2001 YAMAHA VMAX warning light

3
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
Main switch .......................................................... 3-1
Indicator and warning lights ................................ 3-1
Speedometer unit ................................................ 3-2
Tachometer .......................................................... 3-3
Anti-theft alarm (optional) .................................... 3-3
Coolant temperature gauge ................................. 3-3
Handlebar switches ............................................. 3-4
Clutch lever .......................................................... 3-5
Shift pedal ............................................................ 3-6
Brake lever ........................................................... 3-6
Brake pedal .......................................................... 3-6
Fuel tank cap ....................................................... 3-7Fuel ..................................................................... 3-8
Starter (choke) lever ............................................ 3-8
Steering lock ....................................................... 3-9
Rider seat ............................................................ 3-9
Helmet holder .................................................... 3-10
Adjusting the front fork ...................................... 3-11
Adjusting the shock absorber assemblies ......... 3-12
Matching the front and rear suspension
settings ............................................................ 3-15
Sidestand .......................................................... 3-16
Ignition circuit cut-off system ............................. 3-16
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3-1
3
EAU00027
3-INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
EAU00028
Main switch The main switch controls the ignition
and lighting systems. The various main
switch positions are described below.
EAU00036
ON
All electrical systems are supplied with
power, and the engine can be started.
The key cannot be removed.
EAU00038
OFF
All electrical systems are off. The key
can be removed.
EAU00055
P (Parking)
The taillight and auxiliary light are on,
but all other electrical systems are off.
The key can be removed.
The key must be pushed in, and then
released before it can be turned to “P”.
ECA00043
CAUTION:@ Do not use the parking position for
an extended length of time, other-
wise the battery may discharge. @
EAU03034
Indicator and warning lights
EAU00061
Neutral indicator light “ ”
This indicator light comes on when the
transmission is in the neutral position.
EAU00057
Turn signal indicator light “ ”
This indicator light flashes when the
turn signal switch is pushed to the left
or right.
1. Push.
2. Release.
3. Turn.
1. Neutral indicator light “ ”
2. Turn signal indicator light “ ”
3. Fuel level warning light “ ”
4. High beam indicator light “ ”
5. Oil level warning light “ ”
E_3lr.book Page 1 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-2
3
EAU00083
Fuel level warning light “ ”
This warning light comes on when the
fuel level drops below approximately
3 L. When this occurs, set the fuel re-
serve switch to the “RES” position and
refuel as soon as possible.
EAU00063
High beam indicator light “ ”
This indicator light comes on when the
high beam of the headlight is switched
on.
EAU03285
Oil level warning light “ ”
This warning light comes on when the
engine oil level is low.
The electrical circuit of the warning light
can be checked according to the fol-
lowing procedure.
1. Turn the key to “ON”.
2. If the warning light does not come
on, have a Yamaha dealer check
the electrical circuit.NOTE:@ Even if the oil level is sufficient, the
warning light may flicker when riding on
a slope or during sudden acceleration
or deceleration, but this is not a mal-
function. @
EAU00095
Speedometer unit The speedometer unit is equipped with
a speedometer, an odometer and a
tripmeter. The speedometer shows
riding speed. The odometer shows the
total distance traveled. The tripmeter
shows the distance traveled since it
was last set to zero with the reset knob.
The tripmeter can be used to estimate
the distance that can be traveled with a
full tank of fuel. This information will en-
able you to plan future fuel stops.1. Tripmeter reset knob
2. Odometer
3. Tripmeter
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-5
3
EAU00143
Start switch “ ”
Push this switch to crank the engine
with the starter.
EC000005
CAUTION:@ See page 5-1 for starting instruc-
tions prior to starting the engine. @
EAU01653
Fuel reserve switch “FUEL”
During normal operation, this switch
should be kept in the “ON” position. If
the fuel warning light comes on while
riding, set the switch to “RES”, refuel as
soon as possible, and then set the
switch back to “ON”.NOTE:@ After switching to “RES”, approximately
3 L of fuel remain in the fuel tank. @
EAU00152
Clutch lever The clutch lever is located at the left
handlebar grip. To disengage the
clutch, pull the lever toward the handle-
bar grip. To engage the clutch, release
the lever. The lever should be pulled
rapidly and released slowly for smooth
clutch operation.
The clutch lever is equipped with a
clutch switch, which is part of the ignition
circuit cut-off system. (See page 3-16
for an explanation of the ignition circuit
cut-off system.)
