Operating Your ATV

Starting the Engine

First, consult your owner's manual. Typically, you will:

• Point the ATV in a safe direction.
• Put the transmission in neutral or park.
• Set the parking brake.
• Turn on the fuel valve.
• Make sure that the engine stop switch is in the “run” or “on” position.
• Put the choke in the “on” position if the engine is cold.
• Start the engine.

Starting Off

After the engine is warmed up:

• Apply the hand brake.
• Release the parking brake.
• Shift into gear.
• Release the hand brake and apply the throttle slowly.

Braking

Consult your owner's manual for correct braking procedures.

Shifting Gears

• Read your owner's manual for instructions on shifting. There are three general types of transmissions.
  • Manual: Similar to the stick shift in a car. You let off the throttle, pull the clutch lever, and shift through the gears using the foot shifter.
  • Semi-Automatic (or Semi-Manual): There is no clutch control. You let off the throttle and shift up or down with the foot shifter. The clutch is handled automatically.
  • Automatic: Just as in a car, you only adjust the throttle. Both the clutch and shifting are handled automatically.
• If you have a manual or semi-automatic transmission:
  • Always close the throttle while shifting to prevent the front wheels from lifting.
  • Learn where the engagement point is to prevent stalling and to allow smooth shifting.
  • Listen to the engine. By engine sound alone, you usually can tell when to shift gears or adjust the throttle.

Parking

• Stop the engine.
• Shift into neutral (or park), and set the parking brake. If you don't have a parking brake, shift into low gear to prevent the ATV from rolling.
• If your ATV has a parking mechanism, allow the drive train to lock.
• Avoid parking on an incline.

Learn How Much Pressure To Apply to the Brakes

From one ATV to another, even within the same model, brake sensitivity can vary significantly.

Each time you operate a different ATV, start slowly and practice braking. The pressure you normally use on another ATV may not work as well on this one.

• With sluggish brakes, your normal pressure may not stop the ATV in time.
• With sensitive brakes, your normal pressure may cause you to lose control of the ATV or even get thrown off.