light YAMAHA XL 1200 2001 User Guide

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Operating your watercraft
Getting to know your
watercraft
Operating your watercraft requires skills
acquired through practice over a period of
time. Take the time to learn the basic tech-
niques well before attempting more difficult
maneuvers.
Operating your new watercraft can be a
very enjoyable activity, providing you with
hours of pleasure. However, it is essential to
familiarize yourself with the operation of the
watercraft to achieve the skill level neces-
sary to enjoy riding safely. Before operating
this watercraft, read this Owner’s/Operator’s
Manual, the Riding Practice Guide, and all
warning and caution labels on the water-
craft. Pay particular attention to the safety
information on pages 1-8 to 1-15. These
materials should give you an understanding
of the watercraft and its operation.
Remember: This watercraft is designed to
carry the operator and up to 2 passengers.
Never exceed the maximum load limit or
allow more than 3 persons (or 2 persons if a
water-skier is being pulled) to ride the water-
craft at one time.
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Learning to operate your
watercraft
Before operating the watercraft, always
perform the pre-operation checks listed on
page 3-5. The short time spent checking the
watercraft will reward you with added safety
and reliability.
Check state and local laws before operat-
ing your watercraft.
Operate defensively at safe speeds and
keep a safe distance away from people,
objects, and other watercraft. Select a wide
area to learn in, where you have good visi-
bility and light boat traffic.
Use the buddy system—operate with
someone nearby. Scan constantly for peo-
ple, objects, and other watercraft. Be alert
for conditions that limit your visibility or block
your vision of others.
Attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
to your wrist and keep it free from the han-
dlebars so that the engine stops if the opera-
tor falls off.
Wear a personal flotation device (PFD).
All riders must wear the authority-approved
PFD that is suitable for personal watercraft
use. Maximum load: 240 kg (530 lb)
Load is the total weight of cargo, opera-
tor and passengers.

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●Intermediate housing
Using a grease gun, fill the intermediate
housing with water-resistant grease through
the grease nipple 1.
Grease capacity:
Initial 10 hours or 1 month:
33.0–35.0 cm
3 (1.11–1.18 oz)
Every 100 hours or 6 months:
6.0–8.0 cm
3 (0.20–0.27 oz)
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Adjusting the choke cable
Check that the choke cable is properly
adjusted.
1. Pull the choke knob out until it stops, and
then release the knob. The knob should
not move.
2. If the choke knob moves back on its own,
tighten the choke knob adjusting nut 1
slightly. If the knob is difficult to move,
loosen the adjusting nut slightly.

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Engine runs irregu-
larly or stallsFuel Empty Refill as soon as possi-
ble3-3
Stale or contaminated Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer4-10
Choke Knob pulled Push fully in 2-10
Fuel filter Clogged or water
pooledHave serviced by
Yamaha dealer4-10
Fuel tank Water or dirt present Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer4-10
Spark plug Fouled or defective Replace 4-14
Incorrect heat range Replace 4-14
Gap incorrect Adjust 4-14
Spark plug cap Loose Connect properly 4-14
Cracked, torn, or dam-
agedReplace
—
Electrical wir-
ingLoose connection Tighten or connect
properly—
Carburetor Incorrect idle adjust-
mentAdjust idle
4-21
Clogged Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer—
Warning light or
indicator blinksFuel level Empty Refill as soon as possi-
ble3-3
Engine oil level Empty Refill immediately 3-4
Oil filter clogged Clean 4-11
Engine over-
heatedJet intake clogged Clean 5-4
Water temperature
sensor failedHave serviced by
Yamaha dealer—
Low battery
voltageBattery voltage low Charge 4-20
Battery terminal con-
nected wrongConnect properly
4-20 TROUBLE POSSIBLE CAUSE REMEDY PAGE