2009 YAMAHA FZR Owners Manual

Safety information
10
EJU30682
The safe use and operation of this water-
craft is dependent upon the use of proper
riding techniques, as well as upon the
common sense, good judgment, and ex-
pertise of the operator. Before using this
watercraft, make sure that its use is per-
mitted under local laws, bylaws, and regu-
lations, and always operate the watercraft
in full conformity with any requirements
and limitations imposed. Every operator
should know the following requirements
before riding the watercraft.

Before operating the watercraft, read this
owner’s/operator’s manual, the Riding
Practice Guide, the Riding Instruction card,
and all labels on the watercraft. These ma-
terials should give you an understanding of
the watercraft and its operation.

Never allow anyone to operate this water-
craft until they too have read this own-
er’s/operator’s manual, the Riding Practice
Guide, the Riding Instruction card, and all
labels.
EJU30720
Limitations on who may
operate the watercraft

Yamaha recommends a minimum operator
age of 16 years old.
Adults must supervise use by minors.
Know your local operator age and training
requirements.

This watercraft is designed to carry the op-
erator and 1 passenger. Never exceed the
maximum load limit or allow more than 2
persons to ride the watercraft at any time.

Do not operate the watercraft with a pas-
senger on board until you have consider-
able practice and experience riding alone.
Operating the watercraft with a passenger
requires more skill. Take the time to be-
come accustomed to the handling charac-
teristics of the watercraft before trying any
difficult maneuvers.Maximum load:
160 kg (353 lb)
Load is the total weight of cargo, oper-
ator, and passenger.
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Safety information
11
EJU30761
Cruising limitations

Scan constantly for people, objects, and
other watercraft. Be alert for conditions that
limit your visibility or block your vision of
others.

Operate defensively at safe speeds and
keep a safe distance away from people, ob-
jects, and other watercraft.

Do not follow directly behind watercraft or
other boats.

Do not go near others to spray or splash
them with water.

Avoid sharp turns or other maneuvers that
make it hard for others to avoid you or un-
derstand where you are going.

Avoid areas with submerged objects or
shallow water.

Take early action to avoid collisions. Re-
member, watercraft and other boats do not
have brakes.

Do not release the throttle lever when trying
to steer away from objects—you need throt-
tle to steer. Always check throttle and steer-
ing controls before starting the watercraft.

Ride within your limits and avoid aggressive
maneuvers to reduce the risk of loss of con-
trol, ejection, and collision.

This is a high performance boat—not a toy.
Sharp turns or jumping wakes or waves can
increase the risk of back/spinal injury (pa-
ralysis), facial injuries, and broken legs, an-kles, and other bones. Do not jump wakes
or waves.

Do not operate the watercraft in rough wa-
ter, bad weather, or when visibility is poor;
this may lead to an accident causing injury
or death. Be alert to the possibility of ad-
verse weather. Take note of weather fore-
casts and the prevailing weather conditions
before setting out on your watercraft.

As with any water sport, you should not op-
erate your watercraft without someone else
nearby. If you operate further than swim-
ming distance from shore, you should be
accompanied by another boat or watercraft,
but make sure you stay a safe distance
away. It’s good, common sense.

Never operate in water that is less than 60
cm (2 ft) deep from the bottom of the water-
craft, otherwise you increase your chance
of hitting a submerged object, which could
result in injury.

This watercraft is not equipped with lighting
required for night operation. Do not operate
the watercraft after sunset or before dawn,
otherwise you increase the risk of colliding
60 cm (2 ft)
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Safety information
12
with another boat, which could result in se-
vere injury or death.

Follow navigation rules, and state/provin-
cial and local laws that apply to watercraft.
EJU30801
Operation requirements

All riders must wear a personal flotation de-
vice (PFD) that is approved by the appropri-
ate authorities and is suitable for personal
watercraft use.

Wear protective clothing. Severe internal
injuries can occur if water is forced into
body cavities as a result of falling into the
water or being near the jet thrust nozzle.
Normal swimwear does not adequately pro-
tect against forceful water entry into the rec-
tum or vagina. All riders must wear a
wetsuit bottom or clothing that provides
equivalent protection. Such clothing in-
cludes thick, tightly woven, sturdy and
snug-fitting apparel such as denim, but
does not include spandex or similar fabrics,
like those used in bicycle shorts.

