ESP YAMAHA YFM250R 2009 Owners Manual

EBU29100
Read this manual carefully before operating this vehicle. This manual should stay with this ve-
hicle if it is sold.
EC Declaration of Conformityconforming to Directive
98/37/EC
(
Make, model)
to which this declaration applies, conforms to the essential health
and safety requirements of Directive 98
/37/EC,
and to the other relevant Directives of EEC
89/336/EEC or 2004
/108/EC
(
Title and
/or number and date of issue of the other Directives of EEC)
(
If applicable)
(
If applicable)To e
ffect correct
application
of the
essential
health
and safety
requirements
stated in the Directives of EEC, the
following-standards and
/or technical
specifications were consulted:
EN292 ANSI
/SVIA 1-2007
(
Title and
/or number and date of issue of standards and
/or specifications)
General Manager
RV Engineering Division
RV Company Signature
Date of Issue
Shinya Shimada2 March, 2008
YAMAHA MOTOR EUROPE N.V.
Koolhovenlaan 101, 1119NC Schiphol-Rijk, The Netherlands
We, YAMAHA MOTOR CO., LTD. 2500 Shingai, Iwata, Japan,
Authorized Representativedeclare in sole responsibility, that the product
YFM250R (
YFM25R) (
JY4AG03W080004701
~ )

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or the riding conditions. Always go at a speed
that is proper for the terrain, visibility, operating
conditions, and your experience.

Never attempt wheelies, jumps, or other stunts.

Always inspect your ATV each time you use it to
make sure it is in safe operating condition. Al-
ways follow the inspection and maintenance
procedures and schedules described in this
manual.

Always keep both hands on the handlebars and
both feet on the footrests of the ATV during op-
eration.

Always go slowly and be extra careful when op-
erating on unfamiliar terrain. Always be alert to
changing terrain conditions when operating the
ATV.

Never operate on excessively rough, slippery or
loose terrain until you have learned and prac-
ticed the skills necessary to control the ATV on
such terrain. Always be especially cautious on
these kinds of terrain.

Always follow proper procedures for turning as
described in this manual. Practice turning at low
speeds before attempting to turn at faster
speeds and never turn at excessive speeds.

Never operate the ATV on hills too steep for theATV or for your abilities. Practice on smaller hills
before attempting larger hills.

Always follow proper procedures for climbing
hills as described in this manual. Check the ter-
rain carefully before you start up any hill. Never
climb hills with excessively slippery or loose sur-
faces. Shift your weight forward. Never open the
throttle suddenly or make sudden gear changes.
Never go over the top of a hill at high speed.

Always follow proper procedures for going down
hills and for braking on hills as described in this
manual. Check the terrain carefully before you
start down any hill. Shift your weight backward.
Never go down a hill at high speed. Avoid going
down a hill at an angle that would cause the ve-
hicle to lean sharply to one side. Go straight
down the hill where possible.

Always follow proper procedures for crossing
the side of a hill as described in this manual.
Avoid hills with excessively slippery or loose sur-
faces. Shift your weight to the uphill side of the
ATV. Never attempt to turn the ATV around on
any hill until you have mastered the turning tech-
nique described in this manual on level ground.
Avoid crossing the side of a steep hill if possible.

Always use proper procedures if you stall or roll

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Brake lever
The brake lever is located at the right handlebar
grip. To apply the front brake, pull the brake lever
toward the handlebar grip.
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Brake pedal
The brake pedal is located on the right side of the
ATV. To apply the rear brake, push down on the
brake pedal.
EBU18520
Parking brake lever
Use the parking brake before starting the engine or
parking the ATV, especially on a slope. To apply
the parking brake, move the parking brake lever in
direction (a). To release the parking brake, move
the parking brake lever in direction (b).
1. Brake lever
1

1. Brake pedal
1

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TIP

If knocking or pinging occurs, use a different brand
of gasoline or higher octane grade.NOTICE
ECB00070
Use only unleaded gasoline. The use of leaded
gasoline will cause severe damage to internal
engine parts, such as the valves and piston
rings, as well as to the exhaust system.WARNING
EWB00310

Do not overfill the fuel tank. Fuel expands
when it heats up. If the fuel tank is overfilled,
fuel could spill out due to heat from the en-
gine or the sun.

Be careful not to spill fuel, especially on the
engine or exhaust pipe which can cause a
fire and severe injury. Wipe up any spilled
fuel immediately.

Do not refuel right after the engine has been
running and is still very hot.

Be sure the fuel tank cap is closed securely.
EBU18820
Fuel cock
The fuel cock supplies fuel from the tank to the car-
buretor while also filtering it.
1. Fuel level
2. Filler tube
Recommended fuel:
UNLEADED GASOLINE ONLY
For Europe: Regular unleaded gasoline only
with a research octane number of 91 or high-
er
Fuel tank capacity:
9.0 L (2.38 US gal, 1.98 Imp.gal)
Fuel reserve amount:
1.0 L (0.26 US gal, 0.22 Imp.gal)

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Fuel
Make sure that there is sufficient fuel in the tank.
(See page 4-7.)
WARNING

EWB00520

Do not overfill the fuel tank. Fuel expands
when it heats up. If the fuel tank is overfilled,
fuel could spill out due to heat from the en-
gine or the sun.

Be careful not to spill fuel, especially on the
engine or exhaust pipe which can cause a
fire and severe injury. Wipe up any spilled
fuel immediately.

