2021 YAMAHA VX steering

Operation
82
(idle) position. (See page 30 for shift system
operation procedures.)
VX
VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED
EJU43423Turning the watercraftEWJ01783
Do not release the throttle lever when
trying to steer away from objects—aswith other powerboats, you need throt-
tle to steer. A collision could result in se-
vere injury or death.
When operating at higher speeds, make
gradual turns or slow down before turn-
ing. Sharp high-speed turns may cause
the watercraft to slide sideways or spin,
throwing the operator and passenger(s)
overboard, which could cause an injury.
VX / VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX
LIMITED: Take early action to avoid col- lisions. The RiDE system is not a braking
device for avoiding dangerous situa-
tions.
Steering control depends on the combination
of handlebar position and the amount of
throttle.
Water sucked in through the intake grate is
pressurized by the impeller in the jet pump.
As the pressurized water is expelled from the
pump through the jet thrust nozzle, it creates
thrust to move and steer the watercraft. The
higher the engine speed, the more thrust pro-
duced.
The amount of jet thrust, in addition to the po-
sition of the handlebars, determines how
sharply you turn.
A. More throttle produces higher thrust, so the watercraft will turn more sharply.
1“F” (Forward position)
1 “F” (Forward position)
1
14.3V
km/h
RPM
1
UF4N70E0.book Page 82 Tuesday, October 6, 2020 5:13 PM

Operation
83
B. Less throttle produces lower thrust, sothe watercraft will turn more gradually.
C. Releasing the throttle lever completely produces only minimum thrust. If you are
traveling at speeds above trolling, you
will have rapidly decreasing ability to
steer without throttle. You may still have
some turning ability immediately after re-
leasing the throttle lever, but once the
engine slows down, the watercraft will no
longer respond to handlebar input until
you apply throttle again or you reach
trolling speed.
At trolling speed, the watercraft can be
turned gradually by handlebar position
alone using just the amount of thrust
available at idle.
D. If the engine is stopped while riding, there is no thrust. The watercraft will go straight even though the handlebars are
turned.
You need throttle to steer.
E. VX / VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED: If the RiDE lever is squeezedand the handlebars are turned when the
watercraft is cruising at planing speed,
the watercraft will turn gradually while
slowing down.
This model is equipped with the Yamaha En-
gine Management System (YEMS) that in-
cludes an off-throttle steering (OTS) system.
It will activate at planing speeds should you
attempt to steer the watercraft after releasing
the throttle lever (see condition C above).
The OTS system assists in turning by con-
tinuing to supply some thrust while the water-
craft is decelerating, but you can turn more
sharply if you apply throttle while turning the
1 Reverse gate
E
1
UF4N70E0.book Page 83 Tuesday, October 6, 2020 5:13 PM

Care and storage
96
Steering cable (jet thrust nozzle end)
VX / VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX
LIMITED: Shift rod (reverse gate end) and ball joint
TIP:
Disconnect the shift rod from the ball joint be-
fore lubricating.
EJU46360Rustproofing
Rustproofing the hull, deck, and engine
Spray metallic parts of the hull, deck, and en-
gine with a rust inhibitor.
Rustproofing the internal engine compo-
nents
Rustproof the internal engine components
with a rust inhibitor.
To rustproof the internal engine components:
(1) Remove the seats. (See page 54 for seat removal and installation procedures.)
(2) Remove the plastic tie that is fastening the fuel hose to the holder on the star-
board side of the air filter case. (3) Release the hooks on the port side of the
air filter case, and remove the air filter
case cover.
(4) Spray a rust inhibitor into the intake opening for 3 seconds. WARNING! Do
not spray flammable rust inhibitor
products on engine surfaces while the
engine is hot. The sprayed substance
or propellants could catch fire.
[EWJ00262]
(5) Place the air filter case cover in its origi- nal position, and then fit the hooks onto
the cover.
TIP:
Make sure that the air filter case cover is se-
curely installed.
1Hook
2 Air filter case cover
3 Fuel hose
4 Plastic tie
5 Holder
1 Intake opening
2
1 3
4
5
1
UF4N70E0.book Page 96 Tuesday, October 6, 2020 5:13 PM

