Yamaha YFM250XR User Manual

READ THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY!

It contains important safety information.

OWNER’S MANUAL

YFM250XR

WARNING

This ATV should not be ridden by anyone under 16 years of age.

4XE-F8199-15LIT-11626-16-14

EBU00776

EBU00941

1-

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on your purchase of the Yamaha YFM250X. It represents the result of many
years of Yamaha experience in the production of fine sporting, touring, and pace-setting racing
machines. With the purchase of this Yamaha, you can now appreciate the high degree of crafts­manship and reliability that have made Yamaha a leader in these fields.
This manual will provide you with a good basic understanding of the features and operation of this
ATV.

This manual includes important safety information. It provides information about

special techniques and skills necessary to ride your ATV.

It also includes basic maintenance
and inspection procedures. If you have any questions regarding the operation or maintenance of
your ATV, please consult a Yamaha dealer.

AN IMPORTANT SAFETY MESSAGE:

●

READ THIS MANUAL TOGETHER WITH TIPS FOR THE ATV RIDER CAREFULLY AND
COMPLETELY BEFORE OPERATING YOUR ATV. MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND ALL
INSTRUCTIONS.

●

PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE WARNING AND CAUTION LABELS ON THE ATV.

●

NEVER OPERATE AN ATV WITHOUT PROPER TRAINING OR INSTRUCTION. FREE
TRAINING IS AVAILABLE TO ANYONE WHO BUYS A NEW ATV. CALL 1-800-887-2887
FOR MORE INFORMATION.

●

THIS ATV, AND ANY OTHER ATV OVER 90cc, SHOULD NOT BE RIDDEN BY ANYONE
UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE.

EBU00801

WARNING

CAUTION:

NOTE:

1-

IMPORTANT MANUAL INFORMATION

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE WARNINGS CONTAINED IN THIS MANUAL CAN RESULT IN
SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Particularly important information is distinguished in this manual by the following notations:

The Safety Alert Symbol means ATTENTION! BECOME ALERT!
YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED!

Failure to follow WARNING instructions could result in severe
injury or death to the machine operator, a bystander or a person
inspecting or repairing the machine.

A CAUTION indicates special precautions that must be taken to
avoid damage to the machine.

A NOTE provides key information to make procedures easier or
clearer.

EBU00011

IMPORTANT NOTICE

This machine is designed and manufactured for OFF-ROAD use only. It is illegal and unsafe to
operate this machine on any public street, road or highway.
This machine complies with all applicable OFF-ROAD noise level and spark arrester laws and
regulations in effect at the time of manufacture.
Please check your local riding laws and regulations before operating this machine.

EBU00531

YFM250XR

OWNER’S MANUAL

AFFIX DEALER

LABEL HERE

©2002 by Yamaha Motor Corporation,

U.S.A.

1st Edition, March 2002
All rights reserved. Any reprinting or
unauthorized use without the written

permission of

Yamaha Motor Corporation,

U.S.A. is expressly prohibited.

Printed in U.S.A.

P/N LIT-11626-16-14

EBU00014

WARNING

Indicates a potential hazard that could
result in serious injury or death.

CONTENTS

LOCATION OF THE WARNING

1

AND SPECIFICATION LABELS....... 1-1

SAFETY INFORMATION.................. 2-1

2

DESCRIPTION AND MACHINE

3

IDENTIFICATION ............................. 3-1

Identification number records.......... 3-2

Key identification number................ 3-2

Vehicle identification number .......... 3-3

Model label ...................................... 3-3

CONTROL FUNCTIONS...................4-1

4

Main switch ......................................4-1

Indicator lights..................................4-2

Handlebar switches .........................4-2

Throttle lever ....................................4-4

Speed limiter ....................................4-5

Front brake lever..............................4-6

Rear brake pedal and lever .............4-6

Parking brake...................................4-8

Shift pedal ........................................4-9

Drive select lever .............................4-9

Recoil starter..................................4-10

Fuel tank cap .................................4-11

Fuel cock........................................4-12

Starter (choke) ...............................4-13

Seat................................................4-14

Storage box....................................4-15

Front carrier ...................................4-16

Rear carrier ....................................4-16

Rear shock absorber

adjustment ...................................4-16

PRE-OPERATION CHECKS ........... 5-1

5

Front and rear brakes ..................... 5-3

Fuel ................................................. 5-5

Engine oil ........................................ 5-7

Final gear oil.................................... 5-8

Throttle lever ................................... 5-8

Fittings and Fasteners .................... 5-8

Lights............................................... 5-8

Switches.......................................... 5-8

Battery............................................. 5-8

Tires ................................................ 5-9

How to measure tire pressure....... 5-11

Tire wear limit................................ 5-12

OPERATION..................................... 6-1

6

Starting a cold engine ..................... 6-1

Starting a warm engine................... 6-3

Warming up..................................... 6-3

Drive select lever operation and

reverse driving............................... 6-4

Shifting ............................................ 6-5

To start out and accelerate: ............ 6-6

To decelerate: ................................. 6-7

Engine break-in ...............................6-7

Parking............................................. 6-8

Parking on a slope........................... 6-9

Accessories and loading ...............6-10

RIDING YOUR ATV ..........................7-1

7

Getting to know your atv.................. 7-3

Ride with care and good

judgement...................................... 7-4

Be careful where you ride.............. 7-16

Turning your atv............................. 7-23

Climbing uphill ............................... 7-25

Riding downhill ..............................7-30

Crossing a slope............................ 7-32

Crossing through shallow water ....7-34

Riding over rough terrain............... 7-36

Sliding and skidding....................... 7-37

What to do if...................................7-39

What to do ..................................... 7-39

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND

8

ADJUSTMENT.................................. 8-1

Owner’s manual and tool kit............ 8-1

Periodic maintenance/

lubrication ...................................... 8-3

Engine oil......................................... 8-5

Final gear oil .................................... 8-9

Spark plug inspection.................... 8-11

Air filter cleaning............................ 8-12

Carburetor adjustment................... 8-15

Idle speed adjustment ................... 8-15

Valve clearance adjustment.......... 8-16

Throttle lever adjustment............... 8-16

Front brake pad inspection............ 8-17

Rear brake shoe inspection ..........8-17

Brake fluid level inspection............ 8-18

Brake fluid replacement................. 8-19

Front brake adjustment ................. 8-19

Rear brake adjustment.................. 8-21

Adjusting the rear brake light

switch........................................... 8-23

Clutch adjustment.......................... 8-24

Cable inspection and

lubrication.....................................8-24

Brake lever and brake pedal

lubrication.....................................8-25

Steering shaft lubrication ...............8-26

Wheel removal...............................8-27

Wheel installation...........................8-27

Battery............................................8-29

Replenishing the battery fluid ........8-31

Fuse replacement ..........................8-32

Replacing a headlight bulb ............8-33

Headlight beam adjustment...........8-34

Tail/brake light bulb

replacement .................................8-35

Spark arrester cleaning..................8-37

Troubleshooting .............................8-38

Troubleshooting chart ....................8-39

CLEANING AND STORAGE ............9-1

9

A. Cleaning ......................................9-1

B. Storage ........................................9-3

SPECIFICATIONS.......................... 10-1

10

NOISE REGULATION.................... 11-1

11

MAINTENANCE RECORD ............ 12-1

12

ATV LIMITED WARRANTY............ 13-1

13

YAMAHA EXTENDED SERVICE

14

(Y.E.S.) ........................................... 14-1

EBU00464

1-

LOCATION OF THE WARNING AND

SPECIFICATION LABELS

1-1

Read and understand all of the labels on your
machine. They contain important information
for safe and proper operation of your ATV.

2

1

2

Never remove any labels from your ATV. If a
label becomes difficult to read or comes off, a
replacement label is available from your
Yamaha dealer.

1

Overloading this ATV or carrying cargo improperly can change
handling. stability and braking performance and can lead to an
accident. Never exceed the maximum front cargo limit of

: 30kg (66 lbs)
NEVER sit on the carrier. Refer to instructions in the Owner's

Manual.

