warning YAMAHA WOLVERINE 450 2004 Service Manual

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 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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7-33
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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7-39
TURNING YOUR ATV
To achieve maximum traction while riding off-road
in 2WD or 4WD, the two rear wheels are mounted
solidly on one axle and turn together at the same
speed. Furthermore, when riding in 4WD-LOCK
(“DIFF.LOCK”), the front wheels also 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 turn-
ing 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. Operate at a
slow speed and allow extra time and distance
for maneuvers when in 4WD-LOCK
(“DIFF.LOCK”). _
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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. _It is important when climbing a hill to make sure
that your weight is transferred forward on the ATV.
This can be accomplished by leaning forward and,
on steeper inclines, standing on the footboards
and leaning forward over the handlebars.
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7-47
WARNING
_

Always follow proper procedures for
climbing hills as described in this Owner’s
Manual.


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 anoth-
er vehicle or person could be on the other
side of the hill.
_
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7-49
If you are climbing a hill and you find that you have
not properly judged your ability to make it to the
top, you should turn the ATV around while you still
have forward motion (provided you have the room
to do so) and go down the hill.
WARNING
_ 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 possi-
ble.
When crossing the side of a hill:

Always follow proper procedures as de-
scribed in the Owner’s Manual.


Avoid hills with excessively slippery or
loose surfaces.


Shift your weight to the uphill side of the
ATV.
_
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7-53
WARNING
_ Use proper gear and maintain steady speed
when climbing a hill. If you lose all forward
speed:

Keep weight uphill.


Apply the brakes.


Shift into the park position “P” after you
are stopped.
If you begin rolling backwards:


Keep weight uphill.


2WD: Never apply the rear brake while roll-
ing backwards. Apply the front brake.
When fully stopped, shift into the park po-
sition “P”.
4WD or 4WD-LOCK: Apply both front and
rear brakes gradually. When fully stopped,
shift into the park position “P”.
Dismount on uphill side or to a side if pointed
straight uphill. Turn the ATV around and re-
mount, following the procedure described in
the Owner’s Manual.
_
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7-57
Whenever possible, ride your ATV straight down-
hill. Avoid sharp angles which could allow the ATV
to tip or roll over. Carefully choose your path and
ride no faster than you will be able to react to ob-
stacles which may appear.
WARNING
_ Always follow proper procedures for going
down hills as described in this Owner’s Manu-
al.
Note: a special technique is required when
braking as you go down a hill.

Always check the terrain carefully before
you start down any hill.


Shift your weight backward.


Never go down a hill at high speed.


Avoid going down a hill at an angle that
would cause the vehicle to lean sharply to
one side. Go straight down the hill where
possible.
_
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7-61
If your ATV does begin to tip over, gradually steer
in the downhill direction if there are no obstacles in
your path. As you regain proper balance, gradually
steer again in the direction you wish to travel.
WARNING
_ 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 possible.
When crossing the side of a hill:

Always follow proper procedures as de-
scribed in the Owner’s Manual.


Avoid hills with excessively slippery or
loose surfaces.


Shift your weight to the uphill side of the
ATV.
_
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7-63
CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW WATER
The ATV can be used to cross slow moving, shal-
low water of up to a maximum of 35 cm in depth.
Before entering the water, choose your path care-
fully. Enter where there is no sharp drop off, and
avoid rocks or other obstacles which may be slip-
pery or upset the ATV. Drive slowly and carefully.
WARNING
_ Never operate this ATV in fast flowing water or
in water deeper than that specified in your
Owner’s Manual. Remember that wet brakes
may have reduced stopping ability. Test your
brakes after leaving water. If necessary, apply
them several times to let friction dry out the lin-
ings. If the ATV is operated through deep or
fast flowing water, the tires may float, causing
loss of traction and loss of control, which
could lead to an accident. _
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