2012 YAMAHA YFM250R-W light

7-18
7 CROSSING A SLOPE
WARNING
EWB01632Improperly crossing hills or turning on hills
could cause loss of control or cause the ATV to
overturn.
Always follow proper procedures as de-
scribed in the Owner’s Manual.
Avoid hills with excessively slippery or loose
surfaces.
Avoid crossing the side of a steep hill.
Shift your weight to the uphill side of the
ATV.
Never attempt to turn the ATV around on any
hill until you have mastered the turning tech-
nique as described in the Owner’s Manual on
level ground. Be very careful when turning
on any hill.Traversing a sloping surface on your ATV requires
you to properly position your weight to maintain
proper balance. Be sure that you have learned the
basic riding skills on flat ground before attempting
to cross a sloping surface. Avoid slopes with slip-
pery surfaces or rough terrain that may upset your
balance.As you travel across a slope, lean your body in the
uphill direction. It may be necessary to correct the
steering when riding on loose surfaces by pointing
the front wheels slightly uphill. When riding on
slopes, be sure not to make sharp turns either up
or down hill.
If your ATV does begin to tip over, gradually steer
in the downhill direction if there are no obstacles in
your path. As you regain proper balance, gradually
steer again in the direction you wish to travel.U33B71E0.book Page 18 Wednesday, August 10, 2011 9:01 AM

7-23
7

If your ATV is traversing a sloping surface:
Be sure to ride with your weight positioned to-
wards the uphill side of the ATV to maintain
proper balance. If the ATV starts to tip, steer
down the hill (if there are no obstacles in your
way) to regain balance. If you discover that the
ATV is going to tip over, dismount on the uphill
side. (See page 7-18.)
If your ATV encounters shallow water:
Ride slowly and carefully through slow moving
water, watching for obstacles. Be sure to let wa-
ter drain from the ATV and CHECK YOUR
BRAKES AND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
(turn signals, horn, headlight, etc.) FOR PROP-
ER OPERATION when you come out of the wa-
ter. Do not continue to ride your ATV until you
have regained adequate braking ability. (See
page 7-19.)
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8-8
8
EBU23071TIP
Some maintenance items need more frequent service if you are riding in unusually wet, dusty, sandy or
muddy areas, or at full-throttle.
Hydraulic brake service
Regularly check and, if necessary, correct the brake fluid level.
Every two years replace the internal components of the brake master cylinders and calipers, and
change the brake fluid.
Replace the brake hoses every four years and if cracked or damaged.24*Lights and switchesCheck operation and correct if necessary.
Adjust headlight beam.√√√√√ NO. ITEMCHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOBINITIAL EVERY
Whichev-
er comes
firstmonth136612
km
(mi)320
(200)1300
(800)2500
(1600)2500
(1600)5000
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320U33B71E0.book Page 8 Wednesday, August 10, 2011 9:01 AM

8-9
8
EBU23213Checking the spark plug The spark plug is an important engine component,
which is easy to check. Since heat and deposits
will cause any spark plug to slowly erode, the spark
plug should be removed and checked in accor-
dance with the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart. In addition, the condition of the spark
plug can reveal the condition of the engine.
To remove the spark plug
1. Remove the spark plug cap.2. Remove the spark plug as shown, with the
spark plug wrench included in the owner’s tool
kit.
To check the spark plug
1. Check that the porcelain insulator around the
center electrode of the spark plug is a medi-
um-to-light tan (the ideal color when the ATV
is ridden normally).
TIPIf the spark plug shows a distinctly different color,
the engine could be operating improperly. Do not
attempt to diagnose such problems yourself. In-
stead, have a Yamaha dealer check the ATV.
1. Spark plug cap
1
1. Spark plug wrench
1
U33B71E0.book Page 9 Wednesday, August 10, 2011 9:01 AM

8-18
817. Install the seat.
TIPThe air filter element should be cleaned every 20–
40 hours. It should be cleaned and lubricated more
often if the ATV is operated in extremely dusty ar-
eas. Each time the air filter element maintenance
is performed, check the air inlet of the air filter case
for obstructions. Check the air filter case rubber
joint to the carburetor fittings and the rubber joint
manifold fittings for an air-tight seal. Tighten all fit-
tings securely to avoid the possibility of unfiltered
air entering the engine.EBU28903Cleaning the spark arrester Be sure the exhaust pipe and muffler are cool be-
fore cleaning the spark arrester.
1. Remove the tailpipe bolts.2. Remove the tailpipe by pulling it out of the
muffler, and then remove the gasket.
3. Tap the tailpipe lightly, and then use a wire
brush to remove any carbon deposits from the
spark arrester portion of the tailpipe and inside
of the tailpipe housing.
1. Tailpipe bolt
2. Tailpipe
2
11
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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. Parking brake free play adjusting nut
3. Locknut
2
3
1(a)(b)
Tightening torque:
Locknut (rear brake caliper):
16 Nm (1.6 m·kgf, 12 ft·lbf)
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8-28
8The brake light switch for the brake pedal can be
adjusted as follows, but the front brake light switch
should be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer.
Turn the rear brake light switch adjusting nut while
holding the brake light switch in place. To make the
brake light come on earlier, turn the adjusting nut
in direction (a). To make the brake light come on
later, turn the adjusting nut in direction (b).
EBU24813Adjusting the clutch lever free play The clutch lever free play must be checked and, if
necessary, adjusted at the intervals specified in the
periodic maintenance and lubrication chart.The clutch lever free play should measure 5.0–
10.0 mm (0.20–0.39 in) as shown. If the free play
is incorrect, adjust it as follows.
1. Slide the rubber cover back.
2. Loosen the locknut at the clutch lever.
3. To increase the clutch lever free play, turn the
clutch lever free play adjusting bolt in direction
(a), and to decrease it, turn the bolt in direction
(b).
4. Tighten the locknut.1. Rear brake light switch
2. Rear brake light switch adjusting nut
12
(b)
(a)
1. Clutch lever free play
2. Locknut
3. Clutch lever free play adjusting bolt
4. Rubber cover1
3
4
(a) (b) 2
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8-39
8 If the fuse is blown, replace it as follows.
1. Turn the key to “OFF” and turn off all electrical
circuits.
NOTICEECB00640To prevent accidental short-circuiting, turn off
the main switch when checking or replacing a
fuse.2. Remove the blown fuse, and then install a
new fuse of the specified amperage.
WARNING! Always use a fuse of the spec-
ified rating, and never use a substitute ob-ject in place of the proper fuse. An
improper fuse or a substitute object can
cause damage to the electrical system,
which could lead to a fire.
[EWB02172]
3. Turn the key to “ON” and turn on the electrical
circuits to check if the devices operate.
4. If the fuse immediately blows again, have a
Yamaha dealer check the electrical system.
5. Install the battery holding plate by installing
the bolts, and then hook the band to secure
the owner’s tool kit.
6. Install the seat.EBU28160Headlight bulb If the headlight bulb burns out, have a Yamaha
dealer replace it.
1. Main fuse
2. Spare main fuse
3. Accessory fuse
1
3
2
Specified fuses:
Main fuse:
15.0 A
Accessory fuse:
7.5 A
U33B71E0.book Page 39 Wednesday, August 10, 2011 9:01 AM