Honda TRX420TM/FM FOURTRAX 420/4 4 OWNER'S MANUAL. 1. 06/11/06 09:37:44 32HP4600002 Honda TRX420TM/FM FOURTRAX 420/4 4 OWNER’S MANUAL. 06/11/06 09:37:52 32HP4600003 Introduction Congratulations on choosing your Honda ATV. When you own a Honda, you’re part of a worldwide family of satisfied customers people who appreciate Honda’s reputation for building quality into every product.

• Honda Trx 400 Ex

Honda Trx 400 Ex

Your Honda was designed as a recreational ATV for off-road use by one rider only. Before riding, take time to get acquainted with your ATV and how it works. To protect your investment, we urge you to take responsibility for keeping your ATV well maintained. Scheduled service is a must, of course. But it’s just as important to observe the break-in guidelines, and perform all pre-ride and other periodic checks detailed in this manual. We also recommend that you read this owner’s manual before you ride. It’s full of facts, instructions, safety information, and helpful tips.

To make it easy to use, the manual contains a detailed list of topics at the beginning of each section, and both an in-depth table of contents and an index at the back of the book. As you read this manual, you will find information that is preceded by a symbol. This information is intended to help you avoid damage to your Honda, other property, or the environment. How to write technical manual. Whenever you ride, tread lightly.

By staying on established trails and riding only in approved areas, you help protect the environment and keep off-road riding areas open for the future. Introduction. 06/11/06 09:37:57 32HP4600004 Introduction If you have any questions, or if you ever need special service or repairs, remember that your Honda dealer knows your ATV best and is dedicated to your complete satisfaction. Happy riding! Introduction. 06/11/06 09:38:01 32HP4600005 A Few Words About Safety Your safety, and the safety of others, is very important.

And operating this ATV safely is an important responsibility. To help you make informed decisions about safety, we have provided operating procedures and other information on labels and in this manual. This information alerts you to potential hazards that could hurt you or others.

Of course, it is not practical or possible to warn you about all hazards associated with operating or maintaining an ATV. You must use your own good judgment. You will find important safety information in a variety of forms, including: Safety Labels –– on the ATV. Safety Messages –– preceded by a safety alert symbol and one of three signal words: DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION. A Few Words About Safety. 06/11/06 09:38:08 32HP4600006 A Few Words About Safety These signal words mean: You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if you don’t follow instructions.

You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if you don’t follow instructions. You CAN be HURT if you don’t follow instructions. Safety Headings –– such as Important Safety Reminders or Important Safety Precautions. Safety Section –– such as ATV Safety. Instructions –– how to use this ATV correctly and safely.

This entire manual is filled with important safety information –– please read it carefully. A Few Words About Safety. 06/11/06 09:38:18 32HP4600007 Contents These pages give an overview of the contents of your owner’s manual. The first page of each section lists the topics covered in that section.

ATV Safety. 1 Important safety information you should know, plus a look at the safety-related labels on your ATV. Instruments & Controls. 9 The location and function of indicators and controls on your ATV and operating instructions for various controls and features. Before Riding. 37 The importance of wearing a helmet and other protective gear, how to make sure you and your ATV are ready to ride, and important information about loading. Basic Operation & Riding.

53 How to start and stop the engine, shift gears, and brake. Also, riding precautions. Contents. 06/11/06 09:38:29 32HP4600008 Contents Servicing Your Honda.

85 Why your ATV needs regular maintenance, what you need to know before servicing your Honda, an owner maintenance schedule, and instructions for specific maintenance and adjustment items. 169 How to store and transport your ATV and how to be an environmentally-responsible rider. Taking Care of the Unexpected. 179 What to do if you have a flat tyre, your engine won’t start, etc. Technical Information. 199 ID numbers, technical specifications, and other technical facts. Table of Contents.

208 Sequential listing of topics in this owner’s manual. 214 Contents. 06/11/06 09:38:31 32HP4600009. 06/11/06 09:38:36 32HP4600010 ATV Safety This section presents some of the most important information and recommendations to help you ride your ATV safely. Please take a few moments to read these pages.

This section also includes information about the location of safety labels on your ATV. Important Safety Information.

2 Safety Labels. 5 ATV Safety 1. 06/11/06 09:38:45 32HP4600011 Important Safety Information Your ATV can provide many years of service and pleasure if you take responsibility for your own safety and understand the challenges you can meet while riding. There is much that you can do to protect yourself when you ride. You’ll find many helpful recommendations throughout this manual. The following are a few that we consider most important. Follow the Age Recommendation The minimum recommended age for this ATV model is 16.

Children under age 16 should never operate this vehicle. Always Wear a Helmet It’s a proven fact: helmets significantly reduce the number and severity of head injuries. So always wear an approved motorcycle helmet. We also recommend that you wear eye protection, sturdy boots, gloves, and other protective gear (page 38 ).

Never Carry a Passenger Your ATV is designed for one person only. There are no handholds, footrests, or seat for a second person so never carry a passenger. A passenger could interfere with your ability to move around to maintain your balance and control of the ATV. 2 ATV Safety. 06/11/06 09:38:53 32HP4600012 Important Safety Information Ride Off-Road Only Your ATV is designed and manufactured for off-road use only. The tyres are not made for pavement, and the ATV does not have turn signals and other features required for use on public roads.

If you need to cross a paved or public road, get off and walk your ATV across. Take Time to Learn & Practice Even if you have ridden other ATVs, take time to become familiar with how this ATV works and handles. Practice in a safe area until you build your skills and get accustomed to the ATV’s size and weight. Be Alert for Off-Road Hazards The terrain can present a variety of challenges when you ride off-road. Continually ‘‘read’’ the terrain for unexpected turns, drop-offs, rocks, ruts, and other hazards. Always keep your speed low enough to allow time to see and react to hazards.

ATV Safety 3. 06/11/06 09:39:01 32HP4600013 Important Safety Information Ride within Your Limits Pushing limits is another major cause of ATV accidents. Never ride beyond your personal abilities or faster than conditions warrant. Remember that alcohol, drugs, fatigue, and inattention can significantly reduce your ability to make good judgments and ride safely.

Don’t Drink and Ride Alcohol and riding don’t mix. Even one drink can reduce your ability to respond to changing conditions, and your reaction time gets worse with every additional drink. So don’t drink and ride, and don’t let your friends drink and ride either. Keep Your Honda in Safe Condition It’s important to keep your ATV properly maintained and in safe riding condition. Having a breakdown can be difficult, especially if you are stranded off-road far from your base. To help avoid problems, inspect your ATV before every ride and perform all recommended maintenance. 4 ATV Safety.

06/11/06 09:39:06 32HP4600014 Safety Labels Your ATV comes with several labels containing important safety information. Anyone who rides the vehicle should read and understand this information before riding. The labels should be considered permanent parts of the vehicle.

If a label comes off or becomes hard to read, contact your Honda dealer for replacements. ATV Safety 5. 06/11/06 09:39:27 32HP4600015 Safety Labels (TRX420TM) (TRX420FM) 6 ATV Safety. 06/11/06 09:39:49 32HP4600016 Safety Labels (TRX420FM only) ATV Safety 7. 06/11/06 09:39:52 32HP4600017 8 ATV Safety. 06/11/06 09:40:04 32HP4600018 Instruments & Controls This section shows the location of all indicators and controls you would normally use before or while riding your ATV. The items listed on this page are described in this section.

Instructions for other components are presented in other sections of this manual where they will be most useful.