1. Engine stop switch
2. Light switch
3. Start switch “ ”
4. Fuel reserve switch “FUEL”
1. Clutch lever
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PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
4-2
4
NOTE:@ Pre-operation checks should be made each time the motorcycle is used. Such an inspection can be accomplished in a very
short time; and the added safety it assures is more than worth the time involved. @
EWA00033
WARNING
@ If any item in the Pre-operation check list is not working properly, have it inspected and repaired before operating
the motorcycle. @ Chassis fasteners• Make sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are properly tightened.
• Tighten if necessary.—
Fuel• Check fuel level.
• Add fuel if necessary.3-8
Lights, signals and
switches• Check operation. —
Battery• Check fluid level.
• Add distilled water if necessary.6-33–6-36 ITEM CHECKS PAGE
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5-1
5
EAU00372
5-OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
EAU00373
WARNING
@ l
Become thoroughly familiar
with all operating controls and
their functions before riding.
Consult a Yamaha dealer re-
garding any control or function
that you do not thoroughly un-
derstand.
l
Never start the engine or oper-
ate it in a closed area for any
length of time. Exhaust fumes
are poisonous, and inhaling
them can cause loss of con-
sciousness and death within a
short time. Always make sure
that there is adequate ventila-
tion.
l
Before starting out, make sure
that the sidestand is up. If the
sidestand is not raised com-
pletely, it could contact the
ground and distract the opera-
tor, resulting in a possible loss
of control.
@
EAU01627
Starting a cold engine In order for the ignition circuit cut-off
system to enable starting, one of the
following conditions must be met:l
The transmission is in the neutral
position.
l
The transmission is in gear with
the clutch lever pulled and the
sidestand up.
EW000054
WARNING
@ l
Before starting the engine,
check the function of the igni-
tion circuit cut-off system ac-
cording to the procedure
described on page 3-16.
l
Never ride with the sidestand
down.
@1. Turn the key to “ON” and make
sure that the engine stop switch is
set to “ ”.
EC000035
CAUTION:@ If the fuel level warning light comes
on, check the fuel level, and, if nec-
essary, refuel as soon as possible. @2. Shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position.NOTE:@ When the transmission is in the neutral
position, the neutral indicator light
should be on, otherwise have a
Yamaha dealer check the electrical cir-
cuit. @3. Turn the starter (choke) on and
completely close the throttle. (See
page 3-8 for starter (choke) opera-
tion.)
4. Start the engine by pushing the
start switch.
E_3lr.book Page 1 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-2
5
NOTE:@ If the engine fails to start, release the
start switch, wait a few seconds, and
then try again. Each starting attempt
should be as short as possible to pre-
serve the battery. Do not crank the en-
gine more than 10 seconds on any one
attempt. @
EC000038
CAUTION:@ l
The oil level warning light and
fuel level warning light should
come on when the start switch
is pushed, and they should go
off when the start switch is re-
leased.
l
If the oil level warning light flick-
ers or remains on after starting,
immediately stop the engine,
and then check the engine oil
level and the vehicle for oil leak-
age. If necessary, add engine
oil, and then check the warning
light again. If the warning light
does not come on when push-
ing the start switch, or if it doesnot go off after starting with suf-
ficient engine oil, have a
Yamaha dealer check the elec-
trical circuit.
l
If the fuel level warning light re-
mains on after starting, stop the
engine, and then check the fuel
level. If necessary, refuel as
soon as possible, and then
check the warning light again. If
the warning light does not come
on when pushing the start
switch, or if it does not go off af-
ter starting with sufficient fuel,
have a Yamaha dealer check the
electrical circuit.
@5. After starting the engine, move the
starter (choke) lever back halfway.
ECA00045
CAUTION:@ For maximum engine life, never ac-
celerate hard when the engine is
cold! @
6. When the engine is warm, turn the
starter (choke) off.NOTE:@ The engine is warm when it responds
normally to the throttle with the starter
(choke) turned off. @
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-12
6
EC000072
CAUTION:@ l
In order to prevent clutch slip-
page (since the engine oil also
lubricates the clutch), do not
mix any chemical additives with
the oil or use oils of a higher
grade than “CD”. In addition, do
not use oils labeled “ENERGY
CONSERVING II” or higher.
l
Make sure that no foreign mate-
rial enters the crankcase.
@9. Start the engine, and then let it idle
for several minutes while checking
it for oil leakage. If oil is leaking,
immediately turn the engine off
and check for the cause.NOTE:@ After the engine is started, the engine
oil level warning light should go off if the
oil level is sufficient. @
EC000067
CAUTION:@ If the oil level warning light flickers
or remains on, immediately turn the
engine off and have a Yamaha deal-
er check the vehicle. @10. Turn the engine off, and then
check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
E_3lr.book Page 12 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM