brake YAMAHA BIG BEAR PRO 400 2003 User Guide

5-5
EBU00882
Front and rear brakes
Brake levers and brake pedal
Check for correct free play in the brake levers and
brake pedal. If the free play is incorrect, adjust it.
Check operation of the levers and pedal. They
should move smoothly and there should be a firm
feeling when the brake is applied. If not, have the
ATV inspected by a Yamaha dealer. (See pages
8-63 ~ 8-73.)
Brake fluid level (Front brake)
Check the brake fluid level. Add fluid if necessary.
(See pages 8-57 ~ 8-61.)
Recommended brake fluid: DOT 4
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5-7
Brake fluid leakage
Check to see if any brake fluid is leaking out of the
hose, joint or master cylinder of the front brake.
Apply the brake 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 brakes for wear. (See pages 8-55 ~ 8-57.)
WARNING
_ Always check the brakes at the start of every
ride. Do not ride the ATV if you find any prob-
lem with the brakes or you could lose braking
ability, which could lead to an accident. If a
problem cannot be corrected by the adjust-
ment procedures provided in this manual,
have the ATV inspected by a Yamaha dealer. _
EE.book Page 7 Monday, June 18, 2001 10:18 AM

5-19
EBU00152
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.
EBU00803
Lights
Check the headlight and tail/brake light to make
sure they are in working condition. Repair as nec-
essary for proper operation.
EBU00912
Switches
Check the operation of the light switch, engine
stop switch and any other switches. Repair as nec-
essary for proper operation.
EE.book Page 19 Monday, June 18, 2001 10:18 AM

6-3
EBU00505
Starting a cold engine
WARNING
Always make sure all control cables work
smoothly before you begin riding in cold
weather. If the control cables are frozen or do
not work smoothly, you could be unable to
control the ATV, which could lead to an acci-
dent or collision.1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the fuel cock to “ON”.
3. Turn the main switch to “ON” and the engine
stop switch to “”.
4. Shift the transmission into neutral.
EE.book Page 3 Monday, June 18, 2001 10:18 AM

6-5 a. Starter (choke) lever
1. Fully-open
2. Half open
3. Closed
a. Starter (enrichisseur)
1. Complètement ouvert
2. Mi-ouvert
3. Fermé
a. Palanca del estárter (estrangulador)
1. Abre completamente
2. Semiabierto
3. Cerrado
NOTE:

When the transmission is in neutral, the neu-
tral indicator light should come on. If the light
does not come on, ask a Yamaha dealer to in-
spect it.


The engine can be started with the transmis-
sion and drive select lever in any position if the
rear brake lever is applied. However, it is rec-
ommended to shift into neutral before starting
the engine.
5. Use the starter (choke) in reference to the fig-
ure:
Position
1: Cold engine start-
ambient temperature below 5°C.
Position
2: Cold engine start-
ambient temperature at 0°C ~ 30°C
and warming up position.
Position
3: Cold engine start-
ambient temperature above 25°C
and warm engine start position.
6. Completely close the throttle lever and start
the engine by pushing the start switch.
EE.book Page 5 Monday, June 18, 2001 10:18 AM

6-13 a. High b. Low c. Reverse
a. H (grande) b. L (petite)c. R (marche arrière)
a. H (alta) b. L (baja) c. R (marcha atrás)
Shifting: Low – ReverseNOTE:_

The select lever cannot be shifted into reverse
from low without applying the rear brake ped-
al.


Shifting into reverse can be done with the
transmission in any gear.
_1. Bring the machine to a complete stop and re-
turn the throttle lever to the closed position.
2. Apply the rear brake pedal.
3. Shift from low to reverse and vice versa by
moving the drive select lever along the shift
guide.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 machine. _4. Check behind for people or obstacles, then
release the rear brake pedal.
EE.book Page 13 Monday, June 18, 2001 10:18 AM

6-15 1. Reverse lock release wire
1. Câble de déblocage de la marche arrière
1. Cable de liberación del bloqueo de marcha atrás
5. Open the throttle lever gradually and contin-
ue to watch to the rear while backing.
WARNING
_ Improper operation in reverse could make you
hit an obstacle or person behind you, resulting
in serious injury. When you shift into reverse,
make sure there are no obstacles or people be-
hind you. When it is safe to proceed, go slowly. _
EBU00197
Reverse lock release wire
If the machine should get stuck in obstacles such
as rocks, making it impossible for the rear brake
pedal to be applied, pull the reverse lock release
wire to shift into or out of reverse gear.
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6-21
EBU00208
To decelerate:
When slowing down or stopping, release the throt-
tle and apply the brakes smoothly and evenly. As
you slow down, shift to a lower gear. Be sure that
the engine has sufficiently slowed before engaging
a lower gear. Improper use of the brakes or shift-
ing can cause the tires to lose traction, reducing
control and increasing the possibility of an acci-
dent.
WARNING
Make sure the engine has sufficiently slowed
before shifting to a lower gear. Engaging a low-
er gear when the engine speed is too high
could make the wheels stop rotating. This
could cause loss of control, an accident and
injury. It could also cause engine or drive train
damage.
EE.book Page 21 Monday, June 18, 2001 10:18 AM

6-27 1. Lock plate
1. Verrou de stationnement
1. Placa de bloqueo
EBU00211
Parking
When parking, stop the engine and shift into neu-
tral. Turn the fuel cock to “OFF” and apply the
parking brake.
EBU00220
Parking on a slope
WARNING
Avoid parking on hills or other inclines. Park-
ing on a hill or other incline could cause the
ATV to roll out of control, increasing the
chance of an accident. If you must park on an
incline, put the machine in low gear, 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 in low gear.
2. Stop the engine.
3. With the rear brake lever and pedal applied,
apply the parking brake and slowly release
the rear brake pedal.
EE.book Page 27 Monday, June 18, 2001 10:18 AM

7-35
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, 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.
Set the parking brake and follow the instruction on
page 6-3 to start the engine. Once it has warmed
up you are ready to begin riding your ATV. As you
get on the ATV, be sure not to accidentally move
the shift pedal. Remember that the engine and ex-
haust pipe will be hot when riding and afterwards;
do not allow skin or clothing to come in contact
with these components.
EE.book Page 35 Monday, June 18, 2001 10:18 AM