warning YAMAHA GRIZZLY 550 2011 Owner's Manual

6-3
6
3. Release the brake pedal, and then open the
throttle lever gradually.
Shifting: Neutral to Reverse and Reverse to
Park
WARNING
EWB00720Improper operation in reverse could make you
hit an obstacle or even a person behind you,
resulting in serious injury. When you shift intoreverse, make sure there are no people or ob-
stacles behind you. When it is safe to proceed,
go slowly.
1. Bring the ATV to a complete stop.
2. Apply the brake pedal. The drive select lever
cannot be shifted into or from reverse or park
without applying the brake pedal.
3. Shift from neutral to reverse or from reverse to
park and vice versa by moving the drive select
lever along the shift guide.
1. Drive select lever
2. L (Low-range)
3. H (High-range)
4. N (Neutral)
5. R (Reverse)
6. P (Park)
L2H3N4R5P6
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6-5
60–160 km (0–100 mi) or 0–10 hours
Avoid prolonged operation above 1/2 throttle. Vary
the speed of the ATV regularly. Do not operate it at
one set throttle position.
160–320 km (100–200 mi) or 10–20 hours
Avoid prolonged operation above 3/4 throttle. Rev
the engine freely, but do not use full throttle at any
time.
320 km (200 mi) or 20 hours and beyond
The ATV can now be operated normally.
NOTICEECB00220If any engine trouble should occur during the
engine break-in period, immediately have a
Yamaha dealer check the ATV.EBU27321Parking When parking the ATV, stop the engine, and shift
the drive select lever into the park position.
EBU29900Parking on a slope
WARNING
EWB00860Avoid 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, place the ATV transversely across the
incline, stop the engine, shift the drive select
lever to the park position, and then block the
front and rear wheels with rocks or other ob-
jects.
Do not park the ATV at all on hills that are so
steep you could not walk up them easily.1. Bring the ATV to a stop by applying the
brakes.
2. Stop the engine.
3. With the brake pedal applied, shift the drive
select lever to the park position.
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6-7
6bulky object attached to the handlebars which
could make steering difficult, an accessory that
limits your ability to move around on the seat, or
one that limits your view.

Use extra caution when riding an ATV with ac-
cessories. The ATV may handle differently than
it does without accessories.EBU27571Loading
WARNING
EWB00820Never exceed the stated load capacity for this
ATV. Overloading this ATV or carrying or tow-
ing cargo improperly could cause changes in
ATV handling which could lead to an accident.
Cargo should be properly distributed and se-
curely attached. Reduce speed when carrying
cargo or pulling a trailer. Allow greater dis-
tance for braking.Cargo or a trailer can change the stability and han-
dling of an ATV.
You must use common sense and good judgment
when carrying cargo or towing a trailer. Keep the
following points in mind:

