2012 YAMAHA WR 250F gas type

1-18
STARTING AND BREAK-IN
STARTING AND BREAK-IN
FUEL
Always use the recommended fuel as
stated below. Also, be sure to use
new gasoline.
Use only unleaded gasoline. The
use of leaded gasoline will cause
severe damage to the engine inter-
nal parts such as valves, piston
rings, and exhaust system, etc.
If knocking or pinging occurs, use a
different brand of gasoline or higher
octane grade.
• For refueling, be sure to stop the
engine and use enough care not
to spill any fuel. Also be sure to
avoid refueling close to a fire.
• Refuel after the engine, exhaust
pipe, etc. have cooled off.
Gasohol (For Canada)
There are two types of gasohol: gas-
ohol containing ethanol and that con-
taining methanol. Gasohol containing
ethanol can be used if the ethanol
content does not exceed 10%. Gaso-
hol containing methanol is not recom-
mended by Yamaha because it can
cause damage to the fuel system or
vehicle performance problems.
HANDLING NOTE
Never start or run the engine in a
closed area. The exhaust fumes
are poisonous; they can cause
loss of consciousness and death
in a very short time. Always oper-
ate the machine in a well-ventilated
area.
• The carburetor on this machine
has a built-in accelerator pump.
Therefore, when starting the en-
gine, do not operate the throttle
or the spark plug will foul.
• Unlike a two-stroke engine, this
engine cannot be kick started
when the throttle is open be-
cause the kickstarter may kick
back. Also, if the throttle is open
the air/fuel mixture may be too
lean for the engine to start.
• Before starting the machine, per-
form the checks in the pre-opera-
tion check list.
AIR FILTER MAINTENANCE
According to "CLEANING THE AIR
FILTER ELEMENT" section in the
CHAPTER 3, apply the foam-air-filter
oil or its equivalent to the element.
(Excess oil in the element may ad-
versely affect engine starting.)
STARTING A COLD ENGINE
This model is equipped with an igni-
tion circuit cut-off system. The engine
can be started under the following
conditions.
• When the transmission is in neutral.
• When the clutch is disengaged with
the transmission in any position.
However, it is recommended to shift
into neutral before starting the en-
gine.
1. Inspect the coolant level.
2. Turn the fuel cock to "ON".
3. Push on the main switch to "ON".
4. Shift the transmission into neutral.
5. Fully open the cold starter knob
"1".
6. Start the engine by pushing the
start switch or by kicking the kick-
starter crank.
If the engine fails to start by pushing
the start switch, release the switch,
wait a few seconds, and then try
again. Each starting attempt should
be as short as possible to preserve
the battery. Do not crank the engine
more than 10 seconds on any one at-
tempt. If the engine does not start
with the starter motor, try using the
kickstarter crank.
• If the starter motor will not turn
when pushing the start switch,
stop pushing it immediately and
kick start the engine in order to
avoid the load on the motor.
• Do not open the throttle while
kicking the kickstarter crank.
Otherwise, the kickstarter crank
may kick back.
7. Return the cold starter knob to its
original position and run the en-
gine at 3,000–5,000 r/min for 1 or
2 minutes.
Since this model is equipped with an
accelerator pump, if the engine is
raced (the throttle opened and
closed), the air/fuel mixture will be too
rich and the engine may stall. Also
unlike a two-stroke engine, this model
can idle.
Do not warm up the engine for ex-
tended periods of time.
STARTING A WARM ENGINE
Do not operate the cold starter knob
and throttle. Pull the hot starter lever
"1" and start the engine by pushing
the start switch or by kicking the kick-
starter crank forcefully with a firm
stroke. As soon as the engine starts,
Release the hot starter lever to close
the air passage. Recommended fuel:
Premium unleaded
gasoline only with a re-
search octane number
of 95 or higher.

2-2
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel:
Type Premium unleaded gasoline only with a research octane
number of 95 or higher.
Tank capacity 8.0 L (1.76 Imp gal, 2.11 US gal)
Reserve 1.1 L (0.24 Imp gal, 0.29 US gal)
Carburetor:
Type FCR-MX37
Manufacturer KEIHIN
Spark plug:
Type/manufacturer CR9E/NGK (resistance type)
Gap 0.7–0.8 mm (0.028–0.031 in)
Clutch type: Wet, multiple-disc
Transmission: USA, CDN, ZA, AUS, NZ EUROPE
Primary reduction system Gear←
Primary reduction ratio 3.353 (57/17)←
Final drive Chain←
Secondary reduction ratio 3.846 (50/13) 3.357 (47/14)
Transmission type Constant mesh, 5-speed←
Operation Left foot operation←
Gear ratio:
1st 2.385 (31/13)←
2nd 1.750 (28/16)←
3rd 1.353 (23/17)←
4th 1.095 (23/21)←
5th 0.895 (17/19)←
Chassis: USA, CDN, ZA AUS, NZ EUROPE
Frame type Semi double cra-
dle←←
Caster angle 27.0 ° 26.6 ° 26.5 °
Trail 115 mm (4.53 in) 114 mm (4.49 in) 113 mm (4.45 in)
Tire:
Type With tube
Size (front) 80/100-21 51M (For USA, CDN and ZA)
90/90-21 M/C 54M M+S (For EUROPE, AUS and NZ)
Size (rear) 100/100-18 59M (For USA, CDN and ZA)
130/90-18 M/C 69M M+S (For EUROPE, AUS and NZ)
Tire pressure (front and rear) 100 kPa (1.0 kgf/cm
2, 15 psi)
Brake:
Front brake type Single disc brake
Operation Right hand operation
Rear brake type Single disc brake
Operation Right foot operation
Suspension:
Front suspension Telescopic fork
Rear suspension Swingarm (link type monocross suspension)
2

