YAMAHA YFM90R 2021 Owner's Manual

3-3
3
technique 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
speed when climbing a hill. If you stall or roll
backwards, follow the special procedure for
braking described in this manual. Dismount on
the uphill side or to a side if pointed straight up-
hill. Turn the ATV around and remount, following
the procedure described in this manual.
 Always check for obstacles before operating in
a new area.
 Never attempt to operate over large obstacles,
such as large rocks or fallen trees. Always follow
proper procedures when operating over obsta-
cles as described in this manual.
 Always be careful when skidding or sliding.
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
reduce the chance of skidding or sliding out of
control. 
Never operate an ATV in fast flowing water or in
water deeper than that recommended in this
manual. Remember that wet brakes may have
reduced stopping ability. Test your brakes after
leaving water. If necessary, apply them several
times to let friction dry out the linings.
 Always be sure there are no obstacles or people
behind you when you operate in reverse. When
it is safe to proceed in reverse, go slowly.
 Always use the size and type of tires specified in
this manual.
 Always maintain proper tire pressure as de-
scribed in this manual.
 Never exceed the stated load capacity for an
ATV. Cargo should be properly distributed and
securely attached. Reduce speed and follow in-
structions in this manual for carrying cargo or
pulling a trailer. Allow greater distance for brak-
ing.
 Do not operate your ATV during darkness un-
less it is equipped with a properly functioning
headlight. Off-road riding is inherently danger-
ous and additionally, off-road trails do not have
streetlights to guide you.
UBD365E0.book Page 3 Monday, January 27, 2020 9:05 AM

3-4
3
Never maintain an ATV without proper knowl-
edge. Contact an authorized ATV dealer to in-
form you on basic ATV maintenance. Certain
maintenance can only be carried out by certified
staff.
In the event of an accident 1. If serious injuries are incurred, you may be safer staying next to your vehicle; it may
shield you from oncoming riders. Depending
on your injuries and position in the trail; you
must make a judgment call as to whether you
should move to a position off the trail. If you
have sustained head, neck, or back injuries,
or cannot feel your limbs, you should not
move. Keep your helmet on and remain mo-
tionless. Lie down next to your vehicle and
wait for help.
2. If less serious injuries are incurred and you can walk, then move to a position off the trail.
Check yourself for injuries and apply first aid
as needed.
3. If your injuries are light, when safe to do so, move your vehicle off the trail to avoid colli-
sions with oncoming riders. Check for injuries
and apply first aid as necessary. If you can
physically operate your vehicle, inspect your vehicle. If the vehicle is in safe operating con-
dition and you can safely operate it, restart it
and ride gently back to camp or other known
location where you can receive medical at-
tention. If necessary, contact your riding party
or local authorities to let them know where
you are and what has happened.
In the event of a breakdown 1. If your vehicle will not restart or is not in safe operating condition, turn off the main switch
and engine stop switch. If the breakdown oc-
curs at twilight or night, leave the main switch
on so that your lights may warn other riders of
your stopped vehicle.
2. Get out of danger. Check for oncoming vehi- cles and when safe, push your vehicle to the
side of the trail or even off the main trail to
avoid any possible collisions with oncoming
riders. If you cannot move your vehicle by
yourself, when safe, walk to the nearest van-
tage point and signal an oncoming rider to
help you push your vehicle to a safe place off
the trail.
3. Inspect your vehicle for any immediate haz- ardous conditions. The most obvious hazard-
ous conditions are leaking fuel and
UBD365E0.book Page 4 Monday, January 27, 2020 9:05 AM

3-5
3
ungrounded or broken wiring. Visually check
for broken wiring and leaking fuel. Leaking
fuel can be confirmed by the odor of gasoline.
4. Once immediate safety hazards are con- firmed not to exist, you may remove your hel-
met to more closely inspect your vehicle.
Check for external signs of wear, broken
parts, fluid leaks, cracks in the frame, sus-
pension damage, wheel damage, and so on.
Fuel, oil, and coolant usually give off a notice-
able odor.
5. If your vehicle will not restart or if it is unsafe to ride, then turn off all vehicle systems (en-
gine stop switch, main switch, and fuel cock),
and then signal or go for help.
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 po-
tential safety hazards to you or others. Installing
aftermarket products or having other modifica-
tions performed to your vehicle that change any of
the vehicle’s design or operation characteristics
can put you and others at greater risk of serious injury or death. You are responsible for injuries re-
lated to changes in the vehicle. Keep the following
guidelines in mind, as well as those found in the
Loading section (page 7-7) when mounting acces-
sories.

Never install accessories that would impair the
performance of your ATV. Carefully inspect the
accessory before using it to make sure that it
does not in any way reduce ground clearance,
limit suspension travel, steering travel or control
operation.
 Accessories fitted to the ATV can create insta-
bility due to improper weight distribution.
 Bulky or large accessories may seriously affect
the stability of the ATV.
 Certain accessories can displace the operator
from his or her normal riding position. This im-
proper position limits the freedom of movement
of the operator and may limit control ability,
therefore, such accessories are not recom-
mended.
 Use caution when adding electrical accesso-
ries. If electrical accessories exceed the capac-
ity of the ATV’s electrical system, an electric
failure could result, which could cause a dan-
UBD365E0.book Page 5 Monday, January 27, 2020 9:05 AM

3-6
3gerous loss of lights or engine power. Also, the
battery tends to discharge more quickly if elec-
trical accessories are added.
WARNING
EWB00073Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
All engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide,
a deadly gas. Breathing carbon monoxide can
cause headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, nau-
sea, confusion, and eventually death.
Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless,
tasteless gas which may be present even if you
do not see or smell any engine exhaust. Deadly
levels of carbon monoxide can collect rapidly
and you can quickly be overcome and unable
to save yourself. Also, deadly levels of carbon
monoxide can linger for hours or days in en-
closed or poorly ventilated areas. If you experi-
ence any symptoms of carbon monoxide
poisoning, leave the area immediately, get
fresh air, and SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT.

