2011 YAMAHA BANSHEE 350 brakes

EBU17420
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LOCATION OF THE WARNING AND
SPECIFICATION LABELS ............................ 1-1
SAFETY INFORMATION .............................. 2-1
DESCRIPTION .............................................. 3-1
Left view ..................................................... 3-1
Right view................................................... 3-1
Controls and instruments ........................... 3-2
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL
FUNCTIONS .................................................. 4-1
Main switch ............................................... 4-1
Handlebar switches ................................... 4-2
Throttle lever ............................................. 4-2
Throttle OverRide System ......................... 4-3
Speed limiter ............................................. 4-3
Clutch lever ............................................... 4-4
Brake lever ................................................ 4-4
Brake pedal ............................................... 4-5
Parking brake ............................................ 4-5
Shift pedal ................................................. 4-7
Kickstarter ................................................. 4-7
Fuel tank cap ............................................. 4-7
Fuel ........................................................... 4-8Fuel cock ................................................... 4-9
Starter (choke) ......................................... 4-11
Seat ......................................................... 4-11
Adjusting the front shock absorber
assemblies ............................................. 4-12
Adjusting the rear shock absorber
assembly ................................................ 4-13
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS ..........................5-1
Fuel and 2-stroke engine oil mixing ratio ... 5-3
Transmission oil ......................................... 5-3
Coolant ...................................................... 5-3
Front and rear brakes ................................ 5-3
Throttle lever .............................................. 5-4
Drive chain ................................................. 5-4
Tires ........................................................... 5-4
Chassis fasteners ...................................... 5-6
Instruments, lights and switches ................ 5-7
OPERATION...................................................6-1
Starting a cold engine ................................ 6-1
Starting a warm engine .............................. 6-2
Shifting ....................................................... 6-2
Engine break-in .......................................... 6-4
Parking ....................................................... 6-5
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
JUDGMENT .............................................7-2
BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU RIDE ............ 7-8
TURNING YOUR ATV ............................. 7-11
CLIMBING UPHILL .................................. 7-12
RIDING DOWNHILL................................. 7-15
CROSSING A SLOPE.............................. 7-16
CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW
WATER .................................................. 7-17
RIDING OVER ROUGH TERRAIN .......... 7-18
SLIDING AND SKIDDING ........................ 7-19
WHAT TO DO IF... ................................... 7-20
WHAT TO DO... ....................................... 7-20
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND
ADJUSTMENT ............................................... 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 plugs .......................... 8-9
Transmission oil ...................................... 8-10
Coolant .................................................... 8-13
Cleaning the air filter element ................. 8-18Cleaning the spark arrester ..................... 8-22
Changing the carburetor settings ............. 8-23
Adjusting the engine idling speed ............ 8-32
Adjusting the throttle lever free play ........ 8-34
Brakes ...................................................... 8-34
Checking the front and rear brake
pads ....................................................... 8-35
Checking the brake fluid level .................. 8-36
Changing the brake fluid .......................... 8-37
Checking the front brake lever free
play ........................................................ 8-38
Checking the brake pedal height ............. 8-38
Adjusting the parking brake free play ...... 8-38
Brake light switches ................................. 8-41
Adjusting the clutch lever free play .......... 8-41
Drive chain slack ...................................... 8-43
Lubricating the drive chain ....................... 8-45
Checking and lubricating the cables ........ 8-45
Checking and lubricating the brake and
clutch levers ........................................... 8-46
Checking the shift pedal .......................... 8-46
Checking and lubricating the brake
pedal ...................................................... 8-46
Checking the wheel hub bearings ............ 8-47
Lubricating the rear suspension relay
arm and connecting arm pivoting
points ..................................................... 8-47
Lubricating the upper and lower arm
pivots ..................................................... 8-48

2-3
12
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

speed when climbing a hill. If you stall or roll
backwards, follow the special procedure for
braking described in this manual. Dismount on
the uphill side or to a side if pointed straight up-
hill. Turn the ATV around and remount, following
the procedure described in this manual.

Always check for obstacles before operating in a
new area.

Never attempt to operate over large obstacles,
such as large rocks or fallen trees. Always follow
proper procedures when operating over obsta-
cles as described in this manual.

Always be careful when skidding or sliding.
Learn to safely control skidding or sliding by
practicing at low speeds and on level, smooth
terrain. On extremely slippery surfaces, such as
ice, go slowly and be very cautious in order to re-
duce the chance of skidding or sliding out of con-
trol.

Never operate an ATV in fast flowing water or in
water deeper than that recommended in this
manual. Remember that wet brakes may have
reduced stopping ability. Test your brakes after
leaving water. If necessary, apply them several
times to let friction dry out the linings.

Always use the size and type of tires specified inthis manual.

Always maintain proper tire pressure as de-
scribed in this manual.

Never modify an ATV through improper installa-
tion or use of accessories.

