Page 41 of 110
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. _
ECA00045
CAUTION:_ For maximum engine life, never ac-
celerate hard when the engine is
cold! _NOTE:_ The engine is warm when it quickly re-
sponds to the throttle. _
U5PSE0.book Page 2 Thursday, December 13, 2001 4:29 PM
Page 42 of 110

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:@
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.
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.
@
EAU02937
Recommended shift points
(for Switzerland only) The recommended shift points during
acceleration are shown in the table be-
low.CF-02ENOTE:_ 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). _
1. Shift pedal
N. Neutral position
Shift point
(km/h)
1st→2nd
2nd→3rd
3rd→4th
4th→5th
5th→6th20
30
40
50
60
U5PSE0.book Page 3 Thursday, December 13, 2001 4:29 PM
Page 43 of 110

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-4
5
EAU03952
Tips for reducing fuel
consumption Fuel consumption depends largely on
your riding style. Consider the following
tips to reduce fuel consumption:
Thoroughly warm up the engine.
Shift up swiftly, and avoid high en-
gine speeds during acceleration.
Do not rev the engine while shift-
ing down, and avoid high engine
speeds with no load on the engine.
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.
EAU04315
0–1,000 km
Avoid prolonged operation above
4,000 r/min.
1,000–1,600 km
Avoid prolonged operation above
6,000 r/min.
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 nor-
mally.
EC000053
CAUTION:_
Keep the engine speed out of
the tachometer red zone.
If any engine trouble should oc-
cur during the engine break-in
period, immediately have a
Yamaha dealer check the vehi-
cle.
_
U5PSE0.book Page 4 Thursday, December 13, 2001 4:29 PM
Page 44 of 110
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-5
5
EAU00460
Parking When parking, stop the engine, and
then remove the key from the main
switch.
EW000058
WARNING
@
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.
Do not park on a slope or on
soft ground, otherwise the
motorcycle may overturn.
@U5PSE0.book Page 5 Thursday, December 13, 2001 4:29 PM
Page 45 of 110

6
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
Owner’s tool kit .................................................... 6-1
Periodic maintenance and lubrication chart ......... 6-2
Removing and installing cowlings and panels ..... 6-5
Checking the spark plugs .................................... 6-7
Engine oil and oil filter element ............................ 6-9
Coolant .............................................................. 6-12
Cleaning the air filter element ............................ 6-16
Adjusting the engine idling speed ...................... 6-17
Adjusting the throttle cable free play .................. 6-18
Adjusting the valve clearance ............................ 6-18
Tires ................................................................... 6-19
Adjusting the clutch lever free play .................... 6-22
Adjusting the brake pedal position ..................... 6-23
Adjusting the rear brake light switch .................. 6-23
Checking the front and rear brake pads ............. 6-24
Checking the brake fluid level ............................ 6-25
Changing the brake fluid .................................... 6-26
Drive chain slack ................................................ 6-26
Lubricating the drive chain ................................. 6-28
Checking and lubricating the cables .................. 6-28Checking and lubricating the throttle grip and
cable ............................................................... 6-29
Checking and lubricating the brake and
shift pedals ...................................................... 6-29
Checking and lubricating the brake and
clutch levers .................................................... 6-29
Checking and lubricating the sidestand ............ 6-30
Lubricating the rear suspension ........................ 6-30
Checking the front fork ...................................... 6-31
Checking the steering ....................................... 6-31
Checking the wheel bearings ............................ 6-32
Battery ............................................................... 6-33
Replacing the fuses .......................................... 6-34
Replacing a headlight bulb ................................ 6-35
Replacing a tail/brake light bulb ........................ 6-36
Replacing a turn signal light bulb ...................... 6-37
Supporting the motorcycle ................................ 6-37
Front wheel ....................................................... 6-38
Rear wheel ........................................................ 6-39
Troubleshooting ................................................. 6-42
Troubleshooting charts ...................................... 6-43
U5PSE0.book Page 1 Thursday, December 13, 2001 4:29 PM
Page 48 of 110

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-3
6
10
*TiresCheck tread depth and for damage.
Replace if necessary.
Check air pressure.
Correct if necessary.√√√√ √
11*Wheel bearingsCheck bearing for looseness or damage.√√√√
12*SwingarmCheck operation and for excessive play.√√√√
Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. Every 50,000 km
13 Drive chainCheck chain slack.
Make sure that the rear wheel is properly aligned.
Clean and lubricate.Every 1,000 km and after washing
the motorcycle or riding in the rain
14*Steering bearingsCheck bearing play and steering for roughness.√√√√√
Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. Every 20,000 km
15*Chassis fastenersMake sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are properly tightened.√√√√ √
16 SidestandCheck operation.
Lubricate.√√√√ √
17*Sidestand switchCheck operation.√√√√√ √
18*Front forkCheck operation and for oil leakage.√√√√
19*Shock absorber
assemblyCheck operation and shock absorber for oil leakage.√√√√
20*Rear suspension relay
arm and connecting arm
pivoting pointsCheck operation.√√√√
Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease.√√
21*Electronic fuel injectionAdjust engine idling speed and synchronization.√√√√√ √
22 Engine oilChange.
Check oil level and vehicle for oil leakage.√√√√√ √
23 Engine oil filter elementReplace.√√√
24*Cooling systemCheck coolant level and vehicle for coolant leakage.√√√√ √
Change. Every 3 years NO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOBODOMETER READING (×1,000 km)
ANNUAL
CHECK
1 10203040
U5PSE0.book Page 3 Thursday, December 13, 2001 4:29 PM
Page 52 of 110

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-7
6
EAU01880
Checking the spark plugs The spark plugs are important engine
components, which should be checked
periodically, preferably by a Yamaha
dealer. Since heat and deposits will
cause any spark plug to slowly erode,
they should be removed and checked
in accordance with the periodic mainte-
nance and lubrication chart. In addition,
the condition of the spark plugs can re-
veal the condition of the engine.
The porcelain insulator around the cen-
ter electrode of each spark plug should
be a medium-to-light tan (the ideal col-
or when the motorcycle is ridden nor-
mally), and all spark plugs installed in
the engine should have the same color.
If any spark plug shows a distinctly dif-
ferent color, the engine could be defec-
tive. Do not attempt to diagnose such
problems yourself. Instead, have a
Yamaha dealer check the motorcycle.
If a spark plug shows signs of electrode
erosion and excessive carbon or other
deposits, it should be replaced.Before installing a spark plug, the spark
plug gap should be measured with a
wire thickness gauge and, if necessary,
adjusted to specification.
Clean the surface of the spark plug
gasket and its mating surface, and then
wipe off any grime from the spark plug
threads. Specified spark plug:
DPR8EA-9 (NGK) or
X24EPR-U9 (DENSO)
a. Spark plug gap
Spark plug gap:
0.8–0.9 mm
Tightening torque:
Spark plug:
18 Nm (1.8 m·kgf)
U5PSE0.book Page 7 Thursday, December 13, 2001 4:29 PM
Page 54 of 110

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-9
6
EAU04429
Engine oil and oil filter
element The engine oil level should be checked
before each ride. In addition, the oil
must be changed and the oil filter ele-
ment replaced at the intervals specified
in the periodic maintenance and lubri-
cation chart.
To check the engine oil level
1. Place the motorcycle on a level
surface and hold it in an upright
position.NOTE:_ Make sure that the motorcycle is posi-
tioned 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
15 minutes, and then turn it off.3. Wait a few minutes until the oil set-
tles, remove the oil filler cap, wipe
the dipstick clean, insert it back
into the oil filler hole (without
screwing it in and with the arrow
mark pointing upward as shown),
and then remove it again to check
the oil level.
NOTE:_ The engine oil should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks. _
EC000000
CAUTION:_ Do not operate the motorcycle until
you know that the engine oil level is
sufficient. _
EW000065
WARNING
_ Never remove the engine oil tank
cap after high-speed operation, oth-
erwise hot engine oil could spout
out and cause damage or injury. Al-
ways let the engine oil cool down
sufficiently before removing the oil
tank cap. _
1. Oil filler cap
1. Oil filler cap
2. Dipstick
3. Maximum level mark
4. Minimum level mark
U5PSE0.book Page 9 Thursday, December 13, 2001 4:29 PM