Do not run engine indoors. Even if you try to
ventilate engine exhaust with fans or open
windows and doors, carbon monoxide can
rapidly reach dangerous levels. 
Do not run engine in poorly ventilated or par-
tially enclosed areas such as barns, garages,
or carports.
 Do not run engine outdoors where engine
exhaust can be drawn into a building through
openings such as windows and doors.

WARNING
EWB02592When transporting the ATV in another vehicle,
be sure it is kept upright and that the fuel cock
is in the “OFF” position. Otherwise, fuel may
leak out of the carburetor or fuel tank.
UBD365E0.book Page 6 Monday, January 27, 2020 9:05 AM

3-7
3
UBD365E0.book Page 7 Monday, January 27, 2020 9:05 AM

4-1
4
EBU17681
DESCRIPTION
EBU17691Left view
EBU17701Right view
1. Fuel tank cap
2. Fuel cock
3. Air filter
4. Fuse
5. Battery
6. Rear shock absorber
7. Kickstarter lever cap
1 2 3 4,576
1. Spark arrester
2. Reflector
3. Tool kit
4. Front shock absorber
5. Spark plug
6. Engine oil filler cap
7. Transmission oil filler cap123 4
76 5
UBD365E0.book Page 1 Monday, January 27, 2020 9:05 AM

4-2
4
EBU17715Controls and instruments1. Rear brake lever
2. Handlebar switches
3. Parking brake lock plate
4. Starter (choke) lever
5. Main switch
6. Throttle lever
7. Front brake lever
8. Drive select lever
1
2
3
5
6
7
4
8
UBD365E0.book Page 2 Monday, January 27, 2020 9:05 AM

5-1
5
EBU17739
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
EBU33850Main switchThe positions of the main switch are as follows:
ON
All electrical systems are supplied with power, and
the engine can be started. The key cannot be re-
moved.
OFF
All electrical systems are off. The key can be re-
moved.
EBU17794Indicator lightsEBU17861Neutral indicator light “ ”
This indicator light comes on when the transmis-
sion is in the neutral position.EBU17831Reverse indicator light “ ”
This indicator light comes on when the transmis-
sion is in the reverse position.
ON
OFF
1. Reverse indicator light

5-2
5
EBU18068Handlebar switchesEBU18081Engine stop switch “ / ”
Set this switch to “ ” before starting the engine.
The engine stop switch controls the ignition and
stops the engine when it is running. Use this
switch to stop the engine in an emergency situa-
tion. The engine will not start or run when this
switch is set to “ ”.
EBU18102Start switch “ ”
Push this switch to crank the engine with the start-
er. See the starting instructions on page 7-1 prior
to starting the engine.EBU18286Throttle leverPush the throttle lever to increase engine speed.
Spring tension returns the lever to the rest position
when released. Always check that the throttle le-
ver returns normally before starting the engine.
1. Engine stop switch “ / ”
2. Start switch “ ”
21
1. Throttle lever
1
UBD365E0.book Page 2 Monday, January 27, 2020 9:05 AM

5-3
5
EBU33802Speed limiterYour ATV was delivered with two speed limiter de-
vices. A vehicle speed limiter adjusting screw and
a removable engine speed limiter plate. Yamaha
recommends that all beginning riders start off with
the vehicle speed limiter adjusting screw fully
turned in and the engine speed limiter plate in-
stalled to limit the amount of speed available while
they learn.
The vehicle speed limiter keeps the throttle from
fully opening, even when the throttle lever is
pushed to the maximum. The adjusting screw may
be gradually turned out as the beginner becomes
more familiar with operating the ATV. Parents
should decide when to adjust the ATV for more
power as their youngster’s riding skills improve.
Once the ATV rider can operate with skill at the top
speed permitted by adjusting the vehicle speed
limiter alone, the engine speed limiter plate can be
removed. Since removal of this plate will result in
a significant increase in power, turn the vehicle
speed limiter adjusting screw completely back in
again and adjust it out in stages as done previous-
ly.Vehicle speed limiter
1. Loosen the locknut.
2. To increase the maximum engine power available and the maximum speed of the ATV,
turn the adjusting screw in direction (a). To
decrease the maximum engine power avail-
able and the maximum speed of the ATV, turn
the adjusting screw in direction (b). Do not
turn the adjusting screw out more than 14.5
mm (0.57 in) or the throttle cable could be
damaged. Always make sure the throttle lever
free play is adjusted to 1.5–4.0 mm (0.06–
0.16 in). (See page 9-20.) WARNING! Im-
proper adjustment of the speed limiter and
throttle could cause throttle cable damage
or improper throttle operation. You could
lose control, resulting in an accident.
[EWB00242]
UBD365E0.book Page 3 Monday, January 27, 2020 9:05 AM