warning YAMAHA WARRIOR 350 2003 Owner's Guide

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 ATV or overturn.
WARNING
_ Never attempt stunts, such as wheelies or
jumps. Don’t try to show off. _
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7-23
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 ATV is very hot during
and following operation. To prevent burns, avoid
touching the exhaust system. Park the ATV in a
place where pedestrians or children are not likely
to touch it. Dry grass or brush or other combustible
material accumulated around the engine area
could catch fire.
WARNING
_ Do not touch the hot exhaust system. Do not
park the ATV during or after operation in a
place where others might be likely to touch it.
Keep the engine area free of dry grass, brush,
or other combustible material. Do not operate,
idle, or park the ATV in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. _
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7-27
BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU RIDE
This ATV is designed for off-road use only. Riding
on paved surfaces can cause loss of control.
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. _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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7-29
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
_ 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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7-31
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
_ Always mount a caution flag on the ATV 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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7-35
With the engine idling, pull the clutch lever to dis-
engage the clutch and shift into 1st gear, and then
release the parking brake. Open the throttle grad-
ually, and at the same time, release the clutch le-
ver slowly. Once the ATV has attained adequate
speed, release the throttle lever and at same time,
quickly pull in the clutch lever and shift into 2nd
gear. Open the throttle part way and gradually re-
lease the clutch. Use this same procedure as you
move into the higher gears. Be sure to coordinate
the use of the throttle and shift pedal properly. If
the throttle is applied too abruptly or if the throttle is
not released during shifting, or if the shift pedal is
not released before applying the throttle, the front
wheels may lift off the ground resulting in a loss of
directional control. Avoid higher speeds until you
are thoroughly familiar with the operation of your
ATV.
WARNING
_ Always open the throttle gradually and release
the clutch lever slowly. Otherwise, the ATV
could wheelie which would increase the
chance of an accident. _
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7-37
CAUTION:_ Do not shift gears without releasing the throt-
tle. Damage to the engine or drive train may oc-
cur. _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. _
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7-39
TURNING YOUR ATV
To achieve maximum traction while riding off-road,
the two rear wheels are mounted solidly on one
axle and turn together at the same speed. There-
fore, 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 technique 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.
WARNING
_ Always 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. _
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7-45
CLIMBING UPHILL
Use proper riding techniques to avoid vehicle
overturns on hills. Be sure that you can maneuver
your ATV well on flat ground before attempting any
incline and then practice riding first on gentle
slopes. Try more difficult climbs only after you
have developed your skill. In all cases avoid in-
clines with slippery or loose surfaces, or obstacles
that might cause you to lose control.
WARNING
_ Never operate the ATV on hills too steep for
the ATV or for your abilities. The vehicle can
overturn more easily on extremely steep hills
than on level surfaces or small hills. Practice
on smaller hills before attempting large hills. _
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