2004 YAMAHA XVS125 engine

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-7
2
34
5
6
7
8
9 fuel may deteriorate painted surfac-

es or plastic parts.
EAU13320
CAUTION:

ECA11400
Use only unleaded gasoline. The use
of leaded gasoline will cause severe
damage to internal engine parts,
such as the valves and piston rings,
as well as to the exhaust system.
Your Yamaha engine has been de-
signed to use regular unleaded gaso-
line with a research octane number of
91 or higher. If knocking (or pinging) oc-
curs, use a gasoline of a different brand
or premium unleaded fuel. Use of un-leaded fuel will extend spark plug life
and reduce maintenance costs.
EAU13580
Fuel cock
This model is equipped with a negative
pressure fuel cock. The fuel cock sup-
plies fuel from the tank to the carburetor
while also filtering it.
The fuel cock lever positions are ex-
plained as follows and shown in the il-
lustrations.
ON
With the fuel cock lever in this position,
fuel flows to the carburetor when the
engine is running. Turn the fuel cock le-
ver to this position when starting the en-
gine and riding. Recommended fuel:
REGULAR UNLEADED
GASOLINE ONLY
Fuel tank capacity:
11.0 L (2.91 US gal)
(2.42 Imp.gal)
Fuel reserve amount:
3.4 L (0.90 US gal)
(0.75 Imp.gal)
1. Arrow mark positioned over “ON”
1

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9RES
This indicates reserve. With the fuel
cock lever in this position, the fuel re-
serve is made available. Quickly turn
the fuel cock lever to this position if you
run out of fuel while riding, otherwise
the engine may stall and will have to be
primed (see “PRI”). After turning the
fuel cock lever to “RES”, refuel as soon
as possible and be sure to turn the fuel
cock lever back to “ON”!
PRI
This indicates prime. With the fuel cock
lever in this position, the engine can be
“primed”. Turn the fuel cock lever to this
position when the engine has been al-
lowed to run out of fuel. This sends fuel
directly to the carburetor, which will
make starting easier. After the engine
has started, be sure to turn the lever to
“ON” (or “RES” if you have not refueled
yet).

EAU13590
Starter (choke) lever “”
Starting a cold engine requires a richer
air-fuel mixture, which is supplied by
the starter (choke).
Move the lever in direction (a) to turn on
the starter (choke).
Move the lever in direction (b) to turn off
the starter (choke).
1. Arrow mark positioned over “RES”
1

1. Arrow mark positioned over “PRI”
1

1. Starter (choke) lever “”
1
(a)
(b)

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-10
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

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 of
the 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. Yama-
ha’s ignition circuit cut-off system
has been designed to assist the op-
erator in fulfilling the responsibility
of raising the sidestand before start-
ing off. Therefore, check this systemregularly as described below and
have a Yamaha dealer repair it if it
does not function properly.
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.

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-11
2
34
5
6
7
8
9
With the engine turned off:
1. Move the sidestand down.
2. Make sure that the engine stop switch is turned on.
3. Turn the key on.
4. Shift the transmission into the neutral position.
5. Push the start switch.
Does the engine start?
With the engine still running:
6. Move the sidestand up.
7. Keep the clutch lever pulled.
8. Shift the transmission into gear.
9. Move the sidestand down.
Does the engine stall?
After the engine has stalled:
10. Move the sidestand up.
11. Keep the clutch lever pulled.
12. Push the start switch.
Does the engine start?
The system is OK. The motorcycle can be ridden.
This check is most reliable if performed with
a warmed-up engine.The neutral switch may be defective.
The motorcycle should not be ridden until
checked by a Yamaha dealer.
The sidestand switch may be defective.
The motorcycle should not be ridden until
checked by a Yamaha dealer.
The clutch switch may be defective.
The motorcycle should not be ridden until
checked by a Yamaha dealer.
YES NO YES NO YES NONOTE:

PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
4-2
2
3
45
6
7
8
9

EAU15601
Pre-operation check list
ITEM CHECKS PAGE
Fuel

Check fuel level in fuel tank.

Refuel if necessary.

Check fuel line for leakage.3-6
Engine oil

Check oil level in engine.

If necessary, add recommended oil to specified level.

Check vehicle for oil leakage.6-8
Front brake

Check operation.

If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed hydraulic system.

Check lever free play.

Adjust if necessary.

Check brake pads for wear.

Replace if necessary.

Check fluid level in reservoir.

If necessary, add recommended brake fluid to specified level.

Check hydraulic system for leakage.6-19, 6-20
Rear brake

Check operation.

Check pedal free play.

Adjust if necessary.6-17
Clutch

Check operation.

Lubricate cable if necessary.

Check lever free play.

Adjust if necessary.6-16
Throttle grip

Make sure that operation is smooth.

Check cable free play.

If necessary, have Yamaha dealer adjust cable free play and lubricate cable
and grip housing.6-12, 6-24
Control cables

Make sure that operation is smooth.

Lubricate if necessary.6-23

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-1
2
3
4
56
7
8
9

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 loss
of control.
EAU16060
Starting a cold 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 3-10.

Never ride with the sidestand
down.
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 Yama-
ha dealer check the electrical circuit.
4. Turn the starter (choke) on and
completely close the throttle. (See
page 3-8.)
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) back halfway.
CAUTION:

ECA11040
For maximum engine life, never ac-
celerate hard when the engine is
cold!

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
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.
EAU16640
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.
EAU16671
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.
1. Shift pedal
2. Neutral position
1
1 N2 3 4 5
2

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-3
2
3
4
56
7
8
9
CAUTION:

ECA10260

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 damag-
ing the engine, transmission,
and drive train, which are not
designed to withstand the
shock of forced shifting.
EAU16730
Recommended shift points (for
Switzerland only)
The recommended shift points during
acceleration are shown in the table be-
low.
NOTE:

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).
EAU16800
Tips for reducing fuel
consumption
Fuel consumption depends largely on
your riding style. Consider the following
tips to reduce fuel consumption:

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 shifting
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 traffic
lights or at railroad crossings).
Shift up points:
1st
→
2nd: 23 km/h
2nd
→
3rd: 36 km/h
3rd
→
4th: 50 km/h
4th
→
5th: 60 km/h