18
! WARNING
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
Gloves
Your hands are targets for flying objects and branches. Along with pro-
viding skin protection, gloves will shield your hands from harsh
weather. Wear gloves that are weather resistant and have a gripping sur-
face to keep them from sliding off the handlebar.
Boots/Ankle Protection
Wear a boot that covers the largest possible area of your leg (preferably
up to your knee) and can handle significant impact. Choosing boots with
low heels and a good tread will help prevent your feet from slipping off
the footrests in wet or rugged conditions or getting hurt if they get hit by
rocks, dirt, or branches.
The second step in Prevention is checking the condition of your ATV.
Chances are good that you’ll be using your ATV in some rough terrain, and
there’s no way you want your brakes to go out when riding downhill. You
need to check the following parts on your ATV before every ride.
1. Tires and Wheels
2. Controls and Cable
3. Lights and Electrical System
4. Oil and Fuel
5. Chassis
6. Miscellaneous Items
1. Tires and Wheels
Correct tire pressure is crucial. Consult the
General Maintenance section of this Opera-
tor’s Manual for tire pressure guidelines.
Incorrect tire pressure can cause poor han-
dling, instability, and a loss of ATV control.
While checking the tire pressure, inspect the tread and sidewalls of the
tires for cracks, cuts, or other damage that could indicate they need to be
replaced.
2. Controls and Cable
A. Brakes
Squeeze your hand brake levers. If they feel
soft or “squishy,” the brakes may need
adjustment. Check the maintenance section
of this Operator’s Manual for instructions.
Don’t use the ATV until the brakes are oper-
ating normally.
Test the parking brake and see if it locks the rear wheels; then disengage
it to release the brake. Ensure that the hand brakes are working properly;
your brakes could fail during a ride if they’re not maintained.
B. Throttle
Before starting the ATV, push the throttle
lever several times. The throttle should have
a free, smooth range of motion. If it seems to
“stick” at any point, refer to the General
Maintenance section of this Operator’s
Manual for instructions. Driving your ATV
with a sticking throttle can turn your leisurely ride into an unwelcome
accident. Don’t drive your ATV if the throttle sticks.
3. Lights and Electrical
System
Check that the brake light and headlights
work. Don’t drive the ATV unless all sys-
tems are working. Check the ignition switch
and emergency stop switch.
Condition of the ATV
Check:
1. Tire pressure
2. Tire surface (tread
and sidewalls)
Check:
1. Hand brake levers
2. Parking brake
Check:
1. Free, smooth
range of motion
Check:
1. Brake light
2. Headlights
3. Ignition switch
4. Emergency stop
switch
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