Yamaha KODIAK 400 Owner's Manual page 91

Select a large, flat area off-road to become fa-
miliar with your ATV. Make sure that this area
is free of obstacles and other riders. You
should practice control of the throttle, brakes,
and turning techniques in this area before try-
ing 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 per-
form on pavement.
Set the parking brake and follow the instruc-
tion on page 6-1 to start the engine. Once it
has warmed up you are ready to begin riding
your ATV. Remember that the engine and ex-
haust pipe will be hot when riding and after-
wards; do not allow skin or clothing to come in
contact with these components.
With the engine idling, return the starter
(choke) to the closed position, shift the drive
select lever into the forward position, and then
release the parking brake. Apply the throttle
slowly and smoothly. The centrifugal clutch
will engage and you will start to accelerate. If
the throttle is applied too abruptly, 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.
When slowing down or stopping, release the
throttle and apply the brakes smoothly and
evenly. Improper use of the brakes can cause
the tires to lose traction, reducing control and
increasing the possibility of an accident.
7-21