2012 YAMAHA YFM250R parking brake

6-6
6
EBU20865Parking on a slope
WARNING
EWB00851Avoid 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.
Never park the ATV on hills that are too steep
to walk up easily.1. Bring the ATV to a stop by applying the frontbrake, shift into first gear, and then stop the
engine.
2. With the front and rear brakes applied, apply the parking brake.
3. Release the front and rear brakes.
4. Turn the fuel cock to “OFF ”.
EBU20910Accessories and loading EBU20921Genuine Yamaha Accessories
Choosing accessories for your ATV is an important
decision. Genuine Yamaha Accessories, which
are available only from a Yamaha dealer, have
been designed, tested, and approved by Yamaha
for use on your ATV. Many companies with no con-
nection to Yamaha manufacture parts and acces-
sories or offer other modifications for Yamaha
vehicles. Yamaha is not in a position to test the
products that these aftermarket companies pro-
duce. Therefore, Yamaha can neither endorse nor
U1BT62E0.book Page 6 Tuesday, April 19, 2011 7:06 PM

7-11
7
Do not ride in areas posted “ no trespassing”.
Do not ride on private property without getting per-
mission. Select 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.
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. With the engine idling, pull the
clutch lever to disengage the clutch and shift into
1st gear, and then release the parking brake. Open
the throttle gradually, and at the same time, re-
lease the clutch lever slowly. Once the ATV has at-
tained adequate speed, release the throttle lever
and at the same time, quickly pull in the clutch le-
ver and shift into 2nd gear. Open the throttle part
way and gradually release the clutch.
WARNING!
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 con-
U1BT62E0.book Page 11 Tuesday, April 19, 2011 7:06 PM

7-16
7If you start to roll backwards, DO NOT apply the
rear brake, and apply the front brake gradually.
The ATV could easily tip over backwards. When
fully stopped, apply the rear brake as well, and
then lock the parking brake. Dismount the ATV im-
mediately on the uphill side or to a side if pointed
straight uphill. Turn the ATV around and remount,
following the procedure described in the Owner
’s
Manual. WARNING! Stalling, rolling backwards
or improperly dismounting while climbing a hill
could result in ATV overturning. If you cannot
control the ATV, dismount immediately on the
uphill side.
[EWB01802]
RIDING DOWNHILL
WARNING
EWB01131Going down a hill improperly could cause
overturns or loss of control. Always follow
proper procedures for going down hills as de-
scribed in this Owner ’s Manual.
Always check the terrain carefully before
you start down any hill.
U1BT62E0.book Page 16 Tuesday, April 19, 2011 7:06 PM

8-6
8
5*Brake hoses 
Check for cracks or other damage, and replace if
necessary. √√√√
 Replace. Every 4 years
6 *Parking brake Check operation and adjust if necessary. √√√√√
7 *Wheels 
Check runout and for damage, and replace if nec-
essary. √ √√√
8 *Tires 
Check tread depth and for damage, and replace if
necessary.
 Check air pressure and balance, and correct if
necessary. √ √√√
9 *Wheel hub bearings 
Check for looseness or damage, and replace if
necessary. √ √√√
10 *Swingarm pivots 
Check operation and for excessive play, and re-
place bearings if necessary.
 Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. √√√
11 *Upper and lower
arm pivots

Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. √√√
12 Drive chain 
Check chain slack and adjust if necessary.
 Check rear wheel alignment and correct if neces-
sary.
 Clean and lubricate. √√√√√
13 *Drive chain roller Check for wear and replace if necessary. √√√
NO. ITEM
CHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOB INITIAL EVERY
Whichev- er comes first month136612
km
(mi) 320
(200) 1300
(800) 2500
(1600) 2500
(1600) 5000
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320
U1BT62E0.book Page 6 Tuesday, April 19, 2011 7:06 PM

8-26
8
The top of the brake pedal should be positioned
40.0 mm (1.57 in) above the top of the frame as
shown. If the brake pedal is not positioned as spec-
ified, have a Yamaha dealer adjust it.
EBU24713Adjusting 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. Slide the rubber cover back at the brake ca- ble.
4. Loosen the locknut.
5. Turn the adjusting nut on the brake cable in di- rection (a) to increase the cable length, and in
direction (b) to decrease it.1. Brake pedal height
1
1. Cable length “A”
2. Locknut
3. Adjusting bolt
1
3
2
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8-27
8
TIPIf the cable length cannot be adjusted to specifica-
tion, consult a Yamaha dealer.6. Tighten the locknut on the brake cable.
7. Slide the rubber cover to its original position.
8. 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.
NOTICE: When tightening the locknut, hold the adjusting bolt with a wrench so
that it does not turn together with the lock-
nut.
[ECB00521]
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 adjustment
again.EBU24743Brake light switches The brake light, which is activated by the brake
pedal and brake lever, should come on just before
braking takes effect.
1. Rubber cover
2. Adjusting nut
3. Locknut
2
3
1(a) (b)
Tightening torque:
Locknut (rear brake caliper):16 Nm (1.6 m ·kgf, 12 ft· lbf)
U1BT62E0.book Page 27 Tuesday, April 19, 2011 7:06 PM

Model label ................................................................... 11-2NNeutral indicator light ..................................................... 4-2OOwner’s manual and tool kit ........................................... 8-2PParking ........................................................................... 6-5
Parking brake free play, adjusting ................................ 8-26
Parking brake lever ........................................................ 4-6
Parking on a slope ......................................................... 6-6
Part locations ................................................................. 3-1RRiding your ATV ............................................................. 7-1SSafety information .......................................................... 2-1
Seat .............................................................................. 4-11
Shifting ........................................................................... 6-3
Shift pedal ...................................................................... 4-7
Shift pedal, checking .................................................... 8-33
Shock absorber assemblies, adjusting the front .......... 4-12
Shock absorber assembly, adjusting the rear .............. 4-13
Spark arrester, cleaning ............................................... 8-18
Spark plug, checking ...................................................... 8-9
Specifications ............................................................... 10-1
Speed limiter .................................................................. 4-4
Starter (choke) ............................................................. 4-11
Start switch .................................................................... 4-3
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 ..................................... 8-41
Throttle lever ........................................................... 4-3, 5-3
Throttle lever free play, adjusting ................................. 8-21
Tires ............................................................................... 5-4
Troubleshooting ........................................................... 8-43
Troubleshooting chart .................................................. 8-44VValve clearance ........................................................... 8-22
Vehicle identification number ....................................... 11-1WWheel hub bearings, checking ..................................... 8-33
Wheel, installing ........................................................... 8-42
Wheel, removing .......................................................... 8-41
U1BT62E0.book Page 2 Tuesday, April 19, 2011 7:06 PM