Yamaha KODIAK User Manual

READ THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY!

It contains important safety information.

OWNER’S MANUAL

YFM4FAV

WARNING

This ATV should not be ridden by anyone under 16 years of age.

1P1-F8199-12LIT-11626-19-58

EBU00776

EBU00941

1-

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on your purchase of the Yamaha YFM4FAV. It represents the result of many
years of Yamaha experience in the production of fine sporting, touring, and pace-setting racing
machines. With the purchase of this Yamaha, you can now appreciate the high degree of crafts­manship and reliability that have made Yamaha a leader in these fields.
This manual will provide you with a good basic understanding of the features and operation of this
ATV.

This manual includes important safety information. It provides information about

special techniques and skills necessary to ride your ATV.

It also includes basic maintenance
and inspection procedures. If you have any questions regarding the operation or maintenance of
your ATV, please consult a Yamaha dealer.

AN IMPORTANT SAFETY MESSAGE:

●

READ THIS MANUAL TOGETHER WITH TIPS FOR THE ATV RIDER CAREFULLY AND
COMPLETELY BEFORE OPERATING YOUR ATV. MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND ALL
INSTRUCTIONS.

●

PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE WARNING AND CAUTION LABELS ON THE ATV.

●

NEVER OPERATE AN ATV WITHOUT PROPER TRAINING OR INSTRUCTION. FREE
TRAINING IS AVAILABLE TO ANYONE WHO BUYS A NEW ATV. CALL 1-800-887-2887
FOR MORE INFORMATION.

●

THIS ATV, AND ANY OTHER ATV OVER 90cc, SHOULD NOT BE RIDDEN BY ANYONE
UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE.

EBU00801

WARNING

CAUTION:

NOTE:

IMPORTANT MANUAL INFORMATION

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE WARNINGS CONTAINED IN THIS MANUAL CAN RESULT IN SE­RIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Particularly important information is distinguished in this manual by the following notations:

The Safety Alert Symbol means ATTENTION! BECOME ALERT!
YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED!

Failure to follow WARNING instructions could result in severe
injury or death to the machine operator, a bystander or a person
inspecting or repairing the machine.

A CAUTION indicates special precautions that must be taken to
avoid damage to the machine.

A NOTE provides key information to make procedures easier or clearer.

EBU15000

1-

IMPORTANT NOTICE

This ATV is designed and manufactured for OFF-ROAD use only. It is illegal and unsafe to oper­ate this ATV on any public street, road or highway.
This ATV complies with all applicable OFF-ROAD noise level and spark arrester laws and regu­lations in effect at the time of manufacture.
Please check your local riding laws and regulations before operating this ATV.

EBU01067

YFM4FAV

OWNER’S MANUAL

AFFIX DEALER

LABEL HERE

©2005 by Yamaha Motor Corporation,

U.S.A.

1st edition, June 2005
All rights reserved. Any reprinting or
unauthorized use without the written

permission of

Yamaha Motor Corporation,

U.S.A. is expressly prohibited.

Printed in U.S.A.

P/N LIT-11626-19-58

EBU00014

WARNING

Indicates a potential hazard that could
result in serious injury or death.

CONTENTS

LOCATION OF THE WARNING

1

AND SPECIFICATION LABELS....... 1-1

SAFETY INFORMATION.................. 2-1

2

DESCRIPTION AND MACHINE

3

IDENTIFICATION ............................. 3-1

Identification number records.......... 3-2

Key identification number................ 3-2

Vehicle identification number .......... 3-3

Model label ...................................... 3-3

CONTROL FUNCTIONS...................4-1

4

Main switch ......................................4-1

Indicator and warning lights.............4-2

Speedometer ...................................4-6

Fuel gauge .......................................4-6

Handlebar switches .........................4-7

Throttle lever ..................................4-10

Speed limiter ..................................4-11

Front brake lever............................4-12

Brake pedal and rear brake

lever .............................................4-12

Drive select lever ...........................4-13

Recoil starter..................................4-13

Fuel tank cap .................................4-14

Fuel cock........................................4-15

Starter (choke) ...............................4-16

Seat................................................4-17

Front carrier ...................................4-18

Rear carrier ....................................4-18

Storage compartment ....................4-18

Front and rear shock absorber

adjustment ...................................4-19

Auxiliary DC jack............................4-21

PRE-OPERATION CHECKS ........... 5-1

5

Front and rear brakes ..................... 5-2

Fuel ................................................. 5-4

Engine oil ........................................ 5-6

Final gear oil.................................... 5-6

Differential gear oil .......................... 5-7

Coolant............................................ 5-8

Throttle lever ................................... 5-9

Fittings and fasteners...................... 5-9

Lights............................................... 5-9

Switches.......................................... 5-9

Tires .............................................. 5-10

How to measure tire pressure....... 5-12

Tire wear limit................................ 5-13

OPERATION..................................... 6-1

6

Starting a cold engine ..................... 6-1

Starting a warm engine................... 6-3

Warming up..................................... 6-3

Drive select lever operation and

reverse driving............................... 6-4

Engine break-in............................... 6-7

Parking ............................................ 6-8

Parking on a slope........................... 6-9

Accessories and loading ...............6-10

RIDING YOUR ATV ..........................7-1

7

Getting to know your ATV ...............7-3

Ride with care and good

judgement...................................... 7-4

Be careful where you ride.............. 7-16

Turning your ATV ..........................7-22

Climbing uphill ............................... 7-24

Riding downhill ..............................7-30

Crossing a slope............................ 7-32

Crossing through shallow water ....7-34

Riding over rough terrain............... 7-37

Sliding and skidding.......................7-38

What to do if ..................................7-40

What to do .................................... 7-40

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND

8

ADJUSTMENT.................................. 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 ............................. 8-4

Panel removal and installation ........ 8-6

Engine oil and oil filter cartridge .... 8-12

Final gear oil .................................. 8-18

Differential gear oil replacement ...8-21

Cooling system.............................. 8-23

Changing the coolant ....................8-24

Axle boots...................................... 8-28

Spark plug inspection.................... 8-29

Air filter element cleaning.............. 8-31

V-belt cooling duct check hose .....8-34

V-belt case drain plug.................... 8-35

Spark arrester cleaning ................. 8-35

Carburetor adjustment................... 8-37

Idle speed adjustment ................... 8-37

Valve clearance adjustment.......... 8-38

Throttle lever adjustment............... 8-38

Select lever safety system cable

adjustment ...................................8-39

Front brake pad check...................8-39

Rear brake pad check....................8-40

Inspecting the brake fluid level ......8-41

Brake fluid replacement .................8-43

Front brake lever free play.............8-43

Adjusting the rear brake lever and

brake pedal ..................................8-44

Adjusting the rear brake light

switch ...........................................8-47

Cable inspection and

lubrication.....................................8-48

Lubricating the brake levers and

brake pedal ..................................8-48

Rear knuckle upper and lower

pivot lubrication ............................8-49

Wheel removal...............................8-50

Wheel installation...........................8-50

Battery............................................8-51

Battery maintenance......................8-53

Fuse replacement ..........................8-53

Replacing a headlight bulb ............8-55

Headlight beam adjustment.......... 8-58

Tail/brake light bulb

replacement ................................ 8-59

Troubleshooting ............................ 8-61

Troubleshooting charts ................. 8-62

CLEANING AND STORAGE............ 9-1

9

A. Cleaning...................................... 9-1

B. Storage ....................................... 9-3

SPECIFICATIONS.......................... 10-1

10

NOISE REGULATION.................... 11-1

11

MAINTENANCE RECORD ............ 12-1

12

ATV LIMITED WARRANTY............ 13-1

13

YAMAHA EXTENDED SERVICE

14

(Y.E.S.) ........................................... 14-1

EBU00464

1-

LOCATION OF THE WARNING AND

SPECIFICATION LABELS

1-1

Read and understand all of the labels on your
machine. They contain important information
for safe and proper operation of your ATV.

1

2

Never remove any labels from your ATV. If a
label becomes difficult to read or comes off, a
replacement label is available from your

3

4

5

Yamaha dealer.

6

12

WARNING

Overloading this ATV or carrying cargo improperly can change
handling, stability and braking performance and can lead to an
accident. Never exceed the maximum front cargo limit of

: 40kg (88 lbs)
NEVER sit on the carrier. Refer to instructions in the Owner's

Manual.

5ND-F4877-00

1-2

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

3

4

WARNING

Overloading this ATV or carrying cargo improperly can change
handling, stability and braking performance and can lead to an
accident. Never exceed the maximum rear cargo limit of

: 80kg (176 lbs)
NEVER sit on the carrier. Refer to instructions in the Owner's

Manual.

5ND-F4897-00

5

MAXIMUM.LOADING LIMITMAXIMUM LOADING LIMIT

PULLING LOAD: 4900 N(500kgf

TONGUE WEIGHT: 147 N

6

1102 l b f

33 lbf

(

15kgf

5ND-F151K-00

)

)

1-3

78

1-4

EBU13401

SAFETY INFORMATION

AN ATV IS NOT A TOY AND CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO OPERATE.

An ATV handles differently
from other vehicles including motorcycles and cars. A collision or rollover can occur quickly, even
during routine maneuvers such as turning and riding on hills or over obstacles, if you fail to take
proper precautions.
SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH can result if you do not follow these instructions:

●

Read this manual and all labels carefully and follow the operating procedures described.

●

Never operate an ATV without proper training or instruction.

Take a Training Course.

Begin­ners should receive training from a certified instructor. Contact an authorized ATV dealer or call
1-800-887-2887 to find out about the training courses nearest you.

●

Always follow the age recommendation:

- A child under 16 years old should never operate an ATV with engine size greater than 90cc.

●

Never allow a child under age 16 to operate an ATV without adult supervision, and never allow
continued use of an ATV by a child if he or she does not have the abilities to operate it safely.

●

Never carry a passenger on an ATV.

●

Always avoid operating an ATV on any paved surfaces, including sidewalks, driveways, park­ing lots and streets.

●

Never operate an ATV on any public street, road or highway, even a dirt or gravel one.

2-1

●

Never operate an ATV without wearing an approved motorcycle helmet that fits properly. You
should also wear eye protection (goggles or face shield), gloves, boots, a long-sleeved shirt or
a jacket, and long pants.

●

Never consume alcohol or drugs before or while operating this ATV.

●

Never operate at speeds too fast for your skills or the conditions. Always go at a speed that is
proper for the terrain, visibility, operating conditions, and your experience.

●

Never attempt wheelies, jumps, or other stunts.

●

Always inspect your ATV each time you use it to make sure it is in safe operating condition. Al­ways follow the inspection and maintenance procedures and schedules described in this man­ual.

●

Always keep both hands on the handlebars and both feet on the footboards of the ATV during
operation.

●

Always go slowly and be extra careful when operating on unfamiliar terrain. Always be alert to
changing terrain conditions when operating the ATV.

●

Never operate on excessively rough, slippery or loose terrain until you have learned and prac­ticed the skills necessary to control the ATV on such terrain. Always be especially cautious on
these kinds of terrain.

●

Always follow proper procedures for turning as described in this manual. Practice turning at low
speeds before attempting to turn at faster speeds. Do not turn at excessive speed.

●

Never operate the ATV on hills too steep for the ATV or for your abilities. Practice on smaller
hills before attempting larger hills.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

2-2

●

Always follow proper procedures for climbing hills as described in this manual. Check the ter­rain carefully before you start up any hill. Never climb hills with excessively slippery or loose
surfaces. Shift your weight forward. Never open the throttle suddenly. Never go over the top of
a hill at high speed.

●

Always follow proper procedures for going down hills and for braking on hills as described in
this manual. 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 vehicle to lean sharply to one side. Go straight down the hill where possible.

●

Always follow proper procedures for crossing the side of a hill as described in this manual.
Avoid hills with excessively slippery or loose surfaces. Shift your weight to the uphill side of the
ATV. Never attempt to turn the ATV around on any hill until you have mastered the turning
technique described in this manual on level ground. Avoid crossing the side of a steep hill if
possible.

●

Always use proper procedures if you stall or roll backwards when climbing a hill. Maintain a
steady speed when climbing a hill. If you stall or roll backwards, follow the special procedure for
braking described in this manual. Dismount on the uphill side or to a side if pointed straight up­hill. Turn the ATV around and remount, following the procedure described in this manual.

●

Always check for obstacles before operating in a new area. Never attempt to operate over
large obstacles, such as large rocks or fallen trees. Always follow proper procedures when op­erating over obstacles as described in this manual.

2-3

●

Always be careful when skidding or sliding. Learn to safely control skidding or sliding by prac­ticing at low speeds and on level, smooth terrain. On extremely slippery surfaces, such as ice,
go slowly and be very cautious in order to reduce the chance of skidding or sliding out of con­trol.

●

Never operate an ATV in fast flowing water or in water deeper than that recommended in this
manual. Remember that wet brakes may have reduced stopping ability. Test your brakes after
leaving water. If necessary, apply them several times to let friction dry out the linings.

●

Always be sure there are no obstacles or people behind you when you operate in reverse.
When it is safe to proceed in reverse, go slowly.

●

Always use the size and type of tires specified in this manual.

●

Always maintain proper tire pressure as described in this manual.

●

Never modify an ATV through improper installation or use of accessories.

●

Never exceed the stated load capacity for an ATV. Cargo should be properly distributed and
securely attached. Reduce speed and follow instructions in this manual for carrying cargo or
pulling a trailer. Allow greater distance for braking.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ATV SAFETY,

call the Consumer Products Safety Com-

mission at 1-800-638-2772, or the ATV Distributor’s Safety Hotline at 1-800-852-5344.

2-4

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Improper handling of gasoline.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Gasoline can catch fire and you could
be burned.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always turn off the engine when refuel­ing.
Do not refuel immediately after the en­gine has been running and is still very
hot.
Do not spill gasoline on the engine or
exhaust pipe/muffler when refueling.
Never refuel while smoking, or in the vi­cinity of sparks, open flames, or other
sources of ignition such as the pilot
lights of water heaters and clothes dry­ers.

When transporting the ATV in another
vehicle, be sure it is kept upright and
that the fuel cock is in the “OFF” posi­tion. Otherwise, fuel may leak out of the
carburetor or fuel tank.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Gasoline is poisonous and can cause
injuries.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
If you should swallow some gasoline or
inhale a lot of gasoline vapor, or get
some gasoline in your eyes, see your
doctor immediately. If gasoline spills on
your skin, wash with soap and water. If
gasoline spills on your clothing, change
your clothes.

2-5

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Starting or running the engine in a
closed area.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Exhaust fumes are poisonous and may
cause loss of consciousness and death
within a short time.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always operate your ATV in an area with
adequate ventilation.

2-6

EBU00032

1-

DESCRIPTION AND MACHINE IDENTIFICATION

1. Rear shock absorber assembly
spring preload adjusting ring

2. Spark arrester

3. Storage compartment and tool
kit

4. Spark plug

5. Rear brake fluid reservoir

6. Front shock absorber assembly
spring preload adjusting ring

7. Brake pedal

8. V-belt case

9. Radiator cap

10. Fuel cock

11. Air filter case

12. Fuses

13. Tail/brake light

14. Engine oil dipstick

15. Oil filter cartridge

16. Coolant reservoir

17. V-belt cooling duct check hose

18. Rear brake lever

19. Left handlebar switches

20. Starter (choke)

21. Drive select lever

22. Speedometer

23. Main switch

24. Fuel tank cap

25. Auxiliary DC jack

26. On-Command four-wheel drive
switch

27. Throttle lever

28. Front brake lever

NOTE:

The machine you have purchased may differ slightly
from those shown in the figures of this manual.

3-1

EBU00600

Identification number records

Record the key identification number, vehicle
identification number and model label infor­mation in the spaces provided for assistance
when ordering spare parts from a Yamaha
dealer or for reference in case the vehicle is
stolen.

1. KEY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER:

2. VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER:

EBU00035

Key identification number

The key identification number is stamped on
the key as shown in the following illustration.
This number can be used for ordering a new
key.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

3. MODEL LABEL INFORMATION:

1. Key identification number

3-2

11

12

13

14

EBU00036

Vehicle identification number

The vehicle identification number is stamped
into the frame.

1. Vehicle identification number (front left side)

NOTE:

The vehicle identification number is used to
identify your machine.

EBU00787

Model label

The model label is affixed to the location in the
illustration. Record the information on this la­bel in the space provided. This information will
be needed to order spare parts from your
Yamaha dealer.

1. Model label

3-3

EBU00039

1-

CONTROL FUNCTIONS

WARNING

Indicates a potential hazard that could
result in serious injury or death.

EBU12490

Main switch

Functions of the respective switch positions
are as follows:
ON:
The engine can be started only at this position
and the headlights, taillight and meter lighting
come on when the light switch is on.
OFF:
All electrical circuits are switched off. The key
can be removed in this position.

1. Main switch

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

4-1

EBU08020

Indicator and warning lights

1. Neutral indicator light “N”

2. Reverse indicator light “R”

3. Coolant temperature warning light “”

4. Park indicator light “P”

5. Four-wheel drive indicator light “”

EBU06090

Park indicator light “P”

This indicator light comes on when the drive
select lever is in the “P” (park) position.

EBU12232

Coolant temperature warning light “”

When the coolant temperature reaches a
specified level, this light comes on to warn
that the coolant temperature is too hot. If the
light comes on during operation, stop the en­gine as soon as it is safe to do so and allow
the engine to cool down for about 10 minutes.
The electrical circuit of the warning light can
be checked according to the following proce­dures.

1. Set the engine stop switch to “” and
turn the key to “ON”.

2. Shift the drive select lever into the neutral
position or park position.

3. Push the start switch. If the warning light
does not come on while the start switch is
pushed, have a Yamaha dealer check
the electrical circuit.

4-2

CAUTION:

_

The engine may overheat if the ATV is

●

overloaded. If this happens, reduce
the load to specification.
Restart after making sure that the light

●

is out. Continuous use while the light
is on may cause damage to the en­gine.

_

4-3

EBU15390

ACB-09E

Coolant temperature warning light checking method

Turn the main switch to “ON” and
the engine stop switch to “”.

Coolant temperature warning
light does not come on.

Push the start switch with the transmission
in the neutral position or park position.

Coolant temperature
warning light comes on
momentarily.

Coolant temperature and
electrical circuit are OK.
Go ahead with riding.

Coolant temperature
warning light comes on.

Coolant temperature
warning light does not
come on.

Ask a Yamaha dealer to
inspect the electrical circuit.

4-4

EBU12500

Reverse indicator light “R”

This indicator light comes on when the drive
select lever is in the “R” position.

EBU00605

Four-wheel-drive indicator light “”

This indicator light comes on when the 2WD/
4WD switch is in the 4WD position.

NOTE:

Due to the synchronizing mechanism in the
differential gear case, the light may not come
on until the ATV starts moving.

EBU09720

Neutral indicator light “N”

This indicator light comes on when the drive
select lever is in the “N” position.

4-5

EBU00447

Speedometer

The speedometer shows riding speed. This
speedometer is equipped with a trip odome­ter. The trip odometer can be reset to “0” with
the reset knob. Use the trip odometer to esti­mate how far you can ride on a tank of fuel be­fore going to reserve. This information will
enable you to plan fuel stops in the future.

1. Speedometer 2. Trip odometer

3. Reset knob

EBU00052

Fuel gauge

The fuel gauge indicates the amount of fuel in
the fuel tank. When the needle reaches the
red line, refill the tank at the first opportunity.

1. Fuel gauge 2. Red line

NOTE:

If the machine runs out of fuel, move the fuel
cock lever to the “RES” position. Approxi­mately 4.5 L (0.99 Imp gal, 1.19 US gal) of
fuel will be remaining in the tank.

4-6

EBU00053

Handlebar switches

1. Light switch “ //OFF”

2. Engine stop switch “ / ”

3. Start switch “”

EBU12510

Light switch “ //OFF”

Set the switch to “” to turn on the low
beams, the taillight and the meter lighting.
Set the switch to “” to turn on the high
beams, the taillight and the meter lighting.
Set the switch to “OFF” to turn off all the lights.

CAUTION:

_

Do not use the headlights with the engine
turned off for more than thirty minutes.
The battery may discharge to the point
that the starter motor will not operate
properly. If this should happen, remove
the battery and recharge it.

_

EBU12050

Engine stop switch “ / ”

Make sure that the engine stop switch is set to
“” before starting the engine. The engine
stop switch controls ignition and can be used
at all times to stop the engine, especially in an
emergency. The engine will not start or run
when the engine stop switch is set to “”.

4-7

EBU00607

Start switch “”

The starter motor cranks the engine when this
switch is pushed.

CAUTION:

See starting instructions prior to starting
the engine. (See pages 6-1–6-3 for details.)

1. Four-wheel drive switch “2WD/4WD”

EBU00601

On-Command four-wheel drive switch
“2WD/4WD”

To change from two-wheel drive (2WD) to
four-wheel drive (4WD), stop the ATV and set
the switch to the 4WD position.
To change from four-wheel drive (4WD) to
two-wheel drive (2WD), stop the ATV and set
the switch to the 2WD position.

4-8

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Changing from 2WD to 4WD or from
4WD to 2WD while the ATV is moving.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
The ATV handles differently in 2WD
than in 4WD in some circumstances.
Changing from 2WD to 4WD or from
4WD to 2WD while moving may cause
the ATV to unexpectedly handle differ­ently. This could distract the operator
and increase the risk of losing control
and an accident.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always stop the ATV before changing
from 2WD to 4WD or vice-versa.

4-9

EBU00062

Throttle lever

Once the engine is running, movement of the
throttle lever will increase the engine speed.
Regulate the speed of the machine by varying
the throttle position. Because the throttle is
spring-loaded, the machine will decelerate,
and the engine will return to an idle any time
the hand is removed from the throttle lever.

1. Throttle lever

Before starting the engine, check the throttle
to be sure it is operating smoothly. Make sure
it returns to the idle position as soon as the le­ver is released.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Malfunction of throttle.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
The throttle could be hard to operate,
making it difficult to speed up or slow
down when you need to. This could
cause an accident.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Check the operation of the throttle lever
before you start the engine. If it does not
work smoothly, check for the cause.
Correct the problem before riding the
ATV. Consult a Yamaha dealer if you
can’t find or solve the problem yourself.

4-10

EBU01159

Speed limiter

The speed limiter keeps the throttle from fully
opening, even when the throttle lever is
pushed to the maximum. Turning in the ad­justing screw limits the maximum engine pow­er available and decreases the maximum
speed of the ATV.

1. Locknut 2. Adjusting screw
a. No more than 12 mm (0.47 in)

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Improper adjustment of the speed limit­er and throttle.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
The throttle cable could be damaged.
Improper throttle operation could result.
You could lose control, have an acci­dent or be injured.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Do not turn the adjusting screw out
more than 12 mm (0.47 in). Always make
sure the throttle lever free play is adjust­ed to 3.0–5.0 mm (0.12–0.20 in). See
page 8-38.

4-11

EBU00070

Front brake lever

The front brake lever is located on the right
handlebar. Pull it toward the handlebar to ap­ply the front brake.