Never exceed the stated load capacity for an
ATV. Cargo should be properly distributed and
securely attached. Reduce speed and follow in-
structions in this manual for carrying cargo or
pulling a trailer. Allow greater distance for brak-
ing.
WARNING

EWB00071
Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
All engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide,
a deadly gas. Breathing carbon monoxide can
cause headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, nau-
sea, confusion, and eventually death.
Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless,
tasteless gas which may be present even if you
do not see or smell any engine exhaust. Deadly
levels of carbon monoxide can collect rapidly
and you can quickly be overcome and unable
to save yourself. Also, deadly levels of carbon
monoxide can linger for hours or days in en-
closed or poorly ventilated areas. If you experi-

4-6
1
2
34
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

wise, the engine will misfire, preventing normal op-
eration.
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
accident. You could also wear out the brakes
1. Button
2. Parking brake lock plate
1
2

1. Locked position
1

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

EBU19550
Fuel and 2-stroke engine oil mixing
ratio
If Yamalube “R” oil is not available, select an oil
from the following list.
NOTICE

ECB00140
Never mix two types of 2-stroke engine oil in
the same batch. Always use the same type of
oil to ensure maximum engine performance.
EBU19580
Transmission oil
Make sure that the transmission oil is at the speci-
fied level. Add oil as necessary. (See page 8-10.)
EBU19631
Coolant
Make sure that the coolant is at the specified level.
Add coolant as necessary. (See page 8-13.)
TIP

The coolant level must be checked on a cold en-
gine since the level varies with engine tempera-
ture.
EBU19711
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 8-38.) 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. Recommended 2-stroke engine oil:
Yamalube “R” (Yamalube Racing 2-cycle oil)
Mixing ratio:
24:1
Recommended 2-stroke engine oil Mixing ratio

Castrol R30
20:1 Castrol A545
Castrol A747

5-4
1
2
3
45
6
7
8
9
10
11

(See page 8-36.)
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-
tem.
Brake operation
Test the brakes at slow speed after starting out to
make sure they are working properly. If the brakes
do not provide proper braking performance, check
the brake pads for wear. (See page 8-35.)

EBU19761
Throttle lever
Check the operation of the throttle lever. It must
open smoothly and spring back to the idle position
when released. Have a Yamaha dealer correct if
necessary.
EBU19770
Drive chain
Check the condition of the drive chain and check
the drive chain slack. Lubricate and adjust the
drive chain as necessary. (See page 8-43.)
EBU19794
Tires
Check tire pressure regularly to make sure it is at
the recommended specifications. Also check for
wear and damage.
Tire pressure
Use the low-pressure tire gauge to check and ad-
just tire pressures when the tires are cold. Tire
pressures must be equal on both sides.
WARNING! Operation of this vehicle with im-
proper tire pressure may cause severe injury
or death from loss of control or rollover. Tire
pressure below the minimum specified could
also cause the tire to dislodge from the rim un-
der severe riding conditions.

[EWB02541]
Set tire pres-
sures to the following specifications: Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 4

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

the next higher gear.
EBU20650
To decelerate
When slowing down or stopping, release the throt-
tle and apply the brakes smoothly and evenly. As
you slow down, shift to a lower gear. Be sure that
the engine has sufficiently slowed before engaging
a lower gear. Improper use of the brakes or shifting
can cause the tires to lose traction, reducing con-
trol and increasing the possibility of an accident.
WARNING

EWB00710
Make sure the engine has sufficiently slowed
before shifting to a lower gear. Engaging a low-
er gear when the engine speed is too high
could make the wheels stop rotating and lose
traction. This could cause loss of control, an
accident and injury. It could also cause engine
or drive train damage.
NOTICE

ECB00180

Even with the transmission in the neutral po-
sition, do not coast for long periods of time
with the engine off, and do not tow the ATV
for long distances. The transmission is prop-erly lubricated only when the engine is run-
ning. Inadequate lubrication may damage
the transmission.

Always use the clutch when changing gears.
The engine, transmission and drive train are
not designed to withstand the shock of
forced shifting and can be damaged by shift-
ing without using the clutch.
EBU20672
Engine break-in
TIP


For ATVs equipped with an odometer or an hour
meter, follow the figures given in km (mi) or the
figures given in hours.

For ATVs not equipped with an odometer or
hour meter, follow the figures given in hours.
There is never a more important period in the life of
your engine than the first 320 km (200 mi) or 20
hours of riding. For this reason, you should read
the following material carefully.
Since the engine is brand new, do not put an ex-
cessive load on it for the first 320 km (200 mi) or 20
hours. The various parts in the engine wear and
polish themselves to the correct operating clear-

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

EBU20865
Parking on a slope
WARNING

EWB00851
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 into first gear, stop the engine, ap-
ply the parking brake, and then block the front
and rear wheels with rocks or other objects.
Never park the ATV on hills that are too steep
to walk up easily.
1. Bring the ATV to a stop by applying the front
brake, shift into first gear, and then stop the
engine.
2. With the front and rear brakes applied, apply
the parking brake.
3. Release the front and rear brakes.
4. Turn the fuel cock to “OFF”.
EBU20910
Accessories and loading
EBU20921
Genuine Yamaha Accessories
Choosing accessories for your ATV is an important
decision. Genuine Yamaha Accessories, which
1. Locked position
1