2012 YAMAHA XMAX 250 Owners Manual

EAU10266
Be a Responsible Owner
As the vehicle’s owner, you are res-
ponsible for the safe and proper ope-
ration of your scooter.
Scooters are single-track vehicles.
Their safe use and operation are
dependent upon the use of proper
riding techniques as well as the
expertise of the operator. Every ope-
rator should know the following requi-
rements before riding this scooter.
He or she should:
Obtain thorough instructions
from a competent source on all
aspects of scooter operation.
Observe the warnings and main-
tenance requirements in this
Owner’s Manual.
Obtain qualified training in safe
and proper riding techniques.
Obtain professional technical
service as indicated in this
Owner’s Manual and/or when
made necessary by mechanical
conditions.
Safe Riding
Perform the pre-operation checkseach time you use the vehicle to
make sure it is in safe operating con-
dition. Failure to inspect or maintain
the vehicle properly increases the
possibility of an accident or equip-
ment damage. See page 4-1 for a list
of pre-operation checks.
This scooter is designed to carry
the operator and a passenger.
The failure of motorists to detect
and recognize scooters in traffic
is the predominating cause of
automobile/scooter accidents.
Many accidents have been cau-
sed by an automobile driver who
did not see the scooter. Making
yourself conspicuous appears to
be very effective in reducing the
chance of this type of accident.
Therefore:
Wear a brightly colored jacket.
Use extra caution when you
are approaching and passing
through intersections, since
intersections are the most
likely places for scooter acci-
dents to occur. Ride where other motorists can
see you. Avoid riding in anot-
her motorist’s blind spot.
Many accidents involve inexpe-
rienced operators. In fact, many
operators who have been invol-
ved in accidents do not even
have a current driver’s license.
Make sure that you are quali-
fied and that you only lend your
scooter to other qualified ope-
rators.
Know your skills and limits.
Staying within your limits may
help you to avoid an accident.
We recommend that you prac-
tice riding your scooter where
there is no traffic until you have
become thoroughly familiar
with the scooter and all of its
controls.
Many accidents have been cau-
sed by error of the scooter ope-
rator. A typical error made by the
operator is veering wide on a turn
due to excessive speed or under-
cornering (insufficient lean angle
for the speed).
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SAFETY INFORMATION
1-1

