2008 YAMAHA YFM250R Owners Manual

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 plug ............................ 8-9
Engine oil and oil filter element ............... 8-10
Cleaning the air filter element ................. 8-14
Cleaning the spark arrester ..................... 8-18
Adjusting the carburetor .......................... 8-19
Adjusting the engine idling speed ........... 8-20Adjusting the throttle cable free play ........ 8-20
Valve clearance ....................................... 8-21
Checking the front and rear brake
pads ....................................................... 8-22
Checking the brake fluid level .................. 8-23
Changing the brake fluid .......................... 8-25
Checking the front brake lever free
play ........................................................ 8-26
Checking the brake pedal position ........... 8-26
Adjusting the parking brake free play ...... 8-27
Brake light switches ................................. 8-29
Adjusting the clutch lever free play .......... 8-29
Drive chain slack ...................................... 8-30
Lubricating the drive chain ....................... 8-32
Checking and lubricating the cables ........ 8-33
Checking and lubricating the brake and
clutch levers ........................................... 8-33
Checking and lubricating the brake and
shift pedals ............................................. 8-34
Checking the wheel hub bearings ............ 8-34
Lubricating the swingarm pivots .............. 8-34
Lubricating the upper and lower arm
pivots ..................................................... 8-35
Lubricating the steering shaft ................... 8-36
Battery ..................................................... 8-36
Replacing the fuse ................................... 8-37
Replacing a headlight bulb ...................... 8-39
Adjusting a headlight beam ..................... 8-41
Replacing the tail/brake light bulb ............ 8-42

Removing a wheel ................................... 8-42
Installing a wheel ..................................... 8-42
Troubleshooting ...................................... 8-43
Troubleshooting chart ............................. 8-44
CLEANING AND STORAGE .......................... 9-1
Cleaning .................................................... 9-1
Storage ...................................................... 9-2
SPECIFICATIONS ...................................... 10-1
CONSUMER INFORMATION ...................... 11-1
Identification numbers ............................. 11-1

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EBU17430
SAFETY INFORMATION

SAFETY INFORMATION
EBU17592
AN ATV IS NOT A TOY AND CAN BE HAZARD-
OUS TO OPERATE.

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

Read this manual and all labels carefully and fol-
low the operating procedures described.

Never operate an ATV without proper training or
instruction.

Always follow the age recommendation:
– A child under 16 years old should never oper-
ate an ATV with engine size greater than 90 cc.

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 shedoes not have the abilities to operate it safely.

Never carry a passenger on an ATV.

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

Never operate an ATV on any paved street,
paved road or motorway.

Watch carefully for other vehicles when operat-
ing on unpaved public streets or roads. Make
sure you know your country’s laws and regula-
tions before you ride on unpaved public streets
or roads.

Never operate an ATV without wearing an ap-
proved motorcycle helmet that fits properly. You
should also wear eye protection (goggles or face
shield), gloves, boots, a long-sleeved shirt or a
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 riding conditions. Always go at a speed
that is proper for the terrain, visibility, operating

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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. Al-
ways follow the inspection and maintenance
procedures and schedules described in this
manual.

Always keep both hands on the handlebars and
both feet on the footrests of the ATV during op-
eration.

Always go slowly and be extra careful when op-
erating 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 prac-
ticed 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 and never turn at excessive speeds.

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

Always follow proper procedures for climbing
hills as described in this manual. Check the ter-
rain carefully before you start up any hill. Never
climb hills with excessively slippery or loose sur-
faces. 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 ve-
hicle 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 sur-
faces. 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 tech-
nique 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 stall-
ing, use the proper gear and maintain a steady

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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 up-
hill. 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 obsta-
cles as described in this manual.

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 re-
duce the chance of skidding or sliding out of con-
trol.

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 use the size and type of tires specified inthis manual.

Always maintain proper tire pressure as de-
scribed in this manual.

Never modify an ATV through improper installa-
tion 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 in-
structions in this manual for carrying cargo or
pulling a trailer. Allow greater distance for brak-
ing.
WARNING

EWB00061

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 ex-
haust pipe/muffler when refueling. Never re-
fuel while smoking, or in the vicinity of
sparks, open flames, or other sources of ig-
nition such as the pilot lights of water heat-
ers and clothes dryers. Gasoline can catch
fire and you could be burned.

When transporting the ATV in another vehi-
cle, be sure it is kept upright and that the fuel
cock is in the “OFF” position. Otherwise, fuel

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may leak out of the carburetor or fuel tank.

Gasoline is poisonous. If you should swal-
low some gasoline or inhale a lot of gasoline
vapor, or get some gasoline in your eyes,
seek medical help immediately. If gasoline
spills on your skin, wash with soap and wa-
ter. If gasoline spills on your clothing,
change your clothes.
WARNING

EWB00070
Always operate your ATV in an area with ade-
quate ventilation. Never start or run the enginein a closed area. Exhaust fumes are poisonous
and may cause loss of consciousness and
death within a short time.

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EBU17660
LOCATION OF THE WARNING AND SPECIFICATION LABELS
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EBU17670
Read and understand all of the labels on your ATV. These labels contain important information for safe and
proper operation.
Never remove any labels from your ATV. If a label becomes difficult to read or comes off, request a replace-
ment label from your Yamaha dealer.
YAMAHA MOTOR CO., LTD.
SHIZUOKA JAPANp
4GB-2155A-00
For Europe
GB
D
E
F
I
NL
P
S
Before you operate this vehicle,
read the owner’s manual.Lesen Sie die Bedienungsanleitung
bevor Sie dieses Fahrzeug fahren.Antes de conducir este vehículo,
lea el Manual del Propietario.
Lire le manuel du propriétaire avantd’utiliser ce véhicule.Prima di usare il veicolo,
leggete il manuale di istruzioni.
Voor het gebruik van dit voertuigde handleiding met aandacht lezen.Antes de utilizar este veículo,
leia o manual do proprietário.
Innan du kör detta fordon,läs handboken.
5FK-21568-00
WARNING
Improper ATV use can result in SEVERE
INJURY or DEATH.ALWAYS USE
NEVER USE
NEVER CARRYNEVER USE
AN APPROVED ON PUBLIC PASSENGERS WITH DRUGS
HELMET AND ROADS
OR ALCOHOL
PROTECTIVE
GEAR
NEVER
operate :
9 without proper training or instruction.9 at speeds too fast for your skills or
the conditions.9 on public roads-a collision can occur
with another vehicle.9 with a passenger-passengers affect balance
and steering and increase risk
of losing control.ALWAYS :9 use proper riding techniques to avoid
vehicle overturns on hills and rough terrainand it turns.9 avoid paved surfaces-pavement mayseriously affect handling and control.LOCATE AND READ OWNER'S MANUAL.
FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS.
5FE-21568-11
For Europe For Oceania
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