warning YAMAHA BIG BEAR PRO 400 2003 Owner's Guide

7-15
WARNING
Always use the size and type tires specified in
the Owner’s Manual for this vehicle on pages
5-21 ~ 5-23. Always maintain proper tire pres-
sure as described in the Owner’s Manual on
page 5-25. Use of improper tires on this ATV,
or operation of this ATV with improper or un-
even tire pressure, may cause loss of control,
increasing your risk of an accident.Do not operate at speeds too fast for your
skills or the conditions.
WARNING
Always go at a speed that is proper for the ter-
rain, visibility and operating conditions, and
your experience. Operating this ATV at speeds
too fast for your skills or the conditions in-
creases your chances of losing control of the
ATV, which can result in an accident.
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7-19
WARNING


Never exceed the stated load capacity for
this ATV.


Cargo should be properly distributed and
securely attached.


Reduce speed when carrying cargo or pull-
ing a trailer. Allow greater distance for
braking.


Always follow the instructions in your
Owner’s Manual for carrying cargo or pull-
ing a trailer.
MAXIMUM LOADING LIMIT

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


Front carrier: 45 kg


Rear carrier: 85 kg


Storage box: 2 kg


Trailer hitch:


Pulling load (total weight of trailer and car-
go): 500 kgf


Tongue weight (vertical weight on trailer
hitch point): 15 kgf
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7-21
During operation
Always keep your feet on the footboards during
operation. Otherwise your feet may contact the
rear wheels.
WARNING
Always keep both hands on the handlebars
and both feet on the footboards of your ATV
during operation. 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 con-
tact with the rear wheels, which could injure
you or cause an accident.Avoid wheelies and jumping. You may lose control
of the machine or overturn.
WARNING
Never attempt stunts, such as wheelies or
jumps. Don’t try to show off.
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Modifications
WARNING
Never modify this ATV through improper in-
stallation 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 in-
stalled and used according to instructions. Im-
proper installation of accessories or
modification of this vehicle may cause chang-
es in handling which in some situations could
lead to an accident. If you have questions, con-
sult an authorized ATV dealer.
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7-25
Exhaust system
The exhaust system on the machine is very hot
during and following operation. To prevent burns,
avoid touching the exhaust system. Park the ma-
chine in a place where pedestrians or children are
not likely to touch it.
WARNING
Do not touch the hot exhaust system. Do not
park the machine during or after operation in a
place where others might be likely to touch it.
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BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU RIDE
This machine is designed for off-road use only.
Riding on paved surfaces can cause loss of con-
trol.
WARNING
Always avoid paved surfaces, including side-
walks, driveways, parking lots and streets.
ATVs are designed for off-road use only.
Paved surfaces may seriously affect handling
and control of the ATV, and may cause the ve-
hicle to go out of control.
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Do not ride on any public road, street or highway.
Riding on public roads can result in collisions with
other vehicles.
WARNING
Never operate this ATV on any public street,
road or highway, even a dirt or gravel one. You
can collide with another vehicle. In many ar-
eas, it is illegal to operate ATVs on public
streets, roads and highways.
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7-31
Know the terrain where you ride. Ride cautiously in
unfamiliar areas. Stay alert for
holes, rocks, or
roots in the terrain, and
other hidden hazards
which may cause the machine to upset.
WARNING
Go slowly and be extra careful when operating
this ATV on unfamiliar terrain. Always be alert
to changing terrain conditions when operating
the ATV.
WARNING
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. Failure to use extra care
when operating on excessively rough, slippery
or loose terrain could cause loss of traction or
vehicle control, which could result in an acci-
dent, including an overturn.
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When riding in an area where you might not easily
be seen, such as desert terrain, mount a caution
flag on the machine. DO NOT use the flag pole
bracket as a trailer hitch.
WARNING
Always mount a caution flag on the machine to
make you more visible when operating in ar-
eas where you might not be seen by other off-
road vehicles. Watch carefully for other vehi-
cles.Do not ride in areas posted “no trespassing”. Do
not ride on private property without getting permis-
sion.
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7-39
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 cause the wheels to stop rotating.
EE.book Page 39 Monday, June 18, 2001 10:18 AM