2002 YAMAHA XVS250 engine

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:

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).
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.
EAU03845*
0–1,000 km
Avoid prolonged operation above
1/3 throttle.
1,000–1,600 km
Avoid prolonged operation above
1/2 throttle.
ECA00080*
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.
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 Friday, December 14, 2001 11:33 AM

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.
_E_5kr.book Page 5 Friday, December 14, 2001 11:33 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-3
6
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 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
15*Steering bearingsCheck bearing play and steering for roughness.√√√√√
Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. Every 20,000 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
assembliesCheck operation and shock absorbers for oil leakage.√√√√
21*CarburetorCheck starter (choke) operation.
Adjust engine idling speed.√√√√√ √
22 Engine oilChange.
Check oil level and vehicle for oil leakage.√√√√√ √
23 Engine oil filter elementReplace.√√√
24*Engine oil strainerClean.√ NO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOBODOMETER READING (×1,000 km)
ANNUAL
CHECK
1 10203040
E_5kr.book Page 3 Friday, December 14, 2001 11:33 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-8
6
EAU03329
Checking the spark plugs The spark plugs are important engine
components, which are easy to check.
Since heat and deposits will cause any
spark plug to slowly erode, the spark
plugs 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.
To remove a spark plug
1. Remove the spark plug cap.2. Remove the spark plug as shown,
with the spark plug wrench includ-
ed in the owner’s tool kit.To check the spark plugs
1. Check that the porcelain insulator
around the center electrode on
each spark plug is a medium-to-
light tan (the ideal color when the
motorcycle is ridden normally).
2. Check that all spark plugs installed
in the engine have the same color.
NOTE:_ 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. _3. Check each spark plug for elec-
trode erosion and excessive car-
bon or other deposits, and replace
it if necessary.
1. Spark plug cap
1. Spark plug wrench
Specified spark plug:
CR6HSA (NGK) or
U20FSR-U (DENSO)
E_5kr.book Page 8 Friday, December 14, 2001 11:33 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-10
6
EAU04433
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
several minutes, and then turn it
off.3. Wait a few minutes until the oil set-
tles, and then check the oil level
through the check window located
at the bottom-right side of the
crankcase.
NOTE:_ The engine oil should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks. _4. If the engine oil is below the mini-
mum level mark, add sufficient oil
of the recommended type to raise
it to the correct level.To change the engine oil (with or
without oil filter element replace-
ment)
1. Start the engine, warm it up for
several minutes, and then turn it
off.
2. Place an oil pan under the engine
to collect the used oil.1. Engine oil level check window
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
4. Engine oil filler capRight side
E_5kr.book Page 10 Friday, December 14, 2001 11:33 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-11
6 3. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and drain bolt to drain the oil from
the crankcase.
NOTE:_ Skip steps 4–6 if the oil filter element is
not being replaced. _
4. Remove the oil filter element cover
by removing the bolts.5. Remove and replace the oil filter
element and O-ring.
6. Install the oil filter element cover
by installing the bolts, then tighten-
ing them to the specified torque.
NOTE:_ Make sure that the O-ring is properly
seated. _
1. Engine oil drain bolt
2. Oil panLeft side
1. Bolt (× 3)
1. Oil filter element
2. O-ringTightening torque:
Oil filter element cover bolt:
10 Nm (1.0 m·kgf)
E_5kr.book Page 11 Friday, December 14, 2001 11:33 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-12
67. Install the engine oil drain bolt, and
then tighten it to the specified
torque.
8. Add the specified amount of the
recommended engine oil, and
then install and tighten the oil filler
cap.
ECA00105
CAUTION:_

In order to prevent clutch slip-
page (since the engine oil also
lubricates the clutch), do not
mix any chemical additives with
the oil or use oils of grade “CD”
or higher. In addition, do not
use oils labeled “ENERGY CON-
SERVING II” or higher.


Make sure that no foreign mate-
rial enters the crankcase.
_9. Start the engine, and then let it idle
for several minutes while checking
it for oil leakage. If oil is leaking,
immediately turn the engine off
and check for the cause.
10. Turn the engine off, and then
check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
EAU04485*
Cleaning the air filter element The air filter element should be cleaned
at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.
Clean the air filter element more fre-
quently if you are riding in unusually
wet or dusty areas.
1. Remove the air filter case by re-
moving the bolts, loosening the
clamp screw, then disconnecting
the hose. Tightening torque:
Engine oil drain bolt:
34 Nm (3.4 m·kgf)
Recommended engine oil:
See page 8-1.
Oil quantity:
With oil filter element
replacement:
1.6 L
Without oil filter element
replacement:
1.4 L
Total amount (dry engine):
1.75 L1. Bolt (× 2)
2. Clamp screw
3. Hose
E_5kr.book Page 12 Friday, December 14, 2001 11:33 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-14
66. Remove the clamp from the air fil-
ter check hose, and then remove
the plug from the check hose to
drain any accumulated water.
7. Install the plug into the check
hose, and then install the clamp.
EC000082*
CAUTION:_

Make sure that the air filter ele-
ment is properly seated in the
air filter case.


The engine should never be op-
erated without the air filter ele-
ment installed, otherwise the
pistons and/or cylinders may
become excessively worn.
_8. Install the air filter case cover by
installing the screws. 9. Connect the hose.
10. Install the air filter case by insert-
ing the projection into the grom-
met, installing the bolts, then
tightening the clamp screw.
1. Plug
2. Clamp
3. Air filter check hose
1. Projection
2. Grommet
3. Hose
E_5kr.book Page 14 Friday, December 14, 2001 11:33 AM