WARNING

4XE-F4877-30

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

1-2

3

4

5

Overloading this ATV or carrying cargo improperly can change

WARNING

handling. stability and braking performance and can lead to an
accident. Never exceed the maximum rear cargo limit of

: 45kg (99 lbs)
NEVER sit on the carrier. Refer to instructions in the Owner's

Manual.

4XE-F4897-30

1-3

6 7

8

9

1-4

EBU00924

1-

SAFETY INFORMATION

AN ATV IS NOT A TOY AND CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO OPERATE.

An ATV handles differently
from other vehicles including motorcycles and cars. A collision or rollover can occur quickly, even
during routine maneuvers such as turning and riding on hills or over obstacles, if you fail to take
proper precautions.
SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH can result if you do not follow these instructions:

●

Read this manual and all labels carefully and follow the operating procedures described.

●

Never operate an ATV without proper training or instruction.

Take a Training Course

Begin-

.

ners should receive training from a certified instructor. Contact an authorized ATV dealer or call
1-800-887-2887 to find out about the training courses nearest you.

●

Always follow the age recommendation:

- A child under 16 years old should never operate an ATV with engine size greater than 90cc.

●

Never allow a child under age 16 to operate an ATV without adult supervision, and never allow
continued use of an ATV by a child if he or she does not have the abilities to operate it safely.

●

Never carry passenger on an ATV.

●

Always avoid operating an ATV on any paved surfaces, including sidewalks, driveways, park­ing lots and streets.

●

Never operate an ATV on any public street, road or highway, even a dirt or gravel one.

2-1

●

Never operate an ATV without wearing an approved motorcycle helmet that fits properly. You
should also wear eye protection (goggles or face shield), gloves, boots, long-sleeved shirt or
jacket, and long pants.

●

Never consume alcohol or drugs before or while operating this ATV.

●

Never operate at speeds too fast for your skills or the conditions. Always go at a speed that is
proper for the terrain, visibility and operating conditions, and your experience.

●

Never attempt wheelies, jumps, or other stunts.

●

Always 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 schedules described in this man­ual.

●

Always keep both hands on the handlebars and both feet on the footboards of the ATV during
operation.

●

Always go slowly and be extra careful when operating on unfamiliar terrain. Always be alert to
changing terrain conditions when operating the ATV.

●

Never operate on excessively rough, slippery or loose terrain until you have learned and prac­ticed the skills necessary to control the ATV on such terrain. Always be especially cautious on
these kinds of terrain.

●

Always follow proper procedures for turning as described in this manual. Practice turning at low
speeds before attempting to turn at faster speeds. Do not turn at excessive speed.

●

Never operate the ATV on hills too steep for the ATV or for your abilities. Practice on smaller
hills before attempting larger hills.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

2-2

●

Always follow proper procedures for climbing hills as described in this manual. Check the ter­rain carefully before you start up any hill. Never climb hills with excessively slippery or loose
surfaces. Shift your weight forward. Never open the throttle suddenly or make sudden gear
changes. Never go over the top of a hill at high speed.

●

Always 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 back­ward. Never go down a hill at high speed. Avoid going down a hill at an angle that would cause
the vehicle to lean sharply to one side. Go straight down the hill where possible.

●

Always follow proper procedures for crossing the side of a hill as described in this manual.
Avoid hills with excessively 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.

●

Always use proper procedures if you stall or roll backwards when climbing a hill. To avoid stall­ing, use proper gear and 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 a side if pointed straight uphill. Turn the ATV around and remount, following the
procedure described in this manual.

●

Always check for obstacles before operating in a new area.
Never attempt to operate over large obstacles, such as large rocks or fallen trees. Always fol­low proper procedures when operating over obstacles as described in this manual.

2-3

●

Always be careful when skidding or sliding. Learn to safely control skidding or sliding by prac­ticing at low speeds and on level, smooth terrain. On extremely slippery surfaces, such as ice,
go slowly and be very cautious in order to reduce the chance of skidding or sliding out of con­trol.

●

Never operate an ATV in fast flowing water or in water deeper than that recommended in this
manual. Remember that wet brakes may have reduced stopping ability. Test your brakes after
leaving water. If necessary, apply them several times to let friction dry out the linings.

●

Always be sure there are no obstacles or people behind you when you operate in reverse.
When it is safe to proceed in reverse, go slowly.

●

Always use the size and type tires specified in this manual.

●

Always maintain proper tire pressure as described in this manual.

●

Never modify an ATV through improper installation or use of accessories.

●

Never exceed the stated load capacity for an ATV. Cargo should be properly distributed and
securely attached. Reduce speed and follow instructions in this manual for carrying cargo or
pulling a trailer. Allow greater distance for braking.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ATV SAFETY

,

call the Consumer Products Safety Com-

mission at 1-800-638-2772, or the ATV Distributor’s Safety Hotline at 1-800-852-5344.

2-4

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Improper handling of gasoline.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Gasoline can catch fire and you could
be burned.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always turn off the engine when refuel­ing.
Do not refuel right after the engine has
been running and is still very hot. Do not
spill gasoline on the engine or exhaust
pipe/muffler when refueling. Never refu­el while smoking, or while in the vicinity
of sparks, open flames, or other sources
of ignition such as the pilot lights of wa­ter heaters and clothes dryers.

When transporting the ATV in another
vehicle, be sure it is kept upright and
that the fuel cock is in the “OFF” posi­tion. Otherwise, fuel may leak out of the
carburetor or fuel tank.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Gasoline is poisonous and can cause
injuries.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
If you should swallow some gasoline or
inhale a lot of gasoline vapor, or get
some gasoline in your eyes, see your
doctor immediately.
If gasoline spills on your skin, wash with
soap and water. If gasoline spills on
your clothing, change your clothes.

2-5

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Starting or running the engine in a
closed area.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Exhaust fumes are poisonous and may
cause loss of consciousness and death
within a short time.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always operate your ATV in an area with
adequate ventilation.

2-6

EBU00032

1-

DESCRIPTION AND MACHINE IDENTIFICATION

1. Spark arrester

2. Rear carrier

3. Seat

4. Fuel tank cap

5. Front carrier

6. Brake pedal

7. Rear brake light switch

8. Front wheel

9. Headlight

10. Fuel cock

11. Starter (choke)

12. Recoil starter

13. Tail/brake light

14. Rear wheel

15. Shift pedal

16. Drive select lever

17. Rear brake lever

18. Parking brake

19. Main switch

20. Front brake lever

21. Throttle lever

22. Handlebar switches

NOTE:

The machine you have purchased may differ slightly
from those shown in the figures of this manual.

3-1

EBU00600

Identification number records

Record the key identification number, vehicle
identification number and model label infor­mation in the spaces provided for assistance
when ordering spare parts from a Yamaha
dealer or for reference in case the vehicle is
stolen.

1. KEY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER:

ACA-02E

EBU00035

Key identification number

The key identification number is stamped on
the key as shown in the following illustration.
This number can be used for ordering a new
key.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

2. VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER:

ACA-02E

3. MODEL LABEL INFORMATION:

ACA-01E

1. Key identification number

3-2

9

10

11

12

13

14

EBU00036

Vehicle identification number

The vehicle identification number is stamped
into the frame.

1. Vehicle identification number

NOTE:

The vehicle identification number is used to
identify your machine.

EBU00787

Model label

The model label is affixed to the location in the
illustration. Record the information on this la­bel in the space provided. This information will
be needed to order spare parts from your
Yamaha dealer.

1. Model label

3-3

EBU00039

CONTROL FUNCTIONS

WARNING

Indicates a potential hazard that could
result in serious injury or death.

EBU00942

Main switch

Functions of the respective switch positions
are as follows:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

ON:
The engine can be started only at this position
and the headlights and taillight come on when
the light switch is on.

OFF:
All electrical circuits are switched off. The key
can be removed in this position.

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

4-1

EBU00043

Indicator lights

EBU00053

Handlebar switches

1. Reverse indicator light “R”

2. Neutral indicator light “N”

EBU00602

Reverse indicator light “R”

This indicator light comes on when the trans­mission is in reverse.