1. Front brake lever

EBU00732

Brake pedal and rear brake lever

The brake pedal is located on the right side of
the ATV and the rear brake lever is located on
the left handlebar. Push down on the pedal or
pull the lever toward the handlebar to apply
the rear brake.

1. Brake pedal

1. Rear brake lever

4-12

EBU15200

Drive select lever

The drive select lever is used to shift your ma­chine into the forward, neutral, reverse and
park positions. (Refer to pages 6-4–6-6 for the
drive select lever operation.)

EBU08550

Recoil starter

Firmly grasp the handle and pull slightly until
engagement can be felt. Then pull forcefully,
being careful not to pull the rope all the way
out.

1. Drive select lever

1. Recoil starter

4-13

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Starting the engine without setting the
drive select lever to the park position
“P”.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
The ATV could start to move unexpect­edly, which could cause an accident.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Set the drive select lever to the park po­sition before starting the engine.

EBU00092

Fuel tank cap

Remove the fuel tank cap by turning it coun­terclockwise.

1. Fuel tank cap

4-14

EBU00930

Fuel cock

The fuel cock supplies fuel from the fuel tank
to the carburetor.
The fuel cock has three positions.
OFF: With the lever in this position, fuel will

not flow. Always turn the lever to this
position when the engine is not running.

ON: With the lever in this position, fuel flows

to the carburetor. Normal riding is done
with the lever in this position.

RES: This indicates reserve. If you run out of

fuel while riding, turn the lever to this
position. THEN FILL THE FUEL TANK
AT THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY. After
refuelling, return the fuel cock lever to
the “ON” position.

OFF Position

1. Arrow mark pointing to “OFF”

ON Position

1. Arrow mark pointing to “ON”

4-15

RES Position

1. Arrow mark pointing to “RES”

EBU00095

Starter (choke) “”

Starting a cold engine requires a richer air-fuel
mixture. A separate starter circuit supplies this
mixture.
Move in direction a to turn on the starter
(choke).
Move in direction b to turn off the starter
(choke).
Refer to “Starting a cold engine” for proper op­eration. (See pages 6-1–6-3.)

1. Starter (choke) “”

4-16

EBU05670

Seat

To remove the seat, pull the seat lock lever
upward and pull up the seat at the rear.

1. Seat 2. Seat lock lever

To install the seat, insert the projections on
the front of the seat into the seat holders and
push down on the seat at the rear.

NOTE:

_

Make sure that the seat is securely fitted.

_

1. Projection (× 2) 2. Seat holder (× 2)

4-17

EBU00582

Front carrier

EBU15230

Storage compartment

Maximum load limit: 40 kg (88 lb)

EBU00583

Rear carrier

Maximum load limit: 80 kg (176 lb)

Maximum load limit: 2.0 kg (4 lb)

The storage compartment is located under
the seat. (See page 4-17 for seat removal and
installation procedures.)
When storing any documents in the storage
compartment, be sure to wrap them in a plas­tic bag so that they will not get wet. When
washing the ATV, be careful not to let any wa­ter enter the storage compartment.

NOTE:

_

There is a check hose at the bottom of the
storage compartment. If any water collects in
this hose, remove the hose, empty it, and then
install it.

_

4-18

1. Storage compartment

EBU15220

Front and rear shock absorber adjustment

The spring preload can be adjusted to suit the
rider’s weight and riding conditions.
Adjust the spring preload as follows.
To increase the spring preload, turn the ad­justing ring in direction a.
To decrease the spring preload, turn the ad­justing ring in direction b.

1. Storage compartment check hose

4-19

1. Spring preload adjusting ring

2. Position indicator

NOTE:

_

A special wrench can be obtained at a
Yamaha dealer to make this adjustment.

_

Standard position: 2

1- Minimum (soft)
5- Maximum (hard)

1. Special wrench

4-20

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Improper shock absorber adjustment.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Uneven adjustment can cause poor
handling and loss of stability, which
could lead to an accident.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always adjust the shock absorbers on
the left and right side to the same set­ting.

EBU10020

Auxiliary DC jack

The auxiliary DC jack is located at the front
right side of the ATV. The auxiliary DC jack
can be used for suitable work lights, radios,
etc. The auxiliary DC jack should only be used
when the engine is running.

1. Set the light switch to “OFF”.

1. Auxiliary DC jack cap

2. Start the engine. (See pages 6-1–6-3.)

3. Open the auxiliary DC jack cap, and then
insert the accessory power plug into the
jack.

4-21

Maximum rated capacity for the auxiliary
DC jack:

DC 12 V, 120 W (10 A)

4. When the auxiliary DC jack is not being
used, cover it with the cap.

CAUTION:

_

Do not use accessories requiring

●

more than the above maximum capac­ity. This may overload the circuit and
cause the fuse to blow.
If accessories are used without the

●

engine running or with the headlights
turned on, the battery will lose its
charge and engine starting may be­come difficult.
Do not use an automotive cigarette

●

lighter or other accessories with a
plug that gets hot because the jack
can be damaged.

_

1. Auxiliary DC jack

EBU00112

WARNING

Indicates a potential hazard that could
result in serious injury or death.

4-22

1-

PRE-OPERATION CHECKS

Before using this machine, check the following points:

ITEM ROUTINE PAGE

Front brake

Rear brake

Fuel

Engine oil

Coolant reservoir

Final gear oil and
differential gear oil

Throttle

Wheels and tires

Fittings and fasteners

Lights and switches

Axle boots

• Check operation, free play, fluid level and fluid leakage.

• Fill with DOT 4 brake fluid if necessary.

• Check operation, lever free play, fluid level and fluid leakage.

• Fill with DOT 4 brake fluid if necessary.

• Check fuel level.

• Fill with fuel if necessary.

• Check oil level.

• Fill with oil if necessary.

• Check coolant level in reservoir.

• Fill with coolant if necessary.

• Check for leakage.

• Check for proper throttle cable operation and free play. 5-9, 8-38

• Check tire pressure, wear and damage.

• Check all fittings and fasteners. 5-9

• Check for proper operation.

• Check for damage. 8-28

5-2–5-3,

8-39–8-44

5-2–5-3,

8-40–8-46

5-4–5-5

5-6, 8-12–8-17

5-8, 8-23–8-27

5-6–5-7,

8-18–8-22

5-10–5-13,

8-50–8-51

5-9, 8-47,

8-55–8-60

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

5-1

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Failure to inspect the ATV before oper­ating.
Failure to properly maintain the ATV.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Increases the possibility of an accident
or equipment damage.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always inspect your ATV each time you
use it to make sure the ATV is in safe op­erating condition.
Always follow the inspection and main­tenance procedures and schedules de­scribed in the Owner’s Manual.

EBU11011

Front and rear brakes
Brake levers and brake pedal

●

Check that there is no free play in the front
brake lever. If there is free play, have a
Yamaha dealer adjust it.

●

Check for correct free play in the rear brake
lever. If the free play is incorrect, adjust it.
(See pages 8-44–8-45.)

●

Check for correct brake pedal height. If the
pedal height is incorrect, have a Yamaha
dealer adjust it.

●

Check the operation of the brake levers
and pedal. They should move smoothly
and there should be a firm feeling when the
brakes are applied. If not, have a Yamaha
dealer inspect the brake system.

Brake fluid level

Check the brake fluid level. Add fluid if neces­sary. (See pages 8-41–8-43.)

Recommended brake fluid: DOT 4

5-2

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 the lever
moves slowly inward, there may be a leak in
the brake system. If there is any leakage, the
brake system should be inspected 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, inspect the brake pads for wear.
(See pages 8-39–8-40.)

