YAMAHA XL 1200 2001 Owner's Manual

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EJU00668a
Water-skiing
You can use the watercraft for water-ski-
ing if it has the seating capacity to carry the
operator, a rearward-facing spotter, and the
water-skier when he or she is not skiing.
The watercraft must also have a cleat 5
designed to pull a ski tow rope; do not attach
the tow rope to any other location.
It is the watercraft operator’s responsibility
to be alert to the safety of the water-skier
and others. Know and follow the local water-
skiing regulations in effect for the waters in
which you will be operating.
The operator should be comfortable car-
rying passengers before attempting to pull a
skier.
The following are some important consid-
erations for minimizing risks while water-ski-
ing.
●The skier should wear an approved PFD,
preferably a brightly colored one so boat
operators can see the skier.
●The skier should wear protective clothing.
Severe internal injuries can occur if water
is forced into body cavities as a result of
falling into the water. Normal swimwear
does not adequately protect against
forceful water entry into rectum or vagina.
The skier should wear a wetsuit bottom or
clothing that provides equivalent protec-
tion.
●A second person should be on board as a
spotter to watch the skier; in most states it
is required by law. Let the skier direct the
operator’s control of speed and direction
with hand signals.
The spotter should sit securely on the
passenger seat and hold onto the hand-
grip with feet firmly on the footrest for
proper balance while facing to the rear to
watch the skier’s hand signals and his or
her condition.
1Handgrip
2Footrest
●Your control while pulling a skier is
affected by the skier’s ability, as well as
water and weather conditions.

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●When preparing to pull a skier, operate
the watercraft at the slowest possible
speed until the watercraft is well away
from the skier and slack in the towrope is
taken up. Make sure that the rope is not
looped around anything.
After checking that the skier is ready and
that there is no traffic or other obstacles,
apply enough throttle to raise the skier.
●Make smooth, wide turns. The watercraft
is capable of very sharp turns, which
could exceed the abilities of the skier.
Keep the skier at least 50 m (150 ft),
about twice the distance of a standard
towrope, from any potential hazard.
●Be alert to the hazard of the towrope han-
dle snapping back at the watercraft when
the skier falls or is unable to get up on the
skis.
●Towing heavy or bulky objects other than
skiers, such as another boat or watercraft,
can cause loss of steering control and
create a hazardous condition. If you must
tow another boat in an emergency situa-
tion, operate slowly and cautiously.
EJU00319
Safe boating rules
Your Yamaha watercraft is legally consid-
ered a powerboat. Operation of the water-
craft must be in accordance with the rules
and regulations governing the waterway on
which it is used.

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EJU00322
Enjoy your watercraft
responsibly
You share the areas you enjoy when
riding your watercraft with others and with
nature. So your enjoyment includes a
responsibility to treat these other people,
and the lands, waters, and wildlife with
respect and courtesy.
Whenever and wherever you ride, think of
yourself as the guest of those around you.
Remember, for example, that the sound of
your watercraft may be music to you, but it
could be just noise to others. And the excit-
ing splash of your wake can make waves
others won’t enjoy. Avoid riding close to
shoreline homes and waterfowl nesting
areas or other wildlife areas, and keep a
respectful distance from fishermen, other
boats, swimmers, and populated beaches.
When travel in areas like these is unavoid-
able, ride slowly and obey all laws.
Remember that pollution can be harmful
to the environment. Do not refuel or add oil
where a spill could cause damage to nature.
Remove your watercraft from the water and
move it away from the shoreline before refu-
eling. And keep your surroundings pleasant
for the people and wildlife that share the
waterways: don’t litter!
When you ride responsibly, with respect
and courtesy for others, you help ensure
that our waterways stay open for the enjoy-
ment of a variety of recreational opportuni-
ties.