EBU00603

Neutral indicator light “N”

This indicator light comes on when the trans­mission is in neutral.

1. Light switch “LIGHTS”

2. Engine stop switch “ENG.STOP”

3. Start switch “START”

EBU00054

Engine stop switch “ENG. STOP”

Make sure that the engine stop switch is in the
“RUN” position. The engine stop switch controls
ignition and can be used at all times to stop the
engine, especially in an emergency. The en­gine will not start or run when the engine stop
switch is turned to “OFF”.

4-2

EBU00056

Start switch “START”

The starter motor cranks the engine when this
switch is pushed.

CAUTION:

_

See starting instructions prior to starting
engine (see page 6-1 for details).

_

NOTE:

_

If the starter switch is pushed with the main
switch “ON” and the engine stop switch
“OFF”, the starter motor will be activated but
the engine will not start. To start the engine,
be sure to position the engine stop switch at
“RUN”.

_

EBU01076

Light switch “LIGHTS”

Turn the switch to the “LO” position to switch
on the low beam and the tail/brake light.
Turn the switch to the “HI” position to switch
on the high beam and the tail/brake light.
Turn the switch to the “OFF” position to switch
off the headlights and the tail/brake light.

CAUTION:

_

Do not use the headlights with the engine
turned off for more than thirty minutes.
The battery may discharge to the point
that the starter motor will not operate
properly. If this should happen, remove
the battery and recharge it.

_

4-3

EBU00062

Throttle lever

Once the engine is running, movement of the
throttle lever will increase the engine speed.
Regulate the speed of the machine by varying
the throttle position. Because the throttle is
spring-loaded, the machine will decelerate, and
the engine will return to an idle any time the hand
is removed from the throttle lever.
Before starting the engine, check the throttle
to be sure it is operating smoothly. Make sure
it returns to the idle position as soon as the le­ver is released.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Malfunction of throttle.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
The throttle could be hard to operate,
making it difficult to speed up or slow
down when you need to. This could
cause an accident.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Check the operation of the throttle lever
before you start the engine. If it does not
work smoothly, check for the cause.
Correct the problem before riding the
ATV. Consult a Yamaha dealer if you
can’t find or solve the problem yourself.

1. Throttle lever

4-4

EBU00066

Speed limiter

The speed limiter keeps the throttle from fully
opening, even when the throttle lever is
pushed to the maximum. Screwing in the ad­juster limits the maximum engine power avail­able and decreases the maximum speed of
the ATV.

1. Locknut 2. Adjuster a. 12 mm (0.47 in)

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Improper adjustment of the speed limit­er and throttle.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
The throttle cable could be damaged.
Improper throttle operation could result.
You could lose control, have an acci­dent or be injured.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Do not turn the speed adjuster out more
than 12 mm (0.47 in). Always make sure
the throttle lever free play is adjusted to
3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in). See page 8-16.

4-5

EBU00070

Front brake lever

The front brake lever is located on the right
handlebar. Pull it toward the handlebar to ap­ply the front brake.

1. Front brake lever

EBU00073

Rear brake pedal and lever

The brake pedal is located on the right side of
the machine and the brake lever is located on
the left handlebar. Push down on the pedal or
pull the lever toward the handlebar to apply
the rear brake.

1. Rear brake pedal

4-6

1. Rear brake lever

4-7

EBU00074

Parking brake

Use the parking brake when you have to start
the engine or park the machine, especially on
a slope. Apply the rear brake lever and push
down the lock plate to apply the parking
brake. Squeeze the rear brake lever to re­lease the parking brake.

1. Lock plate

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Improper use of the parking brake.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
The ATV could start moving unexpect­edly if the parking brake is not applied
before starting the engine. This could
cause loss of control or a collision.
The brake could overheat if you ride the
ATV without releasing the parking
brake. You could lose braking perfor­mance which could cause an accident.
You could also wear out the brakes
prematurely.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always set the parking brake before
starting the engine.
Always be sure you have released the
parking brake before you begin to ride.

4-8

EBU00083

Shift pedal

This machine is equipped with a constant­mesh 5-speed transmission. The shift pedal is
located on the left side of the engine. Neutral
is at the bottom position.

1. Shift pedal N. Neutral position

EBU00085

Drive select lever

The drive select lever is used for driving the
machine either forward or in reverse. Refer to
page 6-4 for drive select lever operation.

1. Drive select lever

4-9

EBU00590

Recoil starter

Firmly grasp the handle and pull slightly until
engagement can be felt. Then pull forcefully,
being careful not to pull the rope all the way
out.

1. Recoil starter

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Starting the engine in gear and/or start­ing the engine without setting the park­ing brake.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
The ATV could start to move unexpect­edly, which could cause an accident.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Put the transmission in neutral and set
the parking brake before starting the en­gine.

4-10

EBU00092

Fuel tank cap

Remove the fuel tank cap by turning it coun­terclockwise.

1. Fuel tank cap

4-11

EBU00093

Fuel cock

The fuel cock supplies fuel from the fuel tank
to the carburetor.
The fuel cock has three positions.

OFF: With the lever in this position fuel will

not flow. Always turn the lever to this
position when the engine is not running.

ON: With the lever in this position, fuel flows

to the carburetor. Normal riding is done
with the lever in this position.

RES: This indicates reserve. If you run out of

fuel while riding, turn the lever to this
position. THEN FILL THE FUEL TANK
AT THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY. After
refuelling, return the fuel cock lever to
the “ON” position.

4-12

EBU00094

Starter (choke)

Starting a cold engine requires a richer air-fuel
mixture. A separate starter circuit supplies this
mixture.
Move in direction a to turn on the starter
(choke).
Move in direction b to turn off the starter
(choke).
Refer to “Starting a cold engine” for proper op­eration. (See page 6-1.)

1. Fully-open 2. Half open

3. Closed A. Starter (choke)

4-13

EBU00567

Seat

To remove the seat, pull the seat lock lever
upward and pull up the seat at the rear.

1. Seat lock lever

4-14

To install the seat, insert the projections on
the front of the seat into the seat holders and
push down on the seat at the rear.

EBU00581

Storage box

Maximum load limit: 2 kg (4.4 lb)

NOTE:

Make sure that the seat is securely fitted.

CAUTION:

To protect from damage, do not put metal
products, like tools or sharply edged prod­ucts directly in the storage box. If they
must be stored, wrap them in appropriate
cushion material.

_

4-15

EBU00582

Front carrier

Maximum load limit: 30 kg (66 lb)

EBU00583

Rear carrier

Maximum load limit: 45 kg (99 lb)

EBU01103

Rear shock absorber adjustment

The spring preload can be adjusted to suit the
rider’s weight and riding conditions.
Adjust the spring preload as follows:
To increase the spring preload, turn the ad­justing ring in direction a.
To decrease the spring preload, turn the ad­justing ring in direction b.

1. Spring preload adjusting ring

NOTE:

_

A special wrench can be obtained at a
Yamaha dealer to make this adjustment.

_

4-16

Standard position: B

A - Minimum (soft)
E - Maximum (hard)

EBU00112

WARNING

Indicates a potential hazard that could
result in serious injury or death.

4-17

1-

PRE-OPERATION CHECKS

Before using this machine, check the following points:

ITEM ROUTINE PAGE

Front brake

Rear brake

Fuel

Engine oil

Final gear oil

Throttle

Wheels and tires

Fittings and Fasteners

Lights

Battery

• Check operation, free play, fluid level and fluid leakage.

• Fill with DOT 4 brake fluid if necessary.

• Check operation, condition and free play.

• Adjust if necessary.

• Check fuel level.

• Fill with fuel if necessary.

• Check oil level.

• Fill with oil if necessary.

• Check for leakage. 5-8, 8-9–8-10

• Check for proper throttle cable operation. 5-8, 8-16

• Check tire pressure, wear and damage.

• Check all fittings and fasteners. 5-8

• Check for proper operation. 5-8, 8-33–8-36

• Check fluid level.

• Fill with distilled water if necessary.

5-3, 8-17–8-20

5-3, 8-17–8-23

5-5–5-6

5-7, 8-5–8-8

5-9–5-12,

8-27–8-28

5-8, 8-29–8-31

5-1

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Failure to inspect the ATV before oper­ating.
Failure to properly maintain the ATV.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Increases the possibility of an accident
or equipment damage.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always inspect your ATV each time you
use it to make sure the ATV is in safe op­erating condition.
Always follow the inspection and main­tenance procedures and schedules de­scribed in the Owner’s Manual.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

5-2

EBU01008

Front and rear brakes

Brake levers and brake pedal
Check for correct free play in the brake levers
and brake pedal. If the free play is incorrect,
adjust it. (See pages 8-19–8-23.)
Check operation of the levers and pedal. They
should move smoothly and there should be a
firm feeling when the brake is applied. If not,
have a Yamaha dealer inspect it.

Brake fluid level (front brake)
Check the brake fluid level. Add fluid if neces­sary. (See pages 8-18–8-19.)

Recommended brake fluid: DOT 4

Brake fluid leakage (front brake)
Check to see if any brake fluid is leaking out of
the hose, joint or brake fluid reservoir of the
front brake. Apply the brake firmly for one
minute. If the lever moves slowly inward,
there may be a leak in the brake system. If
there is any leakage, the brake system should
be inspected by a Yamaha dealer.

Brake operation
Test the brakes at slow speed after starting
out to make sure they are working properly. If
the brakes do not provide proper braking per­formance, inspect the brakes for wear. (See
page 8-17.)

5-3

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Riding with improperly operating
brakes.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
You could lose braking ability, which
could lead to an accident.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always check the brakes at the start of
every ride. Do not ride the ATV if you
find any problem with the brakes. If a
problem cannot be corrected by the ad­justment procedures provided in this
manual, have a Yamaha dealer check for
the cause.

5-4

EBU01085

Fuel

Make sure there is sufficient gasoline in the
tank.

Recommended fuel:

UNLEADED GASOLINE ONLY

Fuel tank capacity:

Total:

12 L (2.64 Imp gal, 3.17 US gal)

Reserve:

16 L (0.35 Imp gal, 0.42 US gal)

CAUTION:

_

Use only unleaded gasoline. The use of
leaded gasoline will cause severe damage
to internal engine parts, such as the valves
and piston rings, as well as to the exhaust
system.

_

Your Yamaha engine has been designed to
use regular unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number ([R+M]/2) of 86 or higher, or
research octane number of 91 or higher. If
knocking or pinging occurs, use a different
brand of gasoline or premium unleaded fuel.
Unleaded fuel will give you longer spark plug
life and reduced maintenance cost.

5-5

Gasohol

There are two types of gasohol; gasohol con­taining ethanol and that containing methanol.
Gasohol containing ethanol can be used if
ethanol content does not exceed 10%. Gaso­hol containing methanol is not recommended
by Yamaha because it may cause fuel system
damage or vehicle performance problems.

1. Filler tube 2. Fuel level

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Improper care when refueling.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Fuel can spill, which can cause a fire
and severe injury.
Fuel expands when it heats up. If the
fuel tank is overfilled, fuel could spill out
due to heat from the engine or the sun.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Do not overfill the fuel tank. Be careful
not to spill fuel, especially on the engine
or exhaust pipe. Wipe up any spilled fuel
immediately. Be sure the fuel tank cap is
closed securely.
Do not refuel right after the engine has
been running and is still very hot.

5-6

EBU01084

Engine oil

Make sure the engine oil is at the specified
level. Add oil as necessary. (See page 8-5.)

Recommended oil:

10°0°

YAMALUBE 4 (10W30) or SAE10W30

SAE 5W30

–20° –10°

50°

30°

YAMALUBE 4 (20W40) or SAE20W40

10° 20° 30°

0°

70°

90° 110°

40°

130°F

50°C

Recommended engine oil classification:

API Service SE, SF, SG type or higher

CAUTION:

_

In order to prevent clutch slippage

●

(since the engine oil also lubricates
the clutch), do not mix any chemical
additives. Do not use oils with a diesel
specification of “CD” or oils of a high­er quality than specified. In addition,
do not use oils labeled “ENERGY
CONSERVING II” or higher.
Make sure that no foreign material en-

●

ters the crankcase.

_

Oil quantity:

Periodic oil change:

1.5 L (1.3 Imp qt, 1.6 US qt)

With oil filter replacement:

1.6 L (1.4 Imp qt, 1.7 US qt)

Total amount:

1.8 L (1.6 Imp qt, 1.9 US qt)

5-7

EBU00493

Final gear oil

Make sure the final gear oil is at the specified
level. Add oil as necessary. (See pages 8-9–
8-10 for details.)

Recommended oil:

SAE 80 API GL-4 Hypoid gear oil

If desired, an SAE 80W90 hypoid gear oil may
be used for all conditions.

NOTE:

GL-4 is a quality and additive rating, GL-5 or
GL-6 rated hypoid gear oils may also be used.

_

EBU01083

Throttle lever

Check to see that the throttle lever operates
correctly. It must open smoothly and spring
back to the idle position when released. Have
a Yamaha dealer repair as necessary for
proper operation.

EBU00152

Fittings and Fasteners

Always check the tightness of chassis fittings
and fasteners before a ride. Take the machine
to a Yamaha dealer or refer to the Service Man­ual for correct tightening torque.

EBU00991

Lights

Check the headlights and tail/brake light to
make sure they are in working condition. Re­pair as necessary for proper operation.

EBU01082

Switches

Check the operation of all switches. Repair as
necessary for proper operation.

EBU00499

Battery

Check fluid level and fill if necessary. Use only
distilled water if refilling is necessary. (See
pages 8-29–8-31.)

5-8

EBU00157

Tires

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD

Operating this ATV with improper tires,
or with improper or uneven tire pressure.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN

Use of improper tires on this ATV, or op­eration of this ATV with improper or un­even tire pressure, may cause loss of
control, increasing your risk of accident.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD

1. The tires listed below have been ap­proved by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
for this model. Other tire combina­tions are not recommended.

ACE-01EACE-01E

Manufacturer Size Type

Front

Rear

DUNLOP AT22 × 7–10 KT 701

CHENG SHIN AT22 × 7–10 M 905

DUNLOP AT22 × 10–10 KT 705

CHENG SHIN AT22 × 10–10 M 906

2. The tires should be set to the rec­ommended pressure:

Recommended tire pressure

●

Front 20 kPa (0.20 kgf/cm
Rear 25 kPa (0.25 kgf/cm
Check and adjust tire pressures when

●

2

, 2.9 psi)

2

, 3.6 psi)

the tires are cold.
Tire pressures must be equal on both

●

sides.

3. Tire pressure below the minimum
specified could cause the tire to
dislodge from the rim under severe
riding conditions.
The following are minimums:
Front 17 kPa (0.17 kgf/cm
Rear 22 kPa (0.22 kgf/cm

2

, 2.5 psi)

2

, 3.2 psi)

5-9

4. Use no more than the following
pressures when seating the tire
beads.
Front 250 kPa (2.5 kgf/cm
Rear 250 kPa (2.5 kgf/cm

2

, 36 psi)

2

, 36 psi)
Higher pressures may cause the
tire to burst. Inflate the tires very
slowly and carefully. Fast inflation
could cause the tire to burst.

5-10

EBU00159

How to measure tire pressure

Use the low-pressure tire gauge.

NOTE:

The low-pressure tire gauge is included as
standard equipment. Make two measure­ments of the tire pressure and use the second
reading. Dust or dirt in the gauge could cause
the first reading to be incorrect.

Set pressure with tires cold.
Set tire pressures to the following specifica­tions:

ACE-02EACE-02E

Front

Rear

Recommended

pressure

20 kPa

(0.20 kgf/cm

2.9 psi)

25 kPa

(0.25 kgf/cm

3.6 psi)

Minimum Maximum

17 kPa

2

(0.17 kgf/cm

,

2

(0.22 kgf/cm

,

2.5 psi)

22 kPa

3.2 psi)

2

2

(0.23 kgf/cm

,

(0.28 kgf/cm

,

23 kPa

3.3 psi)

28 kPa

4.0 psi)

2

2

1. Low-pressure tire gauge

,

,

5-11

EBU00160

Tire wear limit

When the tire groove decreases to 3 mm
(0.12 in) due to wear, replace the tire.

a. 3 mm (0.12 in)

5-12

EBU00161

OPERATION

WARNING

Indicates a potential hazard that could
result in serious injury or death.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Operating ATV without being familiar
with all controls.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Loss of control, which could cause an
accident or injury.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Read the Owner’s Manual carefully. If
there is a control or function you do not
understand, ask your Yamaha dealer.

EBU00500

Starting a cold engine

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Freezing control cables in cold weather.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
You could be unable to control the ATV,
which could lead to an accident or colli­sion.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
When riding in cold weather, always
make sure all control cables work
smoothly before you begin riding.

1. Set the parking brake.

2. Turn the fuel cock to “ON”.

3. Turn the main switch to “ON” and the en­gine stop switch to “RUN”.

4. Shift the transmission into neutral.

6-1

NOTE:

_

●

When the transmission is in neutral, the
neutral indicator light should come on. If
the light does not come on, ask a
Yamaha dealer to inspect it.

●

The engine can be started in any gear if
the rear brake lever is applied. However,
it is recommended to shift into neutral be­fore starting the engine.

_

5. Use the starter (choke) in reference to
the figure:

Position 1: Cold engine start-

ambient temperature below 5°C
(40°F).

Position 2: Cold engine start-

ambient temperature at 0°C
(30°F)–30°C (90°F) and warm­ing up position.

Position 3: Cold engine start-ambient tem-

perature above 25°C (80°F) and
warm engine start position.

1. Fully open 2. Half open

3. Closed a. Starter (choke)

6. Completely close the throttle lever and
start the engine by pushing the start
switch.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

6-2

NOTE:

_

●

If the engine fails to start, release the
start switch, then push the start switch
again. Pause a few seconds before the
next attempt. Each cranking should be as
short as possible to preserve battery en­ergy. Do not crank the engine more than
10 seconds on each attempt.

●

If the battery is discharged, pull the recoil
starter to start the engine.

_

7. If the engine is started with the starter
(choke) in position 1, the starter (choke)
should be returned to position 2 to warm
up the engine. If the engine is started with
the starter (choke) in position 2, keep
the starter (choke) in this position to
warm up the engine.

8. Continue warming up the engine until it
idles smoothly and return the starter
(choke) to position 3 before riding.

CAUTION:

_

See the “Engine break-in” section prior to
operating engine for the first time.

_

EBU00180

Starting a warm engine

To start a warm engine, refer to the “Starting a
cold engine” section. The starter (choke)
should not be used. The throttle should be
opened slightly.

EBU00182

Warming up

To get maximum engine life, always warm up
the engine before starting off. Never acceler­ate hard with a cold engine! To see whether or
not the engine is warm, check if it responds to
the throttle normally with the starter (choke)
turned off.

6-3

EBU00185

Drive select lever operation and reverse
driving

CAUTION:

Before shifting, stop the machine and re­turn the throttle lever to its closed posi­tion. Otherwise the transmission may be
damaged.

NOTE:

When shifting into reverse, the transmission
must be in first gear.

1. Bring the machine to a complete stop
and return the throttle lever to the closed
position.

2. Apply the rear brake pedal.

3. Shift the transmission into first gear.

4. While pulling the lock release button,
move the drive select lever toward the
rear until it completely stops.

1. Drive select lever 2. Lock release button
a. Forward b. Reverse

NOTE:

When in reverse, the reverse indicator light
should be on. If the light does not come on,
ask a Yamaha dealer to inspect the machine.

5. Check behind you for people or obsta­cles, then release the rear brake pedal.

6. Open the throttle lever gradually and con­tinue to watch to the rear while backing.

6-4

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD

Improperly operating in reverse.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
You could hit an obstacle or person be­hind you, resulting in serious injury.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
When you shift into reverse, make sure
there are no obstacles or people behind
you. When it is safe to proceed, go
slowly.

EBU00201

Shifting

This model has a 5-speed forward and 1-speed
reverse transmission with centrifugal automatic
clutch. The transmission allows you to control
the amount of power you have available at a
given speed or for starting accelerating, climb­ing, etc. To shift into neutral, return the throttle
lever to its original position and repeatedly de­press the shift pedal until it stops.

1. Shift pedal N. Neutral position

6-5

CAUTION:

Do not coast for long periods with the en­gine off, and do not tow the machine a
long distance. Even with gears in neutral,
the transmission is only properly lubricat­ed when the engine is running. Inadequate
lubrication may damage the transmission.

4. Once the machine has attained adequate
speed, release the throttle lever.

5. Shift into second gear and release the
shift pedal.

6. Open the throttle gradually.

7. Follow the same procedure when shifting
to the next higher gear.

WARNI NG

EBU00205

To start out and accelerate:

1. Release the throttle lever.

CAUTION:

Always close the throttle while shifting
gears. Otherwise, damage to the engine
and drive train may result.

2. Shift into first gear and release the shift
pedal.

3. Open the throttle gradually.

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Opening the throttle before releasing
the shift pedal.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
The machine could wheelie. This would
increase the chance of an accident, in­cluding overturn.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Release the shift pedal before opening
the throttle. Open the throttle gradually.

6-6

EBU00207

To decelerate:

When slowing down or stopping, release the
throttle and apply the brakes smoothly and
evenly. As you slow down, shift to a lower
gear. Be sure that the engine has sufficiently
slowed before engaging a lower gear. Improp­er use of the brakes or shifting can cause the
tires to lose traction, reducing control and in­creasing the possibility of an accident.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Engaging a lower gear when the engine
speed is too high.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
The wheels could stop rotating. This
could cause loss of control, an accident
and injury. It could also cause engine or
drive train damage.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Make sure the engine has sufficiently
slowed before shifting to a lower gear.

EBU00209

Engine break-in

There is never a more important period in the
life of your machine than the period between
zero and 20 hours.
For this reason, we ask that you carefully read
the following material. Because the engine is
brand new, you must not put an excessive
load on it for the first several hours of running.
During the first 20 hours, the various parts in
the engine wear and polish themselves to the
correct operating clearances.
During this period, prolonged full throttle oper­ation or any condition which might result in ex­cessive engine heating must be avoided.
However, momentary (2–3 seconds maxi­mum) full throttle operation under load does
not harm the engine. Each full throttle acceler­ation sequence should be followed with a sub­stantial rest period for the engine by cruising
at lower r/min so the engine can rid itself of the
temporary build up of heat.

6-7

If any abnormality is noticed during this peri­od, consult a Yamaha dealer.

1. 0–10 hours:
Avoid continuous operation above half
throttle. Allow a cooling off period of five
to ten minutes after every hour of opera­tion. Vary the speed of the machine from
time to time. Do not operate it at one set
throttle position.

2. 10–20 hours:
Avoid prolonged operation above
3/4 throttle. Rev the machine freely
through the gears but do not use full throt­tle at any time.

3. After break-in:
Avoid prolonged full throttle operation.
Vary speeds occasionally.

EBU00211

Parking

When parking, stop the engine and shift into
neutral. Turn the fuel cock to “OFF” and apply
the parking brake.

1. Lock plate

6-8

EBU00219

Parking on a slope

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD

Parking on a hill or other incline.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
The ATV could roll out of control, in­creasing the chance of an accident.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Avoid parking on hills or other inclines.
If you must park on an incline, put the
machine in low gear, apply the parking
brake, and block the front and rear
wheels with rocks or other objects.
Do not park the ATV at all on hills that
are so steep you could not walk up them
easily.

1. Bring the machine to a stop by applying
the brakes in low gear.

2. Stop the engine.

3. With the rear brake lever and pedal ap­plied, apply the parking brake and slowly
release the rear brake pedal.

6-9

EBU00221

Accessories and loading

EBU00222

Accessories

Accessories can affect the handling and con­trol of your ATV. Keep the following in mind
when considering an accessory or operating
an ATV which has accessories.

