Polaris Predator 90 User manual

The engine exhaust from this
product contains chemicals known
to cause cancer, birth defects or
other reproductive harm.
WARNING

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Copyright 2004 Polaris Sales Inc. All information contained within this publication is based on the latest product
information at the time of publication. Due to constant improvements in the design and quality of production
components, some minor discrepancies may result between the actual vehicle and the information presented in this
publication. Depictions and/or procedures in this publication are intended for reference use only. No liability can
be accepted for omissions or inaccuracies. Any reprinting or reuse of the depictions and/or procedures contained
within, whether whole or in part, is expressly prohibited. Printed in Taiwan.
2006 Predator 50/Predator 90/Sportsman 90 Owner’s Manual P/N 9920229

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Welcome
Dear Parents:
We believe your children should have the opportunity to enjoy The Way Out experience
along with you. We’ve provided this owner’s manual to assist you and your children in
learning about safe operation and care of your new ATV. Please review the information in
this manual with any child who may operate the ATV. Help your children learn to operate
the ATV with safety as a top priority. Help them also learn to show respect for our
environment and for the rights of others while operating the ATV.
Children differ in skills, physical abilities and judgement. Some children may not be able to
operate an ATV safely. Always supervise your child’s use of the ATV, and permit continued
use only if you determine that your child has the ability and maturity to operate the ATV
safely. Never allow a child to operate the ATV without adult supervision.
The preventive maintenance program outlined in this manual is designed to ensure that all
critical components on your child’s ATV are thoroughly inspected at various intervals. For
safe and enjoyable operation of the vehicle, be sure to follow all of the instructions and
recommendations in this manual. If you have any questions about the ATV, contact a
Polaris dealer for assistance.

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Welcome
Dear Children:
Before you ride your new Polaris ATV, there are some important things that you need to
know. Your parents and Polaris want you to enjoy riding your new ATV, and that’s why
you need to read and understand the information in your owner’s manual.
Ask your parents to explain anything you don’t understand, and pay close attention to the
warnings and instructions you read. Your safety and the safety of others is the most
important thing to think about at all times.
As the driver of the ATV, you must learn how to keep yourself and those around you safe
while you’re riding. So read your manual, and then enjoy riding your new Polaris ATV!

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Table of Contents
Welcome 3.................
Safety 7....................
Youth Section 17............
Know Your ATV 18........
Pre-Ride Check 25........
Riding Rules 28...........
Adult Section 33............
Safety Decals 34..........
Driver Warnings 47........
Vehicle ID Numbers 70....
Features and Controls 71..
Break-in Period 88........
Pre-Ride Inspections 90...
Starting the Engine 91.....
Stopping the Engine 93....
Driving Safely 94..........
Hauling Cargo 112........
Emission Control 115......
Maintenance 116.........
Specifications 162.........
Polaris Products 168......
Troubleshooting 170.......
Warranty 176.............
Index 182...................

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Safety
Understand the Warnings
Always follow the age guidelines for your ATV. Never allow a younger child to ride on or
drive the ATV. Make sure all operators understand all warnings and the owner’s manual
before driving the ATV.
Know Your ATV Before Riding
Parents must help their children learn the proper and safe way to ride an ATV. Read the
owner’s manual with your children before starting the engine for the first time, and review
it with them periodically afterwards.
Safety Training
When you purchased this ATV, your Polaris dealer offered a hands-on safety training course
that covers all aspects of ATV safety. In addition, you were provided with printed material
and a video that instructs operators on safe operating procedures. You should review this
information with your child on a regular basis. If you purchased a used Polaris ATV from a
party other than a Polaris dealer, you can request this free safety training from any
authorized Polaris dealer.

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Safety
The following signal words and symbols appear throughout this manual and on your
vehicle. Your safety is involved when these words and symbols are used. Become familiar
with their meanings before reading the manual.
The safety alert symbol, on your
vehicle or in this manual, alerts you
to the potential for personal injury.
WARNING
The safety alert warning indicates a
potential hazard that may result in
serious injury or death.
CAUTION
The safety alert caution indicates a
potential hazard that may result in
minor personal injury or damage to
the vehicle.
CAUTION
Acaution indicates a situation that
may result in damage to the vehicle.
NOTE:
Anote will alert you to important
information or instructions.

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Safety
WARNING
Failure to follow the warnings in this manual can result in severe injury or death.
A Polaris ATV is not a toy and can be hazardous to operate. This vehicle handles
differently than other vehicles such as motorcycles and cars. A collision or rollover
can occur quickly, even during routine maneuvers like turning, or driving on hills or
over obstacles, if you fail to take proper precautions.
Read and understand the owner’s manual and all warnings before operating a Polaris
ATV.