Never exceed the weight limits shown. An over-
loaded ATV can be unstable.
Do not exceed the maximum tongue weight.
You can measure tongue weight with a bath-
room scale. Put the tongue of the loaded trailer
on the scale with the tongue at hitch height. Ad- MAXIMUM LOADING LIMIT
ATV loading limit (total weight of rider, cargo,
accessories, and tongue):
220.0 kg (485 lb)
Fro nt c arr i er :
45.0 kg (99 lb)
Rear carrier:
85.0 kg (187 lb)
Front storage compartment:
0.5 kg (1 lb)
Rear storage compartment:
2.0 kg (4 lb)
Trailer hitch:
Pulling load (total weight of trailer and car-
go):
5880 N (600 kgf, 1322 lbf)
Tongue weight (vertical weight on trailer
hitch point):
147 N (15 kgf, 33 lbf)
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7-2
7
EBU27417GETTING TO KNOW YOUR ATV
This ATV is mainly for utility use, but may also be
used for recreation. This section, Riding your ATV,
provides general ATV riding instructions for recre-
ational riding. The skills and techniques described
in this section, however, are appropriate for all
types of riding. Riding your ATV requires special
skills acquired through practice over a period of
time. Take the time to learn the basic techniques
well before attempting more difficult maneuvers.
Riding your new ATV can be a very enjoyable ac-
tivity, providing you with hours of pleasure. But it is
essential to familiarize yourself with the operation
of the ATV to achieve the skill necessary to enjoy
riding safely. Before you begin to ride, be sure you
have read this Owner’s Manual completely and un-
derstand the operation of the controls. Pay partic-
ular attention to the safety information on pages
2-1–2-4. Also read all warning and notice labels on
your ATV.RIDE WITH CARE AND GOOD JUDGMENT
Get training if you are inexperienced.
WARNING
EWB01381
Do not operate this ATV or allow anyone else
to operate it without proper instruction. The
risk of an accident is greatly increased if the
operator does not know how to operate the
ATV properly in different situations and on
different types of terrain.
Do not operate this ATV at speeds too fast
for your skills or the conditions, as this in-
creases your chances of losing control of
the ATV and an accident. Always go at a
speed that is proper for the terrain, visibility
and operating conditions, and your experi-
ence.Beginning and inexperienced operators should
regularly practice the skills and the operating tech-
niques described in this Owner’s Manual.
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7-3
7Riding your ATV requires skills acquired
through practice over a period of time.
Do not attempt to operate at maximum perfor-
mance until you are totally familiar with the ATV’s
handling and performance characteristics. Take
the time to learn the basic techniques well before
attempting more difficult maneuvers. Become fa-
miliar with this ATV at slow speeds first, even if you
are an experienced operator.
Not recommended for children under 16 years
of age.
WARNING
EWB01390A child under 16 should never operate an ATV
with engine size greater than 90 cc. Use by chil-
dren of ATVs that are not recommended for
their age can lead to severe injury or death of
the child.
This ATV is designed to carry the operator and
cargo only – passengers prohibited.
The long seat is to allow the operator to shift posi-
tion as needed during operation. It is not for carry-
ing passengers. WARNING! Never carry a
passenger. Carrying a passenger on this ATV
greatly reduces your ability to balance and
control this ATV. You could have an accident,
resulting in severe injury or death to you
and/or your passenger.
[EWB01401]
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7-4
7 Apparel
Always wear the following to reduce risk of injury in
an accident:

Approved motorcycle helmet that fits properly
Eye protection (goggles, helmet face shield, or
protective eyewear)
Over-the-ankle boots, gloves, long-sleeved shirt
or jacket, and long pants
An approved helmet and other personal protective
equipment can reduce the severity of injuries in an
accident. WARNING! Operating without an ap-
proved motorcycle helmet increases your
chances of a severe head injury or death in the
event of an accident.
[EWB01411]
Wear eye protection when operating your ATV to
reduce the risk of a serious accident or injury. Eye
protection, such as a face shield or goggles, may
reduce the risk of foreign material getting in your
eyes and help prevent loss of vision. WARNING!
Operating without eye protection can result in
an accident and increases your chances of a
severe injury in the event of an accident.[EWB02611]
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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
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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
4-13.)
Loading and accessories
WARNING
EWB01461Improper 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 box in this section or ve-
hicle 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.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.
1. Adjusting screw
1
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7
Drive 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 MAXIMUM LOADING LIMIT
ATV loading limit (total weight of cargo, rider,
accessories, and tongue):
220.0 kg (485 lb)
Fro nt c arr i er :
45.0 kg (99 lb)
Rear carrier:
85.0 kg (187 lb)
Front storage compartment:
0.5 kg (1 lb)
Rear storage compartment:
2.0 kg (4 lb)
Trailer hitch:
Pulling load (total weight of trailer and car-
go):
5880 N (600 kgf, 1322 lbf)
Tongue weight (vertical weight on trailer
hitch point):
147 N (15 kgf, 33 lbf)
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7-8
7 an overturn. Never attempt stunts, such as
wheelies or jumps. Don’t try to show off.
[EWB01481]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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