2009 Yamaha Motorsports Phazer R-TX Owners Manual - Page 47

Operation G G Always check the drive track for damage or maladjustment before operating the snowmobile. Do not operate the snowmobile if you find damage to the drive track. etc. If snow coverage is not sufficient, stay on trails to avoid impact damage to the drive track. Studded track In general, track life will be shortened when studs are installed. Drilling stud holes into the drive track will cut the internal fibers, which weakens the track. Avoid spinning the drive track. Studs may catch on an object and pull out of the track, leaving tears and damage around the already weakened area. To minimize possible damage, consult your stud manufacturer for installation and stud pattern recommendations. Yamaha does not recommend track studding. ESU11360 ECS00350 NOTICE Ride on fresh snow frequently. Operating on ice or hard-packed snow will rapidly wear the slide runners. ESU11350 Maximizing drive track life Recommendations Track tension During initial break-in, the new drive track will tend to stretch quickly as the track settles. Be sure to correct the track tension and alignment frequently. (See page 68 for adjustment procedures.) A loose track can slip (ratchet), derail or catch on suspension parts causing severe damage. Do not overtighten the drive track, otherwise it may increase the friction between the track and the slide runners, resulting in the rapid wear of both components. Also, this may put an excessive load on the suspension components, resulting in component failure. Strap (PZ50MT) The strap should be used only by experienced operators to assist them when traverse (sidehill) riding. Marginal snow The drive track and the slide runners are lubricated and cooled by snow and water. To prevent the drive track and slide runners from overheating, avoid sustained high-speed usage in areas such as icy trails, frozen lakes and rivers that have minimal snow coverage. An overheated track will be weakened internally, which may cause failure or damage. 1. Strap EWS00290 WARNING Improper use of the strap on the handlebar can result in severe injury or death. G Use the strap only as an operator grip point when needed to shift weight uphill to maintain balance during traverse (side-hill) riding. Only experienced operators should traverse slopes steep enough to require strap use. Off-trail riding Avoid off-trail riding until there is sufficient snow coverage. It generally takes several feet of snow to provide a good overall base to properly cover debris, such as rocks, logs, 41