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6
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Because loading has an enormous
impact on the handling, braking,
performance and safety character-
istics of your motorcycle, you
should keep the following precau-
tions in mind.
8NEVER OVERLOAD THE
MOTORCYCLE! Operation of
an overloaded motorcycle may
result in tire damage, loss of
control, or severe injury. Make
sure that the total weight of
rider, passenger, cargo, and
accessories does not exceed
the specified maximum load
for the vehicle.
8Do not carry along loosely
packed items, which can shift
during a ride.
8Securely pack the heaviest
items close to the center of the
motorcycle and distribute the
weight evenly on both sides.8Adjust the tire air pressure
with regard to the load.
8Check the tire condition and
air pressure before each ride.
Tire inspection
The tires must be checked before
each ride. If the center tread depth
reaches the specified limit, if the tire
has a nail or glass fragments in it, or
if the sidewall is cracked, have a
Yamaha dealer replace the tire imme-
diately.
NOTE:
The tire tread depth limits may differ
from country to country. Always com-
ply with the local regulations.
1a
1. Tire side wall
a. Tire tread depth
Minimum tire tread depth
(front and rear)1.6 mm
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6 Tire information
This motorcycle is equipped with tube
tires.
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8The front and rear tires should
be of the same make and
design, otherwise the handling
characteristics of the motorcy-
cle cannot be guaranteed.
8After extensive tests, only the
tires listed below have been
approved for this model by
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
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8Have a Yamaha dealer replace
excessively worn tires.
Besides being illegal, operat-
ing the motorcycle with exces-
sively worn tires decreases
riding stability and can lead to
loss of control.
8The replacement of all wheel-
and brake-related parts,
including the tires, should be
left to a Yamaha dealer, who
has the necessary profession-
al knowledge and experience.
8It is not recommended to
patch a punctured tube. If
unavoidable, however, patch
the tube very carefully and
replace it as soon as possible
with a high-quality product.
EAU00685
Spoke wheels
To maximize the performance, dura-
bility, and safe operation of your
motorcycle, note the following points
regarding the specified wheels.
8The wheel rims should be
checked for cracks, bends or
warpage, and the spokes for
looseness or damage before
each ride. If any damage is
found, have a Yamaha dealer
replace the wheel. Do not
attempt even the smallest repair
to the wheel. A deformed or
cracked wheel must be replaced.
8The wheel should be balanced
whenever either the tire or wheel
has been changed or replaced.
An unbalanced wheel can result
in poor performance, adverse
handling characteristics, and a
shortened tire life.
FRONT
Manufacturer Size Type
BRIDGESTONE130/80-18 M/C 66P TW-203
REAR
Manufacturer Size Type
BRIDGESTONE180/80-14 M/C 78P TW-204
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68Ride at moderate speeds after
changing a tire since the tire sur-
face must first be “broken in” for
it to develop its optimal charac-
teristics.
EAU00694
Adjusting the clutch lever
free play
The clutch lever free play should
measure 10–15 mm as shown.
Periodically check the clutch lever
free play and, if necessary, adjust it
as follows.
1. Loosen the locknut at the clutch
lever.
2. To increase the clutch lever free
play, turn the adjusting bolt in
direction a. To decrease the
clutch lever free play, turn the
adjusting bolt in direction b.
c1
2
a
b
1. Locknut (clutch lever)
2. Adjusting bolt
c. Free play
3. If the specified clutch lever free
play could be obtained as
described above, tighten the
locknut and skip the rest of the
procedure, otherwise proceed as
follows.
4. Fully turn the adjusting bolt at the
clutch lever in direction ato
loosen the clutch cable.
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6 5. Loosen the locknut at the
crankcase.
6. To increase the clutch lever free
play, turn the adjusting nut in
direction a. To decrease the
clutch lever free play, turn the
adjusting nut in direction b.
7. Tighten the locknut at the clutch
lever and the crankcase.
21
ba
1. Locknut (crankcase)
2. Adjusting nut
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Adjusting the brake lever
free play
The brake lever free play should
measure 5–8 mm as shown.
Periodically check the brake lever
free play and, if necessary, adjust it
as follows.
1. Loosen the locknut at the brake
lever.
2. To increase the brake lever free
play, turn the adjusting bolt in
direction a. To decrease the
brake lever free play, turn the
adjusting bolt in direction b.
c12
a
b
1. Locknut
2. Adjusting bolt
c. Free play
3. Tighten the locknut.EW000099
w
8After adjusting the brake lever
free play, check the free play
and make sure that the brake
is working properly.
8A soft or spongy feeling in the
brake lever can indicate the
presence of air in the
hydraulic system. If there is air
in the hydraulic system, have
a Yamaha dealer bleed the
system before operating the
motorcycle. Air in the
hydraulic system will diminish
the braking performance,
which may result in loss of
control and an accident.
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6
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Adjusting the brake pedal
position and free play
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It is advisable to have a Yamaha
dealer make these adjustments.
Brake pedal position
The top of the brake pedal should be
positioned approximately 30 mm
below the top of the footrest.
Periodically check the brake pedal
position and, if necessary, adjust it as
follows.
c
2 1
a
b
1. Locknut
2. Adjusting bolt
c. Brake pedal position
1. Loosen the locknut at the brake
pedal.
2. To raise the brake pedal, turn the
adjusting bolt in direction a. To
lower the brake pedal, turn the
adjusting bolt in direction b.
3. Tighten the locknut.
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After adjusting the brake pedal
position, the brake pedal free play
must be adjusted.
Brake pedal free play
The brake pedal free play should
measure 20–30 mm as shown.
Periodically check the brake pedal
free play and, if necessary, adjust it
as follows.
a
a. Brake pedal free play
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6 To increase the brake pedal free
play, turn the adjusting nut at the
brake rod in direction a. To
decrease the brake pedal free play,
turn the adjusting nut in direction b.
b
a1
1. Brake pedal free play adjusting nut
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8After adjusting the drive chain
slack or removing and
installing the rear wheel,
always check the brake pedal
free play.
8If proper adjustment cannot be
obtained as described, have a
Yamaha dealer make this
adjustment.
8After adjusting the brake pedal
free play, check the operation
of the brake light.
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Adjusting the rear brake light
switch
The rear brake light switch, which is
activated by the brake pedal, is prop-
erly adjusted when the brake light
comes on just before braking takes
effect. If necessary, adjust the brake
light switch as follows.
Turn the adjusting nut while holding
the rear brake light switch in place.
To make the brake light come on ear-
lier, turn the adjusting nut in direction
a. To make the brake light come on
later, turn the adjusting nut in direc-
tion b.
1
2
a
b
1. Rear brake light switch
2. Adjusting nut
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6
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Checking the front brake
pads and rear brake shoes
The front brake pads and the rear
brake shoes must be checked for
wear at the intervals specified in the
periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.
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Front brake pads
Each front brake pad is provided with
wear indicator grooves, which allow
you to check the brake pad wear
without having to disassemble the
brake. To check the brake pad wear,
check the wear indicator grooves. If a
brake pad has worn to the point that
the wear indicator grooves have
almost disappeared, have a Yamaha
dealer replace the brake pads as a
set.
11
1. Brake pad wear indicator groove (×3)
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Rear brake shoes
The rear brake is provided with a
wear indicator, which allows you to
check the brake shoe wear without
having to disassemble the brake. To
check the brake shoe wear, check
the position of the wear indicator
while applying the brake. If a brake
shoe has worn to the point that the
wear indicator reaches the wear limit
line, have a Yamaha dealer replace
the brake shoes as a set.
2
1
1. Wear limit line
2. Wear indicator
FRONTREAR
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6
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Checking the brake fluid
level
Insufficient brake fluid may allow air
to enter the brake system, possibly
causing it to become ineffective.
Before riding, check that the brake
fluid is above the minimum level mark
and replenish if necessary. A low
brake fluid level may indicate worn
brake pads and/or brake system
leakage. If the brake fluid level is low,
be sure to check the brake pads for
wear and the brake system for leak-
age.
1
1. Minimum level mark
Observe these precautions:
8When checking the fluid level,
make sure that the top of the
brake fluid reservoir is level.
8Use only the recommended qual-
ity brake fluid, otherwise the rub-
ber seals may deteriorate, caus-
ing leakage and poor braking
performance.
8Refill with the same type of brake
fluid. Mixing fluids may result in a
harmful chemical reaction and
lead to poor braking perfor-
mance.
8Be careful that water does not
enter the brake fluid reservoir
when refilling. Water will signifi-
cantly lower the boiling point of
the fluid and may result in vapor
lock.8Brake fluid may deteriorate paint-
ed surfaces or plastic parts.
Always clean up spilled fluid
immediately.
8As the brake pads wear, it is nor-
mal for the brake fluid level to
gradually go down. However, if
the brake fluid level goes down
suddenly, have a Yamaha dealer
check the cause.
Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 4
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