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Riding with improperly operating
brakes.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
You could lose braking ability, which
could lead to an accident.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always check the brakes at the start of
every ride. Do not ride the ATV if you
find any problem with the brakes. If a
problem cannot be corrected by the ad­justment procedures provided in this
manual, have a Yamaha dealer check for
the cause.

5-3

EBU01085

Fuel

Make sure there is sufficient gasoline in the
tank.

Recommended fuel:

UNLEADED GASOLINE ONLY

Fuel tank capacity:

Total:

15.0 L (3.30 Imp gal, 3.96 US gal)

Reserve:

4.5 L (0.99 Imp gal, 1.19 US gal)

CAUTION:

_

Use only unleaded gasoline. The use of
leaded gasoline will cause severe damage
to internal engine parts, such as the valves
and piston rings, as well as to the exhaust
system.

_

Your Yamaha engine has been designed to
use regular unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number ([R+M]/2) of 86 or higher, or
research octane number of 91 or higher. If
knocking or pinging occurs, use a different
brand of gasoline or premium unleaded fuel.
Unleaded fuel will give you longer spark plug
life and reduced maintenance cost.

5-4

Gasohol

There are two types of gasohol; gasohol con­taining ethanol and that containing methanol.
Gasohol containing ethanol can be used if
ethanol content does not exceed 10%. Gaso­hol containing methanol is not recommended
by Yamaha because it may cause fuel system
damage or vehicle performance problems.

1. Fuel level 2. Fuel tank filler tube

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Improper care when refueling.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Fuel can spill, which can cause a fire
and severe injury. Fuel expands when it
heats up. If the fuel tank is overfilled,
fuel could spill out due to heat from the
engine or the sun.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Do not overfill the fuel tank. Be careful
not to spill fuel, especially on the engine
or exhaust pipe. Wipe up any spilled fuel
immediately. Be sure the fuel tank cap is
closed securely. Do not refuel right after
the engine has been running and is still
very hot.

5-5

EBU10842

Engine oil

Make sure the engine oil is at the specified
level. Add oil as necessary. (See pages 8-12–
8-17.)

EBU00493

Final gear oil

Make sure the final gear oil is at the specified
level. Add oil as necessary. (See pages 8-18–
8-20 for details.)

CAUTION:

_

In order to prevent clutch slippage

●

(since the engine oil also lubricates
the clutch), do not mix any chemical
additives. Do not use oils with a diesel
specification of “CD” or oils of a high­er quality than specified. In addition,
do not use oils labeled “ENERGY
CONSERVING II” or higher.
Make sure that no foreign material en-

●

ters the crankcase.

_

Recommended engine oil type and
quantity:

See page 10-2.

Recommended oil:

SAE 80 API GL-4 Hypoid gear oil

If desired, an SAE 80W90 hypoid gear oil may
be used for all conditions.

NOTE:

GL-4 is a quality and additive rating, GL-5 or
GL-6 rated hypoid gear oils may also be used.

5-6

EBU00678

Differential gear oil

Make sure the differential gear oil is at the
specified level. Add oil as necessary. (See
pages 8-21–8-22 for details.)

Recommended oil:

SAE 80 API GL-4 Hypoid gear oil

5-7

EBU12530

Coolant

Check the coolant level in the coolant reser­voir when the engine is cold. (The coolant lev­el will vary with engine temperature.) The
coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the
minimum and maximum level marks on the
coolant reservoir. If the coolant level is at or
below the minimum level mark, add distilled
water to bring the level up to maximum level
mark. Change the coolant every two years.
(See pages 8-23–8-27 for details.)

CAUTION:

_

Hard water or salt water is harmful to the
engine. You may use soft water if you can­not get distilled water.

_

Coolant reservoir capacity
(up to the maximum level mark):

0.25 L (0.22 Imp qt, 0.26 US qt)

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Removing the radiator cap when the en­gine and radiator are still hot.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
You could be burned by hot fluid and
steam blown out under pressure.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Wait for the engine to cool before re­moving the radiator cap. Always use a
thick rag over the cap. Allow any re­maining pressure to escape before
completely removing the cap.

5-8

EBU01083

Throttle lever

Check to see that the throttle lever operates
correctly. It must open smoothly and spring
back to the idle position when released. Have
a Yamaha dealer repair as necessary for
proper operation.

EBU11620

Fittings and fasteners

Always check the tightness of chassis fittings
and fasteners before a ride. Take the machine
to a Yamaha dealer or refer to the Service
Manual for correct tightening torque.

EBU10030

Lights

Check the headlights and tail/brake light to
make sure they are in working condition. Re­pair as necessary for proper operation.

EBU11700

Switches

Check the operation of all switches. Have a
Yamaha dealer repair as necessary for proper
operation.

5-9

EBU00157

Tires

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Operating this ATV with improper tires,
or with improper or uneven tire pres­sure.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Use of improper tires on this ATV, or op­eration of this ATV with improper or un­even tire pressure, may cause loss of
control, increasing your risk of acci­dent.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD

1. The tires listed below have been ap­proved by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
for this model. Other tire combina­tions are not recommended.

ACE-01E

Manufacturer Size Type

Front MAXXIS AT25 ×8-12 M911Y

Rear MAXXIS AT25 × 10-12 M912Y

2. The tires should be set to the rec­ommended pressure:

Recommended tire pressure

●

Front 25 kPa (0.25 kgf/cm
Rear 25 kPa (0.25 kgf/cm

Check and adjust tire pressures when

●

2

, 3.6 psi)

2

, 3.6 psi)

the tires are cold.
Tire pressures must be equal on both

●

sides.

3. Tire pressure below the minimum
specified could cause the tire to
dislodge from the rim under severe
riding conditions.
The following are minimums:

Front 22 kPa (0.22 kgf/cm
Rear 22 kPa (0.22 kgf/cm

2

, 3.2 psi)

2

, 3.2 psi)

5-10

4. Use no more than the following
pressures when seating the tire
beads.

Front 250 kPa (2.5 kgf/cm
Rear 250 kPa (2.5 kgf/cm

2

, 36 psi)

2

, 36 psi)
Higher pressures may cause the
tire to burst. Inflate the tires very
slowly and carefully. Fast inflation
could cause the tire to burst.

5-11

EBU00159

How to measure tire pressure

Use the low-pressure tire gauge.

NOTE:

The low-pressure tire gauge is included as
standard 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.

Set pressure with tires cold.
Set tire pressures to the following specifica­tions:

ACE-02E

Front

Rear

ACE-02E

Recommended

pressure

25 kPa

(0.25 kgf/cm

3.6 psi)

25 kPa

(0.25 kgf/cm

3.6 psi)

2

2

Minimum Maximum

(0.22 kgf/cm

,

(0.22 kgf/cm

,

22 kPa

3.2 psi)

22 kPa

3.2 psi)

2

,

2

,

28 kPa

(0.28 kgf/cm

4.0 psi)

28 kPa

(0.28 kgf/cm

4.0 psi)

2

2

1. Low-pressure tire gauge

,

,

5-12

EBU00160

Tire wear limit

When the tire groove decreases to 3 mm
(0.12 in) due to wear, replace the tire.

a. Tire wear limit

5-13

EBU00161

1-

OPERATION

WARNING

Indicates a potential hazard that could
result in serious injury or death.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Operating ATV without being familiar
with all controls.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Loss of control, which could cause an
accident or injury.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Read the Owner’s Manual carefully. If
there is a control or function you do not
understand, ask your Yamaha dealer.

EBU15111

Starting a cold engine

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Freezing control cables in cold weather.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
You could be unable to control the ATV,
which could lead to an accident or colli­sion.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
When riding in cold weather, always
make sure all control cables work
smoothly before you begin riding.

1. Apply the rear brake lever.

2. Turn the fuel cock to “ON”.

3. Turn the main switch to “ON” and the en­gine stop switch to “”.

4. Shift the drive select lever into the neutral
or park position.

6-1

NOTE:

_

●

When the drive select lever is in the neu­tral or park position, if either indicator light
does not come on, ask a Yamaha dealer
to inspect the respective electric circuit.

