2008 YAMAHA YFM50R steering

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

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GB
D
E
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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.
WARNING
Improper ATV use can result in SEVERE
INJURY or DEATH.ALWAYS USE
NEVER USE
NEVER CARRYNEVER USE
AN APPROVED ON PUBLIC PASSENGERSWITH 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-21568-115FK-21568-00
For Oceania
5
For Europe
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EBU20910
Accessories and loading
EBU20920
Accessories
Accessories can affect the handling and control of
your ATV. Keep the following in mind when consid-
ering an accessory or operating an ATV which has
accessories.

Choose only accessories designed for your
ATV. Your Yamaha dealer has a variety of gen-
uine Yamaha accessories. Other accessories
may also be available on the market. However,
it is not possible for Yamaha to test all non-Yamaha accessories, nor control over their qual-
ity or suitability. Choose a genuine Yamaha ac-
cessory, or one that is equivalent in design and
quality.

Accessories should be rigidly and securely
mounted. An accessory which can shift position
or come off while you are riding could affect your
ability to control the ATV.

Do not mount an accessory where it could inter-
fere with your ability to control the ATV. Exam-
ples include (but are not limited to) a heavy or
bulky object attached to the handlebars which
could make steering difficult, an accessory that
limits your ability to move around on the seat, or
one that limits your view.

Use extra caution when riding an ATV with ac-
cessories. The ATV may handle differently than
it does without accessories.
EBU20960
Loading
As originally equipped, this ATV is not designed to
carry cargo or tow a trailer. If you choose to add ac-
cessories so that you can carry cargo or tow a trail-
er, you must use common sense and good
judgment as the stability and handling of an ATV
can be changed. When adding accessories, keep

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hill. Avoid sharp angles which could allow the ATV
to tip or roll over. Carefully choose your path and
ride no faster than you will be able to react to ob-
stacles which may appear.
WARNING

EWB01620
Always follow proper procedures for going
down hills as described in this Owner’s Manu-
al.
Note: a special technique is required when
braking as you go down a hill.

Always 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 ATV to lean sharply to one
side. Go straight down the hill where possi-
ble.CROSSING A SLOPE
Traversing a sloping surface on your ATV requires
you to properly position your weight to maintain
proper balance. Be sure that you have learned the
basic riding skills on flat ground before attempting
to cross a sloping surface. Avoid slopes with slip-
pery surfaces or rough terrain that may upset your
balance.
As you travel across a slope, lean your body in the
uphill direction. It may be necessary to correct the
steering when riding on loose surfaces by pointing
the front wheels slightly uphill. When riding onOK

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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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9
*
Shock absorber
assemblies

Check operation and correct if necessary.

Check for oil leakage and replace if necessary.
√√√
10
*
Front knuckle piv-
ots


Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease.
√√√
11
*
Steering shaft


Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease.
√√√
12
*
Steering system


Check operation and repair or replace if damaged.

Check toe-in and adjust if necessary.
√√√√√
13 Engine oil

Change.

Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary.
√ √√√
14 Final gear oil

Change.

Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary.
√√
15
*
Moving parts and
cables


Lubricate.
√√√√
16
*
Throttle lever hous-
ing and cable


Check operation and correct if necessary.

Check throttle cable free play and adjust if neces-
sary.

Lubricate throttle lever housing and cable.
√√√√√
17
*
Front and rear brake
switches


Check operation and correct if necessary.
√√√√√
18
*
Battery


Check electrolyte level and specific gravity, and
correct if necessary.

Make sure that the breather hose is properly
routed.
√√√√√
NO. ITEMCHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOBINITIAL EVERY
Whichev-
er comes
firstmonth136612
km
(mi)320
(200)1300
(800)2500
(1600)2500
(1600)5000
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320

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EBU25101
Lubricating the steering shaft
The steering shaft must be lubricated at the inter-
vals specified in the periodic maintenance and lu-
brication chart.
EBU25121
Battery
A poorly maintained battery will corrode and dis-
charge quickly. The electrolyte level, battery lead
connections and breather hose routing should be
checked before each ride and at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart.
To check the electrolyte level
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Check the electrolyte level in the battery.
NOTE:

The electrolyte should be between the minimum
and maximum level marks.
3. If the electrolyte is at or below the minimumlevel mark, add distilled water to raise it to the
maximum level mark.
CAUTION:

ECB00590
Use only distilled water, as tap water contains
minerals that are harmful to the battery.
WARNING

EWB02160
Battery electrolyte is poisonous and danger-
ous, as it contains sulfuric acid, which can
cause severe burns. Avoid contact with skin,
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease (all-purpose
grease)
1. Maximum level mark
2. Minimum level mark
1
2

O
Owner’s manual and tool kit ........................................... 8-1
P
Parking ........................................................................... 6-5
Parking brake ................................................................. 4-6
Parking on a slope ......................................................... 6-6
Part locations ................................................................. 3-1
Pre-operation check list.................................................. 5-1
R
Riding your ATV ............................................................. 7-1
S
Safety information .......................................................... 1-1
Seat .............................................................................. 4-11
Shifting ........................................................................... 6-3
Spark arrester, cleaning ............................................... 8-17
Spark plug, checking ...................................................... 8-8
Specifications ............................................................... 10-1
Speed limiter .................................................................. 4-5
Start switch..................................................................... 4-2
Steering shaft, lubricating............................................. 8-26
Storage........................................................................... 9-2
T
Throttle cable free play, checking ................................ 8-19
Throttle lever .......................................................... 4-4
,
5-4
Tire pressure, measuring ............................................... 5-5
Tires ............................................................................... 5-4
Tire wear limit ................................................................. 5-6
Troubleshooting ........................................................... 8-31
Troubleshooting chart .................................................. 8-32
V
Valve clearance............................................................ 8-19
Vehicle identification number ....................................... 11-1
W
Wheel hub bearings, checking ..................................... 8-25
Wheel, installing ........................................................... 8-30
Wheel, removing .......................................................... 8-29