6-6
6
EBU20860Parking on a slope
WARNING
EWB00850Avoid 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.Do not park the ATV at all on hills that are so
steep you could not walk up them easily.
1. Bring the ATV to a stop by applying the brakes
in first gear.
2. Stop the engine and release the clutch lever.
3. With the rear brake applied, apply the parking
brake and slowly release the brake pedal.
1. Locked position
1
U33B70E0.book Page 6 Wednesday, June 11, 2008 1:38 PM
7-12
7Select a large, flat, unpaved area to become famil-
iar with your ATV. Make sure that this area is free
of obstacles and other riders. You should practice
control of the throttle, brakes, shifting procedures,
and turning techniques in this area before trying
more difficult terrain. Always avoid riding on paved
surfaces: the ATV is designed for use on unpaved
surfaces only, and handling maneuvers are more
difficult to perform on pavement.
Set the parking brake and follow the instruction on
page 6-1 to start the engine. Once it has warmed
up you are ready to begin riding your ATV. As you
get on the ATV, be sure not to accidentally move
the shift pedal. Remember that the engine and ex-haust pipe will be hot when riding and afterwards;
do not allow skin or clothing to come in contact with
these components.
With the engine idling, pull the clutch lever to dis-
engage the clutch and shift into 1st gear, and then
release the parking brake. Open the throttle grad-
ually, and at the same time, release the clutch le-
ver slowly. Once the ATV has attained adequate
speed, release the throttle lever and at the same
time, quickly pull in the clutch lever and shift into
2nd gear. Open the throttle part way and gradually
release the clutch. Use this same procedure as
you move into the higher gears. Be sure to coordi-
nate the use of the throttle and shift pedal properly.
If the throttle is applied too abruptly or if the throttle
is not released during shifting, or if the shift pedal
is not released before applying the throttle, the
front wheels may lift off the ground, resulting in a
loss of directional control. Avoid higher speeds un-
til you are thoroughly familiar with the operation of
your ATV.
U33B70E0.book Page 12 Wednesday, June 11, 2008 1:38 PM
7-17
7 If you start to roll backwards, DO NOT apply the
brake pedal to stop or try to put the ATV in gear.
The ATV could easily tip over backwards. Instead,
apply the front brake gradually, or dismount the
ATV immediately on the uphill side.
WARNING
EWB02410Use the proper gear and maintain a steady
speed when climbing a hill.
If you lose all forward speed:Keep weight uphill.Apply the brakes.Lock the parking brake after you are
stopped.
If you begin rolling backwards:Keep weight uphill.Never apply the brake pedal while rolling
backwards. Apply the front brake.When fully stopped, apply the brake pedal as
well, and then lock the parking brake.
Dismount on uphill side or to a side if pointed
straight uphill. Turn the ATV around and re-
mount, following the procedure described inthe Owner’s Manual.RIDING DOWNHILL
When riding your ATV downhill, shift your weight
as far to the rear and uphill side of the ATV as pos-
sible. Move back on the seat and sit with your arms
straight. Choose a low gear which will allow the en-
gine compression to do most of the braking for you.
Improper braking may cause a loss of traction.
Use caution while descending a hill with loose or
slippery surfaces. Braking ability and traction may
be adversely affected by these surfaces. Improper
braking may also cause a loss of traction.U33B70E0.book Page 17 Wednesday, June 11, 2008 1:38 PM
8-5
8
EBU21864General maintenance and lubrication chart NO. ITEMCHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOBINITIAL EVERY
Whichev-
er comes
firstmonth136612
km
(mi)320
(200)1300
(800)2500
(1600)2500
(1600)5000
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320
1 Air filter elementClean and replace if necessary.Every 20–40 hours (more often in wet or
dusty areas)
2*ClutchCheck operation and adjust if necessary.√ √√√
3*Front brakeCheck operation and correct if necessary.
Check fluid level and ATV for fluid leakage, and
correct if necessary.√√√√√
Replace brake pads. Whenever worn to the limit
4*Rear brakeCheck operation and correct if necessary.
Check fluid level and ATV for fluid leakage, and
correct if necessary.√√√√√
Replace brake pads. Whenever worn to the limit
5*Brake hosesCheck for cracks or other damage, and replace if
necessary.√√√√
Replace. Every 4 years
6*Parking brakeCheck operation and adjust if necessary.√√√√√
7*WheelsCheck runout and for damage, and replace if nec-
essary.√ √√√
8*TiresCheck tread depth and for damage, and replace if
necessary.
Check air pressure and balance, and correct if
necessary.√ √√√
9*Wheel hub bearingsCheck for looseness or damage, and replace if
necessary.√ √√√
U33B70E0.book Page 5 Wednesday, June 11, 2008 1:38 PM
8-26
8
EBU24710Adjusting the parking brake free play The parking brake free play must be checked and,
if necessary, adjusted at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrication chart.
