YAMAHA SLIDER 50 2003 Owner's Guide
Page 31 of 80
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OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
Starting the engine .............................................................................. 5-1
Starting a warm engine ....................................................................... 5-2
Starting off ........................................................................................... 5-2
Acceleration and deceleration ............................................................. 5-3
Braking ................................................................................................ 5-3
Tips for reducing fuel consumption ..................................................... 5-3
Engine break-in ................................................................................... 5-4
Parking ................................................................................................ 5-5
5 
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OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5
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EW000129
•Become  thoroughly  familiar
with all operating controls and
their  functions  before  riding.
Consult  a  Yamaha  dealer
regarding  any  control  or
function  that  you  do  not
thoroughly understand.
•Never  start  the  engine  or
operate  it  in  a  closed  area  for
any length of time. Exhaust fu-
mes  are  poisonous,  and
inhaling them can cause loss of
consciousness  and  death
within  a  short  time.  Always
make  sure  that  there  is
adequate ventilation.
•For  safety,  always  start  the
engine  with  the  centerstand
down.
P
U
S
H
ZAUM0332ZAUM0367
EAU00415*
Starting the engine
1. Turn  the  key  to  “
*
”,  then  when
the  oil  level  warning  light  comes
on, turn it to “
”.
EC000045
If the oil level warning light does not
come  on,  have  a  Yamaha  dealer
check the electrical circuit.
2. Turn  the  starter  (choke)  on  and
completely close the throttle. (See
page  3-7  for  starter  (choke)
operation.)3. Start  the  engine  by  pushing  the
start  switch  or  by  pushing  the
kickstarter  lever  down,  while
applying the front or rear brake.
NOTE :
If  the  engine  fails  to  start  by  pushing
the start switch, release the switch, wait
a few seconds, and then try again. Each
starting attempt should be as short as
possible to preserve the battery. Do not
crank the engine more than 5 seconds
on any one attempt. If the engine does
not start with the starter motor, try using
the kickstarter.
4. After starting the engine, move the
starter  (choke)  knob/lever  back
halfway.
5-1 
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OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5
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Starting off
NOTE :
Before starting off, allow the engine to
warm up.
1. While pulling the rear brake lever
with your left hand and holding the
grab  bar  with  your  right  hand,
push  the  scooter  off  the
centerstand.
2. Sit  astride  the  seat,  and  then
adjust the rear view mirrors.
3. Switch the turn signal on.
4. Check  for  oncoming  traffic,  and
then  slowly  turn  the  throttle  grip
(on the right) in order to take off.
5. Switch the turn signal off.
EAU01258
Starting a warm engine
Follow  the  same  procedure  as  for
starting a cold engine with the excep-
tion  that  the  starter  (choke)  is  not
required when the engine is warm.
ECA00045
For  maximum  engine  life,  never
accelerate hard when the engine is
cold!
5. When the engine is warm, turn the
starter (choke) off.
NOTE :
The engine is warm when it responds
normally to the throttle with the starter
(choke) turned off.
5-2
EC000046
See page 5-4 for engine break-in ins-
tructions  prior  to  operating  the
vehicle for the first time. 
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OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5
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Acceleration and
deceleration
The speed can be adjusted by opening
and closing the throttle. To increase the
speed, turn the throttle grip in direction
    a    .  To  reduce  the  speed,  turn  the
throttle grip in direction   b  .
a b
ZAUM0199ZAUM0269
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Braking
1. Close the throttle completely.
2. Apply both front and rear brakes
simultaneously  while  gradually
increasing the pressure.
EW000057
•Avoid braking hard or suddenly
(especially  when  leaning  over
to  one  side),  otherwise  the
scooter may skid or overturn.
•Railroad  crossings,  streetcar
rails, iron plates on road cons-
truction  sites,  and  manhole
covers  become  extremely
slippery  when  wet.  Therefore,
slow  down  when  approaching
such areas and cross them with
caution.
•Keep in mind that braking on a
wet road is much more difficult.
•Ride  slowly  down  a  hill,  as
braking  downhill  can  be  very
difficult.
5-3 
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OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5
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Tips for reducing fuel
consumption
Fuel consumption depends largely on
your riding style. Consider the following
tips to reduce fuel consumption:
•Thoroughly warm up the engine.
•Avoid high engine speeds during
acceleration.
•Avoid high engine speeds with no
load on the engine.
•Turn  the  engine  off  instead  of
letting  it  idle  for  an  extended
length of time (e.g., in traffic jams,
at  traffic  lights  or  at  railroad
crossings).
EAU00436
Engine break-in
There is never a more important period
in the life of your engine than the period
between  0  and  1,000  km.  For  this
reason, you should read the following
material carefully.
Since the engine is brand new, do not
put an excessive load on it for the first
1,000  km.  The  various  parts  in  the
engine wear and polish themselves to
the  correct  operating  clearances.
During  this  period,  prolonged  full-
throttle operation or any condition that
might result in engine overheating must
be avoided.
EAUT0003*
0 - 150 km
Avoid operation above 1/3 throttle. Stop
the  engine  and  let  it  cool  for  5  to  10
minutes after every hour of operation.
Vary the speed of the scooter from time
to  time.  Do  not  operate  it  at  one  set
throttle position.150 - 500 km
Avoid  prolonged  operation  above  1/2
throttle.
500 - 1,000 km
Avoid cruising speeds in excess of 3/4
throttle.
ECAT0001*
After 1,000 km of operation, be sure
to replace the final transmission oil.
