Page 37 of 95

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.) @
E_5ja_Operation.fm Page 1 Saturday, October 16, 1999 10:11 AM
Page 42 of 95
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-6
5
EAU01740
0 ~ 1,000 km
Avoid operation above 1/3 throttle.
1,000 ~ 1,600 km
Avoid cruising speeds in excess of
1/2 throttle.
ECA00026
CAUTION:@ After 1,000 km of operation, be sure
to replace the engine oil, oil filter
and transfer case oil. @
1,600 km and beyond
Proceed with normal riding.
EC000049
CAUTION:@ If any engine trouble should occur
during the break-in period, consult a
Yamaha dealer immediately. @
EAU00457
ParkingWhen parking the motorcycle, stop the
engine and remove the ignition key.
Turn the fuel cock to “OFF” whenever
stopping the engine.
EW000058
WARNING
@ The exhaust system is hot. Park the
motorcycle in a place where pedes-
trians or children are not likely to
touch the motorcycle. Do not park
the motorcycle on a slope or soft
ground; the motorcycle may over-
turn. @
E_5ja_Operation.fm Page 6 Saturday, October 16, 1999 10:11 AM
Page 45 of 95

6-1
6
EAU00462
6-PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
EAU00464
Periodic inspection, adjustment and lu-
brication will keep your motorcycle in
the safest and most efficient condition
possible. Safety is an obligation of the
motorcycle owner. The maintenance
and lubrication schedule chart should
be considered strictly as a guide to
general maintenance and lubrication
intervals. YOU MUST TAKE INTO
CONSIDERATION THAT WEATHER,
TERRAIN, GEOGRAPHICAL LOCA-
TIONS, AND A VARIETY OF INDIVID-
UAL USES ALL TEND TO DEMAND
THAT EACH OWNER ALTER THIS
TIME SCHEDULE TO SHORTER IN-
TERVALS TO MATCH THE ENVI-RONMENT. The most important points
of motorcycle inspection, adjustment,
and lubrication are explained in the fol-
lowing pages.
EW000060
WARNING
@ If you are not familiar with motor-
cycle service, this work should be
done by a Yamaha dealer. @
EAU01826
Tool kitThe tool kit is located under the rider
seat. (See page 3-13 for rider seat re-
moval and installation procedures.)
The tools provided in the owner’s tool
kit are to assist you in the performance
of periodic maintenance. However,
some other tools such as a torque
wrench are also necessary to perform
the maintenance correctly.
The service information included in this
manual is intended to provide you, the
owner, with the necessary information
for completing some of your own pre-
ventive maintenance and minor re-
pairs.1. Tool kit
E_5ja_Periodic.fm Page 1 Saturday, October 16, 1999 10:12 AM
Page 46 of 95
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-2
6
NOTE:@ If you do not have necessary tools re-
quired during a service operation, take
your motorcycle to a Yamaha dealer for
service. @
EW000063
WARNING
@ Modifications to this motorcycle not
approved by Yamaha may cause
loss of performance, and render it
unsafe for use. Consult a Yamaha
dealer before attempting any chang-
es. @
E_5ja_Periodic.fm Page 2 Saturday, October 16, 1999 10:12 AM
Page 59 of 95

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-15
6
EAU01745*
TiresTo ensure maximum performance,
long service, and safe operation, note
the following:
Tire air pressure
Always check and adjust the tire pres-
sure before operating the motorcycle.
EWA00011
WARNING
@ Tire inflation pressure should be
checked and adjusted when the
temperature of the tire equals the
ambient air temperature. Tire infla-
tion pressure must be adjusted ac-
cording to total weight of cargo,
rider, passenger, and accessories
(windshield, saddlebags, etc. if ap-
proved for this model). @CE-40EEWA00012
WARNING
@ Proper loading of your motorcycle
is important for several characteris-
tics of your motorcycle, such as
handling, braking, performance and
safety. Do not carry loosely packed
items that can shift. Securely pack
your heaviest items close to the
center of the motorcycle, and dis-
tribute the weight evenly from side
to side. Properly adjust the suspen-
sion for your load, and check the
condition and pressure of your tires.
NEVER OVERLOAD YOUR MOTOR-
CYCLE. Make sure the total weight
of the cargo, rider, passenger, and
accessories (windshield, saddle-
bags, etc. if approved for this model)
does not exceed the maximum load
of the motorcycle. Operation of an
overloaded motorcycle could cause
tire damage, an accident, or even in-
jury. @
Maximum load* XV1600A 196 kg
Cold tire pressure Front Rear
Up to 90 kg load*250 kPa
(2.50 kg/cm
2,
2.50 bar)250 kPa
(2.50 kg/cm
2,
2.50 bar)
90 kg load ~
Maximum load*250 kPa
(2.50 kg/cm
2,
2.50 bar)280 kPa
(2.80 kg/cm
2,
2.80 bar)
* Load is the total weight of cargo, rider, passenger,
and accessories.
E_5ja_Periodic.fm Page 15 Saturday, October 16, 1999 10:12 AM
Page 60 of 95

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-16
6 Tire inspection
Always check the tires before operating
the motorcycle. If center tread depth
reaches the limit as shown, if the tire
has a nail or glass fragments in it, or if
the side wall is cracked, contact a
Yamaha dealer immediately and have
the tire replaced.
CE-10E
CE-11ENOTE:@ These limits may be different by regula-
tion from country to country. If so, con-
form to the limits specified by the
regulations of your own country. @
EAU00681
WARNING
@ l
Operating the motorcycle with
excessively worn tires decrease
riding stability and can lead to
loss of control. Have excessive-
ly worn tires replaced by a
Yamaha dealer immediately.
Brakes, tires, and related wheel
parts replacement should be
left to a Yamaha Service Techni-
cian.
l
Patching a punctured tube is
not recommended. If it is abso-
lutely necessary to do so, use
great care and replace the tube
as soon as possible with a good
quality replacement.
@
1. Sidewall
a. Tread depth
FRONT
Manufacturer Size Type
Dunlop 130/90-16 67H D404FL
Bridgestone 130/90-16 67H G703F
REAR
Manufacturer Size Type
Dunlop 150/80B-16 71H D404
Bridgestone 150/80B-16 71H G702
Minimum tire tread
depth (front and rear)1.6 mm
E_5ja_Periodic.fm Page 16 Saturday, October 16, 1999 10:12 AM
Page 62 of 95

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-18
6 If the specified free play cannot be ob-
tained, proceed with the following
steps.
4. Loosen the locknut at the clutch le-
ver.
5. Turn the adjusting bolt at the
clutch lever in direction
a to loos-
en the cable.
6. Loosen the locknut at the crank-
case side.
7. Turn the adjusting nut at the
crankcase in direction
a to in-
crease free play or in direction
b
to decrease free play.
8. Tighten the locknut at the crank-
case and the clutch lever.
EAU00696
Front brake lever free play
adjustmentThe free play at the front brake lever
should be 2 ~ 5 mm.
1. Loosen the locknut.
2. Turn the adjusting bolt in
direction
a to increase free play
or in direction
b to decrease free
play.
3. After adjusting, tighten the locknut.
EW000099
WARNING
@ l
Check the brake lever free play.
Be sure the brake is working
properly.
l
A soft or spongy feeling in the
brake lever can indicate the
presence of air in the brake sys-
tem. This air must be removed
by bleeding the brake system
before the motorcycle is operat-
ed. Air in the system will cause
greatly diminished braking ca-
pability and can result in loss of
control and an accident. Have a
Yamaha dealer inspect and
bleed the system if necessary.
@
1. Adjusting nut
2. Locknut
1. Locknut
2. Adjusting bolt
c. Free play
E_5ja_Periodic.fm Page 18 Saturday, October 16, 1999 10:12 AM
Page 63 of 95

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-19
6
EAU01746
Rear brake pedal height
adjustmentThe top of the brake pedal should be
positioned 100 mm above the top of
the footrest. If not, ask a Yamaha deal-
er to adjust it.
EW000109
WARNING
@ A soft or spongy feeling in the brake
pedal can indicate the presence of
air in the brake system. This air
must be removed by bleeding the
brake system before the motorcycle
is operated. Air in the system will
cause greatly diminished braking
capability and can result in loss of
control and an accident. Have a
Yamaha dealer inspect and bleed
the system if necessary. @
EAU00713
Brake light switch adjustmentThe rear brake light switch is activated
by the brake pedal and is properly ad-
justed when the brake light comes on
just before braking takes effect. To ad-
just the rear brake light switch, hold the
switch body so it does not rotate while
turning the adjusting nut.
Turn the adjusting nut in direction
a to
make the brake light come on earlier.
Turn the adjusting nut in direction
b to
make the brake light come on later.
a. Brake pedal height
1. Brake light switch
2. Adjusting nut
E_5ja_Periodic.fm Page 19 Saturday, October 16, 1999 10:12 AM