Operation G Always check the drive track for damage or maladjustment before operating the snowmobile. 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 mini- mize possible damage, consult your stud manufacturer for installation and stud pattern recommendations. Yamaha does not recommend track stud- ding.
G Do not operate the snowmobile if you find damage to the drive track. ECS00350 Ride on fresh snow frequently. Operating on ice or hard-packed snow will rapidly wear the slide runners. NOTICE 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 align- ment frequently. (See page 61 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, re- sulting in the rapid wear of both components. Also, this may put an excessive load on the suspension components, resulting in compo- nent failure. Marginal snow The drive track and the slide runners are lubri- cated and cooled by snow and water. To pre- vent the drive track and slide runners from overheating, avoid sustained high-speed us- age in areas such as icy trails, frozen lakes and rivers that have minimal snow coverage. An overheated track will be weakened inter- nally, which may cause failure or damage.
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, ESU11392 Driving EWS00300 Be sure to read the “SAFETY INFORMA- TION” section on page 3 and the “Riding your snowmobile” section on page 30 carefully before operating the snowmo- bile. TIP Make sure that the engine is warmed up enough before riding. EWS00310 G Make sure that the throttle lever is fully released and the snowmobile is at a full stop before shifting. G Be sure to slide the shift lever to “FWD” or “REV” until it stops completely and only while the engine is idling.
G Make sure that the area behind the snowmobile is clear before reversing. Watch behind. 34 WARNING WARNING