Page 27 of 90

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-13
3 or premium unleaded fuel. Use of un-
leaded fuel will extend spark plug life
and reduce maintenance costs.
EAU13410
Fuel tank breather hose Before operating the motorcycle:
Check the fuel tank breather hose
connection.
Check the fuel tank breather hose
for cracks or damage, and replace
it if damaged.
Make sure that the end of the fuel
tank breather hose is not blocked,
and clean it if necessary.
EAU13430
Catalytic converter This model is equipped with a catalytic
converter in the exhaust chamber.
WARNING
EWA10860
The exhaust system is hot after op-
eration. Make sure that the exhaust
system has cooled down before do-ing any maintenance work.CAUTION:
ECA10700
The following precautions must be
observed to prevent a fire hazard or
other damages.
Use only unleaded gasoline.
The use of leaded gasoline will
cause unrepairable damage to
the catalytic converter.
Never park the vehicle near pos-
sible fire hazards such as grass
or other materials that easily
burn.
Do not allow the engine to idletoo long.
1. Fuel tank breather hose
2. White mark
5VXE1.book Page 13 Monday, February 9, 2004 5:39 PM
Page 28 of 90

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-14
3
EAU32980
Seat To remove the seat
1. Insert the key into the seat lock,
and then turn it counterclockwise.
2. While holding the key in that posi-
tion, lift the rear of the seat up, and
then pull the seat off.
To install the seat
1. Insert the projection on the front of
the seat into the seat holder as
shown.2. Push the rear of the seat down to
lock it in place.
3. Remove the key.
NOTE:Make sure that the seat is properly se-cured before riding.
EAU14421
Storage compartment This storage compartment is designed
to hold a genuine Yamaha U-LOCK.
(Other locks may not fit.) When placing
a U-LOCK in the storage compartment,
securely fasten it with the straps. When
the U-LOCK is not in the storage com-
partment, be sure to secure the straps
to prevent losing them.
WARNING
EWA10961
Do not exceed the load limit of 3
kg (7 lb) for the storage com-
partment.
1. Seat lock
2. Unlock.
1. Projection
2. Seat holder
1. U-LOCK bar (optional)
2. Lock of U-LOCK (optional)
3. Strap
5VXE1.book Page 14 Monday, February 9, 2004 5:39 PM
Page 29 of 90

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-15
3
Do not exceed the maximum
load of 190 kg (419 lb) for the ve-hicle.
EAU14830
Adjusting the shock absorber
assembly This shock absorber assembly is
equipped with a spring preload adjust-
ing ring.CAUTION:
ECA10100
Never attempt to turn an adjusting
mechanism beyond the maximum orminimum settings.
Adjust the spring preload as follows.
To increase the spring preload and
thereby harden the suspension, turn
the adjusting ring in direction (a). To de-crease the spring preload and thereby
soften the suspension, turn the adjust-
ing ring in direction (b).
NOTE:Align the appropriate notch in the ad-
justing ring with the position indicatoron the shock absorber.
WARNING
EWA10220
This shock absorber contains highly
pressurized nitrogen gas. For prop-
er handling, read and understand
the following information before
handling the shock absorber. The
manufacturer cannot be held re-
sponsible for property damage or
personal injury that may result from
improper handling.
Do not tamper with or attempt to
open the gas cylinder.
1. Spring preload adjusting ring
2. Special wrench
3. Position indicator
Spring preload setting:
Minimum (soft):
1
Standard:
3
Maximum (hard):
7
5VXE1.book Page 15 Monday, February 9, 2004 5:39 PM
Page 30 of 90

