Page 38 of 104

5-1
5
EAU00372
5-OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
EAU00373
WARNING
@
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 un-
derstand.
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 ventila-
tion.
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:
The transmission is in the neutral
position.
The transmission is in gear with
the clutch lever pulled and the
sidestand up.
EW000054
WARNING
@
Before starting the engine,
check the function of the igni-
tion circuit cut-off system ac-
cording to the procedure
described on page 3-16.
Never ride with the sidestand
down.
@
E_5JA.book Page 1 Saturday, August 18, 2001 3:52 PM
Page 39 of 104

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-2
5 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. @
4. Turn the starter (choke) on and
completely close the throttle. (See
page 3-12 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) knob 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. @
E_5JA.book Page 2 Saturday, August 18, 2001 3:52 PM
Page 40 of 104

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
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.
@
1. Shift pedal
N. Neutral position
E_5JA.book Page 3 Saturday, August 18, 2001 3:52 PM
Page 41 of 104

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-4
5
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). @
EAU00424
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.
Turn the starter (choke) off as
soon as possible.
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).
Shift point
(km/h)
1st→2nd
2nd→3rd
3rd→4th
4th→5th23
36
50
60
E_5JA.book Page 4 Saturday, August 18, 2001 3:52 PM
Page 42 of 104

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-5
5
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.
EAU01740*
0–1,000 km
Avoid prolonged operation above
1/3 throttle.
1,000–1,600 km
Avoid prolonged operation above
1/2 throttle.
ECA00026*
CAUTION:@ After 1,000 km of operation, the en-
gine oil and transfer case oil must
be changed, and the oil filter car-
tridge replaced. @
1,600 km and beyond
The vehicle can now be operated nor-
mally.
EC000049
CAUTION:@ If any engine trouble should occur
during the engine break-in period,
immediately have a Yamaha dealer
check the vehicle. @
E_5JA.book Page 5 Saturday, August 18, 2001 3:52 PM
Page 43 of 104
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-6
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
@
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.
@
E_5JA.book Page 6 Saturday, August 18, 2001 3:52 PM
Page 45 of 104

6
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
Owner’s tool kit .................................................... 6-1
Periodic maintenance and lubrication chart ......... 6-3
Removing and installing the panel ....................... 6-6
Checking the spark plugs .................................... 6-7
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge .......................... 6-8
Transfer case oil ................................................. 6-12
Cleaning the air filter element ............................ 6-13
Adjusting the carburetor ..................................... 6-16
Adjusting the engine idling speed ...................... 6-16
Adjusting the throttle cable free play .................. 6-17
Adjusting the valve clearance ............................ 6-17
Tires ................................................................... 6-17
Spoke wheels .................................................... 6-20
Adjusting the clutch lever free play .................... 6-21
Adjusting the brake lever free play ..................... 6-22
Adjusting the brake pedal position ..................... 6-22
Adjusting the rear brake light switch .................. 6-23
Checking the front and rear brake pads ............. 6-23
Checking the brake fluid level ............................ 6-25
Changing the brake fluid .................................... 6-26Drive belt slack .................................................. 6-26
Checking and lubricating the cables ................. 6-28
Checking 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 .................................................... 6-30
Checking and lubricating the sidestand ............ 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 .......................................... 6-35
Replacing the headlight bulb ............................. 6-36
Replacing a turn signal light bulb or the
tail/brake light bulb .......................................... 6-38
Troubleshooting ................................................. 6-38
Troubleshooting chart ........................................ 6-39
E_5JA.book Page 1 Saturday, August 18, 2001 3:52 PM
Page 49 of 104

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-4
6
9
*Brake hosesCheck for cracks or damage.√√√√ √
Replace. (See NOTE on page 6-5.) Every 4 years
10*WheelsCheck runout, spoke tightness and for damage.
Tighten spokes if necessary.√√√√
11*TiresCheck tread depth and for damage.
Replace if necessary.
Check air pressure.
Correct if necessary.√√√√ √
12*Wheel bearingsCheck bearing for looseness or damage.√√√√
13*SwingarmCheck operation and for excessive play.√√√√
Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. Every 50,000 km
14*Drive beltCheck belt tension.
Make sure that the rear wheel is properly aligned.Every 4,000 km
15*Steering bearingsCheck bearing play and steering for roughness.√√√√√
Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. Every 50,000 km
16*Chassis fastenersMake sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are properly tightened.√√√√ √
17 SidestandCheck operation.
Lubricate.√√√√ √
18*Sidestand switchCheck operation.√√√√√ √
19*Front forkCheck operation and for oil leakage.√√√√
20*Shock absorber
assemblyCheck operation and shock absorber for oil leakage.√√√√
21*Rear suspension relay
arm and connecting arm
pivoting pointsCheck operation.√√√√
Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease.√√
22*CarburetorCheck starter (choke) operation.
Adjust engine idling speed.√√√√√ √ NO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOBODOMETER READING (×1,000 km)
ANNUAL
CHECK
1 10203040
E_5JA_Periodic.fm Page 4 Saturday, August 18, 2001 5:37 PM