2012 YAMAHA FZS steering

Table of contents
General and important labels ........... 1
Identification numbers .................... 1
Primary Identification (PRI-ID)
number ........................................... 1
Craft Identification Number (CIN) ...... 1
Engine serial number ........................ 1
Manufactured date label .................... 2
Model information ........................... 2
Builder’s plate .................................... 2
Important labels .............................. 4
Warning labels ................................... 5
Other labels ....................................... 9
Safety information ........................... 11
Limitations on who may operate
the watercraft ............................ 11
Cruising limitations ....................... 12
Operation requirements ............... 13
Recommended equipment ........... 15
Hazard information ....................... 16
Watercraft characteristics ............. 16
Water-skiing ................................. 18
Safe boating rules ........................ 19
Enjoy your watercraft
responsibly ................................ 20
Description....................................... 21
Watercraft glossary ...................... 21
Location of main components ...... 22
Control function operation ............. 26
Watercraft control functions ......... 26
Remote control transmitter .............. 26
Yamaha Security System ................ 27
Engine stop switch .......................... 28
Engine shut-off switch ..................... 28
Start switch ...................................... 28
Throttle lever ................................... 29
Steering system ............................... 29
Telescopic steering system ............. 30
Cooling water pilot outlets ............... 30
Water separator ............................... 31
Watercraft operation ....................... 32
Watercraft operation functions ..... 32
Reverse system ............................... 32
Quick Shift Trim System
(Q.S.T.S.) ..................................... 33
Watercraft operation modes ......... 34
Low RPM Mode ............................... 34
Instrument operation ...................... 36
Dual analog meter unit ................. 36
Speedometer ................................... 36
Tachometer ..................................... 36
Information display .......................... 37
Equipment operation ...................... 41
Equipment .................................... 41
Seats ............................................... 41
Handgrips ........................................ 42
Reboarding grip ............................... 42
Reboarding step .............................. 42
Bow eye ........................................... 43
Stern eyes ....................................... 43
Cleat ................................................ 43
Storage compartments .................... 44
Fire extinguisher holder and
cover ............................................ 47
Operation and handling
requirements ................................... 49
Fuel requirements ........................ 49
Fuel ................................................. 49
Engine oil requirements ............... 51
Engine oil ......................................... 51
Draining the bilge water ............... 52
Draining the bilge water on land ...... 52
Draining the bilge water on water .... 53
Transporting on a trailer ............... 54
First-time operation ........................ 55
Engine break-in ............................ 55
Pre-operation checks ..................... 56
Pre-operation checklist .................... 56
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Safety information
16
EJU36850
Hazard information

Never start the engine or let it run for any
length of time in an enclosed area. Exhaust
fumes contain carbon monoxide, a color-
less, odorless gas that may cause loss of
consciousness and death within a short
time. Always operate the watercraft in an
open area.

Do not touch the hot muffler or engine dur-
ing or immediately after engine operation;
they can cause serious burns.
EJU30920
Watercraft characteristics

Jet thrust turns the watercraft. Releasing
the throttle lever completely produces only
minimum thrust. If you are traveling at
speeds above trolling, you will have rapidly
decreasing ability to steer without throttle.
This model is equipped with the Yamaha
Engine Management System (YEMS) that
includes an off-throttle steering (OTS) sys-
tem. It will activate at planing speeds should
you attempt to steer the watercraft after re-
leasing the throttle lever. The OTS system
assists in turning by continuing to supply
some thrust while the watercraft is deceler-
ating, but you can turn more sharply if you
apply throttle while turning the handlebars.
The OTS system does not function below
planing speeds or when the engine is off.
Once the engine slows down, the watercraft
will no longer turn in response to handlebar
input until you apply throttle again or you
reach trolling speed.
Practice turning in an open area without ob-
stacles until you have a good feel for this
maneuver.

