2012 YAMAHA YFM250R-W warning

6-3
6
EBU20522Shifting This ATV has a 5-speed forward transmission. The
transmission allows you to control the amount of
power you have available at a given speed or for
starting, accelerating, climbing hills, etc.
To shift into neutral, release the throttle lever, ap-
ply the clutch, and then repeatedly depress the
shift pedal until it stops.
When it stops, it will be in first gear. Raise the pedal
slightly to reach the neutral position, and then re-
lease the clutch.
EBU28112To start out and accelerate
1. Release the throttle lever, and then release
the parking brake.NOTICEECB00200Always close the throttle before shifting gears,
otherwise damage to the engine and drive train
may result.2. Pull the clutch lever to disengage the clutch.
3. Shift into first gear.
4. Open the throttle gradually and at the same
time, release the clutch lever slowly.
WARNING! Opening the throttle abruptly
or releasing the clutch lever too quickly
could make the ATV wheelie, which would
increase the chance of an accident, includ-
ing an overturn.
[EWB00731]
WARNING
EWB02401Stones or mud may come off the rear tires and
be thrown backwards when starting or acceler-
ating. Use caution when starting out or acceler-
ating when others are behind the ATV.
1. Shift pedal
2. Neutral position
1
2
2 3 4 5N1
U33B71E0.book Page 3 Wednesday, August 10, 2011 9:01 AM

6-4
6 5. Once the ATV has attained adequate speed,
release the throttle, and at the same time,
quickly pull in the clutch lever.
6. Shift the transmission into second gear.
(Make sure not to shift the transmission into
neutral.)
7. Open the throttle part way and gradually re-
lease the clutch lever.
8. Follow the same procedure when shifting to
the next higher gear.
EBU20650To decelerate
When slowing down or stopping, release the throt-
tle and apply the brakes smoothly and evenly. As
you slow down, shift to a lower gear. Be sure that
the engine has sufficiently slowed before engaging
a lower gear. Improper use of the brakes or shifting
can cause the tires to lose traction, reducing con-
trol and increasing the possibility of an accident.
WARNING
EWB00710Make sure the engine has sufficiently slowed
before shifting to a lower gear. Engaging a low-
er gear when the engine speed is too high
could make the wheels stop rotating and losetraction. This could cause loss of control, an
accident and injury. It could also cause engine
or drive train damage.
NOTICEECB00180
Even with the transmission in the neutral po-
sition, do not coast for long periods of time
with the engine off, and do not tow the ATV
for long distances. The transmission is prop-
erly lubricated only when the engine is run-
ning. Inadequate lubrication may damage
the transmission.
Always use the clutch when changing gears.
The engine, transmission and drive train are
not designed to withstand the shock of
forced shifting and can be damaged by shift-
ing without using the clutch.EBU20672Engine break-in TIP
For ATVs equipped with an odometer or an hour
meter, follow the figures given in km (mi) or the
figures given in hours.
U33B71E0.book Page 4 Wednesday, August 10, 2011 9:01 AM

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 front
brake, 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
U33B71E0.book Page 6 Wednesday, August 10, 2011 9:01 AM

6-7
6recommend 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.
Aftermarket parts, accessories, and modifica-
tions
While you may find aftermarket products similar in
design and quality to genuine Yamaha Accesso-
ries, recognize that some aftermarket accessories
or modifications are not suitable because of poten-
tial safety hazards to you or others. Installing after-
market products or having other modifications
performed to your ATV that change any of the ve-
hicle’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 in mind when considering an
accessory or operating an ATV which has acces-
sories.

Accessories should be rigidly and securely
mounted. An accessory which can shift position
or come off while you are riding could affect your
ability to control the ATV.

Do not mount an accessory where it could inter-
fere with your ability to control the ATV. Exam-
ples include (but are not limited to) a heavy or
bulky object attached to the handlebars which
could make steering difficult, an accessory that
limits your ability to move around on the seat, or
one that limits your view.
Use extra caution when riding an ATV with ac-
cessories. The ATV may handle differently than
it does without accessories.EBU20941Loading
WARNING
EWB00820Never exceed the stated load capacity for this
ATV. Overloading this ATV or carrying or tow-
ing cargo improperly could cause changes in
ATV handling which could lead to an accident.
Cargo should be properly distributed and se-
curely attached. Reduce speed when carrying
cargo or pulling a trailer. Allow greater dis-
tance for braking.As originally equipped, this ATV is not designed to
carry cargo or tow a trailer. If you choose to add ac-
cessories so that you can carry cargo or tow a trail-
U33B71E0.book Page 7 Wednesday, August 10, 2011 9:01 AM

7-2
7
EBU28125GETTING TO KNOW YOUR ATV
This ATV is intended for recreational use by expe-
rienced operators only. This section, Riding your
ATV, provides general ATV riding instructions for
recreational riding. The skills and techniques de-
scribed in this section, however, are appropriate
for all types of riding. Riding your ATV requires
special skills acquired through practice over a pe-
riod of time. Take the time to learn the basic tech-
niques well before attempting more difficult
maneuvers.
Riding your new ATV can be a very enjoyable ac-
tivity, providing you with hours of pleasure. But it is
essential to familiarize yourself with the operation
of the ATV to achieve the skill necessary to enjoy
riding safely. Before you begin to ride, be sure you
have read this Owner’s Manual completely and un-
derstand the operation of the controls. Pay partic-
ular attention to the safety information on pages
2-1–2-4. Also read all warning and notice labels on
your ATV.RIDE WITH CARE AND GOOD JUDGMENT
Get training if you are inexperienced.
WARNING
EWB01381
Do not operate this ATV or allow anyone else
to operate it without proper instruction. The
risk of an accident is greatly increased if the
operator does not know how to operate the
ATV properly in different situations and on
different types of terrain.
Do not operate this ATV at speeds too fast
for your skills or the conditions, as this in-
creases your chances of losing control of
the ATV and an accident. Always go at a
speed that is proper for the terrain, visibility
and operating conditions, and your experi-
ence.Beginning and inexperienced operators should
regularly practice the skills and the operating tech-
niques described in this Owner’s Manual.
U33B71E0.book Page 2 Wednesday, August 10, 2011 9:01 AM

7-3
7Riding your ATV requires skills acquired
through practice over a period of time.
Do not attempt to operate at maximum perfor-
mance until you are totally familiar with the ATV’s
handling and performance characteristics. Take
the time to learn the basic techniques well before
attempting more difficult maneuvers. Become fa-
miliar with this ATV at slow speeds first, even if you
are an experienced operator.
Not recommended for children under 16 years
of age.
WARNING
EWB01390A child under 16 should never operate an ATV
with engine size greater than 90 cc. Use by chil-
dren of ATVs that are not recommended for
their age can lead to severe injury or death of
the child.
This ATV is designed to carry the operator only
– passengers prohibited.
The long seat is to allow the operator to shift posi-
tion as needed during operation. It is not for carry-
ing passengers. WARNING! Never carry a
passenger. Carrying a passenger on this ATV
greatly reduces your ability to balance and
control this ATV. You could have an accident,
resulting in severe injury or death to you
and/or your passenger.
[EWB01401]
U33B71E0.book Page 3 Wednesday, August 10, 2011 9:01 AM

7-4
7
Apparel
Always wear the following to reduce risk of injury in
an accident:

Approved motorcycle helmet that fits properly
Eye protection (goggles, helmet face shield, or
protective eyewear)
Over-the-ankle boots, gloves, long-sleeved shirt
or jacket, and long pants
An approved helmet and other personal protective
equipment can reduce the severity of injuries in an
accident. WARNING! Operating without an ap-proved motorcycle helmet increases your
chances of a severe head injury or death in the
event of an accident.
[EWB01411]
Wear eye protection when operating your ATV to
reduce the risk of a serious accident or injury. Eye
protection, such as a face shield or goggles, may
reduce the risk of foreign material getting in your
eyes and help prevent loss of vision. WARNING!
Operating without eye protection can result in
an accident and increases your chances of a
severe injury in the event of an accident.[EWB02611]
U33B71E0.book Page 4 Wednesday, August 10, 2011 9:01 AM

7-5
7
Do not operate after or while consuming alco-
hol or drugs.
The operator’s performance capability is reduced
by the influence of alcohol or drugs. Consuming al-
cohol or drugs could seriously affect your judg-
ment, cause you to react more slowly, and affect
your balance and perception. WARNING! Never
consume alcohol or drugs before or while driv-
ing this ATV. You increase your chance of an
accident.
[EWB01421]
Pre-operation checks
Always inspect your ATV each time you use it to
make sure the ATV is in safe operating condition.
Perform the pre-operation checks listed on page
5-1. Always follow the inspection and maintenance
procedures and schedules described in the Own-
er’s Manual. WARNING! Failure to inspect the
ATV before operating it and to maintain it prop-
erly increases the possibility of an accident or
equipment damage.
[EWB01431]
Speed limiter
For riders less experienced with this model, the
throttle lever housing is equipped with a speed lim-
iter. The speed limiter keeps the throttle from fully
1. Protective clothing
2. Goggles
3. Gloves
4. Boots
5. HelmetU33B71E0.book Page 5 Wednesday, August 10, 2011 9:01 AM