Eye protection is recommended to keep
wind, water, and glare from the sun out of
your eyes while you operate your water-
craft. Restraining straps for eyewear are
made which are designed to float should
your eyewear fall in the water.
Footwear and gloves are recommended.

You must decide whether to wear a helmet
while you ride for recreation. You should
know that a helmet could help protect you in
1Authority-approved PFD
2Wetsuit bottom
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Safety information
13
certain kinds of accidents and that it could
injure you in others.
A helmet is designed to provide some head
protection. Although helmets cannot protect
against all foreseeable impacts, a helmet
might reduce your injuries in a collision with
a boat or other obstacle.
A helmet may have potential safety haz-
ards, as well. Falling into the water could
risk the chance of the helmet catching wa-
ter, commonly known as “bucketing”, and
the resulting strain on your neck could
cause choking, severe and permanent neck
injuries, or death. A helmet could also in-
crease the risk of an accident if it reduces
your vision or hearing, or if it distracts you or
increases your fatigue.
How should you decide if a helmet’s poten-
tial safety benefits outweigh its potential
risks for you? Consider your particular
riding conditions. Consider factors such as
your riding environment and your riding
style and ability. Also consider the likeli-
hood of traffic congestion, and the water
surface conditions.
If you decide to wear a helmet based upon
your riding circumstances, choose one
carefully. Look for a helmet designed for
personal watercraft use, if possible. If you
will be engaging in closed-course competi-
tion, follow the helmet requirements of the
sanctioning organization.

Never operate the watercraft after consum-
ing alcohol or taking other drugs.

For reasons of safety and proper care of the
watercraft, always perform the pre-opera-
tion checks listed on page 43 before operat-
ing the watercraft.

The operator and passenger should always
keep their feet on the floor of the footwell
when the watercraft is in motion. Lifting yourfeet increases the chances of losing your
balance, or hitting objects outside the wa-
tercraft with your feet. Do not give a ride to
a child whose feet cannot reach the floor of
the footwell.

The passenger should firmly hold on to the
operator.

Never allow a passenger to ride in front of
the operator.

Always consult your doctor on whether it is
safe for you to ride this watercraft if you are
pregnant or in poor health.

Do not attempt to modify this watercraft.
Modifications to your watercraft may reduce
safety and reliability, and render the water-
craft unsafe or illegal for use.

Attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard) to
your left wrist and keep it free from the han-
dlebars so that the engine stops if you, the
operator, fall off. After riding, remove the
engine shut-off cord (lanyard) from the wa-
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Safety information
14
tercraft to avoid accidental starting or unau-
thorized use by children or others.

Scan carefully for swimmers and stay away
from swimming areas. Swimmers are hard
to see and you could accidentally hit some-
one in the water.

Avoid being hit by another boat. You should
always take the responsibility to watch for
traffic; other boaters may not be watching
for you. If they do not see you, or if you ma-
neuver more quickly than other boaters ex-
pect, you risk a collision.

Maintain a safe distance from other boats
and watercraft, and also watch for ski ropes
or fishing lines. Obey the “Safe boating
rules” and be sure to check behind you be-
fore making a turn. (See “Safe boating
rules” on page 17.)
EJU30840
Recommended equipment
The following items should be carried on
board your watercraft:

Sound-signaling device
You should carry a whistle or other sound-
signaling device that can be used to signal
other boats.

Visual distress signals
It is recommended that a pyrotechnic de-
vice, which is approved by the appropriate
authorities, be stored in a waterproof con-
tainer on your watercraft. A mirror can also
be used as an emergency signal. Contact a
Yamaha dealer for more information.

Watch
A watch is helpful so you will know how long
you have been operating the watercraft.

Towline
A towline can be used to tow a disabled wa-
tercraft in an emergency.
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Safety information
15
EJU36850
Hazard information

Never start the engine or let it run for any
length of time in an enclosed area. Exhaust
fumes contain carbon monoxide, a color-
less, odorless gas that may cause loss of
consciousness and death within a short
time. Always operate the watercraft in an
open area.

