ESP YAMAHA YFM250R 2011 Owners Manual

EBU29102
Read this manual carefully before operating this vehicle. This manual should stay with this ve-
hicle if it is sold.
ANSI/SVIA 1-2007General Manager
RV Engineering Division
MC Operations
6 January, 2010
YFM250R (YFM25R) (JY4AG03W0A0006915–)
We, YAMAHA MOTOR CO., LTD. 2500 Shingai, Iwata, Japan,
declare in sole responsibility, that the product
(Make, model)
(If applicable)
and to the other relevant Directives of EEC
2004/108/EC
(Title and/or number and date of issue of the other Directives of EEC)
(If applicable)YAMAHA MOTOR EUROPE N.V.
Koolhovenlaan 101, 1119 NC Schiphol-Rijk, The Netherlands
Signature
Shinya Shimada
Date of Issue to which this declaration applies, conforms to the essential health
and safety requirements of Directive 2006/42/EC
To effect correct application of the essential health and safety requirements
stated in the Directives of EEC, the following-standards and/or technical
specifications were consulted:
(Title and/or number and date of issue of standards and/or specifications)
Authorized Representative
EC Declaration of Conformity
conforming to Directive 2006/42/EC
U1BT61E0.book Page 1 Tuesday, April 6, 2010 1:28 PM

2-2
2

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 the
ATV 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
backwards when climbing a hill. To avoid stall-
ing, use the proper gear and maintain a steady
U1BT61E0.book Page 2 Tuesday, April 6, 2010 1:28 PM

4-6
4
EBU18432Brake pedal The brake pedal is located on the right side of the
ATV. To apply the rear brake, push down on the
brake pedal.
EBU18520Parking 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
2. Locknut
3. Brake lever position adjusting bolt
4. Distance between brake lever and handlebar grip
1
4
23
1. Brake pedal
1
U1BT61E0.book Page 6 Tuesday, April 6, 2010 1:28 PM

4-15
42. Turn the spring preload adjusting nut in direc-
tion (a) to increase the spring preload and
thereby harden the suspension, and in direc-
tion (b) to decrease the spring preload and
thereby soften the suspension.
TIP
A special wrench can be obtained at a Yamaha
dealer to make this adjustment.
The spring preload setting is determined by
measuring distance A, shown in the illustration.
The shorter distance A is, the higher the spring
preload; the longer distance A is, the lower thespring preload. With each complete turn of the
adjusting nut, distance A is changed by 1.5 mm
(0.06 in).1. Spring preload adjusting nut
2. Locknut
3. Special wrench
(a)
(b)1 2
3
Spring preload setting:
Minimum (soft):
Distance A = 209.6 mm (8.25 in)
Standard:
Distance A = 206.0 mm (8.11 in)
Maximum (hard):
Distance A = 197.6 mm (7.78 in)1. Distance A
1
U1BT61E0.book Page 15 Tuesday, April 6, 2010 1:28 PM

4-21
42. Turn the spring preload adjusting nut in direc-
tion (a) to increase the spring preload and
thereby harden the suspension, and in direc-
tion (b) to decrease the spring preload and
thereby soften the suspension.
TIP
A special wrench can be obtained at a Yamaha
dealer to make this adjustment.
The spring preload setting is determined by
measuring distance A, shown in the illustration.
The shorter distance A is, the higher the spring
preload; the longer distance A is, the lower thespring preload. With each complete turn of the
adjusting nut, distance A is changed by 1.5 mm
(0.06 in).1. Locknut
2. Spring preload adjusting nut
12
(a)
(b)
Spring preload setting:
Minimum (soft):
Distance A = 232.0 mm (9.13 in)
Standard:
Distance A = 228.0 mm (8.98 in)
Maximum (hard):
Distance A = 220.0 mm (8.66 in)1. Distance A
1
U1BT61E0.book Page 21 Tuesday, April 6, 2010 1:28 PM

6-2
6 Ambient temp./starter (choke) position
6. Completely close the throttle lever and start
the engine by pushing the start switch.
NOTICE: For maximum engine life, never
accelerate hard when the engine is cold!
[ECB00162]
TIPIf the engine fails to start, release the start switch,
then push it again. Pause a few seconds before
the next attempt. Each cranking should be as shortas possible to preserve battery energy. Do not
crank the engine more than 10 seconds on each
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.
8. Continue warming up the engine until it idles
smoothly, then return the starter (choke) to
position (3) before riding.TIPThe engine is warm when it responds quickly to the
throttle with the starter (choke) turned off.EBU20291Starting 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.
1. Fully open
2. Half open
3. Closed
4. Starter (choke)
1
23
1234
U1BT61E0.book Page 2 Tuesday, April 6, 2010 1:28 PM

