2004 YAMAHA XVS250 Owners Manual

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
YAMAHA MOTOR CO., LTD.
PRINTED IN JAPAN
2003.07-0.3×1 CR
(E)5KR-28199-E2
XVS250
OWNER’S MANUAL

5KRE2.book Page 2 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM

INTRODUCTION
EAU10100
Welcome to the Yamaha world of motorcycling!
As the owner of the XVS250, you are benefiting from Yamaha’s vast experience and newest technology
regarding the design and manufacture of high-quality products, which have earned Yamaha a reputation
for dependability.
Please take the time to read this manual thoroughly, so as to enjoy all advantages of your XVS250. The
owner’s manual does not only instruct you in how to operate, inspect and maintain your motorcycle, but
also in how to safeguard yourself and others from trouble and injury.
In addition, the many tips given in this manual will help keep your motorcycle in the best possible con-
dition. If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact your Yamaha dealer.
The Yamaha team wishes you many safe and pleasant rides. So, remember to put safety first!
5KRE2.book Page 1 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM

IMPORTANT MANUAL INFORMATION
EAU10150
Particularly important information is distinguished in this manual by the following notations:NOTE:

This manual should be considered a permanent part of this motorcycle and should remain with it even if the motorcycle
is subsequently sold.


Yamaha continually seeks advancements in product design and quality. Therefore, while this manual contains the most
current product information available at the time of printing, there may be minor discrepancies between your motorcycleand this manual. If you have any questions concerning this manual, please consult your Yamaha dealer.WARNING
EWA10030
PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY AND COMPLETELY BEFORE OPERATING THIS MOTORCYCLE.The Safety Alert Symbol means ATTENTION! BECOME ALERT! YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED!
Failure to follow WARNING instructions could result in severe injury or death
to the motor-
cycle operator, a bystander, or a person inspecting or repairing the motorcycle.
A CAUTION indicates special precautions that must be taken to avoid damage to the motor-
cycle.
A NOTE provides key information to make procedures easier or clearer.
WARNING
CAUTION:
NOTE:
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IMPORTANT MANUAL INFORMATION
EAU10200
XVS250
OWN ER’S MANUAL
©2003 by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
1st edition, May 2003
All rights reserved.
Any reprinting or unauthorized use
without the written permission of
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
is expressly prohibited.
Printed in Japan.
5KRE2.book Page 2 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM

TABLE OF CONTENTSSAFETY INFORMATION ..................1-1
DESCRIPTION ..................................2-1
Left view ..........................................2-1
Right view ........................................2-2
Controls and instruments.................2-3
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL
FUNCTIONS.......................................3-1
Main switch/steering lock ................3-1
Indicator and warning lights ............3-2
Speedometer unit ...........................3-3
Self-diagnosis device ......................3-3
Anti-theft alarm (optional) ...............3-3
Handlebar switches ........................3-4
Clutch lever .....................................3-5
Shift pedal .......................................3-5
Brake lever .....................................3-6
Brake pedal ....................................3-6
Fuel tank cap ..................................3-6
Fuel .................................................3-7
Fuel cock ........................................3-8
Starter (choke) lever .......................3-9
Helmet holder .................................3-9
Adjusting the shock absorber
assemblies ................................3-10
Sidestand ......................................3-10
Ignition circuit cut-off system ........3-11
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS..............4-1
Pre-operation check list ..................4-2OPERATION AND IMPORTANT
RIDING POINTS................................. 5-1
Starting a cold engine .................... 5-1
Starting a warm engine .................. 5-2
Shifting ........................................... 5-2
Tips for reducing fuel
consumption ............................... 5-3
Engine break-in .............................. 5-4
Parking ........................................... 5-4
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND
MINOR REPAIR................................. 6-1
Owner’s tool kit ............................... 6-1
Periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart .......................... 6-2
Removing and installing panels ..... 6-5
Checking the spark plugs ............... 6-6
Engine oil and oil filter element ...... 6-8
Cleaning the air filter element ...... 6-10
Adjusting the carburetor ............... 6-11
Adjusting the engine idling
speed ........................................ 6-12
Adjusting the throttle cable
free play .................................... 6-12
Adjusting the valve clearance ...... 6-13
Tires ............................................. 6-13
Spoke wheels ............................... 6-15
Adjusting the clutch lever
free play .................................... 6-15
Adjusting the brake lever
free play .................................... 6-16Adjusting the brake pedal
position and free play ............... 6-17
Adjusting the rear brake
light switch ................................ 6-18
Checking the front brake pads
and rear brake shoes ............... 6-19
Checking the brake fluid level ...... 6-19
Changing the brake fluid .............. 6-20
Drive chain slack .......................... 6-21
Lubricating the drive chain ........... 6-22
Checking and lubricating the
cables ....................................... 6-23
Checking and lubricating the
throttle grip and cable ............... 6-23
Checking and lubricating the
brake and shift pedals .............. 6-24
Checking and lubricating the
brake and clutch levers ............ 6-24
Checking and lubricating the
sidestand .................................. 6-24
Checking the front fork ................. 6-25
Checking the steering .................. 6-25
Checking the wheel bearings ....... 6-26
Battery ......................................... 6-26
Replacing the fuses ..................... 6-28
Replacing the headlight bulb ....... 6-28
Replacing the tail/brake
light bulb ................................... 6-30
Replacing a turn signal
light bulb ................................... 6-30
Supporting the motorcycle ........... 6-315KRE2.book Page 1 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Front wheel ................................... 6-32
Rear wheel ................................... 6-33
Troubleshooting ............................ 6-35
Troubleshooting chart ................... 6-36
MOTORCYCLE CARE AND
STORAGE.......................................... 7-1
Care ................................................ 7-1
Storage ...........................................7-3
SPECIFICATIONS ............................. 8-1
CONSUMER INFORMATION............. 9-1
Identification numbers .................... 9-1
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1-1
1
SAFETY INFORMATION
EAU10250
MOTORCYCLES ARE SINGLE
TRACK VEHICLES. THEIR SAFE USE
AND OPERATION ARE DEPENDENT
UPON THE USE OF PROPER RIDING
TECHNIQUES AS WELL AS THE EX-
PERTISE OF THE OPERATOR. EV-
ERY OPERATOR SHOULD KNOW
THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS
BEFORE RIDING THIS MOTOR-
CYCLE.
HE OR SHE SHOULD:

OBTAIN THOROUGH INSTRUC-
TIONS FROM A COMPETENT
SOURCE ON ALL ASPECTS OF
MOTORCYCLE OPERATION.


OBSERVE THE WARNINGS AND
MAINTENANCE REQUIRE-
MENTS IN THE OWNER’S MAN-
UAL.


OBTAIN QUALIFIED TRAINING
IN SAFE AND PROPER RIDING
TECHNIQUES.


OBTAIN PROFESSIONAL TECH-
NICAL SERVICE AS INDICATED
BY THE OWNER’S MANUALAND/OR WHEN MADE NECES-
SARY BY MECHANICAL CONDI-
TIONS.
Safe riding


Always make pre-operation
checks. Careful checks may help
prevent an accident.


This motorcycle is designed to car-
ry the operator and a passenger.


The failure of motorists to detect
and recognize motorcycles in traf-
fic is the predominating cause of
automobile/motorcycle accidents.
Many accidents have been caused
by an automobile driver who did
not see the motorcycle. Making
yourself conspicuous appears to
be very effective in reducing the
chance of this type of accident.
Therefore:
Wear a brightly colored jacket.
Use extra caution when ap-
proaching and passing through
intersections, since intersec-
tions are the most likely places
for motorcycle accidents to oc-
cur.Ride where other motorists can
see you. Avoid riding in another
motorist’s blind spot.


Many motorcycle accidents in-
volve inexperienced operators. In
fact, many operators who have
been involved in accidents do not
even have a current motorcycle li-
cense.
Make sure that you are qualified
and that you only lend your
motorcycle to other qualified op-
erators.
Know your skills and limits.
Staying within your limits may
help you to avoid an accident.
We recommend that you prac-
tice riding your motorcycle
where there is no traffic until you
have become thoroughly famil-
iar with the motorcycle and all of
its controls.


Many motorcycle accidents have
been caused by error of the motor-
cycle operator. A typical error
made by the operator is veering
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