Always obey the speed limit
and never travel faster than
warranted by road and traffic
conditions.
Always signal before turning or
changing lanes. Make sure that
other motorists can see you.
The posture of the operator and
passenger is important for proper
control.
The operator should keep both
hands on the handlebar and
both feet on the operator foo-
trests during operation to
maintain control of the scooter.
The passenger should always
hold onto the operator, the seat
strap or grab bar, if equipped,
with both hands and keep both
feet on the passenger foo-
trests. Never carry a passenger
unless he or she can firmly pla-
ce both feet on the passenger
footrests.
Never ride under the influence of
alcohol or other drugs.
This scooter is designed for on-
road use only. It is not suitable for
off-road use.Protective Apparel
The majority of fatalities from scooter
accidents are the result of head inju-
ries. The use of a safety helmet is the
single most critical factor in the pre-
vention or reduction of head injuries.
Always wear an approved hel-
met.
Wear a face shield or goggles.
Wind in your unprotected eyes
could contribute to an impair-
ment of vision that could delay
seeing a hazard.
The use of a jacket, substantial
shoes, trousers, gloves, etc., is
effective in preventing or redu-
cing abrasions or lacerations.
Never wear loose-fitting clothes,
otherwise they could catch on
the control levers or wheels and
cause injury or an accident.
Always wear protective clothing
that covers your legs, ankles, and
feet. The engine or exhaust sys-
tem become very hot during or
after operation and can cause
burns.
A passenger should also observe
the above precautions.Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
All engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide, a deadly gas. Breathing
carbon monoxide can cause heada-
ches, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea,
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 over-
come and unable to save yourself.
Also, deadly levels of carbon monoxi-
de can linger for hours or days in
enclosed or poorly ventilated areas. If
you experience any symptoms of car-
bon monoxide poisoning, leave the
area immediately, get fresh air, and
SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT.
Do not run engine indoors. Even if
you try to ventilate engine exhaust
with fans or open windows and
doors, carbon monoxide can
rapidly reach dangerous levels.
Do not run engine in poorly venti-
lated or partially enclosed areas
such as barns, garages, or car-
ports.
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SAFETY INFORMATION
1-3 
Do not run engine outdoors whe-
re engine exhaust can be drawn
into a building through openings
such as windows and doors.
Loading
Adding accessories or cargo to your
scooter can adversely affect stability
and handling if the weight distribution
of the scooter is changed. To avoid
the possibility of an accident, use
extreme caution when adding cargo
or accessories to your scooter. Use
extra care when riding a scooter that
has added cargo or accessories.
Here, along with the information
about accessories below, are some
general guidelines to follow if loading
cargo to your scooter:
The total weight of the operator, pas-
senger, accessories and cargo must
not exceed the maximum load limit.
Operation of an overloaded vehicle
could cause an accident.When loading within this weight limit,
keep the following in mind:
Cargo and accessory weight
should be kept as low and close
to the scooter as possible. Secu-
rely pack your heaviest items as
close to the center of the vehicle
as possible and make sure to dis-
tribute the weight as evenly as
possible on both sides of the
scooter to minimize imbalance or
instability.
Shifting weights can create a
sudden imbalance. Make sure
that accessories and cargo are
securely attached to the scooter
before riding. Check accessory
mounts and cargo restraints fre-
quently.
Properly adjust the suspension
for your load (suspension-
adjustable models only), and
check the condition and pres-
sure of your tires.
Never attach any large or
heavy items to the handlebar,
front fork, or front fender. Such
items can create unstablehandling or a slow steering res-
ponse.
This vehicle is not designed to
pull a trailer or to be attached
to a sidecar.
Genuine Yamaha Accessories
Choosing accessories for your vehicle
is an important decision. Genuine
Yamaha accessories, which are avai-
lable only from a Yamaha dealer, have
been designed, tested, and approved
by Yamaha for use on your vehicle.
Many companies with no connection
to Yamaha manufacture parts and
accessories or offer other modifica-
tions for Yamaha vehicles. Yamaha is
not in a position to test the products
that these aftermarket companies
produce. Therefore, Yamaha can neit-
her endorse nor recommend the use
of accessories not sold by Yamaha or
modifications not specifically recom-
mended by Yamaha, even if sold and
installed by a Yamaha dealer.
Maximum load:
YP250R 175 kg (386 lb)
YP250RA 171 kg (377 lb)
YP250R Sport: 173.5 kg (383 lb)

