warning YAMAHA GRIZZLY 125 2012 Owner's Manual

7-5
7
Do not operate after or while consuming alco-
hol or drugs.
The operator’s performance capability is reduced
by the influence of alcohol or drugs. Consuming al-
cohol or drugs could seriously affect your judg-
ment, cause you to react more slowly, and affect
your balance and perception. WARNING! Never
consume alcohol or drugs before or while driv-
ing this ATV. You increase your chance of an
accident.
[EWB01421]
Pre-operation checks
Always inspect your ATV each time you use it to
make sure the ATV is in safe operating condition.
Perform the pre-operation checks listed on page
5-1. Always follow the inspection and maintenance
procedures and schedules described in the Own-
er’s Manual. WARNING! Failure to inspect the
ATV before operating it and to maintain it prop-
erly increases the possibility of an accident or
equipment damage.
[EWB01431]
Speed limiter
For riders less experienced with this model, the
throttle lever housing is equipped with a speed lim-
iter. The speed limiter keeps the throttle from fully
1. Protective clothing
2. Goggles
3. Gloves
4. Boots
5. HelmetU1PY60E0.book Page 5 Friday, March 11, 2011 9:30 AM

7-6
7 opening, even when the throttle lever is pushed to
the maximum. Turning in the adjusting screw limits
the maximum engine power available and de-
creases the maximum speed of the ATV. Turning
in the adjusting screw decreases top speed, and
turning it out increases top speed. (See page 4-4.)
Loading and accessories
Take extra precautions when driving with a load or
trailer. Follow these instructions and always use
common sense and good judgment when carrying
cargo or towing a trailer.
WARNING
EWB01462Improper loading or towing can increase the
risk of loss of control, an overturn, or other ac-
cident. To reduce the risk of an accident:
Do not exceed the maximum loading limits
for the vehicle (see “MAXIMUM LOADING
LIMIT” in this section or vehicle labeling).
Keep weight on racks centered side to side,
and as low as possible. Be sure cargo is se-
cured – a loose load could change handling
unexpectedly.
Make sure the load does not interfere with
your control or ability to see where you are
going.
Tie down cargo in the trailer securely. Make
sure cargo in the trailer cannot move around.
A shifting load can cause an accident.
Reduce speed and allow more room to stop.
A heavier vehicle takes longer to stop.
Avoid hills and rough terrain. Choose terrain
carefully. Use extreme caution when towing
or carrying a load on inclines.
Turn gradually and go slowly.
1. Adjusting screw
2. Locknut
2
1
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7-7
7Drive more slowly than you would without a load.
The more weight you carry, the slower you should
go. Although conditions vary, it is good practice to
drive slowly (shift into first gear or low drive if avail-
able on this model) whenever you are carrying
heavier loads or when towing a trailer.
During operation
Always keep your feet on the footboards during op-
eration; otherwise, they may contact the rear
wheels. WARNING! 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 contact with the rear wheels, which could
injure you or cause an accident.
[EWB01471]
Avoid wheelies and jumping. WARNING! At-
tempting wheelies, jumps, and other stunts in-
creases the chance of an accident, including
an overturn. Never attempt stunts, such as
wheelies or jumps. Don’t try to show off.[EWB01481]
MAXIMUM LOADING LIMIT
ATV loading limit (total weight of cargo, rider,
accessories, and tongue):
105.0 kg (231 lb)
Fro nt c arr i er :
5.0 kg (11 lb)
Rear carrier:
10.0 kg (22 lb)
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7-8
7 Modifications and accessories
Never modify this ATV through improper installa-
tion or use of accessories or other modification. All
parts and accessories added to this ATV should be
genuine Yamaha or equivalent components de-
signed for use on this ATV and should be installed
and used according to instructions. If you have
questions, consult an authorized ATV dealer.
WARNING! Operating this ATV with improper
modifications may cause changes in handling
which in some situations could lead to an acci-
dent.
[EWB01491]
Exhaust system
WARNING
EWB01501
Dry grass or brush or other combustible ma-
terial accumulated around the engine area
could catch fire. Do not operate, idle, or park
the ATV in dry grass or other dry ground cov-
er. Keep the engine area free of dry grass,
brush, or other combustible material.
Someone touching the exhaust system dur-
ing or after operation could be burned. Do
not touch the hot exhaust system. Do not
park the ATV in a place where others might
be likely to touch it.The muffler and other engine parts become ex-
tremely hot during operation and remain hot after
the engine has stopped. To reduce the risk of fire
during operation or after leaving the ATV, do not let
brush, grass and other materials collect under the
vehicle, near the muffler or exhaust pipe, or next to
other hot parts. Check under the vehicle after op-
erating in areas where combustible materials may
have collected. Do not idle or park the vehicle in
long dry grass or other dry ground cover.
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7-9
7To prevent burns, avoid touching the exhaust sys-
tem. Park the ATV in a place where pedestrians or
children are not likely to touch it.BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU RIDE
This ATV is designed for use on unpaved surfaces
only. WARNING! Paved surfaces may seriously
affect handling and control of the ATV, and
may cause the ATV to go out of control. Always
avoid paved surfaces, including sidewalks,
driveways, parking lots and streets.
[EWB01511]
While riding on unpaved public streets or roads
may be legal in your area, such operation can in-
crease the risk of collision with other vehicles.
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7-10
7 Watch carefully for other vehicles. Make sure you
know your country’s laws and regulations before
you ride on unpaved public streets or roads. Do not
ride on any paved public street, road or motorway.
WARNING! Never operate this ATV on any
paved street, paved road or motorway. You can
collide with another vehicle.
[EWB01521]
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 ATV to upset. WARNING!
The ATV could go out of control if you do not
have enough time to react to hidden rocks,bumps, or holes. Go slowly and be extra care-
ful when operating on unfamiliar terrain. Al-
ways be alert to changing terrain conditions
when operating the ATV.
[EWB01531]
Do not operate on rough, slippery, or loose terrain
until you have learned and practiced the skills nec-
essary to control the ATV on such terrain. Always
be especially cautious on these kinds of terrain.
WARNING! Failure to use extra care when op-
erating on excessively rough, slippery, or
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7-11
7loose terrain could cause loss of traction or
ATV control, which could result in an accident,
including an overturn.
[EWB01541]
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. WARNING! You could collide
with another vehicle if operating in areas where
you cannot easily be seen. Mount a caution
flag on the ATV to make you more visible.
Watch carefully for other vehicles.
[EWB01551]
Do not ride in areas posted “no trespassing”.
Do not ride on private property without getting per-
mission.
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7-12
7 Select a large, flat, unpaved area to become famil-
iar 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.
Set the parking brake 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. With the
engine idling, return the starter knob to the closed
position and shift the drive select lever into the for-
ward position, then release the parking brake. Ap-
ply the throttle slowly and smoothly.
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 ina 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 throt-
tle and apply the brakes smoothly and evenly. Im-
proper use of the brakes can cause the tires to lose
traction, reducing control and increasing the possi-
bility of an accident.
TURNING YOUR ATV
WARNING
EWB01771Always 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. ATV could go
out of control, causing a collision or overturn.To achieve maximum traction on unpaved surfac-
es, the two rear wheels 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 tech-
nique 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.
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7-14
7 CLIMBING UPHILL
WARNING
EWB01671Climbing hills improperly can cause overturns
or loss of control. Use proper riding tech-
niques described in this Owner’s Manual.
Never operate the ATV on hills too steep for
the ATV or for your abilities. The ATV can
overturn more easily on extremely steep hills
than on level surfaces or small hills.
Always check the terrain carefully before
you start up any hill. Never climb hills with
excessively slippery or loose surfaces.
Shift your weight forward.
Never open the throttle suddenly. The ATV
could flip over backwards.
Never go over the top of any hill at high
speed. An obstacle, a sharp drop, or another
vehicle or person could be on the other side
of the hill.
Never attempt to turn the ATV around on any
hill until you have mastered the turning tech-
nique as described in the Owner’s Manual on
level ground. Be very careful when turning
on any hill.

Avoid crossing the side of a steep hill if pos-
sible. When crossing the side of a hill, shift
your weight to the uphill side of the ATV.
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7-16
7 mediately on the uphill side or to a side if pointed
straight uphill. Turn the ATV around and remount,
following the procedure described in the Owner’s
Manual. WARNING! Stalling, rolling backwards
or improperly dismounting while climbing a hill
could result in ATV overturning. If you cannot
control the ATV, dismount immediately on the
uphill side.
[EWB01802]
RIDING DOWNHILL
WARNING
EWB01131Going down a hill improperly could cause
overturns or loss of control. Always follow
proper procedures for going down hills as de-
scribed in this Owner’s Manual.
Always check the terrain carefully before
you start down any hill.
Never operate the ATV on hills too steep for
the ATV or for your abilities. The ATV can
overturn more easily on extremely steep hills
than on level surfaces or small hills.
Shift your weight backward and to the up
side of the hill.
Never go down a hill at high speed.
Avoid going down a hill at an angle that
would cause the ATV to lean sharply to one
side. Go straight down the hill where possi-
ble.
Improper braking can cause the wheels on
the uphill side to come off the ground or
cause loss of traction. Gradually apply only
the rear brake when going downhill.
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