2008 YAMAHA YFM50R light

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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ENGINE STOP SWITCH CORD
This model has an engine stop switch cord (lan-
yard) designed for use by an adult supervising the
child operating the ATV. When using the engine
stop switch cord, be sure the speed limiter on the
handlebar is adjusted to limit the ATV to a walking
speed. (See page 4-5.)
1. Push the clip on the end of the engine stop
switch cord under the engine shut-off switch
(black button).
2. Put your fingers in the loop at the other end of
the cord.
3. As your child is riding, walk behind the ATV,
closely watching his or her actions as well as
the path ahead.
4. If there is a potential hazard ahead or if your
child is not riding correctly, pull firmly on the
cord (lanyard) to stop the engine. Because the
ATV will continue to roll for some distance, al-
low extra time and distance to pull the cord be-
fore a potentially hazardous situation might be
encountered.
When your child has developed sufficient skill to no
longer need you to follow with the cord, the cord
can be stowed under the seat of the ATV. Howev-
er, you must still closely supervise your child at alltimes during ATV operation.NOTE:
The ATV will not start without the clip in place. Be
sure to remove the cord and store it in a safe place
to prevent operation of the ATV when you are not
around to supervise.
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
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,

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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
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765

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EBU17731
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
EBU17740
Main switch
The positions of the main switch are as follows:
ON
All electrical systems are supplied with power, and
the engine can be started. The key cannot be re-
moved.
OFF
All electrical systems are off. The key can be re-
moved.

EBU17781
Indicator light
EBU17860
Neutral indicator light “”
This indicator light comes on when the transmis-
sion is in the neutral position.
1. Main switch
OFF ON
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1. Neutral indicator light “N”
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EBU19830
Tire wear limit
Replace the tire when the tire groove decreases to
3 mm (0.12 in).
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Chassis fasteners
Make sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are prop-
erly tightened.
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Instruments, lights and switches
Check that all instruments, lights and switches are
working properly. Correct if necessary.
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Battery
Check the fluid level in the battery. Fill with distilled
water if necessary. (See page 8-26.) Recommended pressure:
Front
20 kPa (2.9 psi) (0.20 kgf/cm
2
)
Rear
20 kPa (2.9 psi) (0.20 kgf/cm
2
)
Minimum:
Front
17 kPa (2.5 psi) (0.17 kgf/cm
2
)
Rear
17 kPa (2.5 psi) (0.17 kgf/cm
2
)
Maximum:
Front
23 kPa (3.3 psi) (0.23 kgf/cm
2
)
Rear
23 kPa (3.3 psi) (0.23 kgf/cm
2
)
1. Tire wear limit

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EBU19880
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.
EBU20241
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 6-5
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. The neutral
indicator light should come on. If the indicator
light does not come on, have a Yamaha deal-
er check the electrical circuit.
NOTE:

This model is equipped with an ignition circuit cut-
off system. The engine can be started under the
following conditions.

The transmission is in neutral.

The rear brake lever is applied with the drive se-
lect lever in the drive position. However, it is rec-
ommended to shift into neutral before starting
the engine.

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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.
EBU20301
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.
EBU20630
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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WARNING

EWB01570
Always follow proper procedures for turning
as described in this Owner’s Manual. Practice
turning at low speeds before attempting to turn
at faster speeds. Do not turn at speeds too fast
for your skills or the conditions.
As you approach a curve, slow down and begin to
turn the handlebars in the desired direction. As you
do so, put your weight on the footboard to the out-
side of the turn (opposite your desired direction)
and lean your upper body into the turn. Use the
throttle to maintain an even speed through the
turn. This maneuver will let the wheel on the inside
of the turn slip slightly, allowing the ATV to make
the turn properly.
This procedure should be practiced at slow speed
many times in a large unpaved area with no obsta-
cles. If an incorrect technique is used, your ATV
may continue to go straight. If the ATV doesn’t
turn, come to a stop and then practice the proce-
dure again. If the riding surface is slippery or loose,
it may help to position more of your weight over the
front wheels by moving forward on the seat.
Once you have learned this technique, you should
be able to perform it at higher speeds or in tighter
1. Lean towards inside of turn.
2. Support your weight on the outer footboard.
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