2004 YAMAHA XVS250 light

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.
EAU16400
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 3-11.


Never ride with the sidestanddown.
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
Yamaha dealer check the electrical cir-cuit.
4. Turn the starter (choke) on and
completely close the throttle. (See
page 3-9.)
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 oneattempt.CAUTION:
ECA11370
The engine trouble warning light
should come on when the key is
turned to “ON”, and then go off after
a few seconds. If the engine trouble
warning light comes on or flashes
5KRE2.book Page 1 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-2
5 after starting, immediately stop the
engine, and have a Yamaha dealer
check the self-diagnosis system.
6. After starting the engine, move the
starter (choke) back halfway.CAUTION:
ECA11040
For maximum engine life, never ac-
celerate hard when the engine iscold!
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 itstravel, and then slightly raise it.1. Shift pedal
2. Neutral position
5KRE2.book Page 2 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-3
5
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 theshock of forced shifting.
EAU32810
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 (22 mi/h) whenshifting 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 (14 mi/h)
2nd → 3rd: 36 km/h (22 mi/h)
3rd → 4th: 50 km/h (31 mi/h)
4th → 5th: 60 km/h (37 mi/h)
5KRE2.book Page 3 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-4
6
EAU18660
NOTE:

The air filter needs more frequent service if you are riding in unusually wet or dusty areas.


Hydraulic brake service
Regularly check and, if necessary, correct the brake fluid level.
Every two years replace the internal components of the brake master cylinder and caliper, and change the brake fluid.Replace the brake hoses every four years and if cracked or damaged.
22 Engine oil filter elementReplace.√ √ √
23*Engine oil strainerClean.√
24*Front and rear brake
switchesCheck operation.√ √ √ √ √ √
25Moving parts and ca-
blesLubricate.√ √ √ √ √
26*Throttle grip housing
and cableCheck operation and free play.
Adjust the throttle cable free play if necessary.
Lubricate the throttle grip housing and cable.√ √ √ √ √
27*Air induction systemCheck the air cut-off valve, reed valve, and hose for dam-
age.
Replace the entire air induction system if necessary.√ √ √ √ √
28*Muffler and exhaust
pipeCheck the screw clamp for looseness.√
29*Lights, signals and
switchesCheck operation.
Adjust headlight beam.√ √ √ √ √ √ NO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOBODOMETER READING (× 1000 km)
ANNUAL
CHECK
1 10203040
5KRE2.book Page 4 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-7
6To check the spark plugs
1. Check that the porcelain insulator
around the center electrode on
each spark plug is a medium-to-
light tan (the ideal color when the
vehicle is ridden normally).
2. Check that all spark plugs installed
in the engine have the same color.
NOTE:If any spark plug shows a distinctly dif-
ferent color, the engine could be defec-
tive. Do not attempt to diagnose such
problems yourself. Instead, have aYamaha dealer check the vehicle.3. Check each spark plug for elec-
trode erosion and excessive car-
bon or other deposits, and replace
it if necessary.
To install a spark plug
1. Measure the spark plug gap with a
wire thickness gauge and, if nec-
essary, adjust the gap to specifica-
tion.2. Clean the surface of the spark plug
gasket and its mating surface, and
then wipe off any grime from the
spark plug threads.
3. Install the spark plug with the
spark plug wrench, and then tight-
en it to the specified torque.
NOTE:
If a torque wrench is not available when
installing a spark plug, a good estimate
of the correct torque is 1/4–1/2 turn
past finger tight. However, the spark
plug should be tightened to the speci-fied torque as soon as possible.
4. Install the spark plug cap.
1. Spark plug wrench
Specified spark plug:
NGK/CR6HSA
DENSO/U20FSR-U1. Spark plug gapSpark plug gap:
0.6–0.7 mm (0.024–0.028 in)
Tightening torque:
Spark plug:
12.5 Nm (1.25 m·kgf, 9.0 ft·lbf)
5KRE2.book Page 7 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-8
6
EAU19751
Engine oil and oil filter
element The engine oil level should be checked
before each ride. In addition, the oil
must be changed and the oil filter ele-
ment replaced at the intervals specified
in the periodic maintenance and lubri-
cation chart.
To check the engine oil level
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion.NOTE:
Make sure that the vehicle is positioned
straight up when checking the oil level.
A slight tilt to the side can result in afalse reading.
2. Start the engine, warm it up for
several minutes, and then turn it
off.
3. Wait a few minutes until the oil set-
tles, and then check the oil level
through the check window located
at the bottom-right side of the
crankcase.
NOTE:The engine oil should be between theminimum and maximum level marks.
4. If the engine oil is below the mini-
mum level mark, add sufficient oil
of the recommended type to raise
it to the correct level.
To change the engine oil (with or
without oil filter element replace-
ment)
1. Start the engine, warm it up for
several minutes, and then turn it
off.2. Place an oil pan under the engine
to collect the used oil.
3. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and drain bolt to drain the oil from
the crankcase.
NOTE:Skip steps 4–6 if the oil filter element isnot being replaced.
4. Remove the oil filter element cover
by removing the bolts.
1. Engine oil level check window
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
4. Engine oil filler cap
1. Engine oil drain bolt
2. Oil pan
5KRE2.book Page 8 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-10
6
EAU20660
Cleaning the air filter element The air filter element should be cleaned
at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.
Clean the air filter element more fre-
quently if you are riding in unusually
wet or dusty areas.
1. Remove the air filter case by re-
moving the bolts, loosening the
clamp screw, then disconnecting
the hose.
2. Remove the air filter case cover by
removing the screws.3. Remove the air filter element by
removing the screws.
4. Lightly tap the air filter element to
remove most of the dust and dirt,
and then blow the remaining dirtout with compressed air as shown.
If the air filter element is damaged,
replace it.
5. Install the air filter element by in-
serting it into the air filter case,
then installing the screws.
6. Remove the clamp from the air fil-
ter check hose, and then remove
the plug from the check hose to
drain any accumulated water.1. Bolt
2. Clamp screw
3. Hose
1. Air filter case cover
2. Screw
1. Air filter element
2. Screw
5KRE2.book Page 10 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-18
6 Brake pedal free play
The brake pedal free play should mea-
sure 20.0–30.0 mm (0.79–1.18 in) at
the brake pedal end. Periodically check
the brake pedal free play and, if neces-
sary, adjust it as follows.
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).
WARNING
EWA10680


After adjusting the drive chain
slack or removing and installing
the rear wheel, always check the
brake pedal free play.


If proper adjustment cannot be
obtained as described, have a
Yamaha dealer make this ad-
justment.


After adjusting the brake pedal
free play, check the operation ofthe brake light.
EAU22270
Adjusting the rear brake light
switch The rear brake light switch, which is ac-
tivated by the brake pedal, is properly
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 earlier,
turn the adjusting nut in direction (a). To
make the brake light come on later, turn
the adjusting nut in direction (b).
1. Brake pedal free play adjusting nut
1. Rear brake light switch
2. Rear brake light switch adjusting nut
5KRE2.book Page 18 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM