INTRODUCTION
EAU10113
Welcome to the Yamaha world of motorcycling!
As the owner of the YQ50/YQ50L, you are benefiting from Yamaha’s vast experience and newest technology regarding the
design and manufacture of high-quality products, which have earned Yamaha a reputation for dependability.
Please take the time to read this manual thoroughly, so as to enjoy all advantages of your YQ50/YQ50L. The Owner’s Manual
does not only instruct you in how to operate, inspect and maintain your scooter, but also in how to safeguard yourself and
others from trouble and injury.
In addition, the many tips given in this manual will help keep your scooter in the best possible condition. If you have any fur-
ther questions, do not hesitate to contact your Yamaha dealer.
The Yamaha team wishes you many safe and pleasant rides. So, remember to put safety first!
Yamaha continually seeks advancements in product design and quality. Therefore, while this manual contains the most cur-
rent product information available at the time of printing, there may be minor discrepancies between your scooter and this
manual. If there is any question concerning this manual, please consult a Yamaha dealer.
WARNING
EWA12411
Please read this manual carefully and completely before operating this scooter.
U3C6E1E0.book Page 1 Friday, August 8, 2008 10:09 AM
IMPORTANT MANUAL INFORMATION
EAU10132
Particularly important information is distinguished in this manual by the following notations:
This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential personal injury
hazards. Obey all safety messages that follow this symbol to avoid possible injury
or death.
A WARNING indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in
death or serious injury.
A NOTICE indicates special precautions that must be taken to avoid damage to the
vehicle or other property.
A TIP provides key information to make procedures easier or clearer.
WARNING
NOTICETIP
U3C6E1E0.book Page 1 Friday, August 8, 2008 10:09 AM
TABLE OF CONTENTSSAFETY INFORMATION ..................1-1
Further safe-riding points ................1-5
DESCRIPTION ..................................2-1
Left view ..........................................2-1
Right view ........................................2-2
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL
FUNCTIONS.......................................3-1
Main switch/steering lock ................3-1
Indicator and warning lights ............3-2
Speedometer unit ...........................3-3
Tachometer (if equipped) ................3-3
Fuel gauge ......................................3-4
Handlebar switches ........................3-4
Front brake lever ............................3-5
Rear brake lever .............................3-5
Fuel tank cap ..................................3-5
Fuel .................................................3-6
Catalytic converters ........................3-7
2-stroke engine oil ..........................3-8
Kickstarter .......................................3-9
Rider seat .......................................3-9
Storage compartments .................3-10
Adjusting the shock absorber
assembly (if equipped) ..............3-11FOR YOUR SAFETY –
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS............. 4-1
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT
RIDING POINTS................................. 5-1
Starting a cold engine .................... 5-1
Starting off ...................................... 5-2
Acceleration and deceleration ........ 5-2
Braking ........................................... 5-2
Tips for reducing fuel
consumption ............................... 5-3
Engine break-in .............................. 5-3
Parking ........................................... 5-4
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND
ADJUSTMENT................................... 6-1
Periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart .......................... 6-2
Removing and installing the
cowling and panel ....................... 6-6
Checking the spark plug ................. 6-7
Final transmission oil ...................... 6-8
Coolant ........................................... 6-9
Cleaning the air filter element ...... 6-10
Adjusting the carburetor ............... 6-11
Checking the throttle cable free
play ........................................... 6-11
Tires ............................................. 6-12
Cast wheels .................................. 6-13
Checking the front and rear brake
lever free play ........................... 6-14Checking the front and rear
brake pads ................................ 6-14
Checking the brake fluid level ...... 6-15
Changing the brake fluid .............. 6-16
Checking and lubricating the
throttle grip and cable ............... 6-16
Lubricating the front and rear
brake levers .............................. 6-16
Checking and lubricating the
centerstand ............................... 6-17
Checking the front fork ................. 6-17
Checking the steering .................. 6-18
Checking the wheel bearings ....... 6-18
Battery ......................................... 6-19
Replacing the fuse ....................... 6-20
Replacing the headlight bulb ....... 6-21
Replacing the tail/brake light
bulb ........................................... 6-22
Replacing a turn signal light
bulb ........................................... 6-22
Troubleshooting ........................... 6-23
Troubleshooting charts ................ 6-24
SCOOTER CARE AND STORAGE... 7-1
Care ............................................... 7-1
Storage .......................................... 7-3
SPECIFICATIONS ............................ 8-1
CONSUMER INFORMATION............ 9-1
Identification numbers .................... 9-1U3C6E1E0.book Page 1 Friday, August 8, 2008 10:09 AM
1-1
1
SAFETY INFORMATION
EAUT1012
Be a Responsible Owner
As the vehicle’s owner, you are respon-
sible for the safe and proper operation
of your scooter.
