Page 26 of 110

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-11
3
EAU03414
Adjusting the front fork This front fork is equipped with air
valves for adjusting the spring rate.
EW000035
WARNING
@ Always adjust both fork legs equal-
ly, otherwise poor handling and loss
of stability may result. @
Adjust the spring rate as follows.
1. Elevate the front wheel by placing
the motorcycle on the centerstand.NOTE:@ When checking and adjusting the air
pressure, there should be no weight on
the front end of the motorcycle. @2. Remove the air valve cap from
each fork leg.3. Check the air pressure in each
fork leg with an air pressure
gauge.
NOTE:@ An optional air pressure gauge is avail-
able at a Yamaha dealer. @4. To increase the spring rate and
thereby harden the suspension,
increase the air pressure with an
air pump or compressed air. To
decrease the spring rate and
thereby soften the suspension, de-
crease the air pressure by pushing
each valve stem down.
1. Air valve cap
2. Air valve
1. Air pressure gauge
E_3lr.book Page 11 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM
Page 64 of 110

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-21
6
EAU00635
Adjusting the throttle cable
free play The throttle cable free play should
measure 3–5 mm at the throttle grip.
Periodically check the throttle cable
free play and, if necessary, have a
Yamaha dealer adjust it.
EAU00637
Adjusting the valve clearance The valve clearance changes with use,
resulting in improper air-fuel mixture
and/or engine noise. To prevent this
from occurring, the valve clearance
must be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer
at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.
EAU00647
Tires To ensure maximum performance as
well as the long and safe operation of
your motorcycle, note the following
points regarding the specified tires.
Tire air pressure
The tire air pressure should be
checked and, if necessary, adjusted
before each ride.
EW000082
WARNING
@ l
The tire air pressure must be
checked and adjusted on cold
tires (i.e., when the temperature
of the tires equals the ambient
temperature).
l
The tire air pressure must be
adjusted in accordance with the
riding speed and with the total
weight of rider, passenger, car-
go, and accessories approved
for this model.
@
a. Throttle cable free playE_3lr.book Page 21 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM
Page 65 of 110

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-22
6
CE-01E
CE-07EEWA00012
WARNING
@ Because loading has an enormous
impact on the handling, braking, per-
formance and safety characteristics
of your motorcycle, you should keep
the following precautions in mind. l
NEVER OVERLOAD THE
MOTORCYCLE! Operation of an
overloaded motorcycle may re-
sult in tire damage, loss of con-
trol, or severe injury. Make sure
that the total weight of rider, pas-
senger, cargo, and accessories
does not exceed the specified
maximum load for the vehicle.
l
Do not carry along loosely
packed items, which can shift
during a ride.
l
Securely pack the heaviest
items close to the center of the
motorcycle and distribute the
weight evenly on both sides.
l
Adjust the suspension and tire
air pressure with regard to the
load.
l
Check the tire condition and air
pressure before each ride.
@
Tire inspection
The tires must be checked before each
ride. If the center tread depth reaches
the specified limit, if the tire has a nail
or glass fragments in it, or if the side-
wall is cracked, have a Yamaha dealer
replace the tire immediately.CE-08ENOTE:@ The tire tread depth limits may differ
from country to country. Always comply
with the local regulations. @
Tire air pressure
(measured on cold tires)
Load* Front Rear
Up to 90 kg225 kPa
2.25 kg/cm
2
2.25 bar225 kPa
2.25 kg/cm
2
2.25 bar
90 kg–
maximum225 kPa
2.25 kg/cm
2
2.25 bar250 kPa
2.50 kg/cm
2
2.50 bar
High-speed riding225 kPa
2.25 kg/cm
2
2.25 bar250 kPa
2.50 kg/cm
2
2.50 bar
Maximum load* 209 kg
* Total weight of rider, passenger, cargo and
accessories
1. Sidewall
a. Tire tread depthMinimum tire tread depth
(front and rear)1.6 mm
E_3lr.book Page 22 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM
Page 98 of 110

