Page 35 of 96

5-2
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
54. Turn the starter (choke) on and
completely close the throttle.
(See page 3-10 for starter
(choke) operation.)
5. Start the engine by pushing the
kickstarter lever down.
6. After starting the engine, move
the starter (choke) lever back
halfway.
ECA00045
cCFor maximum engine life, 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 engineFollow the same procedure as for
starting a cold engine with the excep-
tion 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.
6
5
4
3
2
1 N
1
1. Shift pedal
N. Neutral position
3MB-9-E8 6/13/01 10:55 AM Page 34
Page 36 of 96

5-3
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5
EC000048
cC8Even 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
distances. The transmission is
properly lubricated only when
the engine is running.
Inadequate lubrication may
damage the transmission.
8Always use the clutch while
changing gears to avoid dam-
aging the engine, transmis-
sion, and drive train, which are
not designed to withstand the
shock of forced shifting.
EAU02937
Recommended shift points
(for Switzerland only)The recommended shift points during
acceleration are shown in the table
below.NOTE:
When shifting down two gears at a
time, reduce the speed accordingly
(e.g., down to 35 km/h when shifting
from 5th to 3rd gear).
EAU00424
Tips for reducing fuel
consumptionFuel consumption depends largely on
your riding style. Consider the follow-
ing tips to reduce fuel consumption:
8Thoroughly warm up the engine.
8Turn the starter (choke) off as
soon as possible.
8Shift up swiftly, and avoid high
engine speeds during accelera-
tion.
8Do not rev the engine while shift-
ing down, and avoid high engine
speeds with no load on the
engine.
8Turn the engine off instead of let-
ting it idle for an extended length
of time (e.g., in traffic jams, at
traffic lights or at railroad cross-
ings).
Shift point
(km/h)
1st→2nd
2nd→3rd
3rd→4th
4th→5th
5th→6th20
30
40
50
60
3MB-9-E8 6/13/01 10:55 AM Page 35
Page 37 of 96

5-4
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5
EAU00436
Engine break-inThere is never a more important peri-
od in the life of your engine than the
period between 0 and 1,000 km. For
this reason, you should read the fol-
lowing material carefully.
Since the engine is brand new, do
not put an excessive load on it for the
first 1,000 km. The various parts in
the engine wear and polish them-
selves to the correct operating clear-
ances. During this period, prolonged
full-throttle operation or any condition
that might result in engine overheat-
ing must be avoided.
EAU00453
0–500 km
8Avoid prolonged operation above
6,000 r/min.
8After every hour of operation,
stop the engine, and then let it
cool for five to ten minutes.
8Vary the engine speed from time
to time. Do not operate the
engine at one set throttle posi-
tion.
500–1,000 km
8Avoid prolonged operation above
7,000 r/min.
8Rev the engine freely through
the gears, but do not use full
throttle at any time.
EC000060
cCAfter 1,000 km of operation, the
transmission oil must be changed.
1,000 km and beyond
The vehicle can now be operated
normally.
EC000053
cC8Keep the engine speed out of
the tachometer red zone.
8If any engine trouble should
occur during the engine break-
in period, immediately have a
Yamaha dealer check the vehi-
cle.
3MB-9-E8 6/13/01 10:55 AM Page 36
Page 42 of 96

6-4
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6
EAU03884
NOTE:
8The air filter needs more frequent service if you are riding in unusually wet or dusty areas.
8Hydraulic brake service
9Regularly check and, if necessary, correct the brake fluid level.
9Every two years replace the internal components of the brake master cylinders and calipers, and change the
brake fluid.
9Replace the brake hoses every four years and if cracked or damaged.21
*Carburetor•Check starter (choke) operation.
•Adjust engine idling speed.√√√√√ √
22*Autolube pump•Check operation.
•Bleed if necessary.√√√√
23 Transmission oil•Check oil level.√√√√√ √
•Change.√√
24*Cooling system•Check coolant level and vehicle for coolant leakage.√√√√ √
•Change.Every 3 years
25*Front and rear brake
switches•Check operation.√√√√√ √
26 Moving parts and cables•Lubricate.√√√√ √
27*Lights, signals and
switches•Check operation.
•Adjust headlight beam.√√√√√ √ NO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOBODOMETER READING (× 1,000 km)
ANNUAL
CHECK
1 6 12 18 24
3MB-9-E8 6/13/01 10:55 AM Page 41
Page 48 of 96

