Page 17 of 378

OPERATION ...........................................6-1
Starting a cold engine ...........................6-3
Starting a warm engine ........................6-9
Warming up ..........................................6-9
Drive select lever operation and
reverse driving .................................6-11
Shifting ...............................................6-15
To start out and accelerate: ...............6-17
To decelerate: ....................................6-19
Engine break-in ..................................6-21
Parking ...............................................6-23
Parking on a slope .............................6-25
Accessories and loading ....................6-27
RIDING YOUR ATV..................................7-1
Getting to know your ATV .....................7-3
Ride with care and good
judgement ...........................................7-5
Be careful where you ride ...................7-27
Turning your ATV ................................7-41
Climbing uphill.....................................7-47
Riding downhill ....................................7-57
Crossing a slope .................................7-61
Crossing through shallow water ..........7-65
Riding over rough terrain ....................7-69
Sliding and skidding ............................7-71
67
What to do if ... ................................... 7-75
What to do ... ...................................... 7-75
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND
ADJUSTMENT ......................................... 8-1
Owner’s manual and tool kit ................. 8-3
Periodic maintenance/lubrication ......... 8-7
Engine oil ............................................ 8-13
Final gear oil ....................................... 8-23
Spark plug inspection ......................... 8-29
Air filter cleaning ................................. 8-33
Carburetor adjustment ....................... 8-39
Idle speed adjustment ....................... 8-41
Valve clearance adjustment .............. 8-43
Throttle lever adjustment ................... 8-43
Front brake pad inspection ................ 8-45
Rear brake shoe inspection ............... 8-45
Brake fluid level inspection ................ 8-47
Brake fluid replacement ...................... 8-49
Front brake adjustment ...................... 8-51
Rear brake adjustment ...................... 8-53
Adjusting the rear brake light switch ... 8-59
Clutch adjustment .............................. 8-61
Cable inspection and lubrication......... 8-63
Brake lever and brake pedal
lubrication ........................................ 8-65
Steering shaft lubrication ................... 8-65
8
EE.book Page 2 Monday, June 25, 2001 3:46 PM
Page 238 of 378
7-67
1. Check hose
1. Flexible de contrôle
1. Manguito de retención
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. _
EE.book Page 67 Monday, June 25, 2001 2:27 PM
Page 258 of 378

8-7
EBU00262
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE/LUBRICATION
ITEM ROUTINEINITIAL EVERY
1
month3
months6
months6
months1
year
Valves*•Check valve clearance.
•Adjust if necessary.
Spark plug•Check condition.
•Adjust gap and clean.
•Replace if necessary.Air filter•Clean.
•Replace if necessary.Every 20~40 hours
(More often in wet or dusty areas.)
Carburetor*•Check idle speed/starter operation.
•Adjust if necessary.Cylinder head breather
system*•Check breather hose for cracks or damage.
•Replace if necessary.Exhaust system*•Check for leakage.
•Retighten if necessary.
•Replace gasket if necessary.Fuel line*•Check fuel hose for cracks or damage.
•Replace if necessary.Engine oil
•Replace (Warm engine before draining).Engine oil filter
•Clean.Engine oil strainer
•Clean.Final gear oil•Check oil level/oil leakage.
•Replace.Front brake*•Check operation/fluid leakage/see NOTE page 8-4.
•Correct if necessary.Rear brake*•Check operation.
•Adjust if necessary.Clutch*•Check operation.
•Adjust if necessary.EE.book Page 7 Monday, June 25, 2001 2:27 PM
Page 284 of 378
8-33 1. Check hose
1. Flexible de contrôle
1. Manguito de comprobación
1. Air filter case cover
1. Couvercle du boîtier de filtre à air
1. Tapa de la caja del filtro de aire
EBU00541*
Air filter cleaningNOTE:_ There is a check hose at the bottom of the air filter
case. If dust or water collects in this hose, empty
the hose and clean the air filter element and air fil-
ter case. _1. Remove the seat.
2. Remove the air filter case cover.
EE.book Page 33 Monday, June 25, 2001 2:27 PM
Page 286 of 378
8-35
3. Pull out the air filter element.
4. Separate the foam cover from the air filter el-
ement.
5. Tap the element lightly to remove most of the
dust and dirt. Blow out the remaining dirt with
compressed air. If the element is damaged,
replace it.
6. Wash the foam cover gently but thoroughly in
water or solvent.
WARNING
_ When using solvent to clean the foam cover,
always use parts cleaning solvent. Never use
low flash point solvents or gasoline to clean
the foam cover because the engine could
catch fire or explode. _7. Squeeze the excess solvent out of the filter
and let it dry.CAUTION:_
Do not twist the foam cover when squeez-
ing it.
Do not add oil to the foam cover.
_8. Inspect the foam cover. If damaged, replace
it.
EE.book Page 35 Monday, June 25, 2001 2:27 PM
Page 288 of 378

8-37 1. Air filter element 2. Foam cover
1.Élément du filtre à air 2. Cache en mousse
1. Elemento filtrante 2. Forro de espuma
9. Reinstall the foam cover to the air filter ele-
ment.
10. Reinstall the air filter assembly and parts re-
moved for access.NOTE:_ The air filter element should be cleaned every 20 ~
40 hours. It should be cleaned more often if the
machine is operated in extremely dusty areas.
Each time filter element maintenance is per-
formed, check the air inlet to the filter case for ob-
structions. Check the air cleaner rubber joint to the
carburetor and manifold fittings for an airtight seal.
Tighten all fittings securely to avoid the possibility
of unfiltered air entering the engine. _CAUTION:_ Never operate the engine with the air filter ele-
ment removed. This will allow unfiltered air to
enter, causing rapid engine wear and possible
engine damage. Additionally, operation with-
out the filter element will affect carburetor jet-
ting with subsequent poor performance and
possible engine overheating. _
EE.book Page 37 Monday, June 25, 2001 2:27 PM
Page 358 of 378
10-3
Quantity:
Periodic oil change (engine oil)
Periodic oil change
(engine oil with oil filter replacement)
Total amount1.5 L
1.6 L
1.8 L
Final gear oil:
Type SAE80API “GL-4” Hypoid Gear Oil
Quantity
Total amount 0.27 L
Air filter: Dry type element
Fuel:
Type For Europe: Regular unleaded gasoline
For Australia: Unleaded gasoline only
Tank capacity 12 L
Reserve amount 1.6 LModel YFM250X
CAUTION:Be sure to use motor oils that do not contain anti-
friction modifiers. Passenger car motor oils (often
labeled “Energy Conserving II”) contain anti-fric-
tion additives which will cause clutch and/or
starter clutch slippage, resulting in reduced com-
ponent life and poor engine performance.
EE.book Page 3 Monday, June 25, 2001 2:27 PM