8-1
8
EAU01038
8-SPECIFICATIONSSpecifications CS-01E
Model VMX12
Dimensions
Overall length 2,300 mm
Overall width 795 mm
Overall height 1,160 mm
Seat height 765 mm
Wheelbase 1,590 mm
Ground clearance 145 mm
Minimum turning radius 2,900 mm
Basic weight (with oil and full
fuel tank)
281 kg
Engine
Engine type Liquid-cooled 4-stroke, DOHC
Cylinder arrangement V type, 4-cylinder
Displacement 1,198 cm
3
Bore ´ stroke 76 ´ 66 mm
Compression ratio 10.5:1
Starting system Electric starter
Lubrication system Wet sumpEngine oil
Ty p e
Recommended engine oil
classification API Service SE, SF, SG or
higher
Quantity
Without oil filter cartridge
replacement 3.2 L
With oil filter car tridge
replacement 3.4 L
Total amount (dry engine) 4.0 L
-20 -10 0
10 20 30
40
50 ˚C
SAE 10W-30
SAE 15W-40SAE 20W-40SAE 20W-50
SAE 10W-40
CAUTION:Be sure to use motor oils that do not contain anti-friction
modifiers. Passenger car motor oils (often labeled
“Energy Conserving”) contain anti-friction additives which
will cause clutch and/or starter clutch slippage, resulting in
reduced component life and poor engine performance.
E_3lr.book Page 1 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM
Page 100 of 110

SPECIFICATIONS
8-3
8
Maximum load* 209 kg
Tire air pressure (measured
on cold tires)
Up to 90 kg*
Front 225 kPa (2.25 kg/cm
2, 2.25 bar)
Rear 225 kPa (2.25 kg/cm2, 2.25 bar)
90 kg–maximum*
Front 225 kPa (2.25 kg/cm2, 2.25 bar)
Rear 250 kPa (2.50 kg/cm2, 2.50 bar)
High-speed riding
Front 225 kPa (2.25 kg/cm2, 2.25 bar)
Rear 250 kPa (2.50 kg/cm2, 2.50 bar)
* Total weight of rider, passenger, cargo and accessories
Wheels
Front
Type Cast wheel
Size 18 ´ MT 2.15
Rear
Type Cast wheel
Size 15M/C ´ MT 3.50
Brakes
Front
Type Dual disc brake
Operation Right hand
Fluid DOT 4Rear
Type Single disc brake
Operation Right foot
Fluid DOT 4
Suspension
Front Telescopic fork
Rear Swingarm
Spring/shock absorber
Front Coil-air spring / oil damper
Rear Coil spring / oil damper
Wheel travel
Front 140 mm
Rear 100 mm
Electrical system
Ignition system T.C.I. (digital)
Charging system
Type A.C. magneto
Standard output 14 V, 22.5 A @ 5,000 r/min
Battery
Model YB16AL-A2
Voltage, capacity 12 V, 16 Ah
Headlight typeQuartz bulb (halogen)
E_3lr.book Page 3 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM
Page 102 of 110
SPECIFICATIONS
8-5
8
EAU01064
Conversion table CS-02EAll specification data in this manual are listed in SI and
METRIC UNITS.
Use this table to convert METRIC unit data to IMPERIAL
unit data.
ExampleMETRIC MULTIPLIER IMPERIAL
** mm´ 0.03937 = ** in
2 mm´ 0.03937 = 0.08 in
Conversion tableMETRIC TO IMPERIAL
Metric unit Multiplier Imperial unit
Torquem·kg
m·kg
cm·kg
cm·kg7.233
86.794
0.0723
0.8679ft·lb
in·lb
ft·lb
in·lb
Weightkg
g2.205
0.03527lb
oz
Speed km/h 0.6214 mi/h
Distancekm
m
m
cm
mm0.6214
3.281
1.094
0.3937
0.03937mi
ft
yd
in
in
Volume,
Capacitycc (cm3)
cc (cm3)
L (liter)
L (liter)0.03527
0.06102
0.8799
0.2199oz (IMP liq.)
cu·in
qt (IMP liq.)
gal (IMP liq.)
Miscellaneouskg/mm
kg/cm2
Centigrade (°
C)55.997
14.2234
9/5 + 32 lb/in
psi (lb/in
2)
Fahrenheit (°
F)
E_3lr.book Page 5 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM