User manual YAMAHA KODIAK 450

[. . . ] It contains important safety information. OWNER'S MANUAL YFM450FAT WARNING This ATV should not be ridden by anyone under 16 years of age. LIT-11626-18-35 1D9-F8199-10 EBU00776 EBU00941 1- INTRODUCTION Congratulations on your purchase of the Yamaha YFM450FA. 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. [. . . ] HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD Always mount a caution flag on the ATV to make you more visible. Do not ride on private property without getting permission. WARNING POTENTIAL HAZARD Operating in areas where you might not be seen by other off-road vehicles. 7-20 Select a large, flat area off-road to become familiar with your ATV. You should practice control of the throttle, brakes, shifting procedures, 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. Shift to the parking position "P" and follow the instruction on page 6-1 to start the engine. 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. With the engine idling, shift the drive select lever to the low position "L" or the high position "H". 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. 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. CAUTION: _ Do not shift from drive position low "L" to high "H" or vice versa without coming to a complete stop. Damage to the engine or drive train may occur. _ 7-21 TURNING YOUR ATV To achieve maximum traction while riding offroad in 2WD or 4WD, the two rear wheels are mounted solidly on one axle and 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. 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. Operate at a slow speed and allow extra time and distance for maneuvers when in 4WD-LOCK ("DIFF. 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. This maneuver will let the wheel on the inside of the turn slip slightly, allowing the ATV to make the turn properly. 7-22 WARNING POTENTIAL HAZARD Turning improperly. WHAT CAN HAPPEN ATV could go out of control, causing a collision or overturn. 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. [. . . ] WHAT CAN HAPPEN Wet brakes may have reduced stopping ability, increasing the chance of an accident. Apply the brakes several times at slow speeds to let friction dry out the linings. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 9-2 EBU00530 B. STORAGE Long term storage (60 days or more) of your machine will require some preventive procedures to guard against deterioration. After thoroughly cleaning the machine, prepare for storage as follows: 1. [. . . ]