YAMAHA YFM250R-W 2011 Owners Manual

33B-F8199-70
YFM250R-W
YFM250RSE-W
OWNER’S MANUAL
READ THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY!
It contains important safety information.
DIC183

EBU28980
Read this manual carefully before operating this vehicle. This manual should stay with this ve-
hicle if it is sold.
U33B70E0.book Page 1 Wednesday, June 11, 2008 1:38 PM

EBU17170
INTRODUCTION
EBU17321Congratulations on your purchase of the Yamaha YFM250R-W/YFM250RSE-W. This ATV represents the
result of many years of Yamaha experience in the production of fine sporting, touring, and pacesetting rac-
ing machines. With the purchase of this Yamaha, you can now appreciate the high degree of craftsmanship
and reliability that have made Yamaha a leader in these fields.
This manual will provide you with a good basic understanding of the features and operation of this ATV.
This manual includes important safety information. It provides information about special tech-
niques and skills necessary to ride the ATV. It also includes basic maintenance and inspection proce-
dures. If you have any questions regarding the operation or maintenance of your ATV, please consult a
Yamaha dealer.
AN IMPORTANT SAFETY MESSAGE:
READ THIS MANUAL COMPLETELY BEFORE OPERATING YOUR ATV. MAKE SURE YOU UNDER-
STAND ALL INSTRUCTIONS.
PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE WARNING AND NOTICE LABELS ON THE ATV.
THIS ATV, AND ANY OTHER ATV OVER 90 cc, SHOULD NOT BE RIDDEN BY ANYONE UNDER 16
YEARS OF AGE.
THIS ATV IS A HIGH-PERFORMANCE ATV FOR OFF-ROAD USE ONLY, FOR SPORT-TYPE REC-
REATIONAL AND COMPETITIVE USE BY EXPERIENCED OPERATORS.
U33B70E0.book Page 1 Wednesday, June 11, 2008 1:38 PM

EBU17330
IMPORTANT MANUAL INFORMATION
EBU17342FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE WARNINGS CONTAINED IN THIS MANUAL CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS IN-
JURY OR DEATH.
Particularly important information is distinguished in this manual by the following notations:
* Product and specifications are subject to change without notice.This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential per-
sonal injury hazards. Obey all safety messages that follow this sym-
bol to avoid possible injury or death.
A WARNING indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
could result in death or serious injury.
A NOTICE indicates special precautions that must be taken to avoid
damage to the vehicle or other property.
A TIP provides key information to make procedures easier or clearer.
WARNING
NOTICETIPU33B70E0.book Page 1 Wednesday, June 11, 2008 1:38 PM

EBU17350
IMPORTANT NOTICE
EBU17370Welcome to the Yamaha world of motor sports!
This ATV is designed and manufactured for use on UNPAVED surfaces only. It is unsafe to operate this
ATV on any paved surface, paved street, paved road or motorway.
Please check your local riding laws and regulations before operating this ATV.
EBUM0010
YFM250R-W/YFM250RSE-W
OW NER’S MANUAL
©2008 by MBK INDUSTRIE
1st edition, June 2008
All rights reserved
Any reprinting or unauthorized use
without the written permission of
MBK INDUSTRIE
is expressly prohibited.
Printed in France.
U33B70E0.book Page 1 Wednesday, June 11, 2008 1:38 PM

EBU17420
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SAFETY INFORMATION .............................. 1-1
LOCATION OF THE WARNING AND
SPECIFICATION LABELS ............................ 2-1
DESCRIPTION .............................................. 3-1
Left view ...................................................... 3-1
Right view.................................................... 3-1
Controls and instruments ............................ 3-2
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL
FUNCTIONS .................................................. 4-1
Main switch ................................................ 4-1
Indicator lights ............................................ 4-2
Speedometer .............................................. 4-2
Handlebar switches .................................... 4-3
Throttle lever .............................................. 4-4
Speed limiter .............................................. 4-5
Clutch lever ................................................ 4-6
Brake lever (YFM250R-W) .......................... 4-6
Brake lever (YFM250RSE-W) ..................... 4-7
Brake pedal ................................................ 4-7
Parking brake lever .................................... 4-8
Shift pedal .................................................. 4-9Fuel tank cap ..............................................4-9
Fuel ...........................................................4-10
Fuel cock ..................................................4-11
Starter (choke) ..........................................4-12
Steering lock .............................................4-13
Seat ..........................................................4-14
Adjusting the front shock absorber
assemblies (YFM250R-W).......................4-14
Adjusting the front shock absorber
assemblies (YFM250RSE-W) ..................4-15
Adjusting the rear shock absorber
assembly (YFM250R-W) .........................4-20
Adjusting the rear shock absorber
assembly (YFM250RSE-W).....................4-22
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS ..........................5-1
Pre-operation check list ..............................5-1
Fuel .............................................................5-3
Engine oil ....................................................5-3
Front and rear brakes .................................5-3
Throttle lever ...............................................5-4
Drive chain ..................................................5-4
Tires ............................................................5-4
Measuring the tire pressure ........................5-5U33B70E0.book Page 1 Wednesday, June 11, 2008 1:38 PM

Tire wear limit ............................................. 5-6
Chassis fasteners ....................................... 5-6
Instruments, lights and switches ................ 5-6
OPERATION .................................................. 6-1
Starting a cold engine ................................ 6-1
Starting a warm engine .............................. 6-3
Shifting ....................................................... 6-3
Engine break-in .......................................... 6-5
Parking ....................................................... 6-5
Parking on a slope ..................................... 6-6
Accessories and loading ............................ 6-7
RIDING YOUR ATV ...................................... 7-1
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR ATV............... 7-2
RIDE WITH CARE AND GOOD
JUDGEMENT ............................................ 7-2
BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU RIDE ............. 7-9
TURNING YOUR ATV .............................. 7-13
CLIMBING UPHILL ................................... 7-14
RIDING DOWNHILL.................................. 7-17
CROSSING A SLOPE............................... 7-18
CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW
WATER ................................................... 7-19
RIDING OVER ROUGH TERRAIN ........... 7-21
SLIDING AND SKIDDING ......................... 7-22
WHAT TO DO IF... .................................... 7-23WHAT TO DO... .........................................7-23
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR
REPAIR ..........................................................8-1
Owner’s manual and tool kit .......................8-1
Periodic maintenance chart for the
emission control system ...........................8-3
General maintenance and lubrication
chart ..........................................................8-5
Checking the spark plug .............................8-8
Engine oil and oil filter element ...................8-9
Cleaning the air filter element ...................8-13
Cleaning the spark arrester ......................8-17
Adjusting the carburetor ............................8-18
Adjusting the engine idling speed .............8-19
Adjusting the throttle cable free play .........8-20
Valve clearance ........................................8-20
Checking the front and rear brake pads ...8-21
Checking the brake fluid level ...................8-22
Changing the brake fluid ...........................8-24
Checking the front brake lever free play ...8-24
Checking the brake pedal position ............8-25
Adjusting the parking brake free play .......8-26
Brake light switches ..................................8-27
Adjusting the clutch lever free play ...........8-28
Drive chain slack .......................................8-29
Lubricating the drive chain ........................8-31
U33B70E0.book Page 2 Wednesday, June 11, 2008 1:38 PM

Checking and lubricating the cables ........ 8-32
Checking and lubricating the brake and
clutch levers ........................................... 8-33
Checking the shift pedal ........................... 8-34
Checking and lubricating the brake
pedal ...................................................... 8-34
Checking the wheel hub bearings ............ 8-34
Lubricating the swingarm pivots ............... 8-34
Lubricating the upper and lower arm
pivots ...................................................... 8-34
Lubricating the steering shaft ................... 8-35
Battery ...................................................... 8-36
Replacing the fuse ................................... 8-38
Headlight bulb .......................................... 8-39
Headlight beam ........................................ 8-40
Replacing the tail/brake light bulb ............ 8-40
Replacing a turn signal light bulb ............. 8-40
Auxiliary 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 ....................................................... 9-2SPECIFICATIONS .......................................10-1
CONSUMER INFORMATION.......................11-1
Identification numbers ...............................11-1
U33B70E0.book Page 3 Wednesday, June 11, 2008 1:38 PM

1-1
1
EBU17430
SAFETY INFORMATION
EBU17592AN ATV IS NOT A TOY AND CAN BE HAZARD-OUS TO OPERATE.An ATV handles differently from other vehicles, in-
cluding motorcycles and cars. A collision or roll-
over can occur quickly, even during routine
maneuvers such as turning and riding on hills or
over obstacles, if you fail to take proper precau-
tions.
SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH can result if you do
not follow these instructions:
Read this manual and all labels carefully and fol-
low the operating procedures described.
Never operate an ATV without proper training or
instruction.
Always follow the age recommendation:
– A child under 16 years old should never oper-
ate an ATV with engine size greater than 90 cc.
Never allow a child under age 16 to operate an
ATV without adult supervision, and never allow
continued use of an ATV by a child if he or she
does not have the abilities to operate it safely.

Never carry a passenger on an ATV.
Always avoid operating an ATV on any paved
surfaces, including sidewalks, driveways, park-
ing lots and paved streets.
Never operate an ATV on any paved street,
paved road or motorway.
Watch carefully for other vehicles when operat-
ing on unpaved public streets or roads. Make
sure you know your country’s laws and regula-
tions before you ride on unpaved public streets
or roads.
Never operate an ATV without wearing an ap-
proved motorcycle helmet that fits properly. You
should also wear eye protection (goggles or face
shield), gloves, boots, a long-sleeved shirt or a
jacket, and long pants.
Never consume alcohol or drugs before or while
operating this ATV.
Never operate at speeds too fast for your skills
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.
U33B70E0.book Page 1 Wednesday, June 11, 2008 1:38 PM

1-2
1

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
U33B70E0.book Page 2 Wednesday, June 11, 2008 1:38 PM