2008 YAMAHA YFM50R tow

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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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For further explanation of this switch and the lan-
yard, see “TEACHING YOUR CHILD TO OPER-
ATE THE ATV” in the “SAFETY INFORMATION”
section.
NOTE:


The engine cannot be started with the clip re-
moved.

When your child has developed sufficient skill to
no longer need you to follow with the lanyard,
the lanyard can be stowed under the seat of the
ATV. However, you must still closely supervise
your child at all times during ATV operation.
EBU18280
Throttle lever
Once the engine is running, movement of the throt-
tle lever will increase the engine speed.
Regulate the speed of the ATV by varying the
throttle position. Because the throttle is spring-
loaded, the ATV will decelerate, and the engine will
return to an idle any time the hand is removed from
the throttle lever.
Before starting the engine, check the throttle to be
sure it is operating smoothly. Make sure it returns
to the idle position as soon as the lever is released.
1. Lanyard
1

1. Throttle lever
1

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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

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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.
EBU20660
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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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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the following points in mind:

Never exceed the weight limits shown. An over-
loaded ATV can be unstable.

If you are carrying cargo and towing a trailer, in-
clude the tongue weight in the maximum ATV
load limit.

Load cargo on the carriers as close to the center
of the ATV as possible. Put cargo at the rear of
the front carrier, at the front of the rear carrier,
and center it.

Tie down cargo securely to the carriers. Make
sure cargo in the trailer cannot move around. A
shifting load can cause an accident.

Make sure the load does not interfere with con-
trols or your ability to see where you are going.

Ride more slowly than you would without a load.
The more weight you carry, the slower you
should go.

Allow more braking distance. A heavier ATV
takes longer to stop.

Avoid making sharp turns unless at very slowspeeds.

Avoid hills and rough terrain. Choose terrain
carefully. Added weight affects the stability and
handling of the ATV.
WARNING

EWB00820
Never exceed the stated load capacity for this
ATV. Overloading this ATV or carrying or tow-
ing cargo improperly could cause changes in
ATV handling which could lead to an accident.
Cargo should be properly distributed and se-
curely attached. Reduce speed when carrying
cargo or pulling a trailer. Allow greater dis-
tance for braking.
MAXIMUM LOADING LIMIT
ATV loading limit (total weight of rider, cargo,
accessories, and tongue):
40.0 kg (88 lb)

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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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Rear

2. Elevate the ATV and place a suitable stand
under the frame.
3. Remove the nuts from the wheel.
4. Remove the wheel.
EBU27480
Installing a wheel
1. Install the wheel and the nuts.
NOTE:

When installing the wheel, make sure its arrow
mark points toward the rotating direction of the
wheel.
Front
1. Wheel nut
1

1. Arrow mark
1