2004 YAMAHA XVS250 transmission

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-2
3
EAU10880
(Parking)
The steering is locked, and the taillight
and auxiliary light are on, but all other
electrical systems are off. The key can
be removed.
The steering must be locked before the
key can be turned to “”.
CAUTION:
ECA11020
Do not use the parking position for
an extended length of time, other-wise the battery may discharge.
EAU11001
Indicator and warning lights
EAU11020
Turn signal indicator light “”
This indicator light flashes when the
t u r n s i g n a l s w i t c h i s p u s h e d t o t h e l e f t o r
right.
EAU11060
Neutral indicator light “”
This indicator light comes on when the
transmission is in the neutral position.
EAU11080
High beam indicator light “”
This indicator light comes on when the
high beam of the headlight is switched
on.
EAU11500
Engine trouble warning light “”
This warning light comes on or flashes
when an electrical circuit monitoring the
engine is defective. When this occurs,
have a Yamaha dealer check the self-
diagnosis system.
The electrical circuit of the warning light
can be checked by turning the key to
“ON”. If the warning light does not come
on for a few seconds, then go off, have
a Yamaha dealer check the electrical
circuit.
1. High beam indicator light “”
2. Turn signal indicator light “”
3. Neutral indicator light “”
4. Engine trouble warning light “”
5KRE2.book Page 2 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
3-11
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

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
6-21
6
EAU22760
Drive chain slack The drive chain slack should be
checked before each ride and adjusted
if necessary.
EAU22770
To check the drive chain slack
1. Place the motorcycle on a level
surface and hold it in an upright po-
sition.NOTE:When checking and adjusting the drive
chain slack, the motorcycle should be
positioned straight up and there shouldbe no weight on it.
2. Shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position.
3. Move the rear wheel by pushing
the motorcycle to locate the tight-
est portion of the drive chain, and
then measure the drive chain slack
as shown.4. If the drive chain slack is incorrect,
adjust it as follows.
EAU22821
To adjust the drive chain slack
1. Loosen the brake pedal free play
adjusting nut, axle nut, and locknut
at each end of the swingarm.2. To tighten the drive chain, turn the
adjusting nut at each end of the
swingarm in direction (a). To loos-
en the drive chain, turn the adjust-
ing nut at each end of the
swingarm in direction (b), and then
push the rear wheel forward.
NOTE:Using the alignment marks on each
side of the swingarm, make sure that
both adjusting nuts are in the same po-sition for proper wheel alignment.
Drive chain slack:
30.0–40.0 mm (1.18–1.57 in)
1. Drive chain slack
1. Axle nut
2. Locknut
3. Brake pedal free play adjusting nut
5KRE2.book Page 21 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM