheel drive with
the differential locked “DIFF LOCK”. Also
practice driving in reverse.
TIPTake the time to learn basic operation of the
vehicle before driving at higher speeds or at-
tempting more difficult maneuvers.
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8-14
8
Getting ready to ride
Perform the pre-operation checks on page
6-1. Follow the instructions on page 7-2 when
starting the engine.
Turning
Use care in turns — turning the steering wheel
too far or too fast can result in loss of control
or a rollover. Slow down before entering
turns. When making tight turns from a stand-
still or at slow speeds, avoid sudden or hard
acceleration. Driving aggressively or making
abrupt maneuvers even on flat, open areas
can cause side rollovers. Avoid sideways slid-
ing, skidding, or fishtailing (rear-wheel slid-
ing), and never do donuts. If you feel the
vehicle begin to slide sideways or the rear
wheels begin to slide during a turn, steer into
the direction of the slide, if possible, and
gradually let off the accelerator pedal to re-
gain directional control and avoid rollover. For
example, if you feel the back of the vehicle
start to slide to your right, steer to the right. If you think or feel that the vehicle may tip or
roll, keep your body completely inside the
protective structure of the vehicle:
Brace yourself by pressing your feet firmly
on the floorboard and keep a firm grip on
the steering wheel or passenger handhold.
Do not put your hands or feet outside of the
vehicle for any reason. Do not try to stop a
tipover using your arm or leg.
Accelerating
Avoid higher speeds and sudden or hard ac-
celeration until you are thoroughly familiar
with the operation of your vehicle. Avoid sud-
den or hard acceleration in any turn. Never
drive faster than is safe for current conditions.
Shifting
Follow the instructions on pages 7-2 and 7-3
for shifting, downshifting, and shifting into re-
verse until you are thoroughly familiar with
each operation.UB5J7BE0.book Page 14 Tuesday, June 18, 2019 10:07 AM