6-7
6recommend the use of accessories not sold by
Yamaha or modifications not specifically recom-
mended by Yamaha, even if sold and installed by
a Yamaha dealer.
Aftermarket parts, accessories, and modifica-
tions
While you may find aftermarket products similar in
design and quality to genuine Yamaha Accesso-
ries, recognize that some aftermarket accessories
or modifications are not suitable because of poten-
tial safety hazards to you or others. Installing after-
market products or having other modifications
performed to your ATV that change any of the ve-
hicle’s design or operation characteristics can put
you and others at greater risk of serious injury or
death. You are responsible for injuries related to
changes in the vehicle.
Keep the following in mind when considering an
accessory or operating an ATV which has acces-
sories.

Accessories should be rigidly and securely
mounted. An accessory which can shift position
or come off while you are riding could affect your
ability to control the ATV.

Do not mount an accessory where it could inter-
fere with your ability to control the ATV. Exam-
ples include (but are not limited to) a heavy or
bulky object attached to the handlebars which
could make steering difficult, an accessory that
limits your ability to move around on the seat, or
one that limits your view.
Use extra caution when riding an ATV with ac-
cessories. The ATV may handle differently than
it does without accessories.EBU20941Loading
WARNING
EWB00820Never exceed the stated load capacity for this
ATV. Overloading this ATV or carrying or tow-
ing cargo improperly could cause changes in
ATV handling which could lead to an accident.
Cargo should be properly distributed and se-
curely attached. Reduce speed when carrying
cargo or pulling a trailer. Allow greater dis-
tance for braking.As originally equipped, this ATV is not designed to
carry cargo or tow a trailer. If you choose to add ac-
cessories so that you can carry cargo or tow a trail-
U1BT61E0.book Page 7 Tuesday, April 6, 2010 1:28 PM

7-10
7 have enough time to react to hidden rocks,
bumps, or holes. Go slowly and be extra care-
ful when operating on unfamiliar terrain. Al-
ways be alert to changing terrain conditions
when operating the ATV.
[EWB01531]
Do not operate on rough, slippery, or loose terrain
until you have learned and practiced the skills nec-
essary to control the ATV on such terrain. Always
be especially cautious on these kinds of terrain.
WARNING! Failure to use extra care when op-
erating on excessively rough, slippery, orloose terrain could cause loss of traction or
ATV control, which could result in an accident,
including an overturn.
[EWB01541]
When riding in an area where you might not easily
be seen, such as desert terrain, mount a caution
flag on the ATV. DO NOT use the flag pole bracket
as a trailer hitch. WARNING! You could collide
with another vehicle if operating in areas where
you cannot easily be seen. Mount a caution
flag on the ATV to make you more visible.
Watch carefully for other vehicles.
[EWB01551]
U1BT61E0.book Page 10 Tuesday, April 6, 2010 1:28 PM

7-11
7Do 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.
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. With the engine idling, pull the
clutch lever to disengage the clutch and shift into
1st gear, and then release the parking brake. Open
the throttle gradually, and at the same time, re-
lease the clutch lever slowly. Once the ATV has at-
tained adequate speed, release the throttle lever
and at the same time, quickly pull in the clutch le-
ver and shift into 2nd gear. Open the throttle part
way and gradually release the clutch. WARNING!
If the throttle is applied too abruptly or if the
throttle is not released during shifting, or if the
shift pedal is not released before applying the
throttle, the front wheels may lift off the
ground, resulting in a loss of directional con-
U1BT61E0.book Page 11 Tuesday, April 6, 2010 1:28 PM

8-20
8ing, possibly leading to death, and start a fire.
Always let the exhaust system cool prior to
touching exhaust components.
EBU23940Adjusting the carburetor The carburetor should be checked and, if neces-
sary, adjusted at the intervals specified in the peri-
odic maintenance and lubrication chart. The
carburetor is an important part of the engine and
requires very sophisticated adjustment. Therefore,
most carburetor adjustments should be left to a
Yamaha dealer, who has the necessary profes-
sional knowledge and experience. The adjustment
described in the following section, however, may
be performed by the owner as part of routine main-
tenance.NOTICEECB00480The carburetor has been set and extensively
tested at the Yamaha factory. Changing these
settings without sufficient technical knowl-
edge may result in poor performance of or
damage to the engine.
EBU24000Adjusting 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.TIPA diagnostic tachometer is needed to make this
adjustment.1. Start the engine and warm it up.TIPThe 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).
U1BT61E0.book Page 20 Tuesday, April 6, 2010 1:28 PM