2004 YAMAHA XVS250 engine

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-4
3
EAU12342
Handlebar switches LeftRight
EAU12350
Pass switch “”
Press this switch to flash the headlight.
EAU12400
Dimmer switch “/”
Set this switch to “” for the high
beam and to “” for the low beam.
EAU12460
Turn signal switch “/”
To signal a right-hand turn, push this
switch to “”. To signal a left-hand
turn, push this switch to “”. When re-
leased, the switch returns to the centerposition. To cancel the turn signal
lights, push the switch in after it has re-
turned to the center position.
EAU12500
Horn switch “”
Press this switch to sound the horn.
EAU12590
Light switch “//”
Set this switch to “” to turn on the
auxiliary light, meter lighting and tail-
light. Set the switch to “” to turn on
the headlight also. Set the switch to “”
to turn off all the lights.
EAU12660
Engine stop switch “/”
Set this switch to “” before starting
the engine. Set this switch to “” to
stop the engine in case of an emergen-
cy, such as when the vehicle overturns
or when the throttle cable is stuck.
EAU12710
Start switch “”
Push this switch to crank the engine
with the starter.
1. Pass switch “”
2. Dimmer switch “/”
3. Turn signal switch “/”
4. Horn switch “”
1. Engine stop switch “/”
2. Light switch “//”
3. Start switch “”
5KRE2.book Page 4 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-5
3
CAUTION:
ECA10050
See page 5-1 for starting instruc-tions prior to starting the engine.
EAU12820
Clutch lever The clutch lever is located at the left
handlebar grip. To disengage the
clutch, pull the lever toward the handle-
bar grip. To engage the clutch, release
the lever. The lever should be pulled
rapidly and released slowly for smooth
clutch operation.
The clutch lever is equipped with a
clutch switch, which is part of the igni-
tion circuit cut-off system. (See page
3-11.)
EAU12870
Shift pedal The shift pedal is located on the left
side of the engine and is used in com-
bination with the clutch lever when
shifting the gears of the 5-speed con-
stant-mesh transmission equipped on
this motorcycle.
1. Clutch lever
1. Shift pedal
5KRE2.book Page 5 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-7
3
NOTE:The fuel tank cap cannot be installed
unless the key is in the lock. In addition,
the key cannot be removed if the cap isnot properly installed and locked.
WARNING
EWA11140
Make sure that the fuel tank cap isproperly installed before riding.
EAU13210
Fuel Make sure that there is sufficient fuel in
the tank. Fill the fuel tank to the bottom
of the filler tube as shown.
WARNING
EWA10880


Do not overfill the fuel tank, oth-
erwise it may overflow when the
fuel warms up and expands.


Avoid spilling fuel on the hot en-gine.
CAUTION:
ECA10070
Immediately wipe off spilled fuel
with a clean, dry, soft cloth, since
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
1. Fuel tank filler tube
2. Fuel level
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)
5KRE2.book Page 7 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-8
3or 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.RES
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”!1. Pointed end positioned over “ON”
1. Pointed end positioned over “RES”
5KRE2.book Page 8 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-9
3 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).
EAU14281
Helmet holder To open the helmet holder, insert the
key into the lock, and then turn the key
as shown.
To lock the helmet holder, place it in the
original position, and then remove the
key.
WARNING
EWA10160
Never ride with a helmet attached to
the helmet holder, since the helmet
may hit objects, causing loss of con-trol and possibly an accident.
1. Pointed end positioned over “PRI”
1. Starter (choke) lever “”
1. Helmet holder
2. Unlock.
5KRE2.book Page 9 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-11
3 below and have a Yamaha dealer re-
pair it if it does not function proper-
ly.
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.
5KRE2.book Page 11 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-12
3
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:
5KRE2.book Page 12 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM

PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
4-2
4
EAU15601
Pre-operation check list
ITEM CHECKS PAGE
FuelCheck fuel level in fuel tank.
Refuel if necessary.
Check fuel line for leakage.3-7
Engine oilCheck oil level in engine.
If necessary, add recommended oil to specified level.
Check vehicle for oil leakage.6-8
Front brakeCheck 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.6-16, 6-19, 6-19
Rear brakeCheck operation.
Check pedal free play.
Adjust if necessary.6-17, 6-19
ClutchCheck operation.
Lubricate cable if necessary.
Check lever free play.
Adjust if necessary.6-15
Throttle gripMake 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, 6-23
Control cablesMake sure that operation is smooth.
Lubricate if necessary.6-23
5KRE2.book Page 2 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM