2008 YAMAHA BANSHEE 350 transmission

EBU17420
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SAFETY INFORMATION .............................. 1-1
LOCATION OF THE WARNING AND
SPECIFICATION LABELS ............................ 2-1
DESCRIPTION .............................................. 3-1
Left view ..................................................... 3-1
Right view................................................... 3-1
Controls and instruments ........................... 3-2
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL
FUNCTIONS .................................................. 4-1
Main switch ............................................... 4-1
Handlebar switches ................................... 4-2
Throttle lever ............................................. 4-2
Throttle OverRide System ......................... 4-3
Speed limiter ............................................. 4-3
Clutch lever ............................................... 4-4
Brake lever ................................................ 4-5
Brake pedal ............................................... 4-5
Parking brake ............................................ 4-5
Shift pedal ................................................. 4-7
Kickstarter ................................................. 4-7
Fuel tank cap ............................................. 4-7
Fuel ........................................................... 4-8Fuel cock ................................................... 4-9
Starter (choke) ......................................... 4-10
Seat ......................................................... 4-11
Adjusting the front shock absorber
assemblies .............................................4-12
Adjusting the rear shock absorber
assembly ................................................4-13
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS ..........................5-1
Pre-operation check list ............................. 5-1
Fuel and 2-stroke engine oil mixing ratio ... 5-3
Transmission oil ......................................... 5-3
Coolant ...................................................... 5-3
Front and rear brakes ................................ 5-3
Throttle lever .............................................. 5-4
Drive chain ................................................. 5-4
Tires ........................................................... 5-5
Measuring the tire pressure ....................... 5-6
Tire wear limit ............................................ 5-6
Chassis fasteners ...................................... 5-7
Instruments, lights and switches ................ 5-7
OPERATION...................................................6-1
Starting a cold engine ................................ 6-1
Starting a warm engine .............................. 6-2
Shifting ....................................................... 6-3

Engine break-in ......................................... 6-4
Parking ...................................................... 6-5
Parking on a slope .................................... 6-6
Accessories and loading ........................... 6-6
RIDING YOUR ATV ...................................... 7-1
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR ATV.............. 7-2
RIDE WITH CARE AND GOOD
JUDGEMENT ...........................................7-2
BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU RIDE ............ 7-8
TURNING YOUR ATV ............................. 7-12
CLIMBING UPHILL .................................. 7-14
RIDING DOWNHILL................................. 7-16
CROSSING A SLOPE.............................. 7-17
CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW
WATER ..................................................7-18
RIDING OVER ROUGH TERRAIN .......... 7-20
SLIDING AND SKIDDING ........................ 7-20
WHAT TO DO IF... ................................... 7-21
WHAT TO DO... ....................................... 7-21
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR
REPAIR .......................................................... 8-1
Owner’s manual and tool kit ...................... 8-1
Periodic maintenance chart for the
emission control system .......................... 8-3
General maintenance and lubrication
chart ........................................................ 8-5
Checking the spark plugs .......................... 8-8Transmission oil ....................................... 8-10
Coolant .................................................... 8-12
Cleaning the air filter element .................. 8-17
Cleaning the spark arrester ..................... 8-20
Changing the carburetor settings ............. 8-22
Adjusting the engine idling speed ............ 8-29
Adjusting the throttle cable free play ........ 8-31
Checking the front and rear brake
pads .......................................................8-32
Checking the brake fluid level .................. 8-33
Changing the brake fluid .......................... 8-34
Checking the front brake lever free
play ........................................................8-34
Checking the brake pedal position ........... 8-35
Adjusting the parking brake free play ...... 8-36
Brake light switches ................................. 8-38
Adjusting the clutch lever free play .......... 8-38
Drive chain slack ...................................... 8-39
Lubricating the drive chain ....................... 8-41
Checking and lubricating the cables ........ 8-42
Checking and lubricating the brake and
clutch levers ...........................................8-43
Checking and lubricating the brake and
shift pedals .............................................8-43
Checking the wheel hub bearings ............ 8-43
Lubricating the rear suspension relay arm
and connecting arm pivoting points .......8-43
Lubricating the upper and lower arm
pivots .....................................................8-44

4-7
1
2
34
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

prematurely.
EBU18530
Shift pedal
This ATV is equipped with a constant-mesh 6-
speed transmission. The shift pedal is located on
the left side of the engine and is used in combina-
tion with the clutch when shifting.
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Kickstarter
Fold out the kickstarter lever, move it down lightly
with your foot until the gears engage, and thenpush it down smoothly but forcefully. This model is
equipped with a primary kickstarter, allowing the
engine to be started in any gear if the clutch is dis-
engaged. However, shifting the transmission into
the neutral position before starting is recommend-
ed.
EBU18720
Fuel tank cap
Remove the fuel tank cap by turning it counter-
clockwise.
1. Shift pedal
2. Neutral position
6
5
4
1 2 3N
12

1. Kickstarter
1

5-1
1
2
3
45
6
7
8
9
10
11

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PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
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Pre-operation check list
Before operating this ATV, be sure to check the items listed in the following table.
WARNING

EWB00480
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 the Owner’s
Manual. Failure to inspect increases the possibility of an accident or equipment damage.
NOTE:

The maintenance of some items in the table has to be performed by a Yamaha dealer. Refer to the periodic
maintenance charts on page 8-3 to determine which service should be performed by a Yamaha dealer.
ITEM ROUTINE PAGE
Fuel


Check fuel level in fuel tank, and add recommended fuel if neces-
sary.

Check fuel line for leakage. Correct if necessary.4-8, 5-3
Transmission oil

Check oil level in transmission case, and add recommended oil to
specified level if necessary.

Check ATV for oil leakage. Correct if necessary.5-3, 8-10
Coolant

Check coolant level in reservoir, and add recommended coolant to
specified level if necessary.

Check cooling system for leakage. Correct if necessary.5-3, 8-12

5-3
1
2
3
45
6
7
8
9
10
11

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Fuel and 2-stroke engine oil mixing
ratio
If Yamalube “R” oil is not available, select an oil
from the following list.
CAUTION:

ECB00140
Never mix two types of 2-stroke engine oil in
the same batch. Always use the same type of
oil to ensure maximum engine performance.
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Transmission oil
Make sure that the transmission oil is at the speci-
fied level. Add oil as necessary. (See page 8-10.)
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Coolant
Make sure that the coolant is at the specified level.
Add coolant as necessary. (See page 8-12.)
NOTE:

The coolant level must be checked on a cold en-
gine since the level varies with engine tempera-
ture.WARNING

EWB00510
Wait for the engine and radiator to cool before
removing the radiator cap. You could be
burned by hot fluid and steam blown out under
pressure. Always put a thick rag over the cap
when opening. Allow any remaining pressure
to escape before completely removing the cap.
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Front and rear brakes
Brake lever and brake pedal

Check that there is no free play in the brake le-
ver. If there is free play, have a Yamaha dealer
check the brake system.

Check for correct brake pedal height. (See Recommended 2-stroke engine oil:
Yamalube “R” (Yamalube Racing 2-cycle oil)
Mixing ratio:
24:1
Recommended 2-stroke engine oil Mixing ratio

Castrol R30
20:1 Castrol A545
Castrol A747

6-1
1
2
3
4
56
7
8
9
10
11

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OPERATION
EBU19900
Read the Owner’s Manual carefully before riding
the ATV.
WARNING

EWB00630
Read the Owner’s Manual carefully to become
familiar with all controls in order to help pre-
vent any loss of control, which could cause an
accident or injury. If there is a control or func-
tion you do not understand, ask your Yamaha
dealer.
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Starting a cold engine
WARNING

EWB00640
Always make sure all control cables work
smoothly before you begin riding in cold
weather. If the control cables are frozen or do
not work smoothly, you could be unable to
control the ATV, which could lead to an acci-
dent or collision.
CAUTION:

ECB00150
See the “Engine break-in” section on page 6-4
prior to operating the engine for the first time.
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.
5. Use the starter (choke) in reference to the fig-
ure:
Position (1):

Cold engine start with ambient temperature be-
low 5 °C (40 °F).
Position (2):

Cold engine start with ambient temperature be-
tween 0 °C (30 °F) and 30 °C (90 °F).
Position (3):

Cold engine start with ambient temperature
above 25 °C (80 °F).

6-3
1
2
3
4
56
7
8
9
10
11

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Shifting
This ATV has a 6-speed forward transmission. The
transmission allows you to control the amount of
power you have available at a given speed or for
starting, accelerating, climbing hills, etc.
To shift into neutral, return the throttle lever to the
closed position, apply the clutch, and then repeat-
edly depress the shift pedal until it stops.
When it stops, it will be in first gear. Raise the pedal
slightly to reach the neutral position.
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To start out and accelerate
1. Release the throttle lever.CAUTION:
ECB00200
Always close the throttle before shifting gears,
otherwise damage to the engine and drive train
may result.
2. Pull the clutch lever to disengage the clutch.
3. Shift into first gear.
4. Open the throttle gradually and at the same
time, release the clutch lever slowly.
5. Once the ATV has attained adequate speed,
release the throttle, and at the same time,
quickly pull in the clutch lever.
6. Shift the transmission into second gear.
(Make sure not to shift the transmission into
neutral)
7. Open the throttle part way and gradually re-
lease the clutch lever.
8. Follow the same procedure when shifting to
the next higher gear.WARNING
EWB00730
Opening the throttle abruptly or releasing the
clutch lever too quickly could make the ATV
1. Shift pedal
2. Neutral position
6
5
4
1 2 3N
1
2

6-4
1
2
3
4
56
7
8
9
10
11

wheelie, which would increase the chance of
an accident, including an overturn.
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To decelerate
When slowing down or stopping, release the throt-
tle 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 con-
trol and increasing the possibility of an accident.
WARNING

EWB00710
Make sure the engine has sufficiently slowed
before shifting to a lower gear. Engaging a low-
er gear when the engine speed is too high
could make the wheels stop rotating and lose
traction. This could cause loss of control, an
accident and injury. It could also cause engine
or drive train damage.
CAUTION:

ECB00180

Even with the transmission in the neutral po-
sition, do not coast for long periods of time
with the engine off, and do not tow the ATVfor long distances. The transmission is prop-
erly lubricated only when the engine is run-
ning. Inadequate lubrication may damage
the transmission.

Always use the clutch when changing gears.
The engine, transmission and drive train are
not designed to withstand the shock of
forced shifting and can be damaged by shift-
ing without using the clutch.
EBU20672
Engine break-in
NOTE:


For ATVs equipped with an odometer or an hour
meter, follow the figures given in km (mi) or the
figures given in hours.

For ATVs not equipped with an odometer or
hour meter, follow the figures given in hours.
There is never a more important period in the life of
your engine than the first 320 km (200 mi) or 20
hours of riding. For this reason, you should read
the following material carefully.
Since the engine is brand new, do not put an ex-
cessive load on it for the first 320 km (200 mi) or 20
hours. The various parts in the engine wear and