Maintenance
99
EJU43102Periodic maintenance chart
The periodic maintenance chart gives general guidelines for periodic maintenance. Have a
Yamaha dealer perform the checks in the following chart. However, maintenance may need to be performed more frequently depending on your operating conditions. If you have any
questions, consult a Yamaha dealer.
This “ √” mark indicates items to be checked and serviced by a Yamaha dealer.
Item OperationInitial Thereafter every
Page
10 hours 50 hours
or 12
months *1 100
hours or 12
months *1 200
hours or 24
months *1
Fuel line Check fuel hoses and
clamps
√
—
Fuel filler cap/Wa-
ter separator Check O-rings for cracks
and deformation
√
—
Fuel tank Check installation and
straps
√
—
Water inlet strainer Check for clogs and dam-
age
√
—
Cooling water hos-
es Check for damage and
leakage, and check
clamps
√
—
Engine oil Replace √√ 101
Oil filter Replace √101
Intermediate hous-
ing Lubricate
√—
Spark plugs Check √√ —
Battery Check state of charge,
terminals and bands
√
—
Battery leads Check terminals √—
Steering master Check operation and for
looseness
√√
—
Steering cable Check exterior and con-
nections, and lubricate
√
—
Shift rod and re-
verse gate (VX /
VX DELUXE /
VX CRUISER / VX
LIMITED) Check exterior and con-
nections, and lubricate
√
—
Air filter element Check for damage and
dirt
√
—
Air intake hoses Check for damage, and
check clamps
√
—
Throttle body Lubricate throttle valve √—
UF4N70E0.book Page 99 Tuesday, October 6, 2020 5:13 PM

Index
112
Jet thrust nozzle and reverse gate check (VX / VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER /
VX LIMITED).......................................... 76
Jumper cables, connecting.................... 108
L
Labels, important ....................................... 4
Labels, other .............................................. 8
Labels, warning .......................................... 5
Launching the watercraft ......................... 79
Learning to operate your watercraft ........ 78
Leaving the watercraft ............................. 81
Limitations on who may operate the watercraft.............................................. 10
Long-term storage ................................... 95
Lubrication ............................................... 95
M
Main components, location of ................. 21
Maintenance ............................................ 98
Manufactured date label ............................ 2
Model information ...................................... 3
Multifunction information center check ... 77
Multifunction information center (VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER /
VX LIMITED).......................................... 44
Multifunction information center (VX-C / VX) ............................................ 39
N
No-wake mode ........................................ 35
O
Oil pressure warning ................................ 42
Operating in weeded areas ...................... 90
Operating the watercraft .......................... 81
Operating the watercraft in reverse or neutral (VX / VX DELUXE /
VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED) ................. 84
Operating your watercraft ........................ 78
Operation buttons .................................... 45
Operation requirements ........................... 12
P
Periodic maintenance chart ..................... 99
Post-launch checks ................................. 76
Post-operation care ................................. 92
Pre-launch checks ................................... 71
Pre-operation check points ..................... 71
Pre-operation checklist ............................ 69 Primary Identification (PRI-ID) number....... 1
Pull-up cleats (VX CRUISER /
VX LIMITED) .......................................... 57
R
Raising the reverse gate (VX / VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER /
VX LIMITED) ........................................ 108
Reboarding grip ....................................... 55
Reboarding step (VX / VX DELUXE /
VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED).................. 55
Recommended equipment ...................... 14
Reverse assist .......................................... 33
RiDE lever checks (VX / VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED).................. 73
RiDE lever (VX / VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED).................. 28
Riding position ......................................... 79
Rustproofing ............................................ 96
S
Safe boating rules .................................... 18
Safety equipment check .......................... 75
Seat storage compartment ...................... 59
Seats ........................................................ 54
Setting menu screen ................................ 47
Shift indicator (VX).................................... 41
Shift system check (VX / VX DELUXE /
VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED).................. 77
Shift system (VX / VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED).................. 30
Speedometer ........................................... 39
Start switch (VX-C) ................................... 27
Starting off ............................................... 88
Starting off from a trailer .......................... 88
Starting the engine on water .................... 79
Steering system ....................................... 28
Steering system checks ........................... 72
Stern drain plug checks ........................... 76
Stern eyes ................................................ 56
Stopping the engine ................................. 80
Stopping the watercraft ........................... 84
Storage compartment checks.................. 75
Storage compartments ............................ 57
Submerged watercraft ........................... 109
Switch checks .......................................... 74
UF4N70E0.book Page 112 Tuesday, October 6, 2020 5:13 PM