Tire wear limit ............................................. 5-6
Chassis fasteners ....................................... 5-6
Instruments, lights and switches ................ 5-6
OPERATION .................................................. 6-1
Starting a cold engine ................................ 6-1
Starting a warm engine .............................. 6-3
Shifting ....................................................... 6-3
Engine break-in .......................................... 6-5
Parking ....................................................... 6-5
Parking on a slope ..................................... 6-6
Accessories and loading ............................ 6-7
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 ............. 7-9
TURNING YOUR ATV .............................. 7-13
CLIMBING UPHILL ................................... 7-14
RIDING DOWNHILL.................................. 7-17
CROSSING A SLOPE............................... 7-18
CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW
WATER ................................................... 7-19
RIDING OVER ROUGH TERRAIN ........... 7-21
SLIDING AND SKIDDING ......................... 7-22
WHAT TO DO IF... .................................... 7-23WHAT TO DO... .........................................7-23
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 .............................8-8
Engine oil and oil filter element ...................8-9
Cleaning the air filter element ...................8-13
Cleaning the spark arrester ......................8-17
Adjusting the carburetor ............................8-18
Adjusting the engine idling speed .............8-19
Adjusting the throttle cable free play .........8-20
Valve clearance ........................................8-20
Checking the front and rear brake pads ...8-21
Checking the brake fluid level ...................8-22
Changing the brake fluid ...........................8-24
Checking the front brake lever free play ...8-24
Checking the brake pedal position ............8-25
Adjusting the parking brake free play .......8-26
Brake light switches ..................................8-27
Adjusting the clutch lever free play ...........8-28
Drive chain slack .......................................8-29
Lubricating the drive chain ........................8-31
U33B70E0.book Page 2 Wednesday, June 11, 2008 1:38 PM
5-1
5
EBU19200
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
EBU19223Pre-operation check list Before operating this ATV, be sure to check the items listed in the following table.
WARNING
EWB00480Always 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’sManual. Failure to inspect increases the possibility of an accident or equipment damage.TIPThe maintenance of some items in the table has to be performed by a Yamaha dealer. Refer to the periodicmaintenance charts on page 8-3 to determine which service should be performed by a Yamaha dealer.
ITEM ROUTINE PAGE
FuelCheck fuel level in fuel tank, and add recommended fuel if neces-
sary.
Check fuel line for leakage. Correct if necessary.4-10, 5-3
Engine oilCheck oil level in engine, and add recommended oil to specified lev-
el if necessary.
Check ATV for oil leakage. Correct if necessary.5-3, 8-9
Front brakeCheck operation. If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed hy-
draulic 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, 8-21, 8-22, 8-24
U33B70E0.book Page 1 Wednesday, June 11, 2008 1:38 PM
5-3
5
EBU19540Fuel Make sure that there is sufficient fuel in the tank.
(See page 4-10.)
WARNING
EWB00520Do 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.EBU19560Engine oil Make sure that the engine oil is at the specified lev-
el. Add oil as necessary. (See page 8-9.)
EBU19710Front and rear brakes Brake lever and brake pedalCheck 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
8-25.) 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 8-22.)
Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 4
U33B70E0.book Page 3 Wednesday, June 11, 2008 1:38 PM
8-9
8 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.
TIPIf 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 assoon as possible.
4. Install the spark plug cap.EBU28953Engine 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.
To check the engine oil level
1. Place the ATV on a level surface. 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:
17.5 Nm (1.75 m·kgf, 12.7 ft·lbf)
U33B70E0.book Page 9 Wednesday, June 11, 2008 1:38 PM
8-10
82. Check the engine oil level on a cold engine.
TIPIf 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.
TIPThe engine oil should be between the minimumand 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.
To change the engine oil (with or without oil fil-
ter element replacement)
1. Start the engine, warm it up for several min-
utes, and then turn it off.
2. Place an oil pan under the engine to collect
the used oil.
3. Remove the engine oil filler cap, and then re-
move the engine oil drain bolt to drain the oil
from the crankcase.
1. Engine oil filler cap
2. Dipstick
3. Maximum level mark
4. Minimum level mark
1
2
3
4 1
U33B70E0.book Page 10 Wednesday, June 11, 2008 1:38 PM
8-13
8 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 thecrankcase.
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.
EBU23704Cleaning the air filter element The air filter element should be cleaned at the in-
tervals specified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart. Clean or, if necessary, replace
the air filter element more frequently if you are
riding in unusually wet or dusty areas.TIPThere 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. Place the ATV on a level surface.
1.“CD” specification
2.“ENERGY CONSERVING II”
1
2
1. Air filter case check hose
1
U33B70E0.book Page 13 Wednesday, June 11, 2008 1:38 PM
8-24
8
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.EBU24291Changing 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.
EBU24393Checking the front brake lever free play The brake lever free play must be checked at the
intervals specified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart. The brake lever should have no
free play as shown. If there is free play, have a
Yamaha dealer check the brake system.
WARNING
EWB02471Operating with improperly serviced or adjust-
ed brakes could cause loss of braking ability,
which could lead to an accident.
After servicing:1. Brake lever free play
1
U33B70E0.book Page 24 Wednesday, June 11, 2008 1:38 PM
INDEX
AAccessories and loading ................................................ 6-7
Air filter element, cleaning ............................................ 8-13
Auxiliary light bulb ........................................................ 8-41BBattery .......................................................................... 8-36
Brake and clutch levers, checking and lubricating ....... 8-33
Brake fluid, changing .................................................... 8-24
Brake fluid level, checking ............................................ 8-22
Brake lever free play, checking the front ...................... 8-24
Brake lever (YFM250RSE-W) ........................................ 4-7
Brake lever (YFM250R-W) ............................................. 4-6
Brake light switches ..................................................... 8-27
Brake pads, checking the front and rear ...................... 8-21
Brake pedal .................................................................... 4-7
Brake pedal, checking and lubricating ......................... 8-34
Brake pedal position, checking .................................... 8-25
Brakes, front and rear .................................................... 5-3CCables, checking and lubricating ................................. 8-32
Carburetor, adjusting .................................................... 8-18
Chassis fasteners ........................................................... 5-6
Cleaning ......................................................................... 9-1
Clutch lever .................................................................... 4-6
Clutch lever free play, adjusting ................................... 8-28DDrive chain ..................................................................... 5-4
Drive chain, lubricating ................................................. 8-31Drive chain slack .......................................................... 8-29
EEngine break-in .............................................................. 6-5
Engine, cold start ........................................................... 6-1
Engine idling speed ...................................................... 8-19
Engine oil ....................................................................... 5-3
Engine oil and oil filter element ...................................... 8-9
Engine, starting a warm ................................................. 6-3
Engine stop switch ......................................................... 4-3FFuel ....................................................................... 4-10, 5-3
Fuel cock ...................................................................... 4-11
Fuel tank cap .................................................................. 4-9
Fuse, replacing ............................................................. 8-38HHandlebar switches ........................................................ 4-3
Hazard switch ................................................................. 4-4
Headlight beam ............................................................ 8-40
Headlight bulb .............................................................. 8-39
High beam indicator light ................................................ 4-2
Horn switch .................................................................... 4-4IIdentification numbers .................................................. 11-1
Indicator lights ................................................................ 4-2
Instruments, lights and switches .................................... 5-6KKey identification number ............................................. 11-1
U33B70E0.book Page 1 Wednesday, June 11, 2008 1:38 PM