User manual YAMAHA KODIAK 400 AUTO. 4X4-2005

[. . . ] It contains important safety information. OWNER'S MANUAL YFM400FAT WARNING This ATV should not be ridden by anyone under 16 years of age. LIT-11626-18-36 1P1-F8199-10 EBU00776 EBU00941 1- INTRODUCTION Congratulations on your purchase of the Yamaha YFM400FA. 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 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. WHAT CAN HAPPEN You could be in a collision. HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD Always mount a caution flag on the ATV to make you more visible. Do not ride in areas posted "no trespassing". 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. 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. 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. With the engine idling, return the starter (choke) to the closed position, and shift the drive select lever into the forward position. 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. 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 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. Do not turn at speeds too fast for your skills or the conditions. [. . . ] After thoroughly cleaning the machine, prepare for storage as follows: 1. Fill the fuel tank with fresh fuel and add the specified amount of Yamaha Fuel Stabilizer and Conditioner or an equivalent product. Specified amount: 1 oz of stabilizer to each gallon of fuel (or 7. 5 cc of stabilizer to each liter of fuel) NOTE: Use of fuel stabilizer and conditioner eliminates the need to drain the fuel system. Consult a Yamaha dealer if the fuel system needs to be drained instead. 2. [. . . ]