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-16
3
Do not subject the shock ab-
sorber to an open flame or other
high heat sources, otherwise it
may explode due to excessive
gas pressure.
Do not deform or damage the
gas cylinder in any way, as this
will result in poor damping per-
formance.
Always have a Yamaha dealerservice the shock absorber.
EAU15300
Sidestand The sidestand is located on the left side
of the frame. Raise the sidestand or
lower it with your foot while holding the
vehicle upright.NOTE:The built-in sidestand switch is part of
the ignition circuit cut-off system, which
cuts the ignition in certain situations.
(See further down for an explanation ofthe ignition circuit cut-off system.)
WARNING
EWA10240
The vehicle must not be ridden with
the sidestand down, or if the side-
stand cannot be properly moved up
(or does not stay up), otherwise the
sidestand could contact the ground
and distract the operator, resulting
in a possible loss of control.
Yamaha’s ignition circuit cut-off
system has been designed to assist
the operator in fulfilling the respon-
sibility of raising the sidestand be-
fore starting off. Therefore, check
this system regularly as describedbelow and have a Yamaha dealer re-
pair it if it does not function proper-
ly.
5VXE1.book Page 16 Monday, February 9, 2004 5:39 PM
Page 31 of 90
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-17
3
EAU15311
Ignition circuit cut-off system The ignition circuit cut-off system (com-
prising the sidestand switch, clutch
switch and neutral switch) has the fol-
lowing functions.
It prevents starting when the trans-
mission is in gear and the side-
stand is up, but the clutch lever is
not pulled.
It prevents starting when the trans-
mission is in gear and the clutch le-
ver is pulled, but the sidestand is
still down.
It cuts the running engine when the
transmission is in gear and the sid-
estand is moved down.
Periodically check the operation of the
ignition circuit cut-off system according
to the following procedure.WARNING
EWA10250
If a malfunction is noted, have a
Yamaha dealer check the system be-fore riding.
5VXE1.book Page 17 Monday, February 9, 2004 5:39 PM
Page 33 of 90
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
4-1
4
EAU15591
The condition of a vehicle is the owner’s responsibility. Vital components can start to deteriorate quickly and unexpectedly,
even if the vehicle remains unused (for example, as a result of exposure to the elements). Any damage, fluid leakage or loss
of tire air pressure could have serious consequences. Therefore, it is very important, in addition to a thorough visual inspec-
tion, to check the following points before each ride.NOTE:Pre-operation checks should be made each time the vehicle is used. Such an inspection can be accomplished in a very shorttime; and the added safety it assures is more than worth the time involved.
WARNING
EWA11150
If any item in the Pre-operation check list is not working properly, have it inspected and repaired before operatingthe vehicle.
5VXE1.book Page 1 Monday, February 9, 2004 5:39 PM
Page 36 of 90

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-1
5
EAU15950
WARNING
EWA10270
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 lossof control.
EAU32951
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 sid-
estand up.WARNING
EWA10290
Before starting the engine,
check the function of the igni-
tion circuit cut-off system ac-
cording to the procedure
described on page 3-17.
Never ride with the sidestanddown.
1. Turn the key to “ON” and make
sure that the engine stop switch is
set to “”.
CAUTION:
ECA12741
The following warning lights and in-
dicator light should come on for a
few seconds, then go off.
Oil level warning light
Engine trouble warning light
Immobilizer system indicator
light
If a warning or indicator light does
not go off, see page 3-3 for the corre-
sponding warning and indicator
light circuit check.
2. 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 cir-cuit.
3. 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 oneattempt.
5VXE1.book Page 1 Monday, February 9, 2004 5:39 PM
Page 39 of 90
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-4
5
CAUTION:
ECA10301
After 1000 km (600 mi) of operation,
the engine oil must be changed and
the oil filter cartridge or element re-placed.
1600 km (1000 mi) and beyond
The vehicle can now be operated nor-
mally.CAUTION:
ECA10310
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.
EAU17211
Parking When parking, stop the engine, and
then remove the key from the main
switch.
WARNING
EWA10310
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 vehiclemay overturn.
CAUTION:
ECA10380
Never park in an area where there
are fire hazards such as grass orother flammable materials.
5VXE1.book Page 4 Monday, February 9, 2004 5:39 PM