Do not touch the hot muffler or engine dur-
ing or immediately after engine operation;
they can cause serious burns.
EJU30920
Watercraft characteristics

Jet thrust turns the watercraft. Releasing
the throttle lever completely produces only
minimum thrust. If you are traveling at
speeds above trolling, you will have rapidly
decreasing ability to steer without throttle.
This model is equipped with the Yamaha
Engine Management System (YEMS) that
includes an off-throttle steering (OTS) sys-
tem. It will activate at planing speeds should
you attempt to steer the watercraft after re-
leasing the throttle lever. The OTS system
assists in turning by continuing to supply
some thrust while the watercraft is deceler-
ating, but you can turn more sharply if you
apply throttle while turning the handlebars.
The OTS system does not function below
planing speeds or when the engine is off.
Once the engine slows down, the watercraft
will no longer turn in response to handlebar
input until you apply throttle again or you
reach trolling speed.
Practice turning in an open area without ob-
stacles until you have a good feel for this
maneuver.

This watercraft is water-jet propelled. The
jet pump is directly connected to the engine.
This means that jet thrust will produce some
movement whenever the engine is running.
There is no “neutral” position. You are in ei-
ther “forward” or “reverse”, depending upon
the shift lever position.

Do not use the reverse function to slow
down or stop the watercraft as it could
cause you to lose control, be ejected, or im-
pact the handlebars.
This could increase the risk of back/spinal
injury (paralysis), facial injuries, and broken
legs, ankles, and other bones. You could
also damage the shift mechanism.
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Safety information
16

Reverse can be used to slow down or stop
during slow-speed maneuvering, such as
when docking. Once the engine is idling,
shift into reverse and gradually increase en-
gine speed. Make sure that there are no ob-
stacles or people behind you before shifting
into reverse.

Keep away from the intake grate while the
engine is on. Items such as long hair, loose
clothing, or PFD straps can become entan-
gled in moving parts, resulting in severe in-
jury or drowning.

Never insert any object into the jet thrust
nozzle while the engine is running. Severe
injury or death could result from coming in
contact with the rotating parts of the jet
pump.

Stop the engine and remove the clip from
the engine shut-off switch before removingany debris or weeds, which may have col-
lected around the jet intake.
1Intake grate
2Jet thrust nozzle
1Clip
2Engine shut-off switch
2
1
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Safety information
17
EJU30970
Safe boating rules
Your Yamaha watercraft is legally considered
a powerboat. Operation of the watercraft must
be in accordance with the rules and regula-
tions governing the waterway on which it is
used.
EJU30991
Enjoy your watercraft
responsibly
You share the areas you enjoy when riding
your watercraft with others and with nature.
So your enjoyment includes a responsibility to
treat these other people, and the lands, wa-
ters, and wildlife with respect and courtesy.
Whenever and wherever you ride, think of
yourself as the guest of those around you. Re-
member, for example, that the sound of your
watercraft may be music to you, but it could be
just noise to others. And the exciting splash of
your wake can make waves others won’t en-
joy.
Avoid riding close to shoreline homes and wa-
terfowl nesting areas or other wildlife areas,
and keep a respectful distance from fisher-
men, other boats, swimmers, and populated
beaches. When travel in areas like these is
unavoidable, ride slowly and obey all laws.
Proper maintenance is necessary to ensure
that the exhaust emission and sound levels of
your watercraft will continue to be within regu-
lated limits. You have the responsibility to
make sure that the recommended mainte-
nance in this owner’s/operator’s manual is
carried out.
Remember, pollution can be harmful to the
environment. Do not refuel or add oil where a
spill could cause damage to nature. Remove
your watercraft from the water and move it
away from the shoreline before refueling. Dis-
pose of water and any fuel and oil residue in
the engine compartment according to local
regulations. And keep your surroundings
pleasant for the people and wildlife that share
the waterways: don’t litter.
When you ride responsibly, with respect and
courtesy for others, you help ensure that our
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