This watercraft is water-jet propelled. The
jet pump is directly connected to the engine.
This means that jet thrust will produce some
movement whenever the engine is running.
There is no “neutral” position. You are in ei-
ther “forward” or “reverse”, depending upon
the shift lever position.

Do not use the reverse function to slow
down or stop the watercraft as it could
cause you to lose control, be ejected, or im-
pact the handlebars.
This could increase the risk of back/spinal
injury (paralysis), facial injuries, and broken
legs, ankles, and other bones. You could
also damage the shift mechanism.
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Safety information
19
Make sure that the rope is not looped
around anything.
After checking that the skier is ready and
that there is no traffic or other obstacles, ap-
ply enough throttle to raise the skier.

Make smooth, wide turns. The watercraft is
capable of very sharp turns, which could ex-
ceed the abilities of the skier. Keep the skier
at least 50 m (150 ft), about twice the dis-
tance of a standard ski rope, from any po-
tential hazard.

Be alert to the hazard of the ski rope handle
snapping back at the watercraft when the
skier falls or is unable to get up on the skis.

Towing heavy or bulky objects other than
skiers, such as another boat or watercraft,
can cause loss of steering control and cre-
ate a hazardous condition. If you must tow
another boat in an emergency situation, op-
erate slowly and cautiously.
EJU30970
Safe boating rules
Your Yamaha watercraft is legally considered
a powerboat. Operation of the watercraft must
be in accordance with the rules and regula-
tions governing the waterway on which it is
used.
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Description
21
EJU40302
Watercraft glossary
Trolling speed
“Trolling” is the lowest maneuvering speed. You are applying little or no throttle. The watercraft
is down in the water, and there is no wake.
Sub-planing speed
“Sub-planing” is a medium speed. The bow of the watercraft is slightly up from the water sur-
face, but you are still traveling through the water. There is a wake.
Planing speed
“Planing” is a faster speed. The watercraft is more level and is skimming on top of the water.
There is a wake.
Bow
The front end of the watercraft.
Stern
The rear end of the watercraft.
Starboard
The right side of the watercraft when facing forward.
Port
The left side of the watercraft when facing forward.
Bilge water
Water that has collected in the engine compartment.
Yamaha Engine Management System (YEMS)
YEMS is an integrated, computerized management system that controls and adjusts ignition
timing, fuel injection, engine diagnostics, and the off-throttle steering (OTS) system.
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Control function operation
29
will not start. Also, the starter motor could
be damaged.
[ECJ01040]
The engine will not start under any of the fol-
lowing conditions:

Lock mode of the Yamaha Security System
has been selected. (See page 27 for
Yamaha Security System setting proce-
dures.)

Clip is removed from the engine shut-off
switch.

Throttle lever is squeezed.EJU31211Throttle lever
The throttle lever increases the engine speed
when the lever is squeezed.
The throttle lever returns automatically to its
fully closed (idle) position when released.
EJU31261Steering system
By turning the handlebars in the direction you
wish to travel, the angle of the jet thrust nozzle
is changed, and the direction of the watercraft
is changed accordingly.
Since the strength of the jet thrust determines
the speed and degree of a turn, throttle must
always be applied when attempting a turn, ex-
cept at trolling speed.
This model is equipped with the Yamaha En-
gine Management System (YEMS) that in-
cludes an off-throttle steering (OTS) system.
It will activate at planing speeds should you
attempt to steer the watercraft after releasing
the throttle lever. The OTS system assists in
turning by continuing to supply some thrust
while the watercraft is decelerating, but you
can turn more sharply if you apply throttle
while turning the handlebars. The OTS sys-
tem does not function below planing speeds
or when the engine is off. Once the engine
slows down, the watercraft will no longer turn
1Start switch
1Throttle lever
1
1
1Handlebar
2Jet thrust nozzle
1
2
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Control function operation
30
in response to handlebar input until you apply
throttle again or you reach trolling speed.
EJU37341Telescopic steering system
The position of the handlebars can be adjust-
ed up or down by operating the lock lever.
The handlebars can be adjusted to three po-
sitions.
To adjust the handlebar position:
(1) Pull the lock lever up to disengage the
handlebar lock, and then move the han-
dlebars up or down to the desired posi-
tion. WARNING! Never pull the lock
lever during operation, otherwise the
handlebars may suddenly change po-
sition, which may lead to an accident.
[EWJ01270]
(2) Make sure that the lock lever returns to its
original position and that the handlebars
are securely locked in place.
EJU41800Cooling water pilot outlets
When the engine is running, some of the cool-
ing water that is circulated in the engine is dis-
charged from the cooling water pilot outlets.
There are cooling water pilot outlets on the
port (left) and starboard (right) sides of the
watercraft. To check for proper operation of
the cooling system, make sure that water is
being discharged from the port (left) pilot out-
let. If water is not being discharged from the
outlet, stop the engine and check the jet in-
take for clogging. (See page 92 for informa-
tion on the jet intake.)
TIP:

