2008 YAMAHA YFM50R stop start

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If the rear wheels of your ATV start to slide side-
ways, control can usually be regained (if there is
room to do so) by steering in the direction of the
slide. Applying the brakes or accelerating is not
recommended until you have corrected the slide.
With practice, over a period of time, skill at con-
trolled sliding can be developed. The terrain
should be chosen carefully before attempting such
maneuvers, since both stability and control are re-
duced. Bear in mind that sliding maneuvers should
always be avoided on extremely slippery surfaces
such as ice, since all control may be lost.
WARNING

EWB01661
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
control.
WHAT TO DO IF...
This section is designed to be a reference guide
only. Be sure to read each section on riding tech-
niques completely.
WHAT TO DO...

If your ATV doesn’t turn when you want it to:
Bring the ATV to a stop and practice the turning
maneuvers again. Be sure you are putting your
weight on the footboard to the outside of the
turn. Position your weight over the front wheels
for better control. (See page 7-12.)

If your ATV begins to tip while turning:
Lean more into the turn to regain balance. If nec-
essary, gradually let off the throttle and/or steer
to the outside of the turn. (See page 7-12.)

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If your ATV starts to slide sideways:
Steer in the direction of the slide if you have the
room. Applying the brakes or accelerating is not
recommended until you have corrected the
slide. (See page 7-20.)

If your ATV can’t make it up a hill you are trying
to climb:
Turn the ATV around if you still have forward
speed. If not, stop, dismount on the uphill side of
the ATV and physically turn the ATV around. If
the ATV starts to slip backwards, DO NOT USE
THE REAR BRAKE – the ATV may tip over on
top of you. Instead, apply the front brake or dis-
mount the ATV on the uphill side. (See
page 7-14.)

If your ATV is traversing a sloping surface:
Be sure to ride with your weight positioned to-
wards the uphill side of the ATV to maintain
proper balance. If the ATV starts to tip, steer
down the hill (if there are no obstacles in your
way) to regain balance. If you discover that the
ATV is going to tip over, dismount on the uphill
side. (See page 7-14.)

If your ATV encounters shallow water:
Ride slowly and carefully through slow moving
water, watching for obstacles. Be sure to let wa-ter drain from the ATV and CHECK YOUR
BRAKES FOR PROPER OPERATION when
you come out of the water. Do not continue to
ride your ATV until you have regained adequate
braking ability. (See page 7-18.)

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touching exhaust components.
EBU23940
Adjusting the carburetor
The carburetor should be checked and, if neces-
sary, adjusted at the intervals specified in the peri-
odic maintenance and lubrication chart. The
carburetor is an important part of the engine and
requires very sophisticated adjustment. Therefore,
most carburetor adjustments should be left to a
Yamaha dealer, who has the necessary profes-
sional knowledge and experience. The adjustment
described in the following section, however, may
be performed by the owner as part of routine main-
tenance.
CAUTION:

ECB00480
The carburetor has been set and extensively
tested at the Yamaha factory. Changing these
settings without sufficient technical knowl-
edge may result in poor performance of or
damage to the engine.
EBU24000
Adjusting the engine idling speed
The engine idling speed must be checked and, ifnecessary, adjusted as follows at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart.
NOTE:

A diagnostic tachometer is needed to make this
adjustment.
1. Start the engine and warm it up.
NOTE:

The engine is warm when it quickly responds to the
throttle.
2. Attach the tachometer to the spark plug lead.
3. Check the engine idling speed and, if neces-
sary, adjust it to specification by turning the
throttle stop screw at the carburetor. To in-
crease the engine idling speed, turn the throt-
tle stop screw in direction (a), and to decrease
it, turn the screw in direction (b).

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EBU25860
CLEANING AND STORAGE
EBU25880
Cleaning
Frequent, thorough cleaning of your ATV will not
only enhance its appearance but will improve its
general performance and extend the useful life of
many components.
1. Before cleaning the ATV:
a. Block off the end of the exhaust pipe to
prevent water entry. A plastic bag and
strong rubber band may be used.
b. Make sure the spark plug and all filler caps
are properly installed.
2. If the engine case is excessively greasy, apply
degreaser with a paint brush. Do not apply de-
greaser to the wheel axles.
3. Rinse the dirt and degreaser off with a garden
hose. Use only enough pressure to do the job.
CAUTION:

ECB00710
Excessive water pressure may cause water
seepage and deterioration of wheel bearings,
brakes, transmission seals and electrical de-
vices. Many expensive repair bills have result-
ed from improper high-pressure detergentapplications such as those available in coin-
operated car washers.
4. Once most of the dirt has been hosed off,
wash all surfaces with warm water and mild,
detergent-type soap. An old toothbrush or bot-
tle brush is handy for hard-to-reach places.
5. Rinse the ATV off immediately with clean wa-
ter and dry all surfaces with a chamois, clean
towel or soft absorbing cloth.
6. Clean the seat with a vinyl upholstery cleaner
to keep the cover pliable and glossy.
7. Automotive type wax may be applied to all
painted and chrome plated surfaces. Avoid
combination cleaner-waxes. Many contain
abrasives which may mar the paint or protec-
tive finish. When finished cleaning, start the
engine and let it idle for several minutes.WARNING
EWB02310
Wet brakes may have reduced stopping ability,
increasing the chance of an accident. Test the
brakes after washing. Apply the brakes several
times at slow speeds to let friction dry out the

INDEX
A
Accessories and loading ................................................ 6-7
Air filter element, cleaning ............................................ 8-13
B
Battery .................................................................. 5-6
,
8-26
Brake lever free play, adjusting the front...................... 8-21
Brake lever free play (rear), adjusting .......................... 8-23
Brake lever, front ............................................................ 4-6
Brake lever, rear............................................................. 4-6
Brake levers, checking and lubricating......................... 8-25
Brakes, front and rear .................................................... 5-3
Brake shoes, checking the front and rear .................... 8-20
C
Cables, checking and lubricating ................................. 8-24
Carburetor, adjusting.................................................... 8-18
Chassis fasteners........................................................... 5-6
Choke ........................................................................... 4-10
Cleaning ......................................................................... 9-1
D
Drive select lever............................................................ 4-7
E
Engine break-in .............................................................. 6-5
Engine, cold start ........................................................... 6-1
Engine idling speed ...................................................... 8-18
Engine oil ............................................................... 5-3
,
8-9
Engine, starting a warm ................................................. 6-3Engine stop switch ......................................................... 4-2
Engine stop switch with lanyard ..................................... 4-2
F
Final gear oil......................................................... 5-3
,
8-12
Front knuckle pivots, lubricating ................................... 8-25
Fuel ........................................................................ 4-8
,
5-3
Fuel cock ........................................................................ 4-9
Fuel tank cap.................................................................. 4-7
Fuse, replacing............................................................. 8-28
H
Handlebar switches ........................................................ 4-2
I
Identification numbers .................................................. 11-1
Indicator light .................................................................. 4-1
Instruments, lights and switches .................................... 5-6
K
Key identification number ............................................. 11-1
L
Label locations ............................................................... 2-1
M
Main switch .................................................................... 4-1
Maintenance and lubrication chart ................................. 8-5
Maintenance chart, emission control system ................. 8-3
Model label ................................................................... 11-2
N
Neutral indicator light ..................................................... 4-1