●

Choose only accessories designed for your
ATV. Your Yamaha dealer has a variety of
genuine Yamaha accessories. Other ac­cessories may also be available on the
market. However, it is not possible for
Yamaha to test all non-Yamaha accesso­ries, nor have any control over the quality or
suitability of them. Choose a genuine
Yamaha accessory, or one that is equiva­lent in design and quality.

●

Accessories should be rigidly and securely
mounted. An accessory which can shift po­sition or come off while you are riding could
affect your ability to control the ATV.

●

Do not mount an accessory where it could
interfere with your ability to control the ATV.
Examples include (but are not limited to) a
heavy or bulky object attached to the han­dlebars which could make steering difficult,
an accessory that limits your ability to move
around on the seat, or one that limits your
view.

●

Use extra caution when riding an ATV with
accessories. The ATV may handle differently
than it does without accessories.

6-10

EBU00588

Loading

Cargo or a trailer can change the stability and
handling of an ATV.
You must use common sense and good judg­ment when carrying cargo or towing a trailer.
Keep the following points in mind:

●

Never exceed the weight limits shown. An
overloaded ATV can be unstable.

MAXIMUM LOADING LIMIT

●

Vehicle loading limit (total weight of car­go, rider and accessories, and tongue
weight): 165 kg (364 lb)

●

Front carrier: 30 kg (66 lb)

●

Rear carrier: 45 kg (99 lb)

●

Storage box: 2 kg (4.4 lb)

●

Trailer hitch:
Pulling load (total weight of trailer and
cargo): 330 kgf (727 lbf)
Tongue weight (vertical weight on trailer
hitch point): 15 kgf (33 lbf)

●

Do not exceed the maximum tongue
weight. You can measure tongue weight
with a bathroom scale. Put the tongue of
the loaded trailer on the scale with the
tongue at hitch height. Adjust the load in the
trailer, if necessary, to reduce the weight on
hitch.

●

If you are carrying cargo and towing a trail­er, include the tongue weight in the maxi­mum vehicle load limit.

●

Load cargo on the carrier as close to the
center of the vehicle as possible. Put cargo
at the front of the rear carrier. Center the
load from side to side.

●

Tie down cargo securely to the carriers.
Make sure cargo in the trailer cannot move
around. A shifting load can cause an acci­dent.

●

Make sure the load does not interfere with
controls or your ability to see where you are
going.

6-11

●

Ride more slowly than you would without a
load. The more weight you carry, the slow­er you should go. Although conditions vary,
it is good practice not to exceed 2nd gear
whenever you are carrying heavier loads or
when towing a trailer.

●

Allow more braking distance. A heavier ve­hicle takes longer to stop.

●

Avoid making sharp turns unless at very
slow speeds.

●

Avoid hills and rough terrain. Choose ter­rain carefully. Added weight affects the sta­bility and handling of the ATV.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Overloading this ATV or carrying or tow­ing cargo improperly.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Could cause changes in vehicle han­dling which could lead to an accident.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Never exceed the stated load capacity
for this ATV.
Cargo should be properly distributed
and securely attached. Reduce speed
when carrying cargo or pulling a trailer.
Allow greater distance for braking.

6-12

EBU00901

WARNING

_

Indicates a potential hazard that could
result in serious injury or death.

6-13

Riding

1-

Your

ATV

7-1

7

7-2

WARNING

_

Indicates a potential hazard that could
result in serious injury or death.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR ATV

This ATV is mainly for utility use, but may also
be used for recreation. This section, Riding
your ATV, provides general ATV riding in­structions for recreational riding. The skills
and techniques described in this section,
however, are appropriate for all types of
riding. Riding your ATV requires special skills
acquired through practice over a period of
time. Take the time to learn the basic tech­niques well before attempting more difficult
maneuvers.
Riding your new ATV can be a very enjoyable
activity, providing you with hours of pleasure.
But it is essential to familiarize yourself with
the operation of the ATV to achieve the skill
necessary to enjoy riding safely. Before you
begin to ride, be sure you have read this

Owner’s Manual completely and understand
the operation of the controls. Pay particular
attention to the safety information on pages
2-1–2-6. Please also read all caution and
warning labels on your ATV.

7-3

RIDE WITH CARE AND GOOD
JUDGEMENT

Get training if you are inexperienced.

Beginners should get training from a certified
instructor. Become familiar with this ATV at
slow speeds first, even if you are an experi­enced operator. Do not attempt to operate at
maximum performance until you are totally fa­miliar with the ATV’s handling and perfor­mance characteristics.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Operating this ATV without proper in­struction.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
The risk of an accident is greatly in­creased if the operator does not know
how to operate the ATV properly in dif­ferent situations and on different types
of terrain.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Beginning and inexperienced operators
should complete the certified training
course offered by Yamaha. They should
then regularly practice the skills learned
in the course and the operating tech­niques described in this Owner’s Manu­al.
For more information about the training
course, contact an authorized ATV deal­er or call 1-800-887-2887.

Riding your ATV requires skills acquired
through practice over a period of time.

Take the time to learn the basic techniques
well before attempting more difficult maneu­vers.

7-4

Not recommended for children under
16 years of age.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Failure to follow the age recommenda­tions for this ATV.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Use by children of ATVs that are not rec­ommended for their age can lead to se­vere injury or death of the child.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
A child under 16 should never operate
an ATV with engine size greater than
90cc.

7-5

This ATV is designed to carry operator and
cargo only – passengers prohibited.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Carrying a passenger on this ATV.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Greatly reduces your ability to balance
and control this ATV. Could cause an
accident, resulting in harm to you and/
or your passenger.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Never carry a passenger. The long seat
is to allow the operator to shift position
as needed during operation. It is not for
carrying passengers.

7-6

Apparel

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Operating this ATV without wearing an
approved motorcycle helmet, eye pro­tection and protective clothing.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Operating without an
approved motorcycle
helmet increases your
chances of a severe
head injury or death in
the event of an acci­dent. Operating with­out eye protection can
result in an accident and increases your
chances of a severe injury in the event of an
accident.

Operating without protective clothing in­creases your chances of severe injury in the
event of an accident.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always wear an approved motorcycle
helmet that fits properly.
You should also wear:

eye protection

(goggles or face shield)
gloves
boots
long-sleeved
shirt or jacket
long pants.

7-7

Do not operate after consuming alcohol or
drugs.

Operator’s performance capability is reduced
by the influence of alcohol or drugs.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Operating this ATV after consuming al­cohol or drugs.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Could seriously affect your judgment.
Could cause you to react more slowly.
Could affect your balance and percep­tion. Could result in an accident.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Never consume alcohol or drugs before
or while driving this ATV.

7-8

Pre-operation checks

Always perform the pre-operation checks list­ed on page 5-1 before riding for safety and
proper care of the ATV.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Failure to inspect the ATV before oper­ating.
Failure to properly maintain the ATV.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Increases the possibility of an accident
or equipment damage.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always inspect your ATV each time you
use it to make sure the ATV is in safe op­erating condition.
Always follow the inspection and main­tenance procedures and schedules de­scribed in the Owner’s Manual.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Operating this ATV with improper tires,
or with improper or uneven tire pres­sure.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Use of improper tires on this ATV, or op­eration of this ATV with improper or un­even tire pressure, may cause loss of
control, increasing your risk of an acci­dent.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always use the size and type tires spec­ified in the Owner’s Manual for this vehi­cle on pages 5-9–5-10.
Always maintain proper tire pressure as
described in the Owner’s Manual on
page 5-11.

7-9

WARNING

_

Indicates a potential hazard that could
result in serious injury or death.

Do not operate at speeds too fast for your
skills or the conditions.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Operating this ATV at speeds too fast
for your skills or the conditions.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Increases your chances of losing con­trol of the ATV, which can result in an
accident.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always go at a speed that is proper for
the terrain, visibility and operating con­ditions, and your experience.

Speed limiter

For riders inexperienced with this model, this
model is equipped with a speed limiter in the
throttle lever housing. The speed limiter limits
the power and top speed of the ATV. Turning
the screw in decreases top speed, and turning
it out increases top speed.