Scooters are single-track vehicles.
Their safe use and operation are de-
pendent upon the use of proper riding
techniques as well as the expertise of
the operator. Every operator should
know the following requirements before
riding this scooter.
He or she should:
Obtain thorough instructions from
a competent source on all aspects
of scooter operation.
Observe the warnings and mainte-
nance requirements in this Own-
er’s Manual.
Obtain qualified training in safe
and proper riding techniques.
Obtain professional technical ser-
vice as indicated in this Owner’s
Manual and/or when made neces-
sary by mechanical conditions.Safe Riding
Perform the pre-operation checks each
time you use the vehicle to make sure it
is in safe operating condition. Failure to
inspect or maintain the vehicle properly
increases the possibility of an accident
or equipment damage. See page 4-1
for a list of pre-operation checks.
This scooter is designed to carry
the operator and a passenger.
TIPAlthough this scooter is designed to
carry a passenger, always comply withthe local regulations.
The failure of motorists to detect
and recognize scooters in traffic is
the predominating cause of auto-
mobile/scooter accidents. Many
accidents have been caused by an
automobile driver who did not see
the scooter. Making yourself con-
spicuous appears to be very effec-
tive in reducing the chance of this
type of accident.
Therefore:
Wear a brightly colored jacket.Use extra caution when you are
approaching and passing
through intersections, since in-
tersections are the most likely
places for scooter accidents to
occur.
Ride where other motorists can
see you. Avoid riding in another
motorist’s blind spot.
Many accidents involve inexperi-
enced operators. In fact, many op-
erators who have been involved in
accidents do not even have a cur-
rent driver’s license.
Make sure that you are qualified
and that you only lend your
scooter to other qualified opera-
tors.
Know your skills and limits.
Staying within your limits may
help you to avoid an accident.
We recommend that you prac-
tice riding your scooter where
there is no traffic until you have
become thoroughly familiar with
the scooter and all of its con-
trols.
U3C6E1E0.book Page 1 Friday, August 8, 2008 10:09 AM
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-1
3
EAU10460
Main switch/steering lock The main switch/steering lock controls
the ignition and lighting systems, and is
used to lock the steering. The various
positions are described below.
EAU10640
ON“”
All electrical circuits are supplied with
power, and the engine can be started.
The key cannot be removed.TIPThe headlight, meter lighting and tail-
light come on automatically when theengine is started.
EAU10661
OFF“”
All electrical systems are off. The key
can be removed.
WARNING
EWA10061
Never turn the key to“” or“”
while the vehicle is moving. Other-
wise the electrical systems will be
switched off, which may result inloss of control or an accident.
EAU10670
CHECK“”
The 2-stroke engine oil level warning
light should come on. (See page 3-2.)
EAU10681
LOCK“”
The steering is locked, and all electrical
systems are off. The key can be re-
moved.
To lock the steering1. Turn the handlebars all the way to
the left.
2. Push the key in from the“” posi-
tion, and then turn it to“” while
still pushing it.
3. Remove the key.To unlock the steering
Push the key in, and then turn it to“”
while still pushing it.
PUSHOPEN
ZAUM0253
U3C6E1E0.book Page 1 Friday, August 8, 2008 10:09 AM
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-2
3
EAU11003
Indicator and warning lights
EAU11020
Turn signal indicator light“”
This indicator light flashes when the
turn signal switch is pushed to the left or
right.
EAU11080
High beam indicator light“”
This indicator light comes on when the
high beam of the headlight is switched
on.
EAU11181
Oil level warning light“”
This warning light comes on when the
key is in the“” position or if the oil lev-
el in the 2-stroke engine oil tank is low
during operation. If the warning light
comes on during operation, stop imme-
diately and fill the oil tank with Ya-
malube 2 or equivalent 2-stroke engine
oil of either JASO grade “FC” or ISO
grades “EG-C” or “EG-D”. The warning
light should go off after the 2-stroke en-
gine oil tank has been refilled.TIPIf the warning light does not come on
when the key is in the“” position or
does not go off after the 2-stroke en-
gine oil tank has been refilled, have a
Yamaha dealer check the electrical cir-cuit.NOTICE
ECA16291
Do not operate the vehicle until you
know that the engine oil level is suf-ficient.