It will take about 60 seconds for the water to
reach the outlets after the engine is started.
1Lock lever
1
1Cooling water pilot outlet (port [left] side)
1
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Pre-operation checks
56
EJU31981
WARNING
EWJ00411
Failure to inspect or maintain the watercraft properly increases the possibility of an ac-
cident or damage to the watercraft. Do not operate the watercraft if you find any prob-
lem. If a problem cannot be corrected by the procedures provided in this manual, have
the watercraft inspected by a Yamaha dealer.
EJU41232Pre-operation checklist
Before using this watercraft, be sure to perform the checks in the following checklist.
ITEM ROUTINE PAGE
PRE-LAUNCH CHECKS
Engine compartmentVentilate the engine compartment.
Check inside the engine compartment for damage.58
Fuel systemCheck the fuel system for leakage.
Check the fuel level in the fuel tank.58
Water separatorCheck the water separator for water. 58
Engine unitCheck the exterior of the engine unit for damage. 59
Engine oil levelCheck the engine oil level. 59
Bilge waterCheck the engine compartment for bilge water. 59
BatteryCheck the battery connections and electrolyte level. 59
Steering systemCheck the steering system for proper operation. 60
Telescopic steering systemCheck the telescopic steering system for proper op-
eration and check that the handlebars are securely
locked in place.60
Q.S.T.S.Check the Q.S.T.S. for proper operation and check
that the Q.S.T.S. selector is securely locked in place.61
Reverse systemCheck the reverse system for proper operation. 61
Throttle leverCheck the throttle lever for proper operation.
Check the throttle lever free play.62
Remote control transmitterCheck the remote control transmitter for proper op-
eration.62
Engine shut-off cord (lan-
yard)Check the engine shut-off cord (lanyard) for dam-
age.63
SwitchesCheck the start switch, engine stop switch, and en-
gine shut-off switch for proper operation.63
Storage compartmentsCheck the storage compartments for damage and
water.63
Fire extinguisher holder,
cover, and bandCheck the fire extinguisher holder, cover, and band
for damage.64
Fire extinguisherCheck the condition of the fire extinguisher. 64
Safety equipmentCheck that safety equipment meeting the applicable
regulations is on board.64
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Pre-operation checks
60
Make sure that the battery is securely held in
place.
EJU32613Steering system checks
Turn the handlebars to the right and left sev-
eral times to make sure that operation is
smooth and unrestricted throughout the
whole range, and that the free play is not ex-
cessive.
Turn the handlebars as far as possible to the
right and left to make sure that the jet thrust
nozzle moves as the handlebars are turned,
and that there is no difference between theright and left fully turned positions of the jet
thrust nozzle.
EJU41320Telescopic steering system checks
Operate the telescopic steering system sev-
eral times to make sure that operation is
smooth throughout the whole range. Also,
make sure that the handlebars are securely
Difference between fully turned positions
of jet thrust nozzle (distances A and B):
Maximum 5 mm (0.20 in)
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