1. Locknut 2. Adjuster

7-10

Loading and accessories

Use extra caution when riding the ATV with
additional loads, such as accessories or car­go. The ATV’s handling may be adversely af­fected. Reduce your speed when adding
additional loads.

MAXIMUM LOADING LIMIT

●

Vehicle loading limit (total weight of
cargo, rider and accessories, and
tongue weight): 165 kg (364 lb)

●

Front carrier: 30 kg (66 lb)

●

Rear carrier: 45 kg (99 lb)

●

Storage box: 2 kg (4.4 lb)

●

Trailer hitch:
Pulling load (total weight of trailer
and cargo): 330 kgf (727 lbf)
Tongue weight (vertical weight on
trailer hitch point): 15 kgf (33 lbf)

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Overloading this ATV or carrying or tow­ing cargo improperly.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Could cause changes in vehicle han­dling which could lead to an accident.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Never exceed the stated load capacity
for this ATV.
Cargo should be properly distributed
and securely attached.
Reduce speed when carrying cargo or
pulling a trailer. Allow greater distance
for braking.
Always follow the instructions in your
Owner’s Manual for carrying cargo or
pulling a trailer.

7-11

During operation

Always keep your feet on the footboards dur­ing operation. Otherwise your feet may con­tact the rear wheels.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Removing hands from handlebars or
feet from footboards during operation.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Removing even one hand or foot can re­duce your ability to control the ATV or
could cause you to lose your balance
and fall off of the ATV. If you remove a
foot from a footboard, your foot or leg
may come into contact with the rear
wheels, which could injure you or cause
an accident.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always keep both hands on the handle­bars and both feet on the footboards of
your ATV during operation.

7-12

Avoid wheelies and jumping. You may lose
control of the ATV or overturn.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Attempting wheelies, jumps, and other
stunts.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Increases the chance of an accident, in­cluding an overturn.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Never attempt stunts, such as wheelies
or jumps. Don’t try to show off.

7-13

Modifications

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Operating this ATV with improper modi­fications.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Improper installation of accessories or
modification of this vehicle may cause
changes in handling which in some situ­ations could lead to an accident.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Never modify this ATV through improp­er installation or use of accessories. All
parts and accessories added to this ve­hicle should be genuine Yamaha or
equivalent components designed for
use on this ATV and should be installed
and used according to instructions. If
you have questions, consult an autho­rized ATV dealer.

7-14

Exhaust system

The exhaust system on the ATV is very hot
during and following operation. To prevent
burns, avoid touching the exhaust system.
Park the ATV in a place where pedestrians or
children are not likely to touch it.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Hot exhaust system.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Dry grass or brush or other combustible
material accumulated around the en­gine area could catch fire.
Someone touching the exhaust system
during or after operation could be burned.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Do not operate, idle, or park the ATV in
dry grass or other dry ground cover.
Keep the engine area free of dry grass,
brush, or other combustible material.
Do not touch the hot exhaust system.
Do not park the ATV in a place where
others might be likely to touch it.

7-15

BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU RIDE

This ATV is designed for off-road use only.
Riding on paved surfaces can cause loss of
control.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Operating this ATV on paved surfaces.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
ATVs are designed for off-road use only.
Paved surfaces may seriously affect
handling and control of the ATV, and
may cause the vehicle to go out of con­trol.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always avoid paved surfaces, including
sidewalks, driveways, parking lots and
streets.

7-16

Do not ride on any public road, street, or high­way.
Riding on public roads can result in collisions
with other vehicles.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Operating this ATV on public streets,
roads or highways.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
You can collide with another vehicle.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Never operate this ATV on any public
street, road or highway, even a dirt or
gravel one.
In many states it is illegal to operate
ATVs on public streets, roads and high­ways.

7-17

Know the terrain where you ride. Ride cau­tiously in unfamiliar areas.
Stay alert for
rain, and

holes, rocks, or roots

other hidden hazards

in the ter-

which may

cause the ATV to upset.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Failure to use extra care when operating
this ATV on unfamiliar terrain.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
You can come upon hidden rocks,
bumps, or holes, without enough time to
react.
Could result in the ATV overturning or
going out of control.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Go slowly and be extra careful when op­erating on unfamiliar terrain.
Always be alert to changing terrain con­ditions when operating the ATV.

7-18

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Failure to use extra care when operating
on excessively rough, slippery or loose
terrain.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Could cause loss of traction or vehicle
control, which could result in an acci­dent, including an overturn.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Do not operate on excessively rough,
slippery or loose terrain until you have
learned and practiced the skills neces­sary to control the ATV on such terrain.
Always be especially cautious on these
kinds of terrain.

7-19

When riding in an area where you might not
easily be seen, such as desert terrain, mount
a caution flag on the ATV. DO NOT use the
flag pole bracket as a trailer hitch.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Operating in areas where you might not
be seen by other off-road vehicles.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
You could be in a collision. You could
be injured.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always mount a caution flag on the ATV
to make you more visible. Watch care­fully for other vehicles.

Do not ride in areas posted “no trespassing”.
Do not ride on private property without getting
permission.

7-20

Select a large, flat area off-road to become fa­miliar with your ATV. Make sure that this area
is free of obstacles and other riders. You
should practice control of the throttle, brakes,
shifting procedures, and turning techniques in
this area before trying more difficult terrain. Al­ways avoid riding on paved surfaces: the ATV
is designed for off-road use only, and han­dling maneuvers are more difficult to perform
on pavement.

Set the parking brake and follow the instruc­tion on page 6-1 to start the engine. Once it
has warmed up you are ready to begin riding
your ATV. As you get on the ATV, be sure not
to accidentally move the shift pedal. Remem­ber that the engine and exhaust pipe will be
hot when riding and afterwards; do not allow
skin or clothing to come in contact with these
components.

With the engine idling, lift the shift pedal to the
1st gear position and then release the parking
brake. Apply the throttle slowly and smoothly.
The centrifugal clutch will engage and you will
start to accelerate. Once the ATV has at­tained adequate speed, release the throttle
and lift the shift pedal to the 2nd gear position.
Release the shift pedal and apply the throttle
smoothly. Use this same procedure as you
move into the higher gears. Be sure to coordi­nate the use of the throttle and shift pedal
properly. If the throttle is applied too abruptly
or if the throttle is not released during shifting,
or if the shift pedal is not released before ap­plying the throttle, the front wheels may lift off
the ground resulting in a loss of directional
control. Avoid higher speeds until you are
thoroughly familiar with the operation of your
ATV.

7-21

CAUTION:

_

Do not shift gears without releasing the
throttle. Damage to the engine or drive
train may occur.

_

When slowing down or stopping, release the
throttle and apply the brakes smoothly and
evenly. As you slow down, shift to a lower
gear. Be sure that the engine has sufficiently
slowed before engaging a lower gear. Improp­er use of the brakes or shifting can cause the
tires to lose traction, reducing control and in­creasing the possibility of an accident.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Engaging a lower gear when the engine
speed is too high.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
The wheels could stop rotating. This
could cause loss of control, an accident
and injury. It could also cause engine or
drive train damage.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Make sure the engine has sufficiently
slowed before shifting to a lower gear.

7-22

TURNING YOUR ATV

To achieve maximum traction while riding off­road, the two rear wheels are mounted solidly
on one axle and turn together at the same
speed. Therefore, unless the wheel on the in­side of the turn is allowed to slip or lose some
traction, the ATV will resist turning. A special
turning technique must be used to allow the
ATV to make turns quickly and easily. It is es­sential that this skill be learned first at low
speed.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Turning improperly.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
ATV could go out of control, causing a
collision or overturn.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always follow proper procedures for
turning as described in this Owner’s
Manual.
Practice turning at low speeds before at­tempting to turn at faster speeds. Do not
turn at speeds too fast for your skills or
the conditions.

As you approach a curve, slow down and be­gin to turn the handlebars in the desired direc­tion. As you do so, put your weight on the
footboard to the outside of the turn (opposite
your desired direction) and lean your upper
body into the turn. Use the throttle to maintain
an even speed through the turn. This maneu­ver will let the wheel on the inside of the turn
slip slightly, allowing the ATV to make the turn
properly.

