2001 YAMAHA XL 1200 engine

E
1
EJU00274
GENERAL AND
SAFETY
INFORMATION
Identification numbers............................. 1-1
Primary Identification (PRI-ID) number .. 1-1
Hull Identification Number (HIN)............. 1-1
Engine serial number.............................. 1-1
Important labels........................................ 1-2
Label location .......................................... 1-2
Warning labels ........................................ 1-3
Caution labels ......................................... 1-6
Other labels ............................................. 1-7
Safety information.............................. 1-8
Limitations on who may operate the
watercraft................................................. 1-8
Cruising limitations .................................. 1-9
Operation requirements........................ 1-10
Hazard information ............................... 1-12
Watercraft characteristics ..................... 1-13
Water-skiing .......................................... 1-14
Safe boating rules.................................. 1-15
Enjoy your watercraft responsibly....... 1-16

1-1
E
EJU00699
Identification numbers
Record your Primary Identification (PRI-
ID) number, Hull Identification Number (HIN)
and engine serial number in the spaces pro-
vided, to assist you in ordering spare parts
from a Yamaha dealer. Also record and keep
these ID numbers in a separate place in
case your watercraft is stolen.
EJU00700
Primary Identification (PRI-ID)
number
The PRI-ID number is stamped on a label 1
attached to the inside of the engine compart-
ment.
EJU00701
Hull Identification Number
(HIN)
The HIN is stamped on a plate 2
attached to the aft deck.
EJU00288a
Engine serial number
The engine serial number is stamped on
a label 3 attached to the engine unit.

1-12
E
●Do not attempt to modify this watercraft!
Modifications to your watercraft may
reduce safety and reliability, and render
the watercraft unsafe or illegal for use.
●Attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
to wrist and keep it free from the handle-
bars so that the engine stops if the opera-
tor falls off. After riding, remove the
engine shut-off cord from the watercraft to
avoid accidental starting or unauthorized
use by children or others.
●Scan carefully for swimmers and stay
away from swimming areas. Swimmers
are hard to see and you could acciden-
tally hit someone in the water.
●Avoid being hit by another boat! You
should always take the responsibility to
watch for traffic; other boaters may not be
watching for you. If they do not see you,
or you maneuver more quickly than other
boaters expect, you risk a collision.
●Maintain a safe distance from other boats
or watercraft, and also watch for boats’ ski
ropes or fishing lines. Obey the “Safe
boating rules,” and be sure to check
behind you before making a turn. (See
Safe boating rules on page 1-15.)
EJU00313
Hazard information
●When transporting or storing your water-
craft, always place the fuel cock knob in
the “OFF” position, otherwise gasoline
may overflow from the carburetor.
●Never start the engine or let it run for any
length of time in an enclosed area.
Exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide,
a colorless, odorless gas that may cause
loss of consciousness and death within a
short time. Always operate the watercraft
in an open area.

1-13
E
EJU00315a
Watercraft characteristics
●Jet thrust turns the watercraft. Releasing
the throttle completely produces only min-
imum thrust. If you are traveling at speeds
above trolling, you will have rapidly
decreasing ability to steer without throttle.
You may still have some turning ability
immediately after releasing the throttle,
but once the engine slows down, the
watercraft will no longer respond to han-
dlebar input until you open the throttle
again or you reach a trolling speed. Prac-
tice turning in an open area without
obstructions until you have a good feel for
this maneuver.
●This watercraft are water-jet propelled.
The jet pump is directly connected to the
engine. This means that jet thrust will pro-
duce some movement whenever the
engine is running. There is no “neutral”
position. You are in either “forward” or
“reverse,” depending upon the shift lever
position.
●Do not use the reverse function to slow
down or stop the watercraft as it could
cause you to lose control, be ejected, or
impact the handlebars.
This could increase the risk of back/spinal
injury (paralysis), facial injuries, and bro-
ken legs, ankles, and other bones. You
could also damage the shift mechanism.
●Reverse can be used to slow down or
stop during slow speed maneuvering,
such as when docking. Once the engine
is idling, shift to reverse and gradually
increase engine speed. Make sure that
there are no obstacles or people behind
you before shifting into reverse.
●Keep away from intake grate 1 while the
engine is on. Items such as long hair,
loose clothing, or PFD straps can become
entangled in moving parts resulting in
severe injury or drowning.
●Never insert any object into the jet thrust
nozzle 2 while the engine is running.
Severe injury or death could result from
coming in contact with the rotating parts
of the jet pump.
●Stop the engine and remove the clip 3
from the engine shut-off switch 4 before
removing any debris or weeds, which may
have collected around the jet intake.

E
2
EJU00326
FEATURES AND
FUNCTIONS
Location of main components............... 2-1
Operation of controls and other
functions.................................................... 2-5
Rear seat................................................. 2-5
Front seat ................................................ 2-6
Hood ........................................................ 2-7
Fuel tank filler cap ................................... 2-8
Oil tank filler cap...................................... 2-8
Fuel cock knob........................................ 2-9
Engine stop switch ................................ 2-10
Engine shut-off switch........................... 2-10
Choke knob ........................................... 2-10
Throttle lever ......................................... 2-11
Start switch............................................ 2-11
Cooling water pilot outlet ...................... 2-12
Steering system .................................... 2-12
Tilt lever ................................................. 2-13
Shift lever .............................................. 2-14
Quick Shift Trim System (QSTS)
selector .................................................. 2-15
Engine overheat warning system ......... 2-17
Handgrip................................................ 2-19
Multifunction meter................................ 2-20
PADLOC (Programmable digital locking
ignition) .................................................. 2-21
Tachometer ........................................... 2-23
Speedometer ........................................ 2-24
Fuel meter ............................................. 2-24
Engine oil meter .................................... 2-25
Clock ..................................................... 2-25
Hour meter ............................................ 2-26
Trip timer ............................................... 2-26
Tripmeter ............................................... 2-27
Fuel warning indicator........................... 2-27
Oil warning indicator ............................. 2-28
Engine overheat warning indicator....... 2-28
Battery warning indicator ...................... 2-29
Storage compartments ......................... 2-30

2-3
E
1Engine stop switch
Push to stop the engine normally.
2Clip
Insert into the engine shut-off switch to enable
starting of the engine.
Remove to stop the engine or prevent acci-
dental star ting of the engine or unauthorized
use of the watercraft.
3Quick Shift Trim System (QSTS) selector
Use to select the trim angle of the watercraft.
4QSTS shift lock lever
5Engine shut-off switch
Remove the clip to stop the engine and dis-
able it from starting.
6Start switch
Push to start the engine.
7Fuel cock knob
Use to select either normal or reserve fuel flow
from the fuel tank to the carburetors, or to shut
off fuel flow.
8Choke knob
Use to start a cold engine.9Engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
Attach to wrist so that the engine stops if the
operator falls off the watercraft.
0Adjustable rearview mirrors
AMultifunction meter
Use to check watercraft operation.
BShift lever
Use to put the watercraft into forward or
reverse.
CThrottle lever
Use to accelerate and decelerate.
DTilt lever
Use to adjust the tilt of the handlebars.
EGlove compartment

2-4
E
1Spark plugs/Spark plug caps
2Electrical box
Protects electrical components from water.
3Flush hose connector
Use to flush the engine cooling water pas-
sages.
4Spark plug lead
5Muffler
6Fuel filter
7Fuel tank8Oil tank
9Battery

2-9
E
EJU00704
Fuel cock knob
The fuel cock supplies fuel from the fuel
tank to the carburetors.
The fuel cock knob 1 positions are
explained as follows and are shown in the
illustration.
OFF:
With the fuel cock knob in this position,
fuel does not flow. Always turn the fuel cock
knob to this position when the engine is not
running.
ON:
With the fuel cock knob in this position,
fuel flows to the carburetors. Turn the fuel
cock knob to this position when starting the
engine and operating the watercraft.
RES:
This indicates reserve. With the fuel cock
knob in this position, the fuel reserve is
made available. Tur n the fuel cock knob to
this position if you run out of fuel while oper-
ating the watercraft. When this occurs,
refuel as soon as possible and be sure to
turn the fuel cock knob back to “ON”!