Riding Downhill - Yamaha BIG BEAR 400 Owner's Manual

RIDING DOWNHILL

When riding your ATV downhill, shift your weight
as far to the rear and uphill side of the ATV as pos-
sible. Move back on the seat and sit with your arms
straight. Engine compression will do most of the
braking for you. For maximum engine compres-
sion braking effect, change to 4WD or 4WD-LOCK
before beginning to descend the hill and choose a
low gear which will allow the engine compression
to do most of the braking for you. Improper braking
may cause a loss of traction.
Use caution while descending a hill with loose or
slippery surfaces. Braking ability and traction may
be adversely affected by these surfaces. Improper
7
braking may also cause a loss of traction.
When this ATV is in 4WD or 4WD-LOCK, all
wheels (front and rear) are interconnected by the
drive train. This means that applying either the
front brake or the rear brake will brake all wheels.
When descending hills, using either brake lever or
the brake pedal will brake the wheels on the down-
hill side. Avoid sudden application of either the
front or rear brake because the wheels on the up-
hill side could come off the ground. Apply both the
front and rear brakes gradually.
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.
EWB01130
POTENTIAL HAZARD
Going down a hill improperly.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Could cause loss of control or cause the
ATV to overturn.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always follow proper procedures for going
down hills as described in this Owner's Man-
ual.
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 ATV to lean sharply to one
side. Go straight down the hill where possi-
ble.
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WARNING