light YAMAHA YFM350R-W 2012 User Guide

5-2
5
Rear brakeCheck operation. If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed hy-
draulic system.
Check brake pads for wear, and replace if necessary.
Check brake fluid level in reservoir, and add specified brake fluid to
specified level if necessary.
Check hydraulic system for leakage. Correct if necessary.5-3, 8-22, 8-23, 8-25
ClutchCheck operation, and correct if necessary.
Lubricate cable if necessary.
Check lever free play, and adjust if necessary.8-28
Throttle leverMake sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate cable and lever hous-
ing if necessary.
Check lever free play, and adjust if necessary.5-3, 8-21
Control cablesMake sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate if necessary. 8-32
Drive chainCheck chain slack, and adjust if necessary.
Check chain condition. Lubricate if necessary.5-4, 8-29, 8-32
Wheels and tiresCheck wheel condition, and replace if damaged.
Check tire condition and tread depth. Replace if necessary.
Check air pressure. Correct if necessary.5-4
Brake and shift pedalsMake sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate pedal pivoting points
if necessary.8-34
Brake and clutch leversMake sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate lever pivoting points if
necessary.8-33
Chassis fastenersMake sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are properly tightened. 5-6
Instruments, lights and
switchesCheck operation, and correct if necessary. 5-6 ITEM ROUTINE PAGEU10P70E0.book Page 2 Thursday, July 21, 2011 8:51 AM

5-6
5
Aftermarket tires and rims
The tires and rims that came with your ATV were
designed to match the performance capabilities
and to provide the best combination of handling,
braking, and comfort. Other tires, rims, sizes, and
combinations may not be appropriate.
EBU19840Chassis fasteners Make sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are prop-
erly tightened.
EBU19850Instruments, lights and switches Check that all instruments, lights and switches are
working properly. Correct if necessary. Front:
Manufacturer/model:
MAXXIS/C9207
Size:
AT21 x 7-10
Ty p e :
Tu b e l e s s
Rear:
Manufacturer/model:
MAXXIS/M976
Size:
AT 2 0 x 1 0 - 9
Ty p e :
Tu b e l e s s
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6-1
6
EBU19881
OPERATION
EBU19901Read the Owner’s Manual carefully before riding
the ATV. If there is a control or function you do not
understand, ask your Yamaha dealer.
WARNING
EWB00631Read the Owner’s Manual carefully to become
familiar with all controls in order to help pre-
vent any loss of control, which could cause an
accident or injury.EBU28093Starting a cold engine NOTICEECB00150See the “Engine break-in” section on page 6-6
prior to operating the engine for the first time.1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the fuel cock to “ON”.
3. Turn the key to “ON” and the engine stop
switch to“”.4. Shift the transmission into neutral. The neutral
indicator light should come on. If the indicator
light does not come on, have a Yamaha deal-
er check the electrical circuit.
TIPThis model is equipped with an ignition circuit cut-
off system. The engine can be started under the
following conditions.
The transmission is in neutral.
The clutch is disengaged with the shift pedal and
the drive select lever in any position. However, it
is recommended to shift into neutral before start-
ing the engine.5. Use the starter (choke) in reference to the fig-
ure:TIPBe sure to move the starter lever gently to keep the
correct starter lever assembly position.
Position (1):
Cold engine start with ambient temperature
below 5 °C (40 °F).
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6-3
6
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.EBU20341Operating the drive select lever and
driving in reverse NOTICEECB00170Before shifting, stop the ATV, otherwise the
transmission may be damaged.Shifting: Reverse to Forward
1. Bring the ATV to a complete stop.
2. Pull in the clutch lever to disengage the clutch.
3. Apply the brake pedal.
4. While pulling the drive select lever handle up-
ward, move the drive select lever forward until
it completely stops.5. Release the brake pedal.
6. Open the throttle lever gradually and release
the clutch lever slowly.
Shifting: Forward to Reverse
WARNING
EWB00720Improper operation in reverse could make you
hit an obstacle or even a person behind you,
resulting in serious injury. When you shift into1. Drive select lever
2. Drive select lever handle
3. For forward drive
4. For reverse drive
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6-4
6reverse, make sure there are no people or ob-
stacles behind you. When it is safe to proceed,
go slowly.
1. Bring the ATV to a complete stop.
2. Pull in the clutch lever to disengage the clutch.
3. Apply the brake pedal.
4. While pulling the drive select lever handle up-
ward, move the drive select lever to the rear
until it completely stops.TIPWhen in reverse, the reverse indicator light should
be on. If the indicator light does not come on, have
a Yamaha dealer check the electrical circuit.5. Check behind you for people or obstacles,
and then release the brake pedal.
6. Open the throttle lever gradually and release
the clutch lever slowly. Continue to watch to
the rear while backing.
EBU29762Shifting This ATV has a 6-speed forward and 1-speed re-
verse transmission. The transmission allows you
to control the amount of power you have available
at a given speed or for starting, accelerating, climb-
ing hills, etc.
To shift into neutral, release the throttle lever, ap-
ply the clutch, and then repeatedly 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, and then re-
lease the clutch.1. Shift pedal
2. Neutral position
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7-12
7trol.
[EWB02631]
NOTICE: Do not shift gears without
releasing the throttle. Damage to the engine or
drive train may occur.
[ECB01071]
Use this same procedure as you move into the
higher gears. Be sure to coordinate the use of the
throttle and shift pedal properly.
Avoid higher speeds until you are thoroughly famil-
iar with the operation of your ATV.
When slowing down or stopping, release the throt-
tle and apply the brakes smoothly and evenly. As
you slow down, shift to a lower gear. Be sure that
the engine has sufficiently slowed before engaging
a lower gear. Improper use of the brakes or shifting
can cause the tires to lose traction, reducing con-
trol and increasing the possibility of an accident.
TURNING YOUR ATV
WARNING
EWB01771Always follow proper procedures for turning
as described in this Owner’s Manual. Practice
turning at low speeds before attempting to turn
at faster speeds. Do not turn at speeds too fast
for your skills or the conditions. ATV could go
out of control, causing a collision or overturn.
To achieve maximum traction on unpaved surfac-
es, the two rear wheels turn together at the same
speed. Therefore, unless the wheel on the inside
of the turn is allowed to slip or lose some traction,
the ATV will resist turning. A special turning tech-
nique must be used to allow the ATV to make turns
quickly and easily. It is essential that this skill be
learned first at low speed.
As you approach a curve, slow down and begin to
turn the handlebars in the desired direction. As you
do so, put your weight on the footrest to the outside
of the turn (opposite your desired direction) and
lean your upper body into the turn. Use the throttle
to maintain an even speed through the turn. This
maneuver will let the wheel on the inside of the turn
slip slightly, allowing the ATV to make the turn
properly.
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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.U10P70E0.book Page 18 Thursday, July 21, 2011 8:51 AM

7-23
7

If your ATV is traversing a sloping surface:
Be sure to ride with your weight positioned to-
wards the uphill side of the ATV to maintain
proper balance. If the ATV starts to tip, steer
down the hill (if there are no obstacles in your
way) to regain balance. If you discover that the
ATV is going to tip over, dismount on the uphill
side. (See page 7-18.)
If your ATV encounters shallow water:
Ride slowly and carefully through slow moving
water, watching for obstacles. Be sure to let wa-
ter drain from the ATV and CHECK YOUR
BRAKES AND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
(turn signals, horn, headlight, etc.) FOR PROP-
ER OPERATION when you come out of the wa-
ter. Do not continue to ride your ATV until you
have regained adequate braking ability. (See
page 7-19.)
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8-8
8
EBU23071TIP
Some maintenance items need more frequent service if you are riding in unusually wet, dusty, sandy or
muddy areas, or at full-throttle.
Hydraulic brake service
Regularly check and, if necessary, correct the brake fluid level.
Every two years replace the internal components of the brake master cylinders and calipers, and
change the brake fluid.
Replace the brake hoses every four years and if cracked or damaged.23*Throttle leverCheck operation.
Check throttle lever free play, and adjust if neces-
sary.
Lubricate cable and lever housing.√√√√√
24*Front and rear brake
switchesCheck operation and correct if necessary.√√√√√
25*Lights and switchesCheck operation and correct if necessary.
Adjust headlight beam.√√√√√ NO. ITEMCHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOBINITIAL EVERY
Whichev-
er comes
firstmonth136612
km
(mi)320
(200)1300
(800)2500
(1600)2500
(1600)5000
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320U10P70E0.book Page 8 Thursday, July 21, 2011 8:51 AM

8-9
8
EBU23213Checking 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 the
spark 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).1. Spark plug cap
1. Spark plug wrench
U10P70E0.book Page 9 Thursday, July 21, 2011 8:51 AM