2008 YAMAHA YFM50R brakes

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

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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

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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.
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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.
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Fuel tank cap
Remove the fuel tank cap by turning it counter-
clockwise.
1. Parking brake lock plate
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1. Drive select lever
2. Drive position
3. Neutral position
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Fuel
Make sure that there is sufficient fuel in the tank.
(See page 4-8.)
WARNING

EWB00520

Do not overfill the fuel tank. Fuel expands
when it heats up. If the fuel tank is overfilled,
fuel could spill out due to heat from the en-
gine or the sun.

Be careful not to spill fuel, especially on the
engine or exhaust pipe which can cause a
fire and severe injury. Wipe up any spilled
fuel immediately.

Do not refuel right after the engine has been
running and is still very hot.

Be sure the fuel tank cap is closed securely.
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Engine oil
Make sure that the engine oil is at the specified lev-
el. Add oil as necessary. (See page 8-9.)
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Final gear oil
Make sure that the final gear oil is at the specified
level. Add oil as necessary. (See page 8-12.)
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Front and rear brakes
Brake levers

Check for correct free play in the brake levers. If
the free play is incorrect, adjust it. (See pages
8-21 and 8-23.)

Check operation of the levers. They should
move smoothly and there should be a firm feel-
ing when the brake is applied. If not, have the
ATV checked by a Yamaha dealer.
Brake operation
Test the brakes at slow speed after starting out to
make sure they are working properly. If the brakes
do not provide proper braking performance, check
the brakes for wear. (See page 8-20.)
WARNING

EWB00570
Always check the brakes at the start of every
ride. Do not ride the ATV if you find any prob-
lem with the brakes or you could lose braking
ability, which could lead to an accident. If a
problem cannot be corrected by the adjust-
ment procedures provided in this manual, have
the ATV checked by a Yamaha dealer.

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crank the engine more than 10 seconds on each
attempt.
7. If the engine is started with the choke in posi-
tion (1), the choke should be returned to posi-
tion (2) to warm up the engine. If the engine is
started with the choke in position (2), keep the
choke in this position to warm up the engine.
CAUTION:

ECB00160
For maximum engine life, always warm the en-
gine up before starting off. Never accelerate
hard when the engine is cold!
8. Continue warming up the engine until it idles
smoothly, then return the choke to position (3)
before riding.
NOTE:

The engine is warm when it responds normally to
the throttle with the choke turned off.
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Starting a warm engine
Follow the same procedure as for starting a cold
engine, with the exception that the choke is not re-
quired when the engine is warm. Instead, start the
engine with the throttle slightly open.
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Shifting
This ATV has an automatic, centrifugal clutch.
To shift into the drive position, release the throttle
lever and apply the parking brake.
To shift into neutral, stop the ATV by releasing the
throttle lever and applying the brakes smoothly
and evenly.
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To start out and accelerate
1. Release the throttle lever.
CAUTION:

ECB00210
Always close the throttle before shifting the
transmission into drive, otherwise damage to
the engine and drive train may result.
2. Apply the parking brake. (See page 6-5.)
3. Shift the transmission into drive.

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NOTE:

Before shifting the transmission into drive, be sure
to apply the parking brake. The engine will stop if
you attempt to shift into drive without applying the
parking brake first.
4. Squeeze the rear brake lever to release the
parking brake.
5. Gradually open the throttle while slowly re-
leasing the rear brake lever.
WARNING

EWB00740
Always open the throttle gradually. Opening
the throttle abruptly would increase the chance
of an accident. It could make the ATV wheelie
or overturn.
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To decelerate
When slowing down or stopping, release the throt-
tle and apply the brakes smoothly and evenly. Im-
proper use of the brakes can cause the tires to lose
traction, reducing control and increasing the possi-
bility of an accident.CAUTION:

ECB00190
Even with the transmission in the neutral posi-
tion, do not coast for long periods of time with
the engine off, and do not tow the ATV for long
distances. The transmission is properly lubri-
cated only when the engine is running. Inade-
quate lubrication may damage the
transmission.
1. Drive select lever
2. Drive position
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EBU20800
Parking on a slope
WARNING

EWB00880
Avoid parking on hills or other inclines. Park-
ing on a hill or other incline could cause the
ATV to roll out of control, increasing the
chance of an accident. If you must park on an
incline, place the ATV transversely across the
incline, shift the shift lever to the drive posi-
tion, stop the engine, apply the parking brake,
and then block the front and rear wheels with
rocks or other objects.
Do not park the ATV at all on hills that are so
steep you could not walk up them easily.
1. Bring the ATV to a stop by applying the brakes
in the drive position.
2. Stop the engine.
3. With the rear brake lever applied, apply the
parking brake and slowly release the brake le-
ver.
1. Parking brake lock plate
1. Locked position
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Select a large, flat, unpaved area to become famil-
iar with your ATV. Make sure that this area is free
of obstacles and other riders. You should practice
control of the throttle, brakes, and turning tech-
niques in this area before trying more difficult ter-
rain. Always avoid riding on paved surfaces: the
ATV is designed for use on unpaved surfaces only,
and handling maneuvers are more difficult to per-
form on pavement.
Set the parking brake and follow the instruction on
page 6-1 to start the engine. Once it has warmed
up you are ready to begin riding your ATV. Re-
member that the engine and exhaust pipe will be
hot when riding and afterwards; do not allow skin
or clothing to come in contact with these compo-
nents.With the engine idling, shift the transmission into
the drive position and then release the parking
brake. Apply the throttle slowly and smoothly. The
centrifugal clutch will engage and you will start to
accelerate. If the throttle is applied too abruptly, the
front wheels may lift off the ground, resulting in a
loss of directional control. Avoid higher speeds un-
til you are thoroughly familiar with the operation of
your ATV.
When slowing down or stopping, release the throt-
tle and apply the brakes smoothly and evenly. Im-
proper use of the brakes can cause the tires to lose
traction, reducing control and increasing the possi-
bility of an accident.
TURNING YOUR ATV
To achieve maximum traction on unpaved surfac-
es, the two rear wheels are mounted solidly on one
axle and turn together at the same speed. There-
fore, unless the wheel on the inside of the turn is al-
lowed to slip or lose some traction, the ATV will
resist turning. A special turning technique must be
used to allow the ATV to make turns quickly and
easily. It is essential that this skill be learned first at
low speed.