●

The engine can be started in any gear if
the rear brake lever is applied. However,
it is recommended to shift into neutral or
park before starting the engine.

_

5. Use the starter (choke) in reference to
the figure:

Position 1 : Cold engine start-

ambient temperature below 5°C
(40°F).

Position 2 : Cold engine start-

ambient temperature at 0°C
(30°F)–30°C (90°F) and warm­ing up position.

Position 3 : Cold engine start-

ambient temperature above
25°C (80°F) and warm engine
start position.

a. Starter (choke) 1. Fully open

2. Half open 3. Closed

6. Completely close the throttle lever and
start the engine by pushing the start
switch.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

6-2

NOTE:

_

●

If the engine fails to start, release the
start switch, then push the start switch
again. Pause a few seconds before the
next attempt. Each cranking should be as
short as possible to preserve battery en­ergy. Do not crank the engine more than
10 seconds on each attempt.

●

If the battery is discharged, pull the recoil
starter to start the engine.

_

7. If the engine is started with the starter
(choke) in position 1, the starter (choke)
should be returned to position 2 to warm
up the engine. If the engine is started with
the starter (choke) in position 2, keep
the starter (choke) in this position to
warm up the engine.

8. Continue warming up the engine until it
idles smoothly and return the starter
(choke) to position 3 before riding.

CAUTION:

_

See the “Engine break-in” section prior to
operating the engine for the first time.

_

EBU00180

Starting a warm engine

To start a warm engine, refer to the “Starting a
cold engine” section. The starter (choke)
should not be used. The throttle should be
opened slightly.

EBU00182

Warming up

To get maximum engine life, always warm up
the engine before starting off. Never acceler­ate hard with a cold engine! To see whether or
not the engine is warm, check if it responds to
the throttle normally with the starter (choke)
turned off.

6-3

EBU15210

Drive select lever operation and reverse driving

CAUTION:

_

Before shifting, you must stop the ATV
and return the throttle lever to the closed
position, otherwise the transmission may
be damaged.

_

Shifting: Neutral to Forward

1. Bring the ATV to a complete stop and re­turn the throttle lever to the closed posi­tion.

2. Apply the brakes, then shift by moving
the drive select lever along the shift
guide.

NOTE:

_

Make sure that the drive select lever is com­pletely shifted into position.

_

1. Drive select lever

3. Open the throttle lever gradually.

6-4

Shifting: Neutral to Reverse and Reverse to Park

NOTE:

_

The drive select lever cannot be shifted into or
from reverse or park without applying the rear
brake.

_

1. Bring the ATV to a complete stop and re­turn the throttle lever to the closed posi­tion.

2. Apply the brake pedal.

3. Shift from neutral to reverse or from re­verse to park and vice versa by moving
the drive select lever along the shift
guide.

1. Drive select lever

NOTE:

_

●

When in reverse, the reverse indicator
light should be on. If the light does not
come on, ask a Yamaha dealer to inspect
the electrical circuit.

●

Due to the synchronizing mechanism in
the engine, the light may not come on un­til the ATV starts moving.

_

4. Check behind for people or obstacles,
and then release the brake pedal.

6-5

5. Open the throttle lever gradually and con­tinue to watch to the rear while backing.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Improperly operating in reverse.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
You could hit an obstacle or person be­hind you, resulting in serious injury.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
When you shift into reverse, make sure
there are no obstacles or people behind
you. When it is safe to proceed, go slow­ly.

6-6

EBU02101

Engine break-in

There is never a more important period in the
life of your machine than the period between
zero and 20 hours.
For this reason, we ask that you carefully read
the following material. Because the engine is
brand new, you must not put an excessive
load on it for the first several hours of running.
During the first 20 hours, the various parts in
the engine wear and polish themselves to the
correct operating clearances.
During this period, prolonged full throttle oper­ation or any condition which might result in ex­cessive engine heating must be avoided.
However, momentary (2–3 seconds maxi­mum) full throttle operation under load does
not harm the engine.

Each full throttle acceleration sequence
should be followed with a substantial rest pe­riod for the engine by cruising at lower r/min
so the engine can rid itself of the temporary
build up of heat. If any abnormality is noticed
during this period, consult a Yamaha dealer.

0–10 hours:

Avoid continuous operation above half throt­tle. Allow a cooling off period of five to ten min­utes after every hour of operation. Vary the
speed of the machine from time to time. Do
not operate it at one set throttle position.

6-7

10–20 hours:

Avoid prolonged operation above 3/4 throttle.
Rev the machine freely but do not use full
throttle at any time.

After break-in:

Avoid prolonged full throttle operation. Vary
speeds occasionally.

EBU06120

Parking

When parking, stop the engine and shift the
drive select lever into the park position, then
turn the fuel cock to the “OFF” position.

6-8

EBU06151

Parking on a slope

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Parking on a hill or other incline.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
The ATV could roll out of control, in­creasing the chance of an accident.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Avoid parking on hills or other inclines.
If you must park on an incline, place the
machine transversely across the in­cline, apply the parking brake, and 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 machine to a stop by applying
the brakes.

2. Stop the engine.

3. With the brake pedal applied, shift the
drive select lever to the park position “P”.

6-9

EBU00221

Accessories and loading

EBU00222

Accessories

Accessories can affect the handling and con­trol of your ATV. Keep the following in mind
when considering an accessory or operating
an ATV which has accessories.

●

Choose only accessories designed for your
ATV. Your Yamaha dealer has a variety of
genuine 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 have any control over the quality or
suitability of them. Choose a genuine
Yamaha accessory, 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
interfere with your ability to control the ATV.
Examples include (but are not limited to) a
heavy or bulky object attached to the han­dlebars which could make steering difficult,
an accessory that limits your ability to move
around on the seat, or one that limits your
view.

●

Use extra caution when riding an ATV with
accessories. The ATV may handle differ­ently than it does without accessories.

6-10

EBU15240

Loading

Cargo or a trailer can change the stability and
handling of an ATV. You must use common
sense and good judgment when carrying car­go or towing a trailer. Keep the following
points in mind:

●

Never exceed the weight limits shown. An
overloaded ATV can be unstable.

MAXIMUM LOADING LIMIT

●

Vehicle loading limit (total weight of
cargo, rider and accessories, and
tongue weight): 210 kg (463 lb)

●

Front carrier: 40 kg (88 lb)

●

Rear carrier: 80 kg (176 lb)

●

Storage compartment: 2.0 kg (4 lb)

●

Trailer hitch:
Pulling load (total weight of trailer
and cargo): 500 kgf (1,102 lbf)
Tongue weight (vertical weight on
trailer hitch point): 15 kgf (33 lbf)

●

Do not exceed the maximum tongue
weight. You can measure tongue weight
with a bathroom scale. Put the tongue of
the loaded trailer on the scale with the
tongue at hitch height. Adjust the load in the
trailer, if necessary, to reduce the weight on
hitch. If you are carrying cargo and towing a
trailer, include the tongue weight in the
maximum vehicle load limit.

●

Load cargo on the carrier as close to the
center of the vehicle as possible. Put cargo
at the rear of the front carrier and at the
front of the rear carrier. Center the load
from side to side.

●

Tie down cargo securely to the carriers.
Make sure cargo in the trailer cannot move
around. A shifting load can cause an acci­dent.

●

Make sure the load does not interfere with
controls or your ability to see where you are
going.

6-11

●

Ride more slowly than you would without a
load. The more weight you carry, the slow­er you should go.

●

Allow more braking distance. A heavier ve­hicle takes longer to stop.

●

Avoid making sharp turns unless at very
slow speeds.

