Page 41 of 116
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
4
Pre-operation check list ..................................................................... 4-1
E_5jj.book Page 1 Friday, September 8, 2000 3:33 PM
Page 42 of 116

4-1
4
EAU01114
4-PRE-OPERATION CHECKSThe 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.3-12
Engine oil• Check oil level in engine.
• If necessary, add recommended oil to specified level.
• Check vehicle for oil leakage.6-9
Coolant• Check coolant level in reservoir.
• If necessary, add recommended coolant to specified level.
• Check cooling system for leakage.6-12–6-13
Front brake• Check operation.
• If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed hydraulic system.
• Check fluid level in reservoir.
• If necessary, add recommended brake fluid to specified level.
• Check hydraulic system for leakage.6-24–6-26
Rear brake• Check operation.
• If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed hydraulic system.
• Check fluid level in reservoir.
• If necessary, add recommended brake fluid to specified level.
• Check hydraulic system for leakage.6-23–6-26
Clutch• Check operation.
• Lubricate cable if necessary.
• Check lever free play.
• Adjust if necessary.6-22–6-23
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.6-18, 6-29
E_5jj.book Page 1 Friday, September 8, 2000 3:33 PM
Page 43 of 116

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. @Control cables• Make sure that operation is smooth.
• Lubricate if necessary.6-29
Drive chain• Check chain slack.
• Adjust if necessary.
• Check chain condition.
• Lubricate if necessary.6-27–6-28
Wheels and tires• Check for damage.
• Check tire condition and tread depth.
• Check air pressure.
• Correct if necessary.6-19–6-22
Brake and shift pedals• Make sure that operation is smooth.
• Lubricate pedal pivoting points if necessary.6-30
Brake and clutch levers• Make sure that operation is smooth.
• Lubricate lever pivoting points if necessary.6-30
Sidestand• Make sure that operation is smooth.
• Lubricate pivot if necessary.6-30
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.— ITEM CHECKS PAGE
E_5jj.book Page 2 Friday, September 8, 2000 3:33 PM
Page 44 of 116
E_5jj.book Page 3 Friday, September 8, 2000 3:33 PM
Page 45 of 116
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5
Starting a cold engine ....................................................................... 5-1
Starting a warm engine ..................................................................... 5-3
Shifting ............................................................................................... 5-3
Recommended shift points (for Switzerland only) .............................. 5-4
Tips for reducing fuel consumption ................................................... 5-4
Engine break-in .................................................................................. 5-4
Parking ............................................................................................... 5-5
E_5jj.book Page 1 Friday, September 8, 2000 3:33 PM
Page 46 of 116

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 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
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.
@
EAU03535*
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 3-24.
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
circuit. @3. Turn the starter (choke) on and
completely close the throttle. (See
page 3-13 for starter (choke)
operation.)
4. Start the engine by pushing the
start switch.
E_5jj.book Page 1 Friday, September 8, 2000 3:33 PM
Page 47 of 116

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
released.
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:@ l
The engine is warm when it re-
sponds normally to the throttle
with the starter (choke) turned off.
l
When the engine is idling with the
starter (choke) turned on, the radi-
ator fan will automatically be
switched on and off regardless of
the coolant temperature. As a re-
sult, the engine idling speed will
vary, but this does not indicate a
malfunction.
@
E_5jj.book Page 2 Friday, September 8, 2000 3:33 PM
Page 48 of 116

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-3
5
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.
EAU00423
ShiftingShifting gears lets you control the
amount of engine power available for
starting off, accelerating, climbing hills,
etc.
The gear positions are shown in the
illustration.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.
@
1. Shift pedal
N. Neutral position
E_5jj.book Page 3 Friday, September 8, 2000 3:33 PM