Page 26 of 95
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-12
3
EAU03032
Starter (choke) knobStarting a cold engine requires a richer
air-fuel mixture, which is supplied by
the starter (choke).
Move the knob in direction 
a to turn on
the starter (choke).
Move the knob in direction 
b to turn off
the starter (choke). 
EAU01214*
Steering lockOn the right side of the headpipe, there
is a place to lock the steering with a
padlock. Turn the handlebars to align
the holes in the two brackets and lock
the steering with a suitable padlock.
E_5ja_Functions.fm  Page 12  Saturday, October 16, 1999  10:10 AM 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 30 of 95
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-16
3
EAU00331
Sidestand/clutch switch 
operation checkCheck the operation of the sidestand
switch and clutch switch against the in-
formation below.CD-11E
CD-11E
EW000045
WARNING
@ If improper operation is noted, con-
sult a Yamaha dealer immediately. @
TURN THE MAIN SWITCH TO “ON” 
AND THE ENGINE STOP SWITCH TO 
“”.TRANSMISSION IS IN GEAR AND 
SIDESTAND IS UP.PULL IN CLUTCH LEVER AND 
PUSH THE START SWITCH.ENGINE WILL START.SIDESTAND IS DOWN.CLUTCH SWITCH IS OK.
ENGINE WILL STALL.SIDESTAND SWITCH IS OK.
E_5ja_Functions.fm  Page 16  Saturday, October 16, 1999  10:10 AM 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 33 of 95

4-1
4
EAU01114
4-PRE-OPERATION CHECKSOwners are personally responsible for their vehicle’s condition. Your motorcycle’s vital functions can start to deteriorate
quickly and unexpectedly, even if it remains unused (for instance, if it is exposed to the elements). Any damage, fluid leak or
loss of tire pressure could have serious consequences. Therefore, it is very important that, in addition to a thorough visual in-
spection, you check the following points before each ride.
EAU00340
PRE-OPERATION CHECK LIST
ITEM CHECKS PAGE
Front brake• Check operation, fluid level and vehicle for fluid leakage.
• Fill with DOT 4 brake fluid if necessary.
6-18 ~ 6-22
Rear brake• Check operation, fluid level and vehicle for fluid leakage.
• Fill with DOT 4 brake fluid if necessary.
Clutch• Check operation, condition and free play.
• Adjust if necessary.6-17 ~ 6-18
Throttle grip and housing• Check for smooth operation.
• Lubricate if necessary.6-14
Engine oil• Check oil level.
• Fill with oil if necessary.6-7 ~ 6-10
Wheels and tires• Check tire pressure, wear, damage and spoke tightness.
• Tighten spokes necessary.6-15 ~ 6-17
Brake and shift pedal 
shafts• Check for smooth operation. 
• Lubricate if necessary.6-24
Brake and clutch lever 
pivots• Check for smooth operation. 
• Lubricate if necessary.6-25
Sidestand pivot• Check for smooth operation. 
• Lubricate if necessary.6-25
Chassis fasteners• Make sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are properly tightened.
• Tighten if necessary.—
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        Page 36 of 95
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5
Starting the engine ............................................................................. 5-1
Starting a warm engine ...................................................................... 5-4
Shifting ............................................................................................... 5-4
Recommended shift points (for Switzerland only) .............................. 5-5
Tips for reducing fuel consumption .................................................... 5-5
Engine break-in .................................................................................. 5-5
Parking ............................................................................................... 5-6
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5-1
5
EAU00372
5-OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
EAU00373
WARNING
@ l
Before riding this motorcycle,
become thoroughly familiar
with all operating controls and
their functions. Consult a
Yamaha dealer regarding any
control or function that you do
not thoroughly understand.
l
Never start your engine or let it
run for any length of time in a
closed area. The exhaust fumes
are poisonous and can cause
loss of consciousness and death
within a short time. Always oper-
ate your motorcycle in an area
with adequate ventilation.
l
Before starting out, always be
sure the sidestand is up. Failure
to retract the sidestand com-
pletely can result in a serious
accident when you try to turn a
corner. 
@
EAU03011*
Starting the engineNOTE:@ This motorcycle is equipped with an ig-
nition circuit cut-off system. The engine
can be started only under one of the
following conditions:l
The transmission is in neutral.
l
The sidestand is up, the transmis-
sion is in gear and the clutch is dis-
engaged.
The motorcycle must not be ridden
when the sidestand is down. 
@
EW000054
WARNING
@ Before going through the following
steps, check the function of the
sidestand switch and clutch switch.
(Refer to page 3-16.) @
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        Page 38 of 95
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-2
5
CF-31E
TURN THE MAIN SWITCH TO "ON" AND THE 
ENGINE STOP SWITCH TO “ ”.
IF THE TRANSMISSION IS IN NEUTRAL AND THE 
SIDESTAND IS DOWN,PUSH THE START SWITCH.
THE ENGINE WILL START.RETRACT THE SIDESTAND AND PUT THE 
TRANSMISSION IN GEAR.
IF THE TRANSMISSION IS IN GEAR AND THE 
SIDESTAND IS UP,PULL IN THE CLUTCH LEVER AND PUSH THE 
START SWITCH. THE ENGINE WILL START.
THE MOTORCYCLE CAN BE RIDDEN.
THE MOTORCYCLE CAN BE RIDDEN.
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        Page 39 of 95

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-3
51. Turn the fuel cock to “ON”.
2. Turn the main switch to “ON” and
the engine stop switch to “ ”.
3. Shift the transmission into neutral.
NOTE:@ When the transmission is in neutral, the
neutral indicator light should be on. If
the light does not come on, ask a
Yamaha dealer to inspect it. @
4. Turn on the starter (choke) and
completely close the throttle grip.
5. Start the engine by pushing the
start switch.NOTE:@ If the engine fails to start, release the
start switch, wait a few seconds, then
try again. Each attempt should be as
short as possible to preserve the bat-
tery. Do not crank the engine more
than 10 seconds on any one attempt. @6. After starting the engine, move the
starter (choke) to the halfway posi-
tion.
NOTE:@ For maximum engine life, never accel-
erate hard with a cold engine! @7. After warming up the engine, turn
off the starter (choke) completely.NOTE:@ The engine is warm when it responds
normally to the throttle with the starter
(choke) turned off. @
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        Page 40 of 95

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-4
5
EAU01258
Starting a warm engineThe starter (choke) is not required
when the engine is warm.
EC000046
CAUTION:@ See the “Engine break-in” section
prior to operating the motorcycle for
the first time. @
EAU00423
ShiftingThe transmission lets you control the
amount of power you have available at
a given speed for starting, accelerating,
climbing hills, etc. The use of the shift
pedal is shown in the illustration.
To shift into neutral, depress the shift
pedal repeatedly until it reaches the
end of its travel, then raise the pedal
slightly.
EC000048
CAUTION:@ l
Do not coast for long periods
with the engine off, and do not
tow the motorcycle a long dis-
tance. Even with gears in neu-
tral, the transmission is only
properly lubricated when the
engine is running. Inadequate
lubrication may damage the
transmission.
l
Always use the clutch when
changing gears. The engine,
transmission, and driveline are
not designed to withstand the
shock of forced shifting and can
be damaged by shifting without
using the clutch. 
@
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