warning YAMAHA KODIAK 400 2003 Owner's Manual

6-1
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OPERATION
Read the Owner’s Manual carefully before riding
the ATV.
WARNING
Read the Owner’s Manual carefully to become
familiar with all controls. Loss of control could
cause an accident or injury. If there is a control
or function you do not understand, ask your
Yamaha dealer.
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6-3
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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. Apply the rear brake lever.
2. Turn the fuel cock to “ON”.
3. Turn the main switch to “ON”, and then set
the engine stop switch to “”.
4. Shift the drive select lever into the neutral po-
sition.
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6-15
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. _
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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, place the machine transversely across
the incline, 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 easi-
ly. _1. Bring the machine to a stop by applying the
brakes.
2. Stop the engine.
3. With the rear brake applied, apply the parking
brake.
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6-31

Ride more slowly than you would without a
load. The more weight you carry, the slower
you should go.


Allow more braking distance. A heavier vehicle
takes longer to stop.


Avoid making sharp turns unless at very slow
speeds.


Avoid hills and rough terrain. Choose terrain
carefully. Added weight affects the stability and
handling of the ATV.WARNING
_ Never exceed the stated load capacity for this
ATV. Overloading this ATV or carrying or tow-
ing cargo improperly could cause changes in
vehicle handling which could lead to an acci-
dent. Cargo should be properly distributed and
securely attached. Reduce speed when carry-
ing cargo or pulling a trailer. Allow greater dis-
tance for braking. _
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7-5
RIDE WITH CARE AND GOOD JUDGEMENT
Get training if you are inexperienced.
Beginners should get training from a certified in-
structor.
Become familiar with this ATV at slow speeds first,
even if you are an experienced operator. Do not
attempt to operate at maximum performance until
you are totally familiar with the ATV’s handling and
performance characteristics.
WARNING
_ Never operate this ATV without proper instruc-
tion. Beginning and inexperienced operators
should regularly practice the skills and the op-
erating techniques described in this Owner’s
Manual. The risk of an accident is greatly in-
creased if the operator does not know how to
operate the ATV properly in different situations
and on different types of terrain. _
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7-7
Riding your ATV requires skills acquired
through practice over a period of time.
Take the time to learn the basic techniques well
before attempting more difficult maneuvers.
Not recommended for children under 16 years
of age.
WARNING
_ A child under 16 should never operate an ATV
with engine size greater than 90cc. Use by chil-
dren of ATVs that are not recommended for
their age can lead to severe injury or death of
the child. _
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7-9
This ATV is designed to carry operator and
cargo only – passengers prohibited.
WARNING
_ Never carry a passenger. The long seat is to al-
low the operator to shift position as needed
during operation. It is not for carrying passen-
gers. Carrying a passenger on this ATV greatly
reduces your ability to balance and control this
ATV. It could cause an accident, resulting in
harm to you and/or your passenger. _
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7-11 1. Protective clothing 2. Goggles
3. Gloves 4. Boots
5. Helmet
1. Vêtement de protection 2. Lunettes
3. Gants 4. Bottes
5. Casque
1. Vestimenta adecuada 2. Gafas
3. Guantes 4. Botas
5. Homologado
Apparel
Always wear an approved helmet that fits properly.
You should also wear:
eye protection
(goggles or face shield)
gloves
boots
long-sleeved shirt or jacket
long pants
WARNING
_ Never operate this ATV without wearing an ap-
proved motorcycle helmet, eye protection and
protective clothing. Operating without an ap-
proved motorcycle helmet increases your
chances of a severe head injury or death in the
event of an accident. Operating without eye
protection can result in an accident and in-
creases your chances of a severe injury in the
event of an accident. Operating without protec-
tive clothing increases your chances of severe
injury in the event of an accident. _
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Do not operate after consuming alcohol or
drugs.
Operator’s performance capability is reduced by
the influence of alcohol or drugs.
WARNING
_ Never consume alcohol or drugs before or
while driving this ATV. _Pre-operation checks
Always perform the pre-operation checks listed on
page 5-1 before riding for safety and proper care
of the ATV.
WARNING
_ Always inspect your ATV each time you use it
to make sure the ATV is in safe operating con-
dition. Always follow the inspection and main-
tenance procedures and schedules described
in the Owner’s Manual. Failure to inspect the
ATV before operating or failure to properly
maintain the ATV increases the possibility of
an accident or equipment damage. _
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