2009 YAMAHA YFM250R oil level

Parking on a slope .................................... 6-6
Accessories and loading ........................... 6-6
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 ............ 7-8
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 ............................ 8-9
Engine oil and oil filter element ............... 8-10
Cleaning the air filter element ................. 8-14Cleaning the spark arrester ..................... 8-18
Adjusting the carburetor ........................... 8-19
Adjusting the engine idling speed ............ 8-20
Adjusting the throttle cable free play ........ 8-20
Valve clearance ....................................... 8-21
Checking the front and rear brake
pads ....................................................... 8-22
Checking the brake fluid level .................. 8-23
Changing the brake fluid .......................... 8-25
Checking the front brake lever free
play ........................................................ 8-26
Checking the brake pedal position ........... 8-26
Adjusting the parking brake free play ...... 8-27
Brake light switches ................................. 8-29
Adjusting the clutch lever free play .......... 8-29
Drive chain slack ...................................... 8-30
Lubricating the drive chain ....................... 8-32
Checking and lubricating the cables ........ 8-33
Checking and lubricating the brake and
clutch levers ........................................... 8-33
Checking the shift pedal .......................... 8-34
Checking and lubricating the brake
pedal ...................................................... 8-34
Checking the wheel hub bearings ............ 8-34
Lubricating the swingarm pivots .............. 8-35
Lubricating the upper and lower arm
pivots ..................................................... 8-35
Lubricating the steering shaft ................... 8-36
Battery ..................................................... 8-36

5-1
1
2
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45
6
7
8
9
10
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EBU19200
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
EBU19223
Pre-operation check list
Before operating this ATV, be sure to check the items listed in the following table.
WARNING

EWB00480
Always inspect your ATV each time you use it to make sure it is in safe operating condition.
Always follow the inspection and maintenance procedures and schedules described in the Owner’s
Manual. Failure to inspect increases the possibility of an accident or equipment damage.
TIP

The maintenance of some items in the table has to be performed by a Yamaha dealer. Refer to the periodic
maintenance charts on page 8-3 to determine which service should be performed by a Yamaha dealer.
ITEM ROUTINE PAGE
Fuel


Check fuel level in fuel tank, and add recommended fuel if neces-
sary.

Check fuel line for leakage. Correct if necessary.4-7, 5-3
Engine oil

Check oil level in engine, and add recommended oil to specified
level if necessary.

Check ATV for oil leakage. Correct if necessary.5-3, 8-10
Front brake

Check operation. If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed
hydraulic system.

Check brake pads for wear, and replace if necessary.

Check brake fluid level in reservoir, and add recommended brake
fluid to specified level if necessary.

Check hydraulic system for leakage. Correct if necessary.5-3, 8-22, 8-23, 8-26

5-3
1
2
3
45
6
7
8
9
10
11

EBU19540
Fuel
Make sure that there is sufficient fuel in the tank.
(See page 4-7.)
WARNING

EWB00520

Do not overfill the fuel tank. Fuel expands
when it heats up. If the fuel tank is overfilled,
fuel could spill out due to heat from the en-
gine or the sun.

Be careful not to spill fuel, especially on the
engine or exhaust pipe which can cause a
fire and severe injury. Wipe up any spilled
fuel immediately.

Do not refuel right after the engine has been
running and is still very hot.

Be sure the fuel tank cap is closed securely.
EBU19560
Engine oil
Make sure that the engine oil is at the specified lev-
el. Add oil as necessary. (See page 8-10.)
EBU19710
Front and rear brakes
Brake lever and brake pedal

Check that there is no free play in the brake le-
ver. If there is free play, have a Yamaha dealer
check the brake system.

Check for correct brake pedal height. (See
page 8-26.) If the pedal height is incorrect, have
a Yamaha dealer adjust it.

Check the operation of the lever and pedal. They
should move smoothly and there should be a
firm feeling when the brakes are applied. If not,
have a Yamaha dealer check the brake system.
Brake fluid level
Check the brake fluid level. Add fluid if necessary.
(See page 8-23.)
Brake fluid leakage
Check to see if any brake fluid is leaking out of the
pipe joints or brake fluid reservoirs. Apply the
brakes firmly for one minute. If there is any leak-
age, have a Yamaha dealer check the brake sys-Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 4

8-10
1
2
3
4
5
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78
9
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11

2. Check the spark plug for electrode erosion
and excessive carbon or other deposits, and
replace it if necessary.
To install the spark plug
1. Measure the spark plug gap with a wire thick-
ness gauge and, if necessary, adjust the gap
to specification.2. Clean the surface of the spark plug gasket
and its mating surface, and then wipe off any
grime from the spark plug threads.
3. Install the spark plug with the spark plug
wrench, and then tighten it to the specified
torque.TIP