2-3
MAINTENANCE SPECIFICATIONS
MAINTENANCE SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINEShock absorber:
Front shock absorber Coil spring/oil damper
Rear shock absorber Coil spring/gas, oil damper
Wheel travel:
Front wheel travel 300 mm (11.8 in)
Rear wheel travel 310 mm (12.2 in)
Electrical:
Ignition system CDI
Generator system AC magneto
Battery type YTZ7S (F)
Battery voltage/capacity 12V/6 AH
Specific gravity 1.310
Headlight type: Quartz bulb (halogen)
Bulb wattage × quantity:
Headlight 12 V 35/36.5 W × 1
Taillight 12 V 1.6/0.3 W × 1
Item Standard Limit
Cylinder head:
Warp limit ---- 0.05 mm (0.002
in)
Cylinder:
Bore size 77.00–77.01 mm (3.0315–3.0319 in) ----
Out of round limit ---- 0.05 mm (0.002
in)
Camshaft:
Drive method Chain drive (Left) ----
Camshaft cap inside diameter 22.000–22.021 mm (0.8661–0.8670 in) ----
Camshaft outside diameter 21.959–21.972 mm (0.8645–0.8650 in) ----
Shaft-to-cap clearance 0.028–0.062 mm (0.0011–0.0024 in) 0.08 mm (0.003
in)
Cam dimensions

2-9
MAINTENANCE SPECIFICATIONS
Front suspension:
Front fork travel 300 mm (11.8 in) ----
Fork spring free length 460 mm (18.1 in) 455 mm (17.9
in)
Spring rate, STD K = 4.4 N/mm (0.449 kg/mm, 25.1 lb/in) ----
Optional spring/spacer Yes ----
Oil capacity 648 cm
3 (22.8 lmp oz, 21.9 US oz) ----
Oil level 132 mm (5.20 in) ----
(From top of outer tube with inner
tube and damper rod fully compressed without
spring.)95–150 mm (3.74–5.91 in) ----
Oil grade Suspension oil "S1" ----
Inner tube outer diameter 48 mm (1.89 in) ----
Front fork top end 5 mm (0.20 in) ----
Rear suspension: USA, CDN AUS, NZ, ZA EUROPE
Shock absorber travel 130 mm (5.12
in)←←----
Spring free length 260 mm (10.24
in)←←----
Fitting length 249 mm (9.80
in)245.0 mm (9.65
in)248.5 mm (9.78
in)----
Preload length
1.5–22 mm
(0.06–0.87 in)←←----
Spring rate, STD K = 52.0 N/mm
(5.30 kg/mm,
296.8 lb/in)←←----
Optional spring Yes←←----
Enclosed gas pressure 1,000 kPa (10
kg/cm
2, 142
psi)←←----
Swingarm:
Swingarm free play limit
End ---- 1.0 mm (0.04
in)
Wheel: USA, CDN, ZA AUS, NZ, EUROPE
Front wheel type Spoke wheel←----
Rear wheel type Spoke wheel←----
Front rim size/material 21 × 1.60/Aluminum←----
Rear rim size/material 18 × 1.85/Aluminum18 × 2.15/Aluminum ----
Rim runout limit:
Radial ---- ---- 2.0 mm (0.08
in)
Lateral ---- ---- 2.0 mm (0.08
in) Item Standard Limit