●

Avoid hills and rough terrain. Choose ter­rain carefully. Added weight affects the sta­bility and handling of the ATV.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Overloading this ATV or carrying or tow­ing cargo improperly.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Could cause changes in vehicle han­dling which could lead to an accident.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Never exceed the stated load capacity
for this ATV.
Cargo should be properly distributed
and securely attached. Reduce speed
when carrying cargo or pulling a trailer.
Allow greater distance for braking.

6-12

EBU15251

WARNING

_

Indicates a potential hazard that could
result in serious injury or death.

6-13

Riding

1-

Your

ATV

7-1

7

WARNING

_

Indicates a potential hazard that could
result in serious injury or death.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR ATV

This ATV is for recreation and utility use. This
section, Riding your ATV, provides general
ATV riding instructions for recreational riding.
The skills and techniques described in this
section, however, are appropriate for all types
of riding. Riding your ATV requires special
skills acquired through practice over a period
of time. Take the time to learn the basic tech­niques well before attempting more difficult
maneuvers.

Riding your new ATV can be a very enjoyable
activity, providing you with hours of pleasure.
But it is essential to familiarize yourself with
the operation of the ATV to achieve the skill
necessary to enjoy riding safely. Before you
begin to ride, be sure you have read this

Owner’s Manual completely and understand
the operation of the controls. Pay particular at­tention to the safety information on pages
2-1–2-6. Please also read all caution and
warning labels on your ATV.

7-3

RIDE WITH CARE AND GOOD JUDGEMENT

Get training if you are inexperienced.

Beginners should get training from a certified
instructor.
Become familiar with this ATV at slow speeds
first, even if you are an experienced operator.
Do not attempt to operate at maximum perfor­mance until you are totally familiar with the
ATV’s handling and performance characteris­tics.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Operating this ATV without proper in­struction.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
The risk of an accident is greatly in­creased if the operator does not know
how to operate the ATV properly in dif­ferent situations and on different types
of terrain.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Beginning and inexperienced operators
should complete the certified training
course offered by Yamaha. They should
then regularly practice the skills learned
in the course and the operating tech­niques described in this Owner’s Manu­al. For more information about the
training course, contact an authorized
ATV dealer or call 1-800-887-2887.

Riding your ATV requires skills acquired
through practice over a period of time.

Take the time to learn the basic techniques
well before attempting more difficult maneu­vers.

7-4

Not recommended for children under
16 years of age.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Failure to follow the age recommenda­tions for this ATV.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Use by children of ATVs that are not rec­ommended for their age can lead to se­vere injury or death of the child.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
A child under 16 should never operate
an ATV with engine size greater than
90 cc.

7-5

This ATV is designed to carry operator and
cargo only – passengers prohibited.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Carrying a passenger on this ATV.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Greatly reduces your ability to balance
and control this ATV. Could cause an
accident, resulting in harm to you and/
or your passenger.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Never carry a passenger. The long seat
is to allow the operator to shift position
as needed during operation. It is not for
carrying passengers.

7-6

Apparel

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Operating this ATV without wearing an
approved motorcycle helmet, eye pro­tection and protective clothing.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Operating without
an approved motor­cycle helmet in­creases your
chances of a severe
head injury or death
in the event of an
accident.
Operating without eye protection can re­sult in an accident and increases your
chances of a severe injury in the event
of an accident.

Operating without protective clothing
increases your chances of severe injury
in the event of an accident.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always wear an approved motorcycle
helmet that fits properly.
You should also wear:

eye protection

(goggles or face shield)
gloves
boots
long-sleeved shirt or jacket
long pants

7-7

Do not operate after consuming alcohol or
drugs.

Operator’s performance capability is reduced
by the influence of alcohol or drugs.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Operating this ATV after consuming al­cohol or drugs.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Could seriously affect your judgment.
Could cause you to react more slowly.
Could affect your balance and percep­tion.
Could result in an accident.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Never consume alcohol or drugs before
or while driving this ATV.

7-8

Pre-operation checks

Always perform the pre-operation checks list­ed on page 5-1 before riding for safety and
proper care of the ATV.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Failure to inspect the ATV before oper­ating.
Failure to properly maintain the ATV.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Increases the possibility of an accident
or equipment damage.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always inspect your ATV each time you
use it to make sure the ATV is in safe op­erating condition.
Always follow the inspection and main­tenance procedures and schedules de­scribed in the Owner’s Manual.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Operating this ATV with improper tires,
or with improper or uneven tire pres­sure.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Use of improper tires on this ATV, or op­eration of this ATV with improper or un­even tire pressure, may cause loss of
control, increasing your risk of an acci­dent.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always use the size and type tires spec­ified in the Owner’s Manual for this vehi­cle on pages 5-10–5-11.
Always maintain proper tire pressure as
described in the Owner’s Manual on
page 5-12.

7-9

WARNING

_

Indicates a potential hazard that could
result in serious injury or death.

Do not operate at speeds too fast for your
skills or the conditions.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Operating this ATV at speeds too fast
for your skills or the conditions.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Increases your chances of losing con­trol of the ATV, which can result in an
accident.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always go at a speed that is proper for
the terrain, visibility and operating con­ditions, and your experience.

Speed limiter

For riders less experienced with this model,
this model is equipped with a speed limiter in
the throttle lever housing. The speed limiter
keeps the throttle from fully opening, even
when the throttle lever is pushed to the maxi­mum. Turning in the adjusting screw limits the
maximum engine power available and de­creases the maximum speed of the ATV.
Turning the adjusting screw in decreases top
speed and turning it out increases top speed.
(See page 4-11 for details.)

1. Locknut 2. Adjusting screw

7-10

Loading and accessories

Use extra caution when riding the ATV with
additional loads, such as accessories or car­go. The ATV’s handling may be adversely af­fected. Reduce your speed when adding
additional loads.

MAXIMUM LOADING LIMIT

●

Vehicle loading limit: 210 kg (463 lb)

* Total weight of cargo, rider and

accessories, and trailer hitch
vertical load.

●

Front carrier: 40 kg (88 lb)

●

Rear carrier: 80 kg (176 lb)

●

Storage compartment: 2.0 kg (4 lb)

●

Trailer hitch:
Pulling load: 500 kgf (1,102 lbf)
Total weight of trailer and cargo.
Tongue weight: 15 kgf (33 lbf)
Vertical weight on trailer hitch point.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Overloading this ATV or carrying or tow­ing cargo improperly.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Could cause changes in vehicle han­dling which could lead to an accident.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Never exceed the stated load capacity
for this ATV.
Cargo should be properly distributed
and securely attached.
Reduce speed when carrying cargo or
pulling a trailer. Allow greater distance
for braking.
Always follow the instructions in your
Owner’s Manual for carrying cargo or
pulling a trailer.

7-11

During operation

Always keep your feet on the footboards dur­ing operation. Otherwise your feet may con­tact the rear wheels.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Removing hands from handlebars or
feet from footboards during operation.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
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 contact with the rear
wheels, which could injure you or cause
an accident.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always keep both hands on the handle­bars and both feet on the footboards of
your ATV during operation.

7-12

Avoid wheelies and jumping. You may lose
control of the ATV or overturn.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Attempting wheelies, jumps, and other
stunts.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Increases the chance of an accident, in­cluding an overturn.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Never attempt stunts, such as wheelies
or jumps. Don’t try to show off.

7-13

Modifications

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Operating this ATV with improper modi­fications.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Improper installation of accessories or
modification of this vehicle may cause
changes in handling which in some situ­ations could lead to an accident.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Never modify this ATV through improp­er installation or use of accessories. All
parts and accessories added to this ve­hicle should be genuine Yamaha or
equivalent components designed for
use on this ATV and should be installed
and used according to instructions. If
you have questions, consult an autho­rized ATV dealer.