Do not refuel right after the engine has been
running and is still very hot.

Be sure the fuel tank cap is closed securely.
EBU19560
Engine oil
Make sure that the engine oil is at the specified lev-
el. Add oil as necessary. (See page 8-10.)
EBU19710
Front and rear brakes
Brake lever and brake pedal

Check that there is no free play in the brake le-
ver. If there is free play, have a Yamaha dealer
check the brake system.

Check for correct brake pedal height. (See
page 8-26.) If the pedal height is incorrect, have
a Yamaha dealer adjust it.

Check the operation of the lever and pedal. They
should move smoothly and there should be a
firm feeling when the brakes are applied. If not,
have a Yamaha dealer check the brake system.
Brake fluid level
Check the brake fluid level. Add fluid if necessary.
(See page 8-23.)
Brake fluid leakage
Check to see if any brake fluid is leaking out of the
pipe joints or brake fluid reservoirs. Apply the
brakes firmly for one minute. If there is any leak-
age, have a Yamaha dealer check the brake sys-Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 4

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attempt.
7. If the engine is started with the starter (choke)
in position (1), the starter (choke) should be
returned to position (2) to warm up the engine.
If the engine is started with the starter (choke)
in position (2), keep the starter (choke) in this
position to warm up the engine.
NOTICE

ECB00160
For maximum engine life, always warm the en-
gine up before starting off. Never accelerate
hard when the engine is cold!
8. Continue warming up the engine until it idles
smoothly, then return the starter (choke) to
position (3) before riding.
TIP

The engine is warm when it responds normally to
the throttle with the starter (choke) turned off.
EBU20291
Starting a warm engine
Follow the same procedure as for starting a cold
engine, with the exception that the starter (choke)
is not required when the engine is warm. Instead,
start the engine with the throttle slightly open.
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Shifting
This ATV has a 5-speed forward transmission. The
transmission allows you to control the amount of
power you have available at a given speed or for
starting, accelerating, climbing hills, etc.
To shift into neutral, return the throttle lever to the
closed position, apply the clutch, and then repeat-
edly depress the shift pedal until it stops.
When it stops, it will be in first gear. Raise the pedal
slightly to reach the neutral position.
1. Shift pedal
2. Neutral position
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WARNING

EWB01550
Always mount a caution flag on the ATV to
make you more visible when operating in areas
where you might not be seen by other vehicles.
Watch carefully for other vehicles.
Do not ride in areas posted “no trespassing”.
Do not ride on private property without getting per-
mission.Select a large, flat, unpaved area to become famil-
iar with your ATV. Make sure that this area is free
of obstacles and other riders. You should practice
control of the throttle, brakes, shifting procedures,
and turning techniques in this area before trying
more difficult terrain. Always avoid riding on paved
surfaces: the ATV is designed for use on unpaved
surfaces only, and handling maneuvers are more
difficult to perform on pavement.
Set the parking brake and follow the instruction on
page 6-1 to start the engine. Once it has warmed
up you are ready to begin riding your ATV. As you
get on the ATV, be sure not to accidentally move
the shift pedal. Remember that the engine and ex-
haust pipe will be hot when riding and afterwards;
do not allow skin or clothing to come in contact with

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EBU23211
Checking the spark plug
The 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 accor-
dance with the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart. In addition, the condition of the spark
plug can reveal the condition of the engine.
To remove the spark plug
1. Remove the spark plug cap.
2. Remove the spark plug as shown, with thespark plug wrench included in the owner’s 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).TIP

If 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

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EBU24000
Adjusting the engine idling speed
The engine idling speed must be checked and, if
necessary, adjusted as follows at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart.
TIP

A diagnostic tachometer is needed to make this
adjustment.
1. Start the engine and warm it up.
TIP

The engine is warm when it quickly responds to the
throttle.
2. Attach the tachometer to the spark plug lead.
3. Check the engine idling speed and, if neces-
sary, adjust it to specification by turning the
throttle stop screw at the carburetor. To in-
crease the engine idling speed, turn the throt-
tle stop screw in direction (a), and to decrease
it, turn the screw in direction (b).
TIP

If the specified idling speed cannot be obtained as
described above, have a Yamaha dealer make the
adjustment.
EBU24044
Adjusting the throttle cable free play
The throttle cable free play should be checked
and, if necessary, adjusted at the intervals speci-
fied in the periodic maintenance and lubrication
1. Throttle stop screw
Engine idling speed:
1500–1600 r/min
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(a)
(b)

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NOTICE

ECB00541
Improper drive chain slack will overload the en-
gine as well as other vital parts of the ATV and
can lead to drive chain slippage or breakage.
To prevent this from occurring, keep the drive
chain slack within the specified limits.
6. Pull the rod out, and then tighten the rear axle
pinch bolts to the specified torque in the order
shown.
EBU24880
Lubricating the drive chain
The drive chain must be cleaned and lubricated at
the intervals specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart, otherwise it will quickly wear
out, especially when riding in dusty or wet areas.
Service the drive chain as follows.
NOTICE

ECB00560
The drive chain must be lubricated after wash-
ing the ATV or riding in the rain.
1. Clean the drive chain with kerosene and a Tightening torque:
Rear axle pinch bolt:
21 Nm (2.1 m·kgf, 15.2 ft·lbf)
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1. O-rings
1