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–MEMO–

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FEATURES AND
FUNCTIONS
Location of main components............... 2-1
Operation of controls and other
functions.................................................... 2-5
Rear seat................................................. 2-5
Front seat ................................................ 2-6
Hood ........................................................ 2-7
Fuel tank filler cap ................................... 2-8
Oil tank filler cap...................................... 2-8
Fuel cock knob........................................ 2-9
Engine stop switch ................................ 2-10
Engine shut-off switch........................... 2-10
Choke knob ........................................... 2-10
Throttle lever ......................................... 2-11
Start switch............................................ 2-11
Cooling water pilot outlet ...................... 2-12
Steering system .................................... 2-12
Tilt lever ................................................. 2-13
Shift lever .............................................. 2-14
Quick Shift Trim System (QSTS)
selector .................................................. 2-15
Engine overheat warning system ......... 2-17
Handgrip................................................ 2-19
Multifunction meter................................ 2-20
PADLOC (Programmable digital locking
ignition) .................................................. 2-21
Tachometer ........................................... 2-23
Speedometer ........................................ 2-24
Fuel meter ............................................. 2-24
Engine oil meter .................................... 2-25
Clock ..................................................... 2-25
Hour meter ............................................ 2-26
Trip timer ............................................... 2-26
Tripmeter ............................................... 2-27
Fuel warning indicator........................... 2-27
Oil warning indicator ............................. 2-28
Engine overheat warning indicator....... 2-28
Battery warning indicator ...................... 2-29
Storage compartments ......................... 2-30

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EJU00327
Location of main components
1Handlebars
Use to control direction.
2Footwell
Use to place feet for balance.
3Footrest
Use to place feet for proper balance when
seated facing rearward and acting as a spotter
for a water-skier.
4Bow eye
Use to attach rope for transporting, mooring or
towing the watercraft in an emergency.
5Hood
6Front seat
7Rear seat
8Sponsons
9Gunwale

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1Fuel tank filler cap
2Rope holes
3Intake grate
Prevents debris from getting into the jet pump.
4Speed sensor
5Cleat
Use to attach a towrope for pulling water-skier,
or a rope for mooring the watercraft.
6Handgrip
Use for support when boarding the watercraft
or when seated facing rearward and acting as
a spotter for a water-skier.7Reverse gate
Controls direction of jet thrust when in reverse.
8Stern drain plugs
Use to drain water in the bilge when the water-
craft is on dry land.
9Jet thrust nozzle
Changes the direction of jet thrust according
to handlebar position.
0Ride plate

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1Engine stop switch
Push to stop the engine normally.
2Clip
Insert into the engine shut-off switch to enable
starting of the engine.
Remove to stop the engine or prevent acci-
dental star ting of the engine or unauthorized
use of the watercraft.
3Quick Shift Trim System (QSTS) selector
Use to select the trim angle of the watercraft.
4QSTS shift lock lever
5Engine shut-off switch
Remove the clip to stop the engine and dis-
able it from starting.
6Start switch
Push to start the engine.
7Fuel cock knob
Use to select either normal or reserve fuel flow
from the fuel tank to the carburetors, or to shut
off fuel flow.
8Choke knob
Use to start a cold engine.9Engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
Attach to wrist so that the engine stops if the
operator falls off the watercraft.
0Adjustable rearview mirrors
AMultifunction meter
Use to check watercraft operation.
BShift lever
Use to put the watercraft into forward or
reverse.
CThrottle lever
Use to accelerate and decelerate.
DTilt lever
Use to adjust the tilt of the handlebars.
EGlove compartment

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1Spark plugs/Spark plug caps
2Electrical box
Protects electrical components from water.
3Flush hose connector
Use to flush the engine cooling water pas-
sages.
4Spark plug lead
5Muffler
6Fuel filter
7Fuel tank8Oil tank
9Battery

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Operation of controls and
other functions
EJU00335a
Rear seat
To remove the rear seat:
Pull the rear seat latch 1 up, and then
pull the seat off.
To install the rear seat:
Insert the projections on the front of the
seat into the stays on the deck, and then
push the rear of the seat down to lock it in
place securely.