7-14

Exhaust system

The exhaust system on the ATV is very hot
during and following operation. To prevent
burns, avoid touching the exhaust system.
Park the ATV in a place where pedestrians or
children are not likely to touch it.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Hot exhaust system.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Dry grass or brush or other combustible
material accumulated around the en­gine area could catch fire.
Someone touching the exhaust system
during or after operation could be
burned.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Do not operate, idle, or park the ATV in
dry grass or other dry ground cover.
Keep the engine area free of dry grass,
brush, or other combustible material.

Do not touch the hot exhaust system.
Do not park the ATV in a place where
others might be likely to touch it.

7-15

BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU RIDE

This ATV is designed for off-road use only.
Riding on paved surfaces can cause loss of
control.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Operating this ATV on paved surfaces.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
ATVs are designed for off-road use only.
Paved surfaces may seriously affect
handling and control of the ATV, and
may cause the vehicle to go out of con­trol.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always avoid paved surfaces, including
sidewalks, driveways, parking lots and
streets.

7-16

Do not ride on any public road, street, or high­way.
Riding on public roads can result in collisions
with other vehicles.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Operating this ATV on public streets,
roads or highways.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
You can collide with another vehicle.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Never operate this ATV on any public
street, road or highway, even a dirt or
gravel one. In many states it is illegal to
operate ATVs on public streets, roads
and highways.

7-17

Know the terrain where you ride. Ride cau­tiously in unfamiliar areas. Stay alert for

holes, rocks, or roots
er hidden hazards

which may cause the ATV

in the terrain, and

oth-

to upset.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Failure to use extra care when operating
this ATV on unfamiliar terrain.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
You can come upon hidden rocks,
bumps, or holes, without enough time to
react. Could result in the ATV overturn­ing or going out of control.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Go slowly and be extra careful when op­erating on unfamiliar terrain.
Always be alert to changing terrain con­ditions when operating the ATV.

7-18

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Failure to use extra care when operating
on excessively rough, slippery or loose
terrain.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Could cause loss of traction or vehicle
control, which could result in an acci­dent, including an overturn.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Do not operate on excessively rough,
slippery or loose terrain until you have
learned and practiced the skills neces­sary to control the ATV on such terrain.
Always be especially cautious on these
kinds of terrain.

7-19

When riding in an area where you might not
easily be seen, such as desert terrain, mount
a caution flag on the ATV. DO NOT use the
flag pole bracket as a trailer hitch.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Operating in areas where you might not
be seen by other off-road vehicles.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
You could be in a collision. You could
be injured.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always mount a caution flag on the ATV
to make you more visible. Watch care­fully for other vehicles.

Do not ride in areas posted “no trespassing”.
Do not ride on private property without getting
permission.

7-20

Select a large, flat area off-road to become fa­miliar with your ATV. Make sure that this area
is free of obstacles and other riders. You
should practice control of the throttle, brakes,
and turning techniques in this area before try­ing more difficult terrain.
Always avoid riding on paved surfaces: the
ATV is designed for off-road use only, and
handling maneuvers are more difficult to per­form on pavement.

With the engine idling, return the starter
(choke) to the closed position, and shift the
drive select lever into the forward position. 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 until you are thoroughly famil­iar with the operation of your ATV.

Shift to the parking position “P” and follow the
instruction on page 6-1 to start the engine.
Once it has warmed up you are ready to begin
riding your ATV. Remember that the engine
and exhaust pipe will be hot when riding and
afterwards; do not allow skin or clothing to
come in contact with these components.

When slowing down or stopping, release the
throttle and apply the brakes smoothly and
evenly. Improper use of the brakes can cause
the tires to lose traction, reducing control and
increasing the possibility of an accident.

7-21

TURNING YOUR ATV

To achieve maximum traction while riding off­road, the two rear wheels 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 technique must be used to al­low the ATV to make turns quickly and easily.
It is essential that this skill be learned first at
low speed.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Turning improperly.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
ATV could go out of control, causing a
collision or overturn.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always 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.

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 outside 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.

7-22

This procedure should be practiced at slow
speed many times in a large off-road area
with no obstacles. 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 procedure 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 movements, 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 outside of
the turn to avoid tipping over.
Remember: Avoid higher speeds until you are
thoroughly familiar with the operation of your
ATV.

7-23

CLIMBING UPHILL

Use proper riding techniques to avoid vehicle
overturns on hills. Be sure that you can ma­neuver your ATV well on flat ground before at­tempting any incline and then practice riding
first on gentle slopes. Try more difficult climbs
only after you have developed your skill. In all
cases avoid inclines with slippery or loose sur­faces, or obstacles that might cause you to
lose control.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Operating on excessively steep hills.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
The vehicle can overturn more easily on
extremely steep hills than on level sur­faces or small hills.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Never operate the ATV on hills too steep
for the ATV or for your abilities. Practice
on smaller hills before attempting large
hills.

It is important when climbing a hill to make
sure that your weight is transferred forward on
the ATV. This can be accomplished by lean­ing forward and, on steeper inclines, standing
on the footboards and leaning forward over
the handlebars.

7-24

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Climbing hills improperly.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Could cause loss of control or cause the
ATV to overturn.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always follow proper procedures for
climbing hills as described in this Own­er’s Manual.
Always check the terrain carefully be­fore you start up any hill.
Never climb hills with excessively slip­pery or loose surfaces.
Shift your weight forward.
Never open the throttle suddenly.
The ATV could flip over backwards.
Never go over the top of any hill at high
speed.

An obstacle, a sharp drop, or another
vehicle or person could be on the other
side of the hill.

7-25

If you are climbing a hill and you find that you
have not properly judged your ability to make
it to the top, you should turn the ATV around
while you still have forward motion (provided
you have the room to do so) and go down the
hill.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Improperly crossing hills or turning on
hills.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Could cause loss of control or cause the
ATV to overturn.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Never attempt to turn the ATV around
on any hill until you have mastered the
turning technique 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.

7-26

When crossing the side of a hill:
Always follow proper procedures as de­scribed in the Owner’s Manual.
Avoid hills with excessively slippery or
loose surfaces.
Shift your weight to the uphill side of the
ATV.

7-27

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 uphill 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. When this ATV is in
4WD, 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 downhill side. Avoid
sudden application of either the front or rear
brake because the wheels on the uphill side
could come off the ground. The ATV could
easily tip over backwards. Apply both the front

and rear brakes gradually, or dismount the
ATV immediately on the uphill side.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Stalling, rolling backwards or improper­ly dismounting while climbing a hill.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Could result in ATV overturning.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Maintain steady speed when climbing a
hill.

If you lose all forward speed:

Keep weight uphill.
Apply the brakes.
Shift to the parking position “P” after
you are stopped.

7-28

If you begin rolling backwards:

Keep weight uphill.
2WD: Never apply the rear brake
while rolling backwards. Apply the
front brake. When fully stopped, shift
to the parking position “P”.
4WD: Apply both front and rear
brakes gradually. When fully stopped,

shift to the parking position “P”.
Dismount on uphill side or to a side if
pointed straight uphill. Turn the ATV
around and remount, following the pro­cedure described in the Owner’s Manu­al.

7-29

RIDING DOWNHILL

When riding your ATV downhill, shift your
weight as far to the rear and uphill side of the
ATV as possible. Move back on the seat and
sit with your arms straight. Engine compres­sion will do most of the braking for you. For
maximum engine compression braking effect,
change to 4WD 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.

When this ATV is in 4WD, 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 downhill side. Avoid sudden applica­tion of either the front or rear brake because
the wheels on the uphill side could come off
the ground. Apply both the front and rear
brakes gradually.

Whenever possible, ride your ATV straight
downhill. 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 obstacles which may
appear.

7-30

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Going down a hill improperly.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Could cause loss of control or cause the
ATV to overturn.
Always follow proper procedures for go­ing down hills as described in this Own­er’s Manual. Note: a special technique is
required when braking as you go down
a hill.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
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 vehicle to lean sharply
to one side. Go straight down the hill
where possible.

7-31