2008 Yamaha Motorsports Big Bear 400 4x4 IRS Owners Manual - Page 76

Do not ride in areas posted "no trespassing". Do not ride on private property without getting permission. 7 Select a large, flat area off-road to become familiar 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. Always avoid riding on paved surfaces: the ATV is designed for off-road use only, and handling maneuvers are more difficult to perform on pavement. 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. As you get on the ATV, be sure not to accidentally move 7-16 the shift pedal. Remember that the engine and exhaust pipe will be hot when riding and afterwards; do not allow skin or clothing to come in contact with these components. With the engine idling, lift the shift pedal to the 1st gear position and then release the parking brake. Apply the throttle slowly and smoothly. The centrifugal clutch will engage and you will start to accelerate. Once the ATV has attained adequate speed, release the throttle and lift the shift pedal to the 2nd gear position. Release the shift pedal and apply the throttle smoothly. 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. ECB00230 CAUTION: Do not shift gears without releasing the throttle. Damage to the engine or drive train may occur.