EAU11433
Coolant temperature warning
light“”
This warning light comes on if the en-
gine overheats. If this occurs, stop the
engine immediately and allow the en-
gine to cool.NOTICE
ECA10021
Do not continue to operate the en-gine if it is overheating.TIP
For radiator-fan-equipped vehi-
cles, the radiator fan(s) automati-
cally switch on or off according to
the coolant temperature in the ra-
diator.
1. Turn signal indicator light“”
2. High beam indicator light“”
3. Oil level warning light“”
TEMP
123
ZAUM0254
1. Coolant temperature warning light“”
TEMP
Km / h
E1/2
F
1
ZAUM0255
U3C6E1E0.book Page 2 Friday, August 8, 2008 10:09 AM
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-6
3
TIPThe fuel tank cap cannot be installed
unless the key is in the lock. In addition,
the key cannot be removed if the cap isnot properly installed and locked.
WARNING
EWA11141
Make sure that the fuel tank cap is
properly installed before riding.Leaking fuel is a fire hazard.
EAU13212
Fuel Make sure there is sufficient gasoline in
the tank.
WARNING
EWA10881
Gasoline and gasoline vapors are
extremely flammable. To avoid fires
and explosions and to reduce the
risk of injury when refueling, followthese instructions.
1. Before refueling, turn off the en-
gine and be sure that no one is sit-
ting on the vehicle. Never refuel
while smoking, or while in the vi-
cinity of sparks, open flames, or
other sources of ignition such as
the pilot lights of water heaters and
clothes dryers.
2. Do not overfill the fuel tank. Stop
filling when the fuel reaches the
bottom of the filler tube. Because
fuel expands when it heats up,
heat from the engine or the sun
can cause fuel to spill out of the
fuel tank.3. Wipe up any spilled fuel immedi-
ately. NOTICE: Immediately wipe
off spilled fuel with a clean, dry,
soft cloth, since fuel may deteri-
orate painted surfaces or plastic
parts.
[ECA10071]
4. Be sure to securely close the fuel
tank cap.
WARNING
EWA15151
Gasoline is poisonous and can
cause injury or death. Handle gaso-
line with care. Never siphon gaso-
line by mouth. If you should swallow
some gasoline or inhale a lot of gas-
oline vapor, or get some gasoline in
your eyes, see your doctor immedi-1. Fuel tank filler tube
2. Fuel level
1
2
ZAUM0020
U3C6E1E0.book Page 6 Friday, August 8, 2008 10:09 AM
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-7
3ately. If gasoline spills on your skin,
wash with soap and water. If gaso-
line spills on your clothing, change
your clothes.
EAU41272
NOTICE
ECA11400
Use only unleaded gasoline. The use
of leaded gasoline will cause severe
damage to internal engine parts,
such as the valves and piston rings,as well as to the exhaust system.
Your Yamaha engine has been de-
signed to use premium unleaded gaso-
line with a pump octane number
[(R+M)/2] of 91 or higher, or a research
octane number of 95 or higher. If
knocking (or pinging) occurs, use a
gasoline of a different brand. Use of un-
leaded fuel will extend spark plug life
and reduce maintenance costs.Gasohol (for Canada)
There are two types of gasohol: gaso-
hol containing ethanol and that contain-
ing methanol. Gasohol containing
ethanol can be used if the ethanol con-
tent does not exceed 10%. Gasohol
containing methanol is not recom-
mended by Yamaha because it can
cause damage to the fuel system or ve-
hicle performance problems.
EAU13445
Catalytic converters This vehicle is equipped with catalytic
converters in the exhaust system.
WARNING
EWA10862
The exhaust system is hot after op-
eration. To prevent a fire hazard or
burns:
Do not park the vehicle near
possible fire hazards such as
grass or other materials that
easily burn.
Park the vehicle in a place
where pedestrians or children
are not likely to touch the hot
exhaust system.
Make sure that the exhaust sys-
tem has cooled down before do-
ing any maintenance work.
Do not allow the engine to idle
more than a few minutes. Long
idling can cause a build-up ofheat.
Recommended fuel:
Premium unleaded gasoline only
Fuel tank capacity:
7.0 L (1.85 US gal, 1.54 Imp.gal)
U3C6E1E0.book Page 7 Friday, August 8, 2008 10:09 AM