2008 YAMAHA YFM50R wheel

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

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

operating this ATV.

Never operate at speeds too fast for your skills
or the riding conditions. Always go at a speed
that is proper for the terrain, visibility, operating
conditions, and your experience.

Never attempt wheelies, jumps, or other stunts.

Always inspect your ATV each time you use it to
make sure it is in safe operating condition. Al-
ways follow the inspection and maintenance
procedures and schedules described in this
manual.

Always keep both hands on the handlebars and
both feet on the footrests of the ATV during op-
eration.

Always go slowly and be extra careful when op-
erating on unfamiliar terrain. Always be alert to
changing terrain conditions when operating the
ATV.

Never operate on excessively rough, slippery or
loose terrain until you have learned and prac-
ticed the skills necessary to control the ATV on
such terrain. Always be especially cautious on
these kinds of terrain.

Always follow proper procedures for turning as
described in this manual. Practice turning at low
speeds before attempting to turn at fasterspeeds and never turn at excessive speeds.

Never operate the ATV on hills too steep for the
ATV or for your abilities. Practice on smaller hills
before attempting larger hills.

Always follow proper procedures for climbing
hills as described in this manual. Check the ter-
rain carefully before you start up any hill. Never
climb hills with excessively slippery or loose sur-
faces. Shift your weight forward. Never open the
throttle suddenly or make sudden gear changes.
Never go over the top of a hill at high speed.

Always follow proper procedures for going down
hills and for braking on hills as described in this
manual. 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 ve-
hicle to lean sharply to one side. Go straight
down the hill where possible.

Always follow proper procedures for crossing
the side of a hill as described in this manual.
Avoid hills with excessively slippery or loose sur-
faces. Shift your weight to the uphill side of the
ATV. Never attempt to turn the ATV around on
any hill until you have mastered the turning tech-
nique described in this manual on level ground.

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

6-4
1
2
3
4
56
7
8
9
10
11
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
1
2

6-6
1
2
3
4
56
7
8
9
10
11

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
1
1

7-7
1
2
3
4
5
67
8
9
10
11
WARNING

EWB01460

Never exceed the stated load capacity for
this ATV.

Cargo should be properly distributed and se-
curely attached.

Reduce speed when carrying cargo or pull-
ing a trailer. Allow greater distance for brak-
ing.

Always follow the instructions in your Own-
er’s Manual for carrying cargo or pulling a
trailer.
During operation
Always keep your feet on the footboards during op-
eration, otherwise they may contact the rear
wheels.WARNING
EWB01470
Always keep both hands on the handlebars
and both feet on the footboards of your ATV
during operation. Removing even one hand or
foot can reduce your ability to control the ATV
or could cause you to lose your balance and
fall off of the ATV. If you remove a foot from a
footboard, your foot or leg may come into con-
tact with the rear wheels, which could injure
you or cause an accident.

7-8
1
2
3
4
5
67
8
9
10
11

Avoid wheelies and jumping. You may lose control
of the ATV or overturn.
WARNING

EWB01480
Never attempt stunts, such as wheelies or
jumps. Don’t try to show off.
Modifications
WARNING

EWB01490
Never modify this ATV through improper in-
stallation or use of accessories. All parts and
accessories added to this ATV should be gen-uine Yamaha or equivalent components de-
signed for use on this ATV and should be
installed and used according to instructions.
Improper installation of accessories or modifi-
cation of this ATV may cause changes in han-
dling which in some situations could lead to an
accident. If you have questions, consult an au-
thorized ATV dealer.
Exhaust system
The exhaust system on the ATV is very hot during
and following operation. To prevent burns, avoid
touching the exhaust system. Park the ATV in a
place where pedestrians or children are not likely
to touch it. Also, avoid parking in or around dry
grass, brush or other combustible materials to pre-
vent causing a fire hazard.WARNING
EWB01500

Do not touch the hot exhaust system.

Do not park the ATV during or after operation
in a place where others might be likely to
touch it.

Do not operate, idle, or park the ATV in dry
grass, dry ground cover, or combustible ma-
terials.

7-12
1
2
3
4
5
67
8
9
10
11

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.