2017 YAMAHA YFZ50 brakes

EBU17421
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LOCATION OF THE WARNING AND
SPECIFICATION LABELS .............................. 1-1
SAFETY INFORMATION ................................ 2-1
DESCRIPTION................................................ 3-1Left view ...................................................... 3-1
Right view.................................................... 3-1
Controls and instruments............................ 3-2
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL
FUNCTIONS ................................................... 4-1 Main switch ................................................. 4-1
Handlebar switches .................................... 4-1
Engine stop switch with lanyard ................. 4-2
Throttle lever ............................................... 4-3
Speed limiter ............................................... 4-3
Front brake lever ......................................... 4-5
Rear brake lever .......................................... 4-6
Parking brake .............................................. 4-6
Kickstarter ................................................... 4-7
Fuel tank cap .............................................. 4-8
Fuel ............................................................. 4-8
Fuel cock................................................... 4-10 Starter (choke) ......................................... 4-11
Seat .......................................................... 4-12
Adjusting the rear shock absorber
assembly ................................................ 4-13
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS .......................... 5-1 Fuel ............................................................. 5-3
Engine oil .................................................... 5-3
Transmission oil .......................................... 5-3
Front and rear brakes ................................. 5-3
Throttle lever ............................................... 5-3
Drive chain .................................................. 5-3
Tires ............................................................ 5-3
Chassis fasteners ....................................... 5-6
Instruments and switches........................... 5-6
OPERATION .................................................. 6-1 Starting a cold engine................................. 6-1
Starting a warm engine............................... 6-3
Engine break-in........................................... 6-3
Parking........................................................ 6-3
Parking on a slope ...................................... 6-4
Accessories and loading ............................ 6-5UBW460E0.book Page 1 Monday, May 23, 2016 11:12 AM

RIDING YOUR ATV ........................................ 7-1GETTING TO KNOW YOUR ATV ................ 7-2
RIDE WITH CARE AND GOOD JUDGMENT .............................................. 7-2
BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU RIDE ............... 7-9
TURNING YOUR ATV................................ 7-12
CLIMBING UPHILL ................................... 7-13
RIDING DOWNHILL .................................. 7-16
CROSSING A SLOPE................................ 7-17
CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW WATER .................................................... 7-18
RIDING OVER ROUGH TERRAIN ............. 7-20
SLIDING AND SKIDDING .......................... 7-20
WHAT TO DO IF... ..................................... 7-21
WHAT TO DO... ......................................... 7-22
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND
ADJUSTMENT................................................ 8-1 Owner’s manual and tool kit ....................... 8-2
Periodic maintenance chart for the emission control system ........................... 8-3
General maintenance and lubrication chart .......................................................... 8-5
Removing and installing the panel .............. 8-9
Checking the spark plug ............................. 8-9
Engine oil................................................... 8-11
Transmission oil ........................................ 8-14 Cleaning the air filter element ................... 8-16
Cleaning the spark arrester ...................... 8-19
Adjusting the carburetor ........................... 8-20
Adjusting the engine idling speed ............ 8-20
Adjusting the throttle lever free play ......... 8-21
Valve clearance......................................... 8-22
Brakes....................................................... 8-22
Checking the front and rear brake
shoes ...................................................... 8-22
Adjusting the front brake lever free play... 8-23
Adjusting the rear brake lever free play .... 8-25
Drive chain slack....................................... 8-26
Cleaning and lubricating the drive chain ....................................................... 8-28
Checking and lubricating the cables ........ 8-29
Checking and lubricating the front and rear brake levers ..................................... 8-29
Checking the wheel hub bearings ............ 8-30
Lubricating the front arm pivots ............... 8-30
Lubricating the front knuckle pivots ......... 8-31
Lubricating the steering shaft ................... 8-31
Battery ...................................................... 8-32
Replacing the fuse .................................... 8-35
Removing a wheel .................................... 8-35
Installing a wheel ...................................... 8-36
Troubleshooting........................................ 8-37
Troubleshooting chart .............................. 8-38UBW460E0.book Page 2 Monday, May 23, 2016 11:12 AM

2-3
2
surfaces. 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
technique described in this manual on level
ground. Avoid crossing the side of a steep hill if
possible.
 Always use proper procedures if you stall or roll
backwards when climbing a hill. If you stall or
roll backwards, follow the special procedure for
braking described in this manual. Dismount on
the uphill side or to a side if pointed straight up-
hill. Turn the ATV around and remount, following
the procedure described in this manual.
 Always check for obstacles before operating in
a new area.
 Never attempt to operate over large obstacles,
such as large rocks or fallen trees. Always follow
proper procedures when operating over obsta-
cles as described in this manual.
 Always be careful when skidding or sliding.
Learn to safely control skidding or sliding by
practicing at low speeds and on level, smooth
terrain. On extremely slippery surfaces, such as
ice, go slowly and be very cautious in order to
reduce the chance of skidding or sliding out of
control. 
Never operate an ATV in fast flowing water or in
water deeper than that recommended in this
manual. Remember that wet brakes may have
reduced stopping ability. Test your brakes after
leaving water. If necessary, apply them several
times to let friction dry out the linings.
 Always use the size and type of tires specified in
this manual.
 Always maintain proper tire pressure as de-
scribed in this manual.
 Never exceed the stated load capacity for an
ATV. Cargo should be properly distributed and
securely attached. Reduce speed and follow in-
structions in this manual for carrying cargo or
pulling a trailer. Allow greater distance for brak-
ing.
 Do not operate your ATV during darkness un-
less it is equipped with a properly functioning
headlight. Off-road riding is inherently danger-
ous and additionally, off-road trails do not have
streetlights to guide you.
 Never maintain an ATV without proper knowl-
edge. Contact an authorized ATV dealer to in-
form you on basic ATV maintenance. Certain
maintenance can only be carried out by certified
staff.
UBW460E0.book Page 3 Monday, May 23, 2016 11:12 AM

