2008 YAMAHA YFM50R brake

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
Indicator light ............................................. 4-1
Handlebar switches ................................... 4-2
Engine stop switch with lanyard ................ 4-2
Throttle lever ............................................. 4-4
Speed limiter ............................................. 4-5
Front brake lever ....................................... 4-6
Rear brake lever ........................................ 4-6
Parking brake ............................................ 4-6
Drive select lever ....................................... 4-7
Fuel tank cap ............................................. 4-7
Fuel ........................................................... 4-8
Fuel cock ................................................... 4-9Choke ...................................................... 4-10
Seat ......................................................... 4-11
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS ..........................5-1
Pre-operation check list ............................. 5-1
Fuel ............................................................ 5-3
Engine oil ................................................... 5-3
Final gear oil .............................................. 5-3
Front and rear brakes ................................ 5-3
Throttle lever .............................................. 5-4
Tires ........................................................... 5-4
Measuring the tire pressure ....................... 5-5
Tire wear limit ............................................ 5-6
Chassis fasteners ...................................... 5-6
Instruments, lights and switches ................ 5-6
Battery ....................................................... 5-6
OPERATION...................................................6-1
Starting a cold engine ................................ 6-1
Starting a warm engine .............................. 6-3
Shifting ....................................................... 6-3
Engine break-in .......................................... 6-5
Parking ....................................................... 6-5
Parking on a slope ..................................... 6-6
Accessories and loading ............................ 6-7

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 ............ 7-9
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 ............................ 8-8
Engine oil .................................................. 8-9
Final gear oil ............................................ 8-12
Cleaning the air filter element ................. 8-13
Cleaning the spark arrester ..................... 8-17
Adjusting the carburetor .......................... 8-18Adjusting the engine idling speed ............ 8-18
Checking the throttle cable free play ....... 8-19
Valve clearance ....................................... 8-19
Checking the front and rear brake
shoes ..................................................... 8-20
Adjusting the front brake lever free play .. 8-21
Adjusting the rear brake lever free play ... 8-23
Checking and lubricating the cables ........ 8-24
Checking and lubricating the front and
rear brake levers .................................... 8-25
Checking the wheel hub bearings ............ 8-25
Lubricating the front knuckle pivots ......... 8-25
Lubricating the steering shaft ................... 8-26
Battery ..................................................... 8-26
Replacing the fuse ................................... 8-28
Removing a wheel ................................... 8-29
Installing a wheel ..................................... 8-30
Troubleshooting ....................................... 8-31
Troubleshooting chart .............................. 8-32
CLEANING AND STORAGE ..........................9-1
Cleaning ..................................................... 9-1
Storage ...................................................... 9-2
SPECIFICATIONS .......................................10-1
CONSUMER INFORMATION.......................11-1
Identification numbers .............................. 11-1

1-3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

Avoid crossing the side of a steep hill if possible.

Always use proper procedures if you stall or roll
backwards 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 severaltimes to let friction dry out the linings.

Always use the size and type of tires specified in
this 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.
TEACHING YOUR CHILD TO OPERATE THE
ATV
WARNING

EWB00080
Never let your child ride an ATV without close
adult supervision (a child under 6 should not
ride this ATV even with adult supervision).
Promptly correct your child if he or she begins
to ride beyond his or her abilities and, if neces-
sary, intervene by pulling the cord (lanyard) to
stop the engine.
If the child rides beyond his or her abilities, or
rides in terrain that is too difficult, he or she

3-2
1
23
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

EBU17712
Controls and instruments
NOTE:

The ATV you have purchased may differ slightly
from the figures shown in this manual.
1. Rear brake lever
2. Parking brake
3. Neutral indicator light
4. Front brake lever
5. Throttle lever
6. Main switch
7. Fuel tank cap
8. Handlebar switches
123
4
8
765

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

mm (0.47 in) or the throttle cable could be dam-
aged.
EBU18391
Front brake lever
The front brake lever is located on the right handle-
bar. To apply the front brake, pull the brake lever
toward the handlebar grip.
EBU18401
Rear brake lever
The rear brake lever is located on the left handle-
bar. To apply the rear brake, pull the brake lever to-
ward the handlebar grip.
EBU18460
Parking brake
Use the parking brake before starting the engine or
parking the ATV, especially on a slope. Apply the
rear brake lever and push down the lock plate to
apply the parking brake. Squeeze the rear brake
lever to release the parking brake.
1. Front brake lever
1

1. Rear brake lever1

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

EWB00220

Always set the parking brake before starting
the engine. The ATV could start moving un-
expectedly if the parking brake is not ap-
plied. This could cause loss of control or a
collision.

Always be sure you have released the park-
ing brake before you begin to ride. The brake
could overheat if you ride the ATV without re-
leasing the parking brake. You could lose
braking performance which could cause an
accident. You could also wear out the brakes
prematurely.
EBU18630
Drive select lever
The drive select lever is located on the left side of
the engine. Use the drive select lever to shift the
transmission into drive or neutral.
EBU18720
Fuel tank cap
Remove the fuel tank cap by turning it counter-
clockwise.
1. Parking brake lock plate
1

1. Drive select lever
2. Drive position
3. Neutral position
1
2
3

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

EBU19200
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
EBU19222
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
Engine oil

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

Check ATV for oil leakage. Correct if necessary.5-3, 8-9
Final gear oil

Check ATV for oil leakage. Correct if necessary. 5-3, 8-12
Front brake

Check operation, and correct if necessary.

Lubricate cable if necessary.

Check lever free play, and adjust if necessary.5-3, 8-20, 8-21

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

Rear brake

Check operation, and correct if necessary.

Lubricate cable if necessary.

Check lever free play, and adjust if necessary.5-3, 8-20, 8-23
Throttle lever

Make sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate cable and lever hous-
ing if necessary.

Check cable free play, and adjust if necessary.5-4, 8-19
Control cables

Make sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate if necessary. 8-24
Wheels and tires

Check wheel condition, and replace if damaged.

Check tire condition and tread depth. Replace if necessary.

Check air pressure. Correct if necessary.5-4, 5-5, 5-6
Brake levers

Make sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate lever pivoting points
if necessary.8-25
Chassis fasteners

Make sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are properly tightened. 5-6
Instruments and switches

Check operation, and correct if necessary. 5-6
Battery

Check electrolyte level. Fill with distilled water if necessary. 5-6, 8-26
ITEM ROUTINE PAGE