brakes YAMAHA BEAR TRACKER 250 2003 User Guide

7-65
CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW WATER
The ATV can be used to cross slow moving, shal-
low water of up to a maximum of 35 cm in depth.
Before entering the water, choose your path care-
fully. Enter where there is no sharp drop off, and
avoid rocks or other obstacles which may be slip-
pery or upset the ATV. Drive slowly and carefully.
WARNING
Never operate this ATV in fast flowing water or
in water deeper than that specified in your
Owner’s 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 lin-
ings. If the ATV is operated through deep or
fast flowing water, the tires may float, causing
loss of traction and loss of control, which
could lead to an accident.
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7-67
1. Check hose
1. Flexible de contrôle
1. Manguito de retención
Test your brakes after leaving the water. Do not
continue to ride your ATV without verifying that
you have regained proper braking ability.CAUTION:
After riding your ATV in water, be sure to drain
the trapped water by removing the check hose
at the bottom of the air filter case. Wash the
ATV in fresh water if it has been operated in
salt water or muddy conditions.
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7-71
SLIDING AND SKIDDING
Care should be used when riding on loose or slip-
pery surfaces since the ATV may slide. If unex-
pected and uncorrected, sliding could lead to an
accident.
To reduce the tendency for the front wheels to slide
in loose or slippery conditions, positioning your
weight over the front wheels will sometimes help.
If the rear wheels of your ATV start to slide side-
ways, control can usually be regained (if there is
room to do so) by steering in the direction of the
slide. Applying the brakes or accelerating is not
recommended until you have corrected the slide.
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7-75
WHAT TO DO IF ...
This section is designed to be a reference guide
only. Be sure to read each section on riding tech-
niques completely.
WHAT TO DO ...

If your ATV doesn’t turn when you want it to:
Bring the ATV to a stop and practice the turning
maneuvers again. Be sure you are putting your
weight on the footboard to the outside of the
turn. Position your weight over the front wheels
for better control. (See pages 7-41–7-45.)


If your ATV begins to tip while turning:
Lean more into the turn to regain balance. If nec-
essary, gradually let off the throttle and/or steer
to the outside of the turn. (See pages 7-41–
7-45.)


If your ATV starts to slide sideways:
Steer in the direction of the slide if you have the
room. Applying the brakes or accelerating is
not recommended until you have corrected the
slide. (See pages 7-71–7-73.)
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7-79

If your ATV encounters shallow water:
Ride slowly and carefully through slow moving
water, watching for obstacles. Be sure to let
water drain from the ATV and CHECK YOUR
BRAKES FOR PROPER OPERATION when
you come out of the water. Do not continue to
ride your ATV until you have regained ade-
quate braking ability. (See pages 7-65–7-67.)
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8-45 1. Minimum level mark
1. Repère de niveau minimum
1. Marca de nivel mínimo
EBU00755
Brake fluid level inspection
Insufficient brake fluid may let air enter the brake
system, possibly causing the brakes to become in-
effective.
Before riding, check that the brake fluid is above
the lower level and replenish when necessary.
Observe these precautions:
1. When checking the fluid level, make sure the
top of the master cylinder is level by turning
the handlebars.
2. Use only the designated quality brake fluid.
Otherwise, the rubber seals may deteriorate,
causing leakage and poor brake perfor-
mance.
3. Refill with the same type of brake fluid. Mixing
fluids may result in a harmful chemical reac-
tion and lead to poor brake performance.
4. Be careful that water does not enter the mas-
ter cylinder when refilling. Water will signifi-
cantly lower the boiling point of the fluid and
may result in vapor lock. Recommended brake fluid: DOT 4
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8-49 a. Free play: ZERO mm
a. Jeu: ZÉRO mm
a. Juego libre: CERO mm
EBU00681
Front brake adjustment
The front brake lever should have a free play of
zero mm at the lever end. If not, ask a Yamaha
dealer to adjust it.
WARNING
Operating with improperly serviced or adjust-
ed brakes could cause loss of braking ability
which could lead to an accident.
After servicing:

Make sure the brakes operate smoothly
and that the free play is correct.


Make sure the brakes do not drag.


Make sure the brakes are not spongy. All
air must be bled from the brake system.
Replacement of brake components requires
professional knowledge. These procedures
should be performed by a Yamaha dealer.
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8-55 1. Locknut 2. Adjusting bolt
a. Free play: 5–7 mm
1. Contre-écrou 2. Boulon de réglage
a. Jeu: 5 à 7 mm
1. Contratuerca 2. Perno de ajuste
a. Juego libre: 5–7 mm
3. Turn the adjusting bolt until free play reaches
5–7 mm at the lever pivot.
4. Tighten the locknut.
WARNING
Operating with improperly serviced or adjust-
ed brakes could cause loss of braking ability,
which could lead to an accident.
After servicing:

Make sure the brakes operate smoothly
and that the free play is correct.


Make sure the brakes do not drag.
Replacement of brake components requires
professional knowledge. These procedures
should be performed by a Yamaha dealer.
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9-3
CAUTION:
Excessive water pressure may cause water
seepage and deterioration of wheel bearings,
brakes, transmission seals and electrical de-
vices. Many expensive repair bills have result-
ed from improper high pressure detergent
applications such as those available in coin-
operated car washers.4. Once the majority of the dirt has been hosed
off, wash all surfaces with warm water and
mild, detergent-type soap. An old toothbrush
or bottle brush is handy for hard-to-get-at
places.
5. Rinse the machine off immediately with clean
water and dry all surfaces with a chamois,
clean towel or soft absorbent cloth.
6. Clean the seat with a vinyl upholstery cleaner
to keep the cover pliable and glossy.
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9-5
7. Automotive type wax may be applied to all
painted and chrome plated surfaces. Avoid
combination cleaner-waxes. Many contain
abrasives which may mar the paint or protec-
tive finish.
When finished, start the engine and let it idle for
several minutes.
WARNING
Wet brakes may have reduced stopping ability,
increasing the chance of an accident. Test the
brakes after washing. Apply the brakes several
times at slow speeds to let friction dry out the
linings.
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