2004 YAMAHA XVS250 warning

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:
5KRE2.book Page 1 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

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
5KRE2.book Page 1 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-1
3
EAU10460
Main switch/steering lock The main switch/steering lock controls
the ignition and lighting systems, and is
used to lock the steering. The various
positions are described below.
EAU10630
ON
All electrical systems are supplied with
power, and the engine can be started.
The key cannot be removed.
EAU10660
OFF
All electrical systems are off. The key
can be removed.
EAU10680
LOCK
The steering is locked, and all electrical
systems are off. The key can be re-
moved.
To lock the steering1. Turn the handlebars all the way to
the left.
2. Push the key in from the “OFF” po-
sition, and then turn it to “LOCK”
while still pushing it.
3. Remove the key.To unlock the steering
Push the key in, and then turn it to
“OFF” while still pushing it.
WARNING
EWA10060
Never turn the key to “OFF” or
“LOCK” while the vehicle is moving,
otherwise the electrical systems will
be switched off, which may result in
loss of control or an accident. Make
sure that the vehicle is stopped be-
fore turning the key to “OFF” or“LOCK”.
1. Push.
2. Turn.
1. Push.
2. Turn.
5KRE2.book Page 1 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM

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
3-3
3
EAU11630
Speedometer unit The speedometer unit is equipped with
a speedometer, an odometer and a
tripmeter. The speedometer shows
riding speed. The odometer shows the
total distance traveled. The tripmeter
shows the distance traveled since it
was last set to zero with the reset knob.
The tripmeter can be used to estimate
the distance that can be traveled with a
full tank of fuel. This information will en-
able you to plan future fuel stops.
EAU12090
Self-diagnosis device This model is equipped with a self-diag-
nosis device for various electrical cir-
cuits.
If any of those circuits are defective, the
engine trouble warning light will come
on or flash. If this occurs, have a
Yamaha dealer check the vehicle.CAUTION:
ECA11170
To prevent engine damage, be sure
to consult a Yamaha dealer as soonas possible if this occurs.
EAU12330
Anti-theft alarm (optional) This model can be equipped with an
optional anti-theft alarm by a Yamaha
dealer. Contact a Yamaha dealer for
more information.
1. Speedometer
2. Odometer
3. Tripmeter
4. Tripmeter reset knob
5KRE2.book Page 3 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
3-9
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