Aftermarket Parts, Accessories,
and Modifications
While you may find aftermarket pro-
ducts similar in design and quality to
genuine Yamaha accessories, recog-
nize that some aftermarket accesso-
ries or modifications are not suitable
because of potential safety hazards to
you or others. Installing aftermarket
products or having other modifica-
tions performed to your vehicle that
change any of the vehicle’s design or
operation characteristics can put you
and others at greater risk of serious
injury or death. You are responsible
for injuries related to changes in the
vehicle.
Keep the following guidelines in mind,
as well as those provided under “Loa-
ding” when mounting accessories.
Never install accessories or carry
cargo that would impair the per-
formance of your scooter. Care-
fully inspect the accessory befo-
re using it to make sure that it
does not in any way reduce
ground clearance or cornering
clearance, limit suspension tra-
vel, steering travel or control ope-ration, or obscure lights or reflec-
tors.
Accessories fitted to the hand-
lebar or the front fork area can
create instability due to impro-
per weight distribution or
aerodynamic changes. If
accessories are added to the
handlebar or front fork area,
they must be as lightweight as
possible and should be kept to
a minimum.
Bulky or large accessories may
seriously affect the stability of
the scooter due to aerodyna-
mic effects. Wind may attempt
to lift the scooter, or the scoo-
ter may become unstable in
cross winds. These accesso-
ries may also cause instability
when passing or being passed
by large vehicles.
Certain accessories can dis-
place the operator from his or
her normal riding position. This
improper position limits the fre-
edom of movement of the ope-
rator and may limit control abi-
lity, therefore, such acces-sories are not recommended.
Use caution when adding elec-
trical accessories. If electrical
accessories exceed the capa-
city of the scooter’s electrical
system, an electric failure
could result, which could cau-
se a dangerous loss of lights or
engine power.
Aftermarket Tires and Rims
The tires and rims that came with your
scooter were designed to match the
performance capabilities and to pro-
vide the best combination of hand-
ling, braking, and comfort. Other tires,
rims, sizes, and combinations may
not be appropriate. Refer to page
6-18 for tire specifications and more
information on replacing your tires.EWA15470
Be sure to observe following ins-
tructions before transporting the
scooter in another vehicle.
Remove all loose items from
the scooter.
WARNING
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Point the front wheel straight
ahead on the trailer or in the
truck bed, and choke it in a rail
to prevent movement.
Secure the scooter with tie-
downs or suitable straps that
are attached to solid parts of
the scooter, such as the frame
or upper front fork triple clamp
(and not, for example, to rub-
ber-mounted handlebars or
turn signals, or parts that could
break). Choose the location for
the straps carefully so the
straps will not rub against
painted surfaces during trans-
port.
The suspension should be
compressed somewhat by the
tie-downs, if possible, so that
the scooter will not bounce
excessively during transport.
EAU10372
Further safe-riding points
Be sure to signal clearly when
making turns.
Braking can be extremely difficult
on a wet road. Avoid hard bra-
king, because the scooter could
slide. Apply the brakes slowly
when stopping on a wet surface.
Slow down as you approach a
corner or turn. Once you have
completed a turn, accelerate
slowly.
Be careful when passing parked
cars. A driver might not see you
and open a door in your path.
Railroad crossings, streetcar
rails, iron plates on road cons-
truction sites, and manhole
covers become extremely slip-
pery when wet. Slow down and
cross them with caution. Keep
the scooter upright, otherwise it
could slide out from under you.
The brake pads could get wet
when you wash the scooter. After
washing the scooter, check the
brakes before riding.
Always wear a helmet, gloves,
trousers (tapered around the cuff
and ankle so they do not flap),
and a bright colored jacket.
Do not carry too much luggage
on the scooter. An overloaded
scooter is unstable. Use a strong
cord to secure any luggage to the
carrier (if equipped). A loose load
will affect the stability of the sco-
oter and could divert your atten-
tion from the road. (See page
1-1).
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EAU10410
Left view
YP250R/YP250RA
DESCRIPTION
2-1
2
1. Headlight (page 6-28)
2. Fuel tank cap (page 3-14)
3. Owner’s tool kit (page 6-2)
4. V-belt case air filter element (page 6-15)
5. Rear storage compartment (page 3-18)
6. Air filter element (page 6-15)
7. Shock absorber assembly spring preload adjusting ring (page 3-20)
8. Engine oil drain bolt (page 6-10)9. Centerstand (page 6-23)
10. Sidestand (page 3-20)

YP250R Sports
DESCRIPTION
2-2
2
1. Headlight (page 6-28)
2. Fuel tank cap (page 3-14)
3. Owner’s tool kit (page 6-2)
4. V-belt case air filter element (page 6-15)
5. Rear storage compartment (page 3-18)
6. Air filter element (page 6-15)
7. Shock absorber assembly spring preload adjusting ring (page 3-20)
8. Engine oil drain bolt (page 6-10)9. Centerstand (page 6-23)
10. Sidestand (page 3-20)

EAU10420
Right view
YP250R/YP250RA
DESCRIPTION
2-3
2
1. Grab bar (page 5-2)
2. Seat (page 3-18)
3. Coolant reservoir cap (page 6-13)
4. Battery (page 6-25)
5. Fuses (page 6-26)
6. Front brake pads (page 6-20)
7. Coolant level check window (page 6-13)
8. Engine oil filler cap (page 6-10)9. Rear brake pads (page 6-20)
10. Shock absorber assembly spring preload adjusting ring (page 3-20)