7-23

This procedure should be practiced at slow
speed many times in a large off-road area
with no obstacles. If an incorrect technique is
used, your ATV may continue to go straight. If
the ATV doesn’t turn, come to a stop and then
practice the procedure again. If the riding sur­face is slippery or loose, it may help to posi­tion more of your weight over the front wheels
by moving forward on the seat.

Once you have learned this technique you
should be able to perform it at higher speeds
or in tighter curves.

Improper riding procedures such as abrupt
throttle changes, excessive braking, incorrect
body movements, or too much speed for the
sharpness of the turn may cause the ATV to
tip. If the ATV begins to tip over to the outside
while negotiating a turn, lean more to the in­side. It may also be necessary to gradually let
off on the throttle and steer to the outside of
the turn to avoid tipping over.
Remember: Avoid higher speeds until you are
thoroughly familiar with the operation of your
ATV.

7-24

CLIMBING UPHILL

Use proper riding techniques to avoid vehicle
overturns on hills. Be sure that you can ma­neuver your ATV well on flat ground before at­tempting any incline and then practice riding
first on gentle slopes. Try more difficult climbs
only after you have developed your skill. In all
cases avoid inclines with slippery or loose sur­faces, or obstacles that might cause you to
lose control.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Operating on excessively steep hills.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
The vehicle can overturn more easily on
extremely steep hills than on level sur­faces or small hills.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Never operate the ATV on hills too steep
for the ATV or for your abilities.
Practice on smaller hills before attempt­ing large hills.

It is important when climbing a hill to make
sure that your weight is transferred forward on
the ATV. This can be accomplished by lean­ing forward and, on steeper inclines, standing
on the footboards and leaning forward over
the handlebars.

7-25

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Climbing hills improperly.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Could cause loss of control or cause the
ATV to overturn.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always follow proper procedures for
climbing hills as described in this Own­er’s Manual.
Always check the terrain carefully be­fore you start up any hill.
Never climb hills with excessively slip­pery or loose surfaces.
Shift your weight forward.
Never open the throttle suddenly or
make sudden gear changes.
The ATV could flip over backwards.
Never go over the top of any hill at high
speed.

An obstacle, a sharp drop, or another
vehicle or person could be on the other
side of the hill.

7-26

If you are climbing a hill and you find that you
have not properly judged your ability to make
it to the top, you should turn the ATV around
while you still have forward motion (provided
you have the room to do so) and go down the
hill.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Improperly crossing hills or turning on
hills.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Could cause loss of control or cause the
ATV to overturn.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Never attempt to turn the ATV around
on any hill until you have mastered the
turning technique as described in the
Owner’s Manual on level ground. Be
very careful when turning on any hill.
Avoid crossing the side of a steep hill if
possible.

When crossing the side of a hill:
Always follow proper procedures as de­scribed in the Owner’s Manual.
Avoid hills with excessively slippery or
loose surfaces.
Shift your weight to the uphill side of the
ATV.

7-27

If your ATV has stalled or stopped and you
believe you can continue up the hill, restart
carefully to make sure you do not lift the front
wheels which could cause you to lose control.
If you are unable to continue up the hill, dis­mount the ATV on the uphill side. Physically
turn the ATV around and then descend the
hill.

If you start to roll backwards, DO NOT use the
rear brake to stop or try to put the ATV in gear.
The ATV could easily tip over backwards. In­stead, dismount the ATV immediately on the
uphill side.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Stalling, rolling backwards or improper­ly dismounting while climbing a hill.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Could result in ATV overturning.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Use proper gear and maintain steady
speed when climbing a hill.
If you lose all forward speed:

Keep weight uphill.
Apply the brakes.
Lock the parking brake, after you are
stopped.

If you begin rolling backwards:

Keep weight uphill.
Never apply the rear brake while roll­ing backwards.
Apply the front brake.
When fully stopped, apply the rear
brake as well, and then lock the park­ing brake.

7-28

Dismount on uphill side or to a side if
pointed straight uphill. Turn the ATV
around and remount, following the pro­cedure described in the Owner’s Manu­al.

7-29

RIDING DOWNHILL

When riding your ATV downhill, shift your
weight as far to the rear and uphill side of the
ATV as possible. Move back on the seat and
sit with your arms straight. Choose a low gear
which will allow the engine compression to do
most of the braking for you. Improper braking
may cause a loss of traction.
Use caution while descending a hill with loose
or slippery surfaces. Braking ability and trac­tion may be adversely affected by these sur­faces. Improper braking may also cause a
loss of traction.

Whenever possible, ride your ATV straight
downhill. Avoid sharp angles which could al­low the ATV to tip or roll over. Carefully
choose your path and ride no faster than you
will be able to react to obstacles which may
appear.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Going down a hill improperly.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Could cause loss of control or cause the
ATV to overturn.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Always follow proper procedures for go­ing down hills as described in this Own­er’s Manual. Note: a special technique is
required when braking as you go down
a hill.
Always check the terrain carefully be­fore you start down any hill.
Shift your weight backward.
Never go down a hill at high speed.
Avoid going down a hill at an angle that
would cause the vehicle to lean sharply
to one side. Go straight down the hill
where possible.

7-30

7-31

CROSSING A SLOPE

Traversing a sloping surface on your ATV re­quires you to properly position your weight to
maintain proper balance. Be sure that you
have learned the basic riding skills on flat
ground before attempting to cross a sloping
surface. Avoid slopes with slippery surfaces
or rough terrain that may upset your balance.

As you travel across a slope, lean your body
in the uphill direction. It may be necessary to
correct the steering when riding on loose sur­faces by pointing the front wheels slightly up­hill. When riding on slopes be sure not to
make sharp turns either up or down hill.

If your ATV does begin to tip over, gradually
steer in the downhill direction if there are no
obstacles in your path. As you regain proper
balance, gradually steer again in the direction
you wish to travel.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Improperly crossing hills or turning on
hills.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Could cause loss of control or cause the
ATV to overturn.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Never attempt to turn the ATV around
on any hill until you have mastered the
turning technique as described in the
Owner’s Manual on level ground. Be
very careful when turning on any hill.
Avoid crossing the side of a steep hill if
possible.

7-32

When crossing the side of a hill:
Always follow proper procedures as de­scribed in the Owner’s Manual.
Avoid hills with excessively slippery or
loose surfaces.
Shift your weight to the uphill side of the
ATV.

7-33

CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW WATER

The ATV can be used to cross slow moving,
shallow water of up to a maximum of 35 cm
(14 inches) in depth. Before entering the wa­ter, choose your path carefully. Enter where
there is no sharp drop off, and avoid rocks or
other obstacles which may be slippery or up­set the ATV. Drive slowly and carefully.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Operating this ATV through deep or fast
flowing water.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Tires may float, causing loss of traction
and loss of control, which could lead to
an accident.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Never operate this ATV in fast flowing
water or in water deeper than that spec­ified in your Owner’s Manual.

Remember that wet brakes may have re­duced stopping ability. Test your brakes
after leaving water. If necessary, apply
them several times to let friction dry out
the linings.

7-34

Test your brakes after leaving the water. Do
not continue to ride your ATV without verifying
that you have regained proper braking ability.

CAUTION:

_

After riding your ATV in water, be sure to
drain the trapped water by removing the
check hose at the bottom of the air filter
case. Wash the ATV in fresh water if it has
been operated in salt water or muddy con­ditions.

_

1. Check hose

7-35

RIDING OVER ROUGH TERRAIN

Riding over rough terrain should be done with
caution. Look out for obstacles which could
cause damage to the ATV or could lead to an
upset or accident. Be sure to keep your feet
firmly mounted on the footboards at all times.
Avoid jumping the ATV as loss of control and
damage to the ATV may result.

WARNI NG

POTENTIAL HAZARD
Improperly operating over obstacles.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Could cause loss of control or a colli­sion. Could cause the ATV to overturn.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Before operating in a new area, check
for obstacles.
Never attempt to ride over large obsta­cles, such as large rocks or fallen trees.
When you go over obstacles, always fol­low proper procedures as described in
the Owner’s Manual.

7-36