Page 60 of 126

8-5
8Pre-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
6-1. Always follow the inspection and mainte-
nance procedures and schedules described in the
Owner’s Manual.
WARNING! Failure to inspect
the ATV before riding it or failure to maintain it
properly increases the possibility of an acci-
dent and equipment damage.
[EWB01433]
Speed limiter
For beginning riders, riders less experienced with
this model, or whenever limited speed is desir-
able, the throttle lever housing is equipped with a vehicle speed limiter. The speed limiter keeps the
throttle from fully opening, even when the throttle
lever is pushed to the maximum. Turning in the
adjusting screw limits the maximum engine power
available and decreases the maximum speed of
the ATV. Turning in the adjusting screw decreases
top speed, and turning it out increases top speed.
(See page 5-3.)
This model also has an engine speed limiter plate
to limit the amount of engine power available.
Yamaha recommends that all beginning riders start off with the engine speed limiter plate in-
stalled and the vehicle speed limiter adjusting
screw turned in to limit the amount of speed avail-
able while they learn. The vehicle speed limiter
may be gradually adjusted to increase maximum
speed as the beginner becomes more familiar with
operating the ATV. Parents should decide when to
adjust the ATV for more power as their young-
ster’s riding skills improve. Once the ATV rider can
operate with skill at the top speed permitted by
adjusting the vehicle speed limiter alone, the en-
gine speed limiter plate can be removed. Since re-
moval of this plate will result in a significant
increase in power, turn the vehicle speed limiterUBW464E0.book Page 5 Thursday, January 23, 2020 2:42 PM
Page 63 of 126
![YAMAHA YFZ50 2021 Owners Manual 8-8
8
modifications may cause changes in handling
which in some situations could lead to an acci-
dent.
[EWB01492]
Exhaust system
WARNING
EWB01502
Dry grass or brush or other combustible ma-
teria YAMAHA YFZ50 2021 Owners Manual 8-8
8
modifications may cause changes in handling
which in some situations could lead to an acci-
dent.
[EWB01492]
Exhaust system
WARNING
EWB01502
Dry grass or brush or other combustible ma-
teria](/manual-img/51/53861/w960_53861-62.png)
8-8
8
modifications may cause changes in handling
which in some situations could lead to an acci-
dent.
[EWB01492]
Exhaust system
WARNING
EWB01502
Dry grass or brush or other combustible ma-
terial accumulated around the engine area
could catch fire. Do not operate, idle, or park
the ATV in dry grass or other dry ground cov-
er. Keep the engine area free of dry grass,
brush, or other combustible material.
Someone touching the exhaust system dur-
ing or after operation could be burned. Do
not touch the hot exhaust system. Do not
park the ATV in a place where others might
be likely to touch it. The muffler and other engine parts become ex-
tremely hot during operation and remain hot after
the engine has stopped. To reduce the risk of fire
during operation or after leaving the ATV, do not
let brush, grass and other materials collect under
the vehicle, near the muffler or exhaust pipe, or
next to other hot parts. Check under the vehicle
after operating in areas where combustible mate- rials may have collected. Do not idle or park the
vehicle in long dry grass or other dry ground cov-
er.
To prevent burns, avoid touching the exhaust sys-
tem. Park the ATV in a place where pedestrians or
children are not likely to touch it.UBW464E0.book Page 8 Thursday, January 23, 2020 2:42 PM
Page 80 of 126

9-3
9
EBU36872Periodic maintenance chart: Emission control systemTIPFor ATVs not equipped with an odometer or an hour meter, follow the month maintenance intervals in-
stead.
For odometer or hour meter-equipped vehicles, follow the month maintenance interval if the ATV isn’t
ridden for the stated distance or engine operating hours.
Items marked with an asterisk should be performed by a Yamaha dealer as they require special tools,
data and technical skills. NO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOB INITIAL
EVERY
Whichev-
er comes first month136612
km (mi) 240
(150) 1300
(800) 2500
(1600) 2500
(1600) 5000
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320
1 *Fuel line • Check fuel hoses for cracks or other damage, and
replace if necessary. √√√
2 Spark plug • Check condition and clean, regap, or replace if
necessary. √√√√√
3 *Va l ve s • Check valve clearance and adjust if necessary. √ √√√
4 *Carburetor • Check starter (choke) operation and correct if
necessary.
• Check engine idling speed and adjust if neces- sary. √ √√√
5 *Crankcase breath-
er system • Check breather hose for cracks or other damage,
and replace if necessary. √√√
UBW464E0.book Page 3 Thursday, January 23, 2020 2:42 PM
Page 82 of 126

9-5
9
EBU36892Periodic maintenance chart: General maintenance and lubricationTIPFor ATVs not equipped with an odometer or an hour meter, follow the month maintenance intervals in-
stead.
For odometer or hour meter-equipped vehicles, follow the month maintenance interval if the ATV isn’t
ridden for the stated distance or engine operating hours.
Items marked with an asterisk should be performed by a Yamaha dealer as they require special tools,
data and technical skills. NO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOB INITIAL
EVERY
Whichev-
er comes first month136612
km (mi) 240
(150) 1300
(800) 2500
(1600) 2500
(1600) 5000
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320
1 Air filter element • Clean and replace if necessary. Every 20–40 hours (more often in wet or
dusty areas)
2 Air filter check hose • Clean. √√√√√
3 *Front brake • Check operation and correct if necessary.
• Check brake lever free play and adjust if neces-
sary. √√√√√
• Replace brake shoes. Whenever worn to the limit
4 *Rear brake • Check operation and correct if necessary.
• Check brake lever free play and adjust if neces-
sary. √√√√√
• Replace brake shoes. Whenever worn to the limit
UBW464E0.book Page 5 Thursday, January 23, 2020 2:42 PM
Page 84 of 126
9-7
9
15*Steering system • Check operation and repair or replace if dam-
aged.
• Check toe-in and adjust if necessary. √√√√√
16 Engine oil • Change.
• Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary. √ √√√
17 Engine oil strainer • Clean. √√√
18 Transmission oil • Change.
• Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary. √√
19 *Moving parts and
cables
• Lubricate.
√√√√
20 *Throttle lever • Check operation.
• Check throttle lever free play, and adjust if neces-
sary.
• Lubricate cable and lever housing. √√√√√
21 *Brake switch • Check operation and correct if necessary. √√√√√
22 *Switches • Check operation and correct if necessary. √√√√√
NO. ITEM
CHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOB INITIAL EVERY
Whichev-
er comes first month136612
km (mi) 240
(150) 1300
(800) 2500
(1600) 2500
(1600) 5000
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320UBW464E0.book Page 7 Thursday, January 23, 2020 2:42 PM
Page 86 of 126
9-9
9
EBU23081Removing and installing the panelThe panel shown needs to be removed to perform
some of the maintenance jobs described in this
chapter. Refer to this section each time the panel
needs to be removed and installed.EBU23102Panel A
To remove the panelRemove the bolts, and then take the panel off.To install the panel
Place the panel in the original position and install
the bolts.EBU23216Checking the spark plugThe 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 ac-
cordance with the periodic maintenance chart. In
addition, the condition of the spark plug can reveal
the condition of the engine.
1. Panel A
1
1. Panel A
2. Bolt
2
2
1
UBW464E0.book Page 9 Thursday, January 23, 2020 2:42 PM
Page 87 of 126
9-10
9
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 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
UBW464E0.book Page 10 Thursday, January 23, 2020 2:42 PM
Page 88 of 126

9-11
92. Check the spark plug for electrode erosion
and excessive carbon or other deposits, and
replace it if necessary.
3. Measure the spark plug gap with a wire thick- ness gauge and, if necessary, adjust the gap
to specification. To install the spark plug
1. Clean the surface of the spark plug gasket and its mating surface, and then wipe off any
grime from the spark plug threads.
2. Install the spark plug with the spark plug wrench, and then tighten it to the specified
torque.
TIPIf a torque wrench is not available when installing
the spark plug, a good estimate of the correct
torque is 1/4–1/2 turn past finger tight. However,
the spark plug should be tightened to the speci-
fied torque as soon as possible. 3. Install the spark plug cap.EBU37001Engine oilThe engine oil level should be checked before
each ride. In addition, the oil must be changed at
the intervals specified in the periodic maintenance
chart.
Specified spark plug:
NGK/CR6HSA
1. Spark plug gapSpark plug gap:0.6–0.7 mm (0.024–0.028 in)
Tightening torque:Spark plug:12 N·m (1.2 kgf·m, 8.9 lb·ft)
UBW464E0.book Page 11 Thursday, January 23, 2020 2:42 PM