4-1
ENGINE (Except for Canada)
TUNING
ENGINE (Except for Canada)
CARBURETOR SETTING
• The air/fuel mixture will vary de-pending on atmospheric conditions.
Therefore, it is necessary to take
into consideration the air pressure,
ambient temperature, humidity,
etc., when adjusting the carburetor.
• Perform a test run to check for prop- er engine performance (e.g., throt-
tle response) and spark plug(-s)
discoloration or fouling. Use these
readings to determine the best pos-
sible carburetor setting.
It is recommended to keep a record of
all carburetor settings and external
conditions (e.g., atmospheric condi-
tions, track/surface conditions, lap
times) to make future carburetor set-
ting easier.
• The carburetor is a part of the fuel line. Therefore, be sure to in-
stall it in a wellventilated area,
away from flammable objects
and any sources of fire.
• Never look into the carburetor in- take. Flames may shoot out from
the pipe if the engine backfires
while it is being started. Gasoline
may be discharged from the ac-
celerator pump nozzle when the
carburetor has been removed.
• The carburetor is extremely sen-sitive to foreign matter (dirt,
sand, water, etc.). During instal-
lation, do not al low foreign mat-
ter to get into the carburetor.
• Always handle the carburetor and its components carefully.
Even slight scratches, bends or
damage to carburetor parts may
prevent the carburetor from
functioning correctly. Carefully
perform all servicing with the ap-
propriate tools and without ap-
plying excessive force.
• When the engine is stopped or when riding at no load, do not
open and close the throttle un-
necessarily. Otherwise, too
much fuel may be discharged,
starting may become difficult or
the engine may not run well. • After installing the carburetor,
check that the throttle operates
correctly and opens and closes
smoothly.
ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS AND
CARBURETOR SETTINGS
The air density (i.e., concentration of
oxygen in the air) determines the rich-
ness or leanness of the air/fuel mix-
ture.
• Higher temperature expands the air with its resultant reduced density.
• Higher humidity reduces the amount of oxygen in the air by so
much of the water vapor in the
same air.
• Lower atmospheric pressure (at a
high altitude) reduces the density of
the air.
EFFECT OF SETTING PARTS IN
RELATION TO THROTTLE VALVE
OPENING
A. Closed
B. Fully open
1. Pilot jet
2. Throttle valve cutaway
3. Jet needle
4. Main jet CONSTRUCTION OF
CARBURETOR AND SETTING
PARTS
The FLATCR carburetor has a prima-
ry main jet. This type of main jet is
perfect for racing machines since it
supplies an even flow of fuel, even at
full load. Use the main jet and the jet
needle to set the carburetor.
1. Jet needle
2. Pilot air jet
3. Needle jet
4. Main jet
5. Pilot jet
ADJUSTING THE MAIN JET
The richness of the air-fuel mixture at
full throttle can be set by changing the
main jet "1".
If the air-fuel mixture is too rich or too
lean, the engine power will drop, re-
sulting in poor acceleration.
Effects of changing the main jet
(reference)
A. Idle
B. Fully open
1. #180
2. #160
3. #170
Air
tem p. Hu-
midi- ty Air
pres- sure
(alti-
tude) Mix-
ture Set-
ting
High High Low
(high) Rich-
er Lean-
er
Low Low High
(low) Lean-
er Rich-
er
Standard main jet #170
* #160
* For EUROPE

6-38
REAR SHOCK ABSORBER
HANDLING NOTE
• Support the machine securely so
there is no danger of it falling
over.
• This rear shock absorber is pro-
vided with a separate type tank
filled with high-pressure nitro-
gen gas. To prevent the danger
of explosion, read and under-
stand the following information
before handling the shock ab-
sorber. The manufacturer can
not be held responsible for prop-
erty damage or personal injury
that may result from improper
handling.
• Never tamper or attempt to dis-
assemble the cylinder or the
tank.
• Never throw the rear shock ab-
sorber into an open flame or
other high heat. The rear shock
absorber may explode as a re-
sult of nitrogen gas expansion
and/ or damage to the hose.
• Be careful not to damage any
part of the gas tank. A damaged
gas tank will impair the damp-
ing performance or cause a
malfunction.
• Take care not to scratch the
contact surface of the piston
rod with the cylinder; or oil
could leak out.
• Never attempt to remove the
plug at the bottom of the nitro-
gen gas tank. It is very danger-
ous to remove the plug.
• When scrapping the rear shock
absorber, follow the instruc-
tions on disposal.
NOTES ON DISPOSAL (YAMAHA
DEALERS ONLY)
Before disposing the rear shock ab-
sorber, be sure to extract the nitrogen
gas from valve "1". Wear eye protec-
tion to prevent eye damage from es-
caping gas and/or metal chips.
To dispose of a damaged or worn-
out rear shock absorber, take the
unit to your Yamaha dealer for this
disposal procedure.
REMOVING THE BEARING
1. Remove:
• Stopper ring (upper bearing) "1"
Press in the bearing while pressing its
outer race and remove the stopper
ring.
2. Remove:
• Upper bearing "1"
Remove the bearing by pressing its
outer race.
3. Remove:
• Lower bearing "1"
Remove the bearing by pressing its
outer race.
CHECKING THE REAR SHOCK
ABSORBER
1. Inspect:
• Damper rod "1"
Bends/damage→Replace rear
shock absorber assembly.
• Shock absorber "2"
Oil leaks→Replace rear shock
absorber assembly.
Gas leaks→Replace rear shock
absorber assembly.
• Spring "3"
Damage→Replace spring.
Fatigue→Replace spring.
Move spring up and down.
• Spring guide "4"
Wear/damage→Replace spring
guide.
• Bearing "5"
Free play exists/unsmooth revolu-
tion/rust →Replace.
INSTALLING THE BEARING
1. Install:
• Upper bearing "1"
Install the bearing parallel until the
stopper ring groove appears by
pressing its outer race.
Do not apply the grease on the
bearing outer race because it will
wear the rear shock absorber sur-
face on which the bearing is press
fitted.