If a torque wrench is not available when installing
a spark plug, a good estimate of the correct torque
is 1/4–1/2 turn past finger tight. However, the spark
plug should be tightened to the specified torque as
soon as possible.
4. Install the spark plug cap.
EBU28953
Engine oil and oil filter element
The engine oil level should be checked before
each ride. In addition, the oil must be changed and
the oil filter element must be replaced at the inter-
vals specified in the periodic maintenance and lu-
brication chart. Specified spark plug:
NGK/DR7EA
Spark plug gap:
0.6–0.7 mm (0.024–0.028 in)
1. Spark plug gap
Tightening torque:
Spark plug:
18 Nm (1.8 m·kgf, 13 ft·lbf)

8-11
1
2
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4
5
6
78
9
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To check the engine oil level
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Check the engine oil level on a cold engine.
TIP

If the engine was started before checking the oil
level, be sure to warm up the engine sufficiently,
and then wait at least ten minutes until the oil set-
tles for an accurate reading.
3. Remove the engine oil filler cap, and then
wipe the dipstick off with a clean rag.
4. Insert the dipstick into the filler hole (without
screwing it in), and then remove it again to
check the oil level.
TIP

The engine oil should be between the minimum
and maximum level marks.
5. If the engine oil is at or below the minimum
level mark, add sufficient oil of the recom-
mended type to raise it to the correct level.
6. Insert the dipstick into the oil filler hole, and
then tighten the engine oil filler cap.
1. Engine oil filler cap
2. Dipstick
3. Maximum level mark
4. Minimum level mark
1
2
3
4 1

8-14
1
2
3
4
5
6
78
9
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11

with a diesel specification of “CD” or oils of
a higher quality than specified. In addition,
do not use oils labeled “ENERGY CONSERV-
ING II” or higher.

Make sure that no foreign material enters the
crankcase.
10. Start the engine, and then let it idle for several
minutes while checking it for oil leakage. If oil
is leaking, immediately turn the engine off and
check for the cause.
11. Turn the engine off, wait at least ten minutes,
and then check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
EBU23703
Cleaning the air filter element
The air filter element should be cleaned at the in-
tervals specified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart. Clean the air filter element more
frequently if you are riding in unusually wet or dusty
areas.
TIP

There is a check hose at the bottom of the air filter
case. If dust or water collects in this hose, empty
the hose and clean the air filter element and air fil-
ter case.
1. “CD” specification
2. “ENERGY CONSERVING II”
1
2

1. Air filter case check hose
1

8-25
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78
9
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3. Refill with brake fluid.
4. Install the brake fluid reservoir cap.
5. Install the brake fluid reservoir cap cover by
installing the bolt.
Observe these precautions:

When checking the fluid level, make sure that
the top of the brake fluid reservoir is level.

Use only the recommended quality brake fluid,
otherwise the rubber seals may deteriorate,
causing leakage and poor braking performance.

Refill with the same type of brake fluid. Mixing
fluids may result in a harmful chemical reaction
and lead to poor braking performance.

Be careful that water does not enter the brake
fluid reservoir when refilling. Water will signifi-
cantly lower the boiling point of the fluid and may
result in vapor lock.

Brake fluid may deteriorate painted surfaces or
plastic parts. Always clean up spilled fluid imme-
diately.

As the brake pads wear, it is normal for the brake
fluid level to gradually go down. However, if the
brake fluid level goes down suddenly, have a
Yamaha dealer check the cause.
EBU24291
Changing the brake fluid
Have a Yamaha dealer change the brake fluid at
the intervals specified in the TIP after the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart. In addition,
have the oil seals of the master cylinders and cali-
pers as well as the brake hoses replaced at the in-
tervals listed below or whenever they are damaged
or leaking.

Oil seals: Replace every two years.

Brake hoses: Replace every four years.
1. Brake fluid reservoir cap
Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 4
1

10-1
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910
11

EBU25960
SPECIFICATIONS
EBU2597B
Dimensions:
Overall length:
1625 mm (64.0 in)
Overall width:
1070 mm (42.1 in)
Overall height:
1040 mm (40.9 in)
Seat height:
730 mm (28.7 in)
Wheelbase:
1110 mm (43.7 in)
Ground clearance:
100 mm (3.9 in)
Minimum turning radius:
2900 mm (114 in)
Weight:
With oil and fuel:
150.0 kg (331 lb)
Noise and vibration level:
Noise level (77/311/EEC):
81.0 dB(A) (EUR)
Vibration on seat (EN1032, ISO5008):
Will not exceed 0.5 m/s
2

(EUR)
Vibration on handlebar (EN1032, ISO5008):
Will not exceed 2.5 m/s
2

(EUR)
Engine:
Engine type:
Air cooled 4-stroke, SOHC
Cylinder arrangement:
Forward-inclined single cylinder
Displacement:
249.0 cm
3

Bore
×
stroke:
74.0
×
58.0 mm (2.91
×
2.28 in)
Compression ratio:
9.50 :1
Starting system:
Electric starter
Lubrication system:
Wet sump

Engine oil:
Type:
SAE 5W-30 or SAE 10W-30 or SAE 10W-40 or SAE
15W-40 or SAE 20W-40 or SAE 20W-50