6-10
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6 To install the spark plug
1. Measure the spark plug gap with
a wire thickness gauge and, if
necessary, adjust the gap to
specification.
2. Clean the surface of the spark
plug gasket and its mating sur-
face, and then wipe off any grime
from the spark plug threads.
3. Install the spark plug with the
spark plug wrench, and then
tighten it to the specified torque.
a
a. Spark plug gap
EAU04272
Transmission oilThe transmission oil level should be
checked before each ride. In addition,
the transmission oil must be changed
at the intervals specified in the peri-
odic maintenance and lubrication
chart.
To check the transmission oil level
1. Place the motorcycle on a level
surface and hold it in an upright
position.NOTE:
Make sure that the motorcycle is
positioned straight up when checking
the oil level. A slight tilt to the side
can result in a false reading.2. Start the engine, warm it up for
several minutes, and then turn it
off.
NOTE:
If a torque wrench is not available
when installing a spark plug, a good
estimate of the correct torque is
1/4–1/2 turn past finger tight.
However, the spark plug should be
tightened to the specified torque as
soon as possible.4. Install the spark plug cap.
Spark plug gap:
0.7–0.8 mmTightening torque:
Spark plug:
20 Nm (2.0 m0kgf)
3MB-9-E8 6/13/01 10:55 AM Page 47
Page 49 of 96

6-11
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
63. Wait a few minutes until the oil
settles, and then check the oil
level through the check window
located at the right side of the
crankcase.
NOTE:
The transmission oil should be at or
above the minimum level mark.4. If the oil is below the minimum
level mark, remove the oil filler
cap, add sufficient oil of the rec-
ommended type to raise it to the
correct level, and then install and
tighten the cap.
1
2
1. Transmission oil level check window
2. Minimum level mark
4. Install the transmission oil drain
bolt, and then tighten it to the
specified torque.
5. Add the specified amount of the
recommended transmission oil,
and then install and tighten the
oil filler cap.
1
1. Transmission oil drain bolt
To change the transmission oil
1. Start the engine, warm it up for
several minutes, and then turn it
off.
2. Place an oil pan under the trans-
mission to collect the used oil.
3. Remove the oil filler cap and
drain bolt to drain the oil from the
transmission.
1
1. Oil filler cap
Tightening torque:
Transmission oil drain bolt:
15 Nm (1.5 m0kgf)
3MB-9-E8 6/13/01 10:55 AM Page 48
Page 50 of 96

6-12
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6
EC000077
cC8In order to prevent clutch slip-
page (since the transmission
oil also lubricates the clutch),
do not mix any chemical addi-
tives with the oil.
8Make sure that no foreign
material enters the transmis-
sion.6. Start the engine, and then let it
idle for several minutes while
checking the transmission for oil
leakage. If oil is leaking, immedi-
ately turn off the engine and
check for the cause.
EAU01808
CoolantTo check the coolant level
1. Place the motorcycle on a level
surface and hold it in an upright
position.NOTE:
8The coolant level must be
checked on a cold engine since
the level varies with engine tem-
perature.
8Make sure that the motorcycle is
positioned straight up when
checking the coolant level. A
slight tilt to the side can result in
a false reading.
2. Remove panel A. (See page 6-8
for panel removal and installation
procedures.)
3. Check the coolant level in the
coolant reservoir.NOTE:
The coolant should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks.
2
1
1. Maximum level mark
2. Minimum level mark
Recommended transmission oil:
See page 8-1.
Oil quantity:
Periodic oil change:
0.75 L
Total amount (dry transmission):
0.8 L
3MB-9-E8 6/13/01 10:55 AM Page 49
Page 65 of 96

6-27
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6
EAU00744
Drive chain slackThe drive chain slack should be
checked before each ride and adjust-
ed if necessary.
To check the drive chain slack
1. Place the motorcycle on a level
surface and hold it in an upright
position.NOTE:
When checking and adjusting the
drive chain slack, the motorcycle
should be positioned straight up and
there should be no weight on it.
a
a. Drive chain slack
EAU03594
To adjust the drive chain slack
1. Loosen the axle nut.
2. To tighten the drive chain, turn
the adjusting plate on each side
of the swingarm in direction a.
To loosen the drive chain, turn
the adjusting plate on each side
of the swingarm in direction b,
and then push the rear wheel for-
ward.
a b
2
1
1. Axle nut
2. Adjusting plate
2. Shift the transmission into the
neutral position.
3. Move the rear wheel by pushing
the motorcycle to locate the tight-
est portion of the drive chain,
and then measure the drive
chain slack as shown.
4. If the drive chain slack is incor-
rect, adjust it as follows. Drive chain slack:
25–40 mm
3MB-9-E8 6/13/01 10:55 AM Page 64