Yamaha WaveRunner VXS Owners Manual

Operation
66
EJU32902
Operating your watercraft 
WARNING
EWJ00510
Before operating your watercraft, become
familiar with all of the controls. Consult a
Yamaha dealer about any control or func-
tion that you do not fully understand. Fail-
ure to understand how the controls work
could cause an accident or prevent you
from avoiding an accident.
EJU32954Getting to know your watercraft 
Operating your watercraft requires skills ac-
quired through practice over a period of time.
Take the time to learn the...

Operation
67
EJU40210Riding position 
Operator riding position
The operator should grip the handlebars firm-
ly with both hands and sit astride the seat with
both feet on the floor of the footwell.
Passenger riding position
The passenger(s) should hold on firmly, either
to the person in front of them or to the hand-
grip provided, and sit astride the seat with
their feet on the floor of the footwell. Never al-
low a passenger to ride in front of the opera-
tor. (See page 18 for information on the riding...

Operation
68
is attached correctly. If the engine
shut-off cord (lanyard) is not attached
correctly, it may not pull free when the
operator falls off, allowing the water-
craft to continue to run and cause an
accident.
 [EWJ00581]
(4) With the throttle lever released, push the
start switch (green button) to start the en-
gine. (See page 33 for information on op-
erating the start switch.)
EJU32862Stopping the engine 
Release the throttle lever, and then push the
engine stop switch (red button) to stop...

Operation
69
is in the fully closed (idle) position. (See page
37 for information on operating the shift lever.)
EJU33254Turning the watercraft 
WARNING
EWJ00771

Do not release the throttle lever when
trying to steer away from objects—you
need throttle to steer. A collision could
result in severe injury or death.

When operating at higher speeds, make
gradual turns or slow down before turn-
ing. Sharp high-speed turns may cause
the watercraft to slide sideways or spin,
throwing the operator and...

Operation
70
slows down, the watercraft will no longer
respond to handlebar input until you ap-
ply throttle again or you reach trolling
speed.
At trolling speed, the watercraft can be
turned gradually by handlebar position
alone using just the amount of thrust
available at idle.
D. If the engine is stopped while riding, there
is no thrust. The watercraft will go straight
even though the handlebars are turned.
You need throttle to steer.
This model is equipped with the Yamaha En-
gine Management System...

Operation
71
objects, and other watercraft to give you
time to stop.

Do not shut the engine off when slowing
down in case you need engine power to
steer away from a boat or other obstacle
that comes into your path.

Do not use the reverse function to slow
down or stop the watercraft as it could
cause you to lose control, be ejected, or
impact the handlebars.
EJU41580Operating the watercraft in reverse 
Pull the shift lever rearward to the reverse po-
sition. The watercraft will move in reverse.
(See...

Operation
72
yourself up, and then grasp the handgrip
with one hand.
(2) Pull yourself up to a kneeling position on
the boarding platform, and then move to
the seat and sit astride.
(3) Attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
to your left wrist, and then attach the clip
to the engine shut-off switch.
(4) Grip the handlebars with both hands and
place both feet on the floor of the footwell.(5) Look in all directions, start the engine,
and then start off slowly.
EJU33169Boarding with passenger(s)...

Operation
73
(4) Have the first passenger move to the rear
of the watercraft.
(5) Have the first passenger board using the
same procedure as the operator, place
their feet on the floor of the footwell, and
securely hold on to the operator.
(6) Have the second passenger follow the
same procedure. When the second pas-
senger is boarding, try to balance the wa-
tercraft together with the first passenger.(7) Make sure that the passenger(s) have
their feet on the floor of the footwell and
are securely holding...

Operation
74
(4) Attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
to your left wrist, and then attach the clip
to the engine shut-off switch.
(5) Look in all directions, and then start the
engine and operate at trolling speed.
(6) Have the second passenger pull them-
selves up onto the boarding platform into
a kneeling position and balance there.
Look in all directions, and then gradually
accelerate. Then, have the second pas-
senger crawl onto the seat while main-
taining their balance.
(7) Have the second...

Operation
75
the watercraft, otherwise pebbles or sand
could be sucked into the jet intake, caus-
ing impeller damage and engine overheat-
ing.
EJU40232Starting off from a trailer 
(1) Launch the watercraft and move the shift
lever to the reverse position. (See page
37 for information on the reverse sys-
tem.)
(2) Attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
to your left wrist, and then attach the clip
to the engine shut-off switch.
(3) Look in all directions, start the engine,
and then start off slowly....