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Safety
SRead this manual and all labels carefully
and follow the operating procedures de-
scribed.
SNever operate an ATV without proper
instruction. Take a training course.
Riders should receive training from a
certified instructor. Contact an autho-
rized Polaris ATV dealer or call Polaris
at 1-800-342-3764 to find out about the
training courses nearest you.
SAlways follow the age guidelines for
your machine: 90cc models are de-
signed for children not less than 12
years of age and 50cc models are de-
signed for children not less than 6 years
of age. No child under the age of 16
should ride any ATV designed and sold
for an adult.
SDo not allow other children to ride this
ATV unless they have read the manual,
seen the instructional video and taken
and passed a Polaris approved riding
skill test.
SAlways avoid operating an ATV on any
paved surfaces, including sidewalks,
driveways, parking lots and streets.
SNever operate an ATV on any public
street, road or highway, including dirt or
gravel roads.
SAlways be sure there are no obstacles or
people behind your ATV when operating
in reverse. Drive slowly and avoid turn-
ing at sharp angles in reverse.

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Safety
SNever operate an ATV without wearing
an approved helmet that fits properly.
You should also wear eye protection
(goggles or face shield), gloves, boots,
long-sleeved shirt or jacket, and long
pants.
SNever consume alcohol or drugs before
or while operating this ATV.
SNever operate at excessive speeds. Al-
ways travel at a speed which is proper
for the terrain, visibility and operating
conditions, and your experience.
SNever attempt wheelies, jumps or other
stunts.
SAlways inspect your ATV each time you
use it to make sure it is in safe operating
condition. Always follow the inspection
and maintenance procedures and sched-
ules described in this manual.
SAlways keep both hands on the handle-
bars and both feet on the footrests of the
ATV during operation.
SAlways go slowly and be extra careful
when operating on unfamiliar terrain.
Always be alert to changing terrain con-
ditions when operating the ATV.
SNever operate on excessively rough,
slippery or loose terrain.

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Safety
SAlways follow proper procedures for
turning as described in this manual.
Practice turning at low speeds before at-
tempting to turn at faster speeds. Do
not turn at excessive speed.
SAlways have the ATV checked by an
authorized Polaris dealer if it has been
involved in an accident.
SNever operate the ATV on hills too
steep for the ATV or for your abilities.
Practice on smaller hills before attempt-
ing larger hills.
SAlways follow proper procedures for
climbing hills as described in this manu-
al. Check the terrain carefully before
you start up any hill. Never climb hills
with excessively slippery or loose sur-
faces. Shift your weight forward. Nev-
er open the throttle suddenly or make
sudden gear changes. Never go over the
top of any hill at high speed.
SAlways follow proper procedures for
going down hills and for braking on
hills as described in this manual. Check
the terrain carefully before you start
down any hill. Shift your weight back-
ward. Never go down a hill at high
speed. Avoid going down a hill at an
angle which would cause the vehicle to
lean sharply to one side. Go straight
down the hill where possible.

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Safety
SAlways follow proper procedures for
crossing the side of a hill as described in
this manual. Avoid hills with excessive-
ly slippery or loose surfaces. Shift your
weight to the uphill side of the ATV.
Never attempt to turn the ATV around
on any hill until you have mastered the
turning technique described in this
manual on level ground. Avoid crossing
the side of a steep hill if possible.
SAlways use proper procedures if you
stall or roll backwards when climbing a
hill. To avoid stalling, maintain a
steady speed when climbing a hill. If
you stall or roll backwards, follow the
special procedure for braking described
in this manual. Dismount on the uphill
side or to either side if pointed straight
uphill. Turn the ATV around and re-
mount, following the procedure de-
scribed in this manual.
SAlways be careful of skidding or slid-
ing. On slippery surfaces, such as ice,
go slowly and be very cautious in order
to reduce the chance of skidding or slid-
ing out of control.

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Safety
SAlways check for obstacles before oper-
ating in a new area. Never attempt to
operate over large obstacles, such as
rocks or fallen trees. Always follow
proper procedures when operating over
obstacles as described in this manual.
SAvoid operating the ATV through deep
or fast flowing water. If you cannot
avoid water which exceeds the recom-
mended maximum depth (pg. 108), go
slowly, balance your weight carefully
avoiding sudden movements, maintain
a slow and steady forward motion, do
not make sudden turns or stops, and do
not make sudden throttle changes.
SWet brakes may have reduced stopping
ability. Test your brakes after leaving
water. If necessary apply them lightly
several times to let friction dry out the
pads.
SAlways use the size and type tires speci-
fied in this manual. Always maintain
proper tire pressure as described in this
manual.
SNever modify an ATV through improper
installation or use of accessories.
SNever exceed the stated load capacity
for an ATV.
SAlways remove the ignition key when
the vehicle is not in use to prevent unau-
thorized use or accidental starting.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ATV SAFETY, call the Consumer Product
Safety Commission at 1-800-638-2772, or Polaris at 1-800-342-3764.

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Safety
Equipment Modifications
We are concerned for the safety of our customers and for the general public. Therefore, we
strongly recommend that consumers do not install on a Polaris ATV any equipment that
may increase the speed or power of the vehicle, or make any other modifications to the
vehicle for these purposes. Any modifications to the original equipment of the vehicle
create a substantial safety hazard and increase the risk of bodily injury.
The warranty on your Polaris ATV is terminated if any equipment has been added to the
vehicle, or if any modifications have been made to the vehicle, that increase its speed or
power.
NOTE: The addition of certain accessories may change the handling characteristics of
the ATV. Use only Polaris-approved accessories, and familiarize yourself with
their function and effect on the ATV.

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17
Youth
Section