steering YAMAHA YFM250R 2012 Owners Manual

Lubricating the upper and lower arm pivots ...................................................... 8-34
Lubricating the steering shaft ................... 8-35
Battery ...................................................... 8-35
Replacing the fuse ................................... 8-38
Replacing a headlight bulb ....................... 8-39
Adjusting a headlight beam ...................... 8-41
Replacing the tail/brake light bulb ............ 8-41
Removing a wheel .................................... 8-41
Installing a wheel ...................................... 8-42
Troubleshooting ....................................... 8-43
Troubleshooting chart .............................. 8-44
CLEANING AND STORAGE .......................... 9-1 Cleaning ..................................................... 9-1
Storage ....................................................... 9-2
SPECIFICATIONS ...................................... 10-1
CONSUMER INFORMATION ...................... 11-1 Identification numbers .............................. 11-1
U1BT62E0.book Page 3 Tuesday, April 19, 2011 7:06 PM

1-8
1
3B4-2151H-00
WARNINGNEVER ride as a
passenger.Passengers can cause
a loss of control,
resulting in SEVERE
INJURY or DEATH.
WARNING
Improper ATV use can result in SEVEREINJURY or DEATH.ALWAYS USE
NEVER USE
NEVER CARRY NEVER USE
AN APPROV ED ON PUBLIC PASSENGERS WITH DRUGS HELMET AND ROADS OR ALCOHOL
PROTECTIVE
GEAR
NEVER
operate :
 without proper training or instruction. at speeds too fast for your skills or
the conditions. on public roads-a collision can occur
with another vehicle. with a passenger-passe ngers affect balance
and steering and increase risk of losing control.ALWAYS : use proper riding techniques to avoid
vehicle overturns on hills and rough terrainand it turns. avoid paved surfaces-pavement mayseriously affect handling and control.LOCATE AND READ OWNER'S MANUAL.
FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS.
5FE-21568-11
12
3
U1BT62E0.book Page 8 Tuesday, April 19, 2011 7:06 PM

6-7
6
recommend 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-
U1BT62E0.book Page 7 Tuesday, April 19, 2011 7:06 PM

7-18
7CROSSING A SLOPE
WARNING
EWB01632Improperly crossing hills or turning on hills
could cause loss of control or cause the ATV to
overturn.
Always follow proper procedures as de-
scribed in the Owner
’s Manual.
Avoid hills with excessively slippery or loose
surfaces.
Avoid crossing the side of a steep hill.
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 as described in the Owner ’s Manual on
level ground. Be very careful when turning
on any hill.Traversing a sloping surface on your ATV requires
you to properly position your weight to maintain
proper balance. Be sure that you have learned the
basic riding skills on flat ground before attempting
to cross a sloping surface. Avoid slopes with slip-
pery surfaces or rough terrain that may upset your
balance. As you travel across a slope, lean your body in the
uphill direction. It may be necessary to correct the
steering when riding on loose surfaces by pointing
the front wheels slightly uphill. When riding on
slopes, be sure not to make sharp turns either up
or down hill.
If your ATV does begin to tip over, gradually steer
in the downhill direction if there are no obstacles in
your path. As you regain proper balance, gradually
steer again in the direction you wish to travel.U1BT62E0.book Page 18 Tuesday, April 19, 2011 7:06 PM

7-21
7
cident. Be sure to keep your feet firmly mounted on
the footrests at all times. Avoid jumping the ATV as
loss of control and damage to the ATV may result.
SLIDING AND SKIDDING
WARNING
EWB01662Skidding or sliding improperly may cause you
to lose control of this ATV. You may also re-
gain traction unexpectedly, which may cause
the ATV to overturn.
Learn to safely control skidding or sliding by
practicing at low speeds and on level,
smooth terrain.
On extremely slippery surfaces, such as ice,
go slowly and be very cautious in order to re-
duce the chance of skidding or sliding out of
control.Care should be used when riding on loose or slip-
pery surfaces since the ATV may slide. If unex-
pected and uncorrected, sliding could lead to an
accident.
To reduce the tendency for the front wheels to slide
in loose or slippery conditions, positioning your
weight over the front wheels will sometimes help.
If the rear wheels of your ATV start to slide side-
ways, control can usually be regained (if there is
room to do so) by steering in the direction of the
slide. Applying the brakes or accelerating is not
recommended until you have corrected the slide.U1BT62E0.book Page 21 Tuesday, April 19, 2011 7:06 PM

8-7
8
14*Chassis fasteners 
Make sure that all nuts, bolts, and screws are
properly tightened. √√√√√
15 *Shock absorber as-
semblies 
Check operation and correct if necessary.
 Check for oil leakage and replace if necessary. √√√
16 *Steering shaft Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. √√√
17 *Steering system 
Check operation and repair or replace if damaged.
 Check toe-in and adjust if necessary. √√√√√
18 Engine oil 
Change.
 Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary. √ √√√
19 Engine oil filter ele-
ment 
Replace. √√√
20 *Moving parts and
cables 
Lubricate. √√√√
21 *Throttle lever 
Check operation.
 Check throttle lever free play, and adjust if neces-
sary.
 Lubricate cable and lever housing. √√√√√
22 *Front and rear brake
switches 
Check operation and correct if necessary. √√√√√
23 *Lights and switches 
Check operation and correct if necessary.
 Adjust headlight beams. √√√√√
NO. ITEM
CHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOB INITIAL EVERY
Whichev- er comes first month136612
km
(mi) 320
(200) 1300
(800) 2500
(1600) 2500
(1600) 5000
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320U1BT62E0.book Page 7 Tuesday, April 19, 2011 7:06 PM

8-35
8Right side
EBU25092Lubricating the steering shaft The steering shaft must be lubricated by a Yamaha
dealer at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.TIPFor parts equipped with a grease nipple, use a
grease gun.
EBU2522DBattery The battery is located under the seat. (See page
4-11.)
This model is equipped with a VRLA (Valve Regu-
lated Lead Acid) battery. There is no need to check
the electrolyte or to add distilled water. However,
the battery lead connections need to be checked
and, if necessary, tightened.
WARNING
EWB02160Battery electrolyte is poisonous and danger-
ous, as it contains sulfuric acid, which can
cause severe burns. Avoid contact with skin,
eyes or clothing. Always shield your eyes
when working near batteries.
Antidote:
EXTERNAL: Flush with water.
INTERNAL: Drink large quantities of water or
milk. Follow with milk of magnesia, beaten egg
or vegetable oil. Call a physician immediately.
EYES: Flush with water for 15 minutes and get
prompt medical attention.
Batteries produce explosive gases. Keep
sparks, flame, cigarettes or other sources of ig-
nition away. Ventilate when charging or using
in an enclosed space.
1. Upper grease nipple
2. Lower grease nippleRecommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
1
2
U1BT62E0.book Page 35 Tuesday, April 19, 2011 7:06 PM

Model label ................................................................... 11-2NNeutral indicator light ..................................................... 4-2OOwner’s manual and tool kit ........................................... 8-2PParking ........................................................................... 6-5
Parking brake free play, adjusting ................................ 8-26
Parking brake lever ........................................................ 4-6
Parking on a slope ......................................................... 6-6
Part locations ................................................................. 3-1RRiding your ATV ............................................................. 7-1SSafety information .......................................................... 2-1
Seat .............................................................................. 4-11
Shifting ........................................................................... 6-3
Shift pedal ...................................................................... 4-7
Shift pedal, checking .................................................... 8-33
Shock absorber assemblies, adjusting the front .......... 4-12
Shock absorber assembly, adjusting the rear .............. 4-13
Spark arrester, cleaning ............................................... 8-18
Spark plug, checking ...................................................... 8-9
Specifications ............................................................... 10-1
Speed limiter .................................................................. 4-4
Starter (choke) ............................................................. 4-11
Start switch .................................................................... 4-3
Steering shaft, lubricating ............................................ 8-35
Storage .......................................................................... 9-2
Suspension, lubricating the upper and
lower arm pivots ........................................................ 8-34
Swingarm pivots, lubricating ........................................ 8-34
TTail/brake light bulb, replacing ..................................... 8-41
Throttle lever ........................................................... 4-3, 5-3
Throttle lever free play, adjusting ................................. 8-21
Tires ............................................................................... 5-4
Troubleshooting ........................................................... 8-43
Troubleshooting chart .................................................. 8-44VValve clearance ........................................................... 8-22
Vehicle identification number ....................................... 11-1WWheel hub bearings, checking ..................................... 8-33
Wheel, installing ........................................................... 8-42
Wheel, removing .......................................................... 8-41
U1BT62E0.book Page 2 Tuesday, April 19, 2011 7:06 PM