Page 25 of 88

4-1
4
EAU01114
4-PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
The condition of a vehicle is the owner’s responsibility. Vital components can start to deteriorate quickly and unexpectedly,
even if the vehicle remains unused (for example, as a result of exposure to the elements). Any damage, fluid leakage or loss
of tire air pressure could have serious consequences. Therefore, it is very important, in addition to a thorough visual inspec-
tion, to check the following points before each ride.
EAU03439
Pre-operation check list
ITEM CHECKS PAGE
Fuel• Check fuel level in fuel tank.
• Refuel if necessary.
• Check fuel line for leakage.3-7
Engine oil• Check oil level in engine.
• If necessary, add recommended oil to specified level.
• Check vehicle for oil leakage.6-10
Front brake• Check operation.
• If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed hydraulic system.
• Check lever free play.
• Adjust if necessary.
• Check fluid level in reservoir.
• If necessary, add recommended brake fluid to specified level.
• Check hydraulic system for leakage.6-20, 6-22–6-24
Rear brake• Check operation.
• Check pedal free play.
• Adjust if necessary.6-20–6-24
Clutch• Check operation.
• Lubricate cable if necessary.
• Check lever free play.
• Adjust if necessary.6-19
Throttle grip• Make sure that operation is smooth.
• Lubricate throttle grip, housing and cables if necessary.
• Check free play.
• If necessary, have Yamaha dealer make adjustment.6-15
E_5kr.book Page 1 Tuesday, September 12, 2000 4:46 PM
Page 26 of 88

PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
4-2
4
Control cables• Make sure that operation is smooth.
• Lubricate if necessary.6-27
Drive chain• Check chain slack.
• Adjust if necessary.
• Check chain condition.
• Lubricate if necessary.6-24–6-25
Wheels and tires• Check for damage.
• Check tire condition and tread depth.
• Check air pressure.
• Correct if necessary.6-16–6-19
Brake and shift pedals• Make sure that operation is smooth.
• Lubricate pedal pivoting points if necessary.6-27
Brake and clutch levers• Make sure that operation is smooth.
• Lubricate lever pivoting points if necessary.6-28
Sidestand• Make sure that operation is smooth.
• Lubricate pivot if necessary.6-28
Chassis fasteners• Make sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are properly tightened.
• Tighten if necessary.—
Instruments, lights, signals
and switches• Check operation.
• Correct if necessary.—
Sidestand switch• Check operation of ignition circuit cut-off system.
• If system is defective, have Yamaha dealer check vehicle.3-11 ITEM CHECKS PAGE
E_5kr.book Page 2 Tuesday, September 12, 2000 4:46 PM
Page 27 of 88
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
4-3
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. _E_5kr.book Page 3 Tuesday, September 12, 2000 4:46 PM
Page 28 of 88

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
understand.
l
Never start the engine or operate
it in a closed area for any length
of time. Exhaust fumes are poi-
sonous, and inhaling them can
cause loss of consciousness
and death within a short time. Al-
ways make sure that there is ad-
equate ventilation.
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.
_
EAU03515*
Starting the 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 3-12.
l
Never ride with the sidestand
down.
_
1. Turn the fuel cock lever to “ON”.
2. Turn the key to “ON” and make
sure that the engine stop switch is
set to “ ”.
3. 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
circuit. _1. Arrow mark positioned over “ON”
E_5kr.book Page 1 Tuesday, September 12, 2000 4:46 PM
Page 29 of 88

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-2
5 4. Turn the starter (choke) on and
completely close the throttle. (See
page 3-9 for starter (choke)
operation.)
5. Start the engine by pushing the
start switch.
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. _6. After starting the engine, move the
starter (choke) lever back halfway.
ECA00055
CAUTION:_ For maximum engine life, always
warm the engine up before starting
off. Never accelerate hard when the
engine is cold! _7. 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. _
EAU01258
Starting a warm engine Follow the same procedure as for start-
ing a cold engine with the exception
that the starter (choke) is not required
when the engine is warm.
E_5kr.book Page 2 Tuesday, September 12, 2000 4:46 PM
Page 30 of 88

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-3
5
EAU00423
Shifting Shifting gears lets you control the
amount of engine power available for
starting off, accelerating, climbing hills,
etc.
The gear positions are shown in the il-
lustration.NOTE:_ To shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position, press the shift pedal down
repeatedly until it reaches the end of its
travel, and then slightly raise it. _
EC000048
CAUTION:_ l
Even with the transmission in
the neutral position, do not
coast for long periods of time
with the engine off, and do not
tow the motorcycle for long dis-
tances. The transmission is
properly lubricated only when
the engine is running. Inade-
quate lubrication may damage
the transmission.
l
Always use the clutch while
changing gears to avoid dam-
aging the engine, transmission,
and drive train, which are not
designed to withstand the
shock of forced shifting.
_
EAU02941
Recommended shift points
(for Switzerland only) The recommended shift points during
acceleration are shown in the table be-
low.CF-01ENOTE:_ When shifting down two gears at a
time, reduce the speed accordingly
(e.g., down to 35 km/h when shifting
from 4th to 2nd gear). _
1. Shift pedal
N. Neutral position
Shift point
(km/h)
1st®2nd
2nd®3rd
3rd®4th
4th®5th23
36
50
60
E_5kr_Operation.fm Page 3 Wednesday, September 13, 2000 1:18 PM
Page 31 of 88

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-4
5
EAU00424
Tips for reducing fuel
consumption Fuel consumption depends largely on
your riding style. Consider the following
tips to reduce fuel consumption:l
Thoroughly warm up the engine.
l
Turn the starter (choke) off as
soon as possible.
l
Shift up swiftly, and avoid high en-
gine speeds during acceleration.
l
Do not rev the engine while shift-
ing down, and avoid high engine
speeds with no load on the engine.
l
Turn the engine off instead of let-
ting it idle for an extended length
of time (e.g., in traffic jams, at traf-
fic lights or at railroad crossings).
EAU01128
Engine break-in There is never a more important period
in the life of your engine than the period
between 0 and 1,600 km. For this rea-
son, you should read the following ma-
terial carefully.
Since the engine is brand new, do not
put an excessive load on it for the first
1,600 km. The various parts in the en-
gine wear and polish themselves to the
correct operating clearances. During
this period, prolonged full-throttle oper-
ation or any condition that might result
in engine overheating must be avoided.
EAU03183
0–1,000 km
Avoid prolonged operation above
1/3 throttle.
1,000–1,600 km
Avoid prolonged operation above
1/2 throttle.
ECA00058
CAUTION:_ After 1,000 km of operation, the en-
gine oil must be changed, and the
oil filter element replaced. _1,600 km and beyond
The vehicle can now be operated
normally.
EC000049
CAUTION:_ If any engine trouble should occur
during the engine break-in period,
immediately have a Yamaha dealer
check the vehicle. _
E_5kr.book Page 4 Tuesday, September 12, 2000 4:46 PM
Page 32 of 88
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-5
5
EAU00457
Parking When parking, stop the engine, re-
move the key from the main switch,
and then turn the fuel cock lever to
“OFF”.
EW000058
WARNING
_ l
Since the engine and exhaust
system can become very hot,
park in a place where pedestri-
ans or children are not likely to
touch them.
l
Do not park on a slope or on
soft ground, otherwise the
motorcycle may overturn.
_E_5kr.book Page 5 Tuesday, September 12, 2000 4:46 PM