4-7
4
braking performance which could cause an
accident. You could also wear out the brakes
prematurely.
EBU33892KickstarterUse the kickstarter to start the engine when the
battery voltage is low. The kickstarter lever is lo-
cated under the seat. (See page 4-12.)
1. Remove the kickstarter lever cap. 2. Install the kickstarter lever.
3. Move the kickstarter lever down lightly with
your foot until the gears engage, and then
push it down smoothly but forcefully.1. Kickstarter lever
1
1. Kickstarter lever cap
1
UBW460E0.book Page 7 Monday, May 23, 2016 11:12 AM

5-3
5
EBU19542FuelMake sure that there is sufficient fuel in the tank.
(See page 4-8.)EBU19561Engine oilMake sure that the engine oil is at the specified
level. Add oil as necessary. (See page 8-11.)EBU34490Transmission oilMake sure that the transmission oil is at the spec-
ified level. Add oil as necessary. (See page 8-14.)EBU19653Front and rear brakesBrake levers
Check for correct free play in the brake levers. If
the free play is incorrect, adjust it. (See pages
8-23 and 8-25.)
 Check operation of the levers. They should
move smoothly and there should be a firm feel-
ing when the brake is applied. If not, have the
ATV checked by a Yamaha dealer. Brake operation
Test the brakes at slow speed after starting out to
make sure they are working properly. If the brakes
do not provide proper braking performance,
check the brake shoes for wear. (See page 8-22.)
EBU19762Throttle leverCheck the operation of the throttle lever. It must
open smoothly and spring back to the idle position
when released. Have a Yamaha dealer correct if
necessary.EBU19771Drive chainCheck the condition of the drive chain and check
the drive chain slack. Lubricate and adjust the
drive chain as necessary. (See page 8-26.)EBU19795TiresCheck tire pressure regularly to make sure it is at
the recommended specifications. Also check for
wear and damage.
UBW460E0.book Page 3 Monday, May 23, 2016 11:12 AM

6-4
6
EBU36380Parking on a slope
WARNING
EWB04130Avoid parking on hills or other inclines. Parking
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, stop
the engine, apply 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
brakes.
2. Stop the engine.
3. With the rear brake lever applied, apply the parking brake, and then slowly release the
rear brake lever.
4. Turn the fuel cock to “OFF”.
1. Parking brake lock plate
1
UBW460E0.book Page 4 Monday, May 23, 2016 11:12 AM

7-11
7
Do not ride in areas posted “no trespassing”.
Do not ride on private property without getting
permission. 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, and turning techni-
ques in this area before trying more difficult ter-
rain.
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. Re-
member that the engine and exhaust pipe will be
hot when riding and afterwards; do not allow skin
or clothing to come in contact with these compo-
nents.
With the engine idling, release the parking brake.
Apply the throttle slowly and smoothly. You will
start to accelerate. If the throttle is applied too
UBW460E0.book Page 11 Monday, May 23, 2016 11:12 AM

7-12
7abruptly, the vehicle may lurch forward or the front
wheels may lift off the ground, resulting in a loss of
directional control. Avoid higher speeds until you
are thoroughly familiar with the operation of your
ATV.
When slowing down or stopping, release the
throttle and apply the brakes smoothly and evenly.
Improper use of the brakes can cause the tires to
lose traction, reducing control and increasing the
possibility of an accident.
TURNING YOUR ATV
WARNING
EWB01772Always follow proper procedures for turning as
described in this Owner’s Manual. Practice
turning at low speeds before attempting to turn
at faster speeds. Do not turn at speeds too fast
for your skills or the conditions. ATV could go
out of control, causing a collision or overturn. To achieve maximum traction on unpaved surfac-
es, the two rear wheels turn together at the same
speed. Therefore, unless the wheel on the inside
of the turn is allowed to slip or lose some traction,
the ATV will resist turning. A special turning tech- nique must be used to allow the ATV to make
turns quickly and easily. It is essential that this skill
be learned first at low speed.
As you approach a curve, slow down and begin to
turn the handlebars in the desired direction. As
you do so, put your weight on the footboard to the
outside of the turn (opposite your desired direc-
tion) and lean your upper body into the turn. Use
the throttle to maintain an even speed through the
turn. This maneuver will let the wheel on the inside
of the turn slip slightly, allowing the ATV to make
the turn properly.UBW460E0.book Page 12 Monday, May 23, 2016 11:12 AM