Cable length “A” should measure 64–68 mm
(2.52–2.68 in). Adjust the parking brake free play
as follows.
1. Release the parking brake by moving the
parking brake lever to the right.
2. Fully loosen the locknut and the adjusting bolt
at the rear brake caliper.
3. Loosen the locknut on the brake cable.4. Turn the adjusting nut on the brake cable in di-
rection (a) to increase the cable length, and in
direction (b) to decrease it.
TIPIf the cable length cannot be adjusted to specifica-tion, consult a Yamaha dealer.
5. Tighten the locknut on the brake cable.
6. Turn in the adjusting bolt at the rear brake cal-
iper until it feels tight, then turn it out 1/8 turn
and tighten its locknut to the specified torque.
1. Adjusting bolt
2. Cable length “A”
3. Locknut
2
1 3
1. Locknut
2. Adjusting nut
2
1
(a)(b)
U33B70E0.book Page 26 Wednesday, June 11, 2008 1:38 PM
8-27
8
NOTICEECB00520When tightening the locknut, hold the adjust-
ing bolt with a wrench so that it does not turntogether with the locknut.
WARNING
EWB02090Operating with improperly serviced or adjust-
ed brakes could cause the brakes to malfunc-
tion, resulting in reduced braking
performance. This could increase the chance
of a collision or accident. After adjusting the
parking brake free play, block the rear of the
ATV off the ground and spin the rear wheels.
Check to make sure there is no brake drag. If
brake drag is noticed, perform the adjustmentagain.
EBU24740Brake light switches The operation of the brake light switches must be
checked and, if necessary, adjusted at the inter-
vals specified in the periodic maintenance and lu-
brication chart.
The brake light switch for the brake pedal can be
adjusted as follows, but the other brake light
switches should be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer.TIPThe brake light switch is properly adjusted when
the brake light comes on just before braking takeseffect.
Turn the adjusting nut while holding the brake light
switch in place. To make the brake light come on
earlier, turn the adjusting nut in direction (a). To
make the brake light come on later, turn the adjust-
ing nut in direction (b). Tightening torque:
Locknut (rear brake caliper):
16 Nm (1.6 m·kgf, 11 ft·lbf)
U33B70E0.book Page 27 Wednesday, June 11, 2008 1:38 PM
LLabel locations ............................................................... 2-1
Light switch .................................................................... 4-4MMain switch .................................................................... 4-1
Maintenance and lubrication chart ................................. 8-5
Maintenance chart, emission control system ................. 8-3
Model label ................................................................... 11-2NNeutral indicator light ..................................................... 4-2OOwner’s manual and tool kit ........................................... 8-1PParking ........................................................................... 6-5
Parking brake free play, adjusting ................................ 8-26
Parking brake lever ........................................................ 4-8
Parking on a slope ......................................................... 6-6
Part locations ................................................................. 3-1
Pre-operation check list ................................................. 5-1RRiding your ATV ............................................................. 7-1SSafety information .......................................................... 1-1
Seat .............................................................................. 4-14
Shifting ........................................................................... 6-3
Shift pedal ...................................................................... 4-9
Shift pedal, checking .................................................... 8-34
Shock absorber assemblies, adjusting the front
(YFM250RSE-W) ....................................................... 4-15
Shock absorber assemblies, adjusting the front
(YFM250R-W) ........................................................... 4-14Shock absorber assembly, adjusting the rear
(YFM250RSE-W) ....................................................... 4-22
Shock absorber assembly, adjusting the rear
(YFM250R-W) ........................................................... 4-20
Spark arrester, cleaning ............................................... 8-17
Spark plug, checking ..................................................... 8-8
Specifications ............................................................... 10-1
Speed limiter .................................................................. 4-5
Speedometer ................................................................. 4-2
Starter (choke) ............................................................. 4-12
Start switch .................................................................... 4-3
Steering lock ................................................................ 4-13
Steering shaft, lubricating ............................................ 8-35
Storage .......................................................................... 9-2
Suspension, lubricating the upper and lower arm
pivots ......................................................................... 8-34
Swingarm pivots, lubricating ........................................ 8-34
TTail/brake light bulb, replacing ..................................... 8-40
Throttle cable free play, adjusting ................................ 8-20
Throttle lever ........................................................... 4-4, 5-4
Tire pressure, measuring ............................................... 5-5
Tires ............................................................................... 5-4
Tire wear limit ................................................................ 5-6
Troubleshooting ........................................................... 8-43
Troubleshooting chart .................................................. 8-44
Turn signal indicator light ............................................... 4-2
Turn signal light bulb, replacing ................................... 8-40
Turn signal switch .......................................................... 4-4VValve clearance ........................................................... 8-20
Vehicle identification number ....................................... 11-1
U33B70E0.book Page 2 Wednesday, June 11, 2008 1:38 PM