2022 YAMAHA VX CRUISER steering

Operation
81
VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED
EJU43423Turning the watercraftEWJ01783
Do not release the throttle lever when
trying to steer away from objects—as
with 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.
B. Less throttle produces lower thrust, so the watercraft will turn more gradually.
C. Releasing the throttle lever completely produces only minimum thrust. If you are
1“F” (Forward position)
14.3V
km/h
RPM
1
UF4N71E0.book Page 81 Thursday, August 5, 2021 11:58 AM

Operation
82
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 squeezed and 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
handlebars. The OTS system does not func-
tion below planing speeds or when the en-
gine is off. Once the engine slows down, the
watercraft will no longer turn in response to
handlebar input until you apply throttle again
or you reach trolling speed.
EJU45001Stopping the watercraft
The watercraft is not equipped with a sepa-
rate braking system. The watercraft slows
down by water resistance or, when operating
in reverse, by the water jet. The watercraft
slows down as soon as the throttle lever is re-
leased, but will coast for a distance before
fully stopping. If you are not sure you can
stop in time before hitting an obstacle, apply
throttle and turn in another direction.
1 Reverse gate
E
1
UF4N71E0.book Page 82 Thursday, August 5, 2021 11:58 AM

Care and storage
94
(4) Store the battery in a cool, dry place.NOTICE: Storing the battery in an un-
charged condition can cause perma-
nent battery damage. Check the
battery periodically.
[ECJ00103]
To install the battery:
(1) Place the battery in the battery compart- ment and hook the battery bands onto
the holders.
(2) Connect the positive (+) battery lead (red) to the positive (+) battery terminal.
NOTICE: Reversal of the battery leads
will damage the electrical parts.
[ECJ00262]
(3) Connect the negative (–) battery lead (black) to the negative (–) battery termi-
nal.
(4) Make sure that the battery is securely held in place.
EJU33495
Long-term storageEWJ00332
Always place the watercraft upright in a
horizontal position when storing it, other-
wise fuel could leak out into the engine or
engine compartment, which could create
a fire hazard.
Storage for long periods of time, such as win-
ter storage, requires preventive maintenance
to ensure against deterioration. It is advisable
to have the watercraft serviced by a Yamaha
dealer prior to storage.
However, the following procedures can be
performed easily by the owner.
EJU40763Cleaning
(1) Flush the cooling water passages. (Seepage 91 for information on flushing the
cooling water passages.)
TIP
If you will be storing the watercraft for a pro-
longed period, such as winter storage, top off
the fuel tank with fresh gasoline and add fuel
stabilizer and conditioner to the fuel tank ac-
cording to the manufacturer’s instruction be-
fore starting the engine.
(2) Clean the watercraft. (See page 92 for in-formation on cleaning the watercraft.)
Wax the hull with a non-abrasive wax.
EJU43663Lubrication
To keep moving parts sliding or rotating
smoothly, lubricate them with water-resistant
grease.
Steering cable (jet thrust nozzle end)
Recommended water-resistant grease:
YAMALUBE MARINE
GREASE/Yamaha Grease A
Recommended water-resistant grease:
YAMALUBE MARINE GREASE /
Ya m a h a G r e a s e A
UF4N71E0.book Page 94 Thursday, August 5, 2021 11:58 AM

Maintenance
98
EJU43103Periodic 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 √√ 100
Oil filter Replace √100
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 √—
UF4N71E0.book Page 98 Thursday, August 5, 2021 11:58 AM

Index
111
Jet thrust nozzle and reverse gate check (VX / VX DELUXE /
VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED) ................. 74
Jumper cables, connecting.................... 107
L
Labels, important ....................................... 4
Labels, other .............................................. 8
Labels, warning .......................................... 5
Launching the watercraft ......................... 78
Learning to operate your watercraft ........ 77
Leaving the watercraft ............................. 80
Limitations on who may operate the watercraft.............................................. 10
Long-term storage ................................... 94
Lubrication ............................................... 94
M
Main components, location of ................. 21
Maintenance ............................................ 97
Manufactured date label ............................ 2
Model information ...................................... 3
Multifunction information center check ... 76
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 ...................... 89
Operating the watercraft .......................... 80
Operating the watercraft in reverse or neutral (VX / VX DELUXE /
VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED) ................. 83
Operating your watercraft ........................ 77
Operation buttons .................................... 45
Operation requirements ........................... 12
P
Periodic maintenance chart ..................... 98
Post-launch checks ................................. 75
Post-operation care ................................. 91
Pre-launch checks ................................... 70
Pre-operation check points ..................... 70
Pre-operation checklist ............................ 68 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) ........................................ 107
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).................. 72
RiDE lever (VX / VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED).................. 28
Riding position ......................................... 78
Rustproofing ............................................ 95
S
Safe boating rules .................................... 18
Safety equipment check .......................... 74
Seat storage compartment ...................... 59
Seats ........................................................ 54
Setting menu screen ................................ 47
Shift indicator (VX).................................... 41
Shift system check (VX / VX DELUXE /
VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED).................. 76
Shift system (VX / VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED).................. 30
Speedometer ........................................... 39
Start switch (VX-C) ................................... 27
Starting off ............................................... 87
Starting off from a trailer .......................... 87
Starting the engine on water .................... 78
Steering system ....................................... 28
Steering system checks ........................... 71
Stern drain plug checks ........................... 75
Stern eyes ................................................ 56
Stopping the engine ................................. 79
Stopping the watercraft ........................... 82
Storage compartment checks.................. 74
Storage compartments ............................ 57
Submerged watercraft ........................... 108
Switch checks .......................................... 73
UF4N71E0.book Page 111 Thursday, August 5, 2021 11:58 AM