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EBU29710
Read this manual carefully before operating this vehicle. This manual should stay with this ve-
hicle if it is sold.
EC Declaration of Conformityconforming to Directive
98/37/EC, 2006/42/EC
(
Make, model)
to which this declaration applies, conforms to the essential health
and safety requirements of Directive 98
/37/EC, 2006/42/EC
and to the other relevant Directives of EEC
2004
/108/EC
(
Title and
/or number and date of issue of the other Directives of EEC)
(
If applicable)
(
If applicable)To e
ffect correct
application
of the
essential
health
and safety
requirements
stated in the Directives of EEC, the
following-standards and
/or technical
specifications were consulted:
ANSI
/SVIA 1-2007
(
Title and
/or number and date of issue of standards and
/or specifications)
General Manager
RV Engineering Division
RV Operations Signature
Date of Issue
Shinya Shimada9 February, 2009
YAMAHA MOTOR EUROPE N.V.
Koolhovenlaan 101, 1119NC Schiphol-Rijk, The Netherlands
We, YAMAHA MOTOR CO., LTD. 2500 Shingai, Iwata, Japan,
Authorized Representativedeclare in sole responsibility, that the product
YFM125A(
YFM125G) (
JY4AE02W090013013
~ )
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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 footboards of the ATV during
operation.
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 faster
speeds 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.
Avoid crossing the side of a steep hill if possible.
Always use proper procedures if you stall or roll
backwards when climbing a hill. To avoid stall-
ing, use the proper gear and maintain a steady
Page 27 of 132
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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.
WARNING
EWB00220
Always set the parking brake before starting
the engine. The ATV could start moving un-
expectedly if the parking brake is not ap-
plied. This could cause loss of control or a
collision.
Always be sure you have released the park-
ing brake before you begin to ride. The brake
could overheat if you ride the ATV without re-
leasing the parking brake. You could lose
braking performance which could cause an
1. Rear brake lever
1
1. Parking brake lock plate
2. Parking brake lever (locked position)
2
1
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Ambient temp./starter (choke) position
6. Completely close the throttle lever and
start the engine by pushing the start switch.
NOTICE:
For maximum engine life, nev-
er accelerate hard when the engine is
cold!
[ECB00162]
TIP
If the engine fails to start, release the start switch,
then push it again. Pause a few seconds before
the next attempt. Each cranking should be as shortas possible to preserve battery energy. Do not
crank the engine more than 10 seconds on each
attempt.
7. If the engine is started with the starter (choke)
in position (1), the starter (choke) should be
returned to position (2) to warm up the engine.
If the engine is started with the starter (choke)
in position (2), keep the starter (choke) in this
position to warm up the engine.
8. Continue warming up the engine until it idles
smoothly, then return the starter (choke) to
position (3) before riding.
TIP
The engine is warm when it responds normally to
the throttle with the starter (choke) turned off.
EBU20291
Starting a warm engine
Follow the same procedure as for starting a cold
engine, with the exception that the starter (choke)
is not required when the engine is warm. Instead,
start the engine with the throttle slightly open.
1. Fully open
2. Half open
3. Closed
4. Starter (choke)
1
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1
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23
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EBU20910
Accessories and loading
EBU20921
Genuine Yamaha Accessories
Choosing accessories for your ATV is an important
decision. Genuine Yamaha Accessories, which
are available only from a Yamaha dealer, have
been designed, tested, and approved by Yamaha
for use on your ATV. Many companies with no con-
nection to Yamaha manufacture parts and acces-
sories or offer other modifications for Yamaha
vehicles. Yamaha is not in a position to test the
products that these aftermarket companies pro-
duce. Therefore, Yamaha can neither endorse norrecommend the use of accessories not sold by
Yamaha or modifications not specifically recom-
mended by Yamaha, even if sold and installed by
a Yamaha dealer.
Aftermarket parts, accessories, and modifica-
tions
While you may find aftermarket products similar in
design and quality to genuine Yamaha Accesso-
ries, recognize that some aftermarket accessories
or modifications are not suitable because of poten-
tial safety hazards to you or others. Installing after-
market products or having other modifications
performed to your ATV that change any of the ve-
hicle’s design or operation characteristics can put
you and others at greater risk of serious injury or
death. You are responsible for injuries related to
changes in the vehicle.
Keep the following in mind when considering an
accessory or operating an ATV which has acces-
sories.
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-
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Know the terrain where you ride. Ride cautiously in
unfamiliar areas. Stay alert for holes, rocks, or
roots in the terrain, and other hidden hazards
which may cause the ATV to upset.
WARNING!
The ATV could go out of control if you do not
have enough time to react to hidden rocks,
bumps, or holes. Go slowly and be extra care-
ful when operating on unfamiliar terrain. Al-
ways be alert to changing terrain conditions
when operating the ATV.
[EWB01531]
Do not operate on rough, slippery, or loose terrain
until you have learned and practiced the skills nec-
essary to control the ATV on such terrain. Always
be especially cautious on these kinds of terrain.
WARNING! Failure to use extra care when op-
erating on excessively rough, slippery, or
loose terrain could cause loss of traction or
ATV control, which could result in an accident,
including an overturn.
[EWB01541]
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When riding in an area where you might not easily
be seen, such as desert terrain, mount a caution
flag on the ATV. DO NOT use the flag pole bracket
as a trailer hitch.
WARNING! You could collide
with another vehicle if operating in areas where
you cannot easily be seen. Mount a caution
flag on the ATV to make you more visible.
Watch carefully for other vehicles.
[EWB01551]
Do not ride in areas posted “no trespassing”.
Do not ride on private property without getting per-
mission.
Page 77 of 132
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EBU23211
Checking the spark plug
The spark plug is an important engine component,
which is easy to check. Since heat and deposits
will cause any spark plug to slowly erode, the spark
plug should be removed and checked in accor-
dance with the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart. In addition, the condition of the spark
plug can reveal the condition of the engine.
To remove the spark plug
1. Remove the spark plug cap.
2. Remove the spark plug as shown, with thespark plug wrench included in the owner’s tool
kit.
To check the spark plug
1. Check that the porcelain insulator around the
center electrode of the spark plug is a medi-
um-to-light tan (the ideal color when the ATV
is ridden normally).TIP
If the spark plug shows a distinctly different color,
the engine could be operating improperly. Do not
attempt to diagnose such problems yourself. In-
stead, have a Yamaha dealer check the ATV.
1. Spark plug cap
1
1. Spark plug wrench
1