Yamaha ATV Course Manual

Also see for Raptor: Instruction supplement

Contents

Yamaha ATV Course Manual Manual pdf 5 page image

Preparing To Ride4Chapter 2Personal safety and comfort are enhanced when you wear protectiveclothing. Operating without protective clothing increases your chances ofsevere injury in the event of an accident. Always wear an approvedmotorcycle helmet that fits properly.Although complete protection is not possible, knowing what to wearand how to wear it can make you more comfortable when you ride andreduce the chance of injury in case of a spill.Dressing Like the ProsHelmetsThe single most important piece of protective gear you can wear is ahelmet. A good helmet can help prevent serious head injuries. Studieshave shown that wearing a helmet does not reduce essential vision orhearing. Operating without an approved motorcycle helmet will increasethe chance of severe head injury to yourself in the event of an accident.What to look for in a HelmetStandards and TestingHelmets protect your head in two ways: the outer shell resists pene-tration and abrasion, and the inner liner absorbs shock by slowly col-lapsing under impact. Both the shell and the liner essentially self-destructby spreading the forces of an impact throughout the helmet material. Thatis why, in most cases, if a helmet has been damaged in an accident it maybe of little protective value in another mishap.When you purchase a helmet, look for stickers inside or on the outsideof the helmet, confirming compliance with the standards: AustralianStandards - AS1698.Each organisation has established procedures to evaluatehelmets for:• Impact - the shock absorbing capacity of the helmet.• Penetration - The ability of the helmet to withstand a blow from asharp object.• Retention - the ability of the chinstrap to stay fastened without break-ing or stretching.• Peripheral Vision - the helmet must provide a minimum side vision of120 degrees each side. (Most people’s peripheral vision is between110 and 115 degrees.The Right Helmet for YouWhile colour, design and price may influence your decision aboutwhich helmet to buy, protection should be your first consideration.The full-faced helmet provides the most protection since it covers moreof your face. Recent design improvements in shell material and interiorventilation have improved comfort. The next choice in protection is thethree-quarter helmet. It does not offer the face and chin protection thatfull-faced helmets do, so if you choose this style, it should be used withmouth/chin protection.For a helmet to offer the most protection possible it must fit properly.Your helmet should fit snugly but comfortably and be securely fastened.Always fasten you helmet’s chinstrap snugly. A helmet will do you nogood if it comes off during a mishap.The Right Helmet for YoungstersA helmet is also the most important piece of protective gear for chil-dren. Athletic headgear such as hockey, football or skateboard helmetsARE NOT ACCEPTABLE for ATV riding. They do not have adequate ener-gy absorption qualities for use while operating a motorised vehicle.As with any helmet, a child’s helmet must fit properly to be effective.Do not use an adult-sized helmet that is too large for a youngster.Helmets are available in Children’s sizes. Check with your ATV dealer.Replacing Your HelmetPlan to replace your helmet if it has been involved in an accident. Somehelmet manufacturers will inspect and, when possible, repair a damagedhelmet. If your helmet has been dropped, there may be damage that youdon’t see; you may want to take advantage of this service.Most helmet manufacturers recommend that, under normal use, youshould replace your helmet every two to four years. If you notice anysigns of damage before then, replace it immediately. As mentionedabove, helmets may crack or break if dropped.Why replace a helmet every few years if it does not appear damaged?Its protective qualities may deteriorate over time. The interior paddingcompresses, offering less protection. The chinstrap may fray or loosen atits attaching points and the shell may be chipped or banged. Probablythe best reason, however, is the consistent improvement of design andprotective qualities of helmets.Since 1980, all helmet manufacturers have been required to stamp themonth and date of production of the helmet. If you cannot rememberwhen you bought your present helmet, just check the production date. Ifthere is no date at all, you should definitely replace your helmet now.Helmet careFollow the manufacturer’s directions in caring for your helmet. Use onlythe mildest soap recommended.Avoid any petroleum-based cleaning fluids, especially if you own aninjection-molded plastic helmet. Exposure to strong cleaning agents cancause the plastic helmet and its liners to decompose and lose protectivevalue.In ShortThere are many considerations when deciding which helmet to buy.Talk with you local motorcycle and ATV dealer, and consult ATV enthusi-ast magazines for information to help in you decision.Full Face Helmet Open Face HelmetKnee guardsBootsHelmet & GogglesChest & shoulderprotectorOff road pantsGloves