1,000 km and beyond
Avoid prolonged full throttle operation.
Vary speeds occasionally.
EC000049
If  any  engine  trouble  should  occur
during  the  engine  break-in  period,
immediately  have  a  Yamaha  dealer
check the vehicle.
5-4 
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OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5
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Parking
When  parking,  stop  the  engine,  and
then  remove  the  key  from  the  main
switch.
EW000058
•Since  the  engine  and  exhaust
system  can  become  very  hot,
park  in  a  place  where
pedestrians or children are not
likely to touch them.
•Do  not  park  on  a  slope  or  on
soft  ground,  otherwise  the
scooter may overturn.
EC000062
Never  park  in  an  area  where  there
are  fire  hazards  such  as  grass  or
other flammable materials.
5-5 
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
Periodic maintenance and lubrication chart ............ 6-2
Checking the spark plug ......................................... 6-5
Final transmission oil .............................................. 6-6
Cleaning the air filter element ................................. 6-7
Adjusting the carburetor .......................................... 6-8
Adjusting the throttle cable free play ....................... 6-8
Tires ........................................................................ 6-9
Cast wheels .......................................................... 6-11
Adjusting the front brake lever free play ............... 6-11
Adjusting the rear brake lever free play ................ 6-11
Checking the front brake pads
and rear brake shoes ............................................ 6-12
Checking the brake fluid level ............................... 6-13
Changing the brake fluid ....................................... 6-14
Checking and lubricating the cables ..................... 6-14
6 Checking and lubricating the throttle grip
and cable .............................................................. 6-15
Lubricating the front and rear brake levers ........... 6-15
Checking and lubricating the centerstand ............. 6-15
Checking the front fork .......................................... 6-16
Checking the steering ........................................... 6-16
Checking the wheel bearings ................................ 6-17
Battery ................................................................... 6-17
Replacing the fuse ................................................ 6-19
Replacing a headlight bulb .................................... 6-20
Replacing a front turn signal light bulb .................. 6-21
Replacing a rear turn signal light bulb or
the tail/brake light bulb .......................................... 6-21
Troubleshooting .................................................... 6-21
Troubleshooting chart ........................................... 6-22 
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6
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This scooter is designed for use on
paved  roads  only.  If  this  scooter  is
operated  in  abnormally  dusty,
muddy  or  wet  conditions,  the  air
filter  element  should  be  cleaned  or
replaced more frequently, otherwise
rapid  engine  wear  may  result.
Consult a Yamaha dealer for proper
maintenance intervals.
EAU03453
Safety  is  an  obligation  of  the  owner.
Periodic  inspection,  adjustment  and
lubrication will keep your vehicle in the
safest and most efficient condition pos-
sible.  The  most  important  points  of
scooter  inspection,  adjustment,  and
lubrication  are  explained  on  the
following pages.
EW000060
If  you  are  not  familiar  with  scooter
maintenance  work,  have  a  Yamaha
dealer do it for you.
EW000063
Modifications  not  approved  by
Yamaha  may  cause  loss  of  perfor-
mance and render the vehicle unsafe
for  use.  Consult  a  Yamaha  dealer
before attempting any changes.
6-1 
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6
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Periodic maintenance and lubrication chart
NOTE :
•The annual checks must be performed every year, except if a kilometer-based maintenance is performed instead.
•From 30,000 km, repeat the maintenance intervals starting from 6,000 km.
•Items marked with an asterisk should be performed by a Yamaha dealer as they require special tools, data and technical skills.
1 * Fuel line •Check fuel hoses and vacuum hose for cracks or damage.√√√√ √
2 Spark plug •Replace.√√√√ √
3 Air filter element•Clean.√√•Replace.√√
4 * Battery•Check electrolyte level and specific gravity.
√√√√ √
•Make sure that the breather hose is properly routed.
•Check operation, fluid level and vehicle for fluid leakage.
√√√√√ √
5 * Front brake(See NOTE on page 6-4.)
•Replace brake pads.Whenever worn to the limit
6 * Rear brake•Check operation and adjust brake lever freeplay.√√√√√ √•Replace brake shoes.Whenever worn to the limit
7 * Brake hose•Check for cracks or damage.√√√√ √•Replace. (See NOTE on page 6-4.)Every 4 years
8 * Wheels •Check runout and for damage.√√√√
ODOMETER READING (x 1,000 km)
NO. ItemCheck or maintenance job
1
ANNUAL
CHECK
6121824
6-2 
Page 40 of 80
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6
6-3 •Check tread depth and for damage.
9 * Tires•Replace if necessary.
•Check air pressure.√√√√ √
•Correct if necessary.
10 * Wheel bearings •Check bearing for looseness or damage.√√√√
11 * Steering bearings•Check bearing play and steering for roughness.√√√√√•Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease.Every 24,000 km
12 * Chassis fasteners•Make sure that all nuts, bolts and screws
√√√√ √
are properly tightened.
13 Centerstand•Check operation.
√√√√ √
•Lubricate.
14 * Front fork •Check operation and for oil leakage.√√√√
15 * Rear shock absorber
•Check operation and shock absorber for oil leakage.√√√√
assembly
16 * Carburetor• Adjust engine idling speed.√√√√√ √
17 * Autolube pump•Check operation.
√√√√
•Bleed if necessary.
18 Final transmission oil•Check vehicle for oil leakage.√√ √•Change.√√√
19 * V-belt •Replace.Every 10,000 km
NO. Item
Check or maintenance job
ODOMETER READING (x 1,000 km)
1ANNUAL
CHECK6121824