Page 32 of 82

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-9
3
WARNING
EWA10200
Always bleed both fork legs, other-
wise poor handling and loss of sta-bility may result.
3. Install the bleed screws.
EAU41330
Adjusting the shock absorber
assembly This shock absorber assembly is
equipped with a spring preload adjust-
ing nut, a rebound damping force ad-
justing screw and a compression
damping force adjusting screw.CAUTION:
ECA10100
Never attempt to turn an adjusting
mechanism beyond the maximum orminimum settings.
Spring preload
Adjust the spring preload as follows.
1. Loosen the locknut.2. To increase the spring preload and
thereby harden the suspension,
turn the adjusting nut in direction
(a). To decrease the spring pre-
load and thereby soften the sus-
pension, turn the adjusting nut in
direction (b).
NOTE:
A special wrench can be obtained
at a Yamaha dealer to make this
adjustment.
The spring preload setting is deter-
mined by measuring distance A,
shown in the illustration. The long-
er distance A is, the lower the
spring preload; the shorter dis-
tance A is, the higher the spring
preload. With each complete turn
of the adjusting nut, distance A ischanged by 1.5 mm (0.06 in).
1. Locknut
2. Spring preload adjusting nut
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Page 34 of 82

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-11
3
NOTE:Although the total number of clicks of a
damping force adjusting mechanism
may not exactly match the above spec-ifications due to small differences in
production, the actual number of clicks
always represents the entire adjusting
range. To obtain a precise adjustment,
it would be advisable to check the num-
ber of clicks of each damping force ad-
justing mechanism and to modify the
specifications as necessary.
WARNING
EWA10220
This shock absorber contains highly
pressurized nitrogen gas. For prop-
er handling, read and understand
the following information before
handling the shock absorber. The
manufacturer cannot be held re-
sponsible for property damage or
personal injury that may result from
improper handling.
Do not tamper with or attempt to
open the gas cylinder.
Do not subject the shock ab-
sorber to an open flame or other
high heat sources, otherwise it
may explode due to excessive
gas pressure.
Do not deform or damage the
gas cylinder in any way, as this
will result in poor damping per-
formance.
Always have a Yamaha dealerservice the shock absorber.
1. Compression damping force adjusting screwCompression damping setting:
Minimum (soft):
20 click(s) in direction (b)*
Standard: YZ85(W)/YZ85W1
9 click(s) in direction (b)*
For Europe only: 12 click(s) in di-
rection (b)*
Standard: YZ85LW(W)
7 click(s) in direction (b)*
For Europe only: 12 click(s) in di-
rection (b)*
Maximum (hard):
1 click(s) in direction (b)*
* With the adjusting screw fully turned
in direction (a)
U5PA85E0.book Page 11 Thursday, April 13, 2006 3:06 PM
Page 35 of 82
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-12
3
EAU41381
Removable sidestand This motorcycle is equipped with a re-
movable sidestand.NOTE:Make sure that the sidestand is proper-
ly secured when the motorcycle is be-ing supported or is being transported.
WARNING
EWA14601
Never apply force on the motor-
cycle while it is on the side-
stand.
Always remove the sidestandbefore starting out.
1. Sidestand
U5PA85E0.book Page 12 Thursday, April 13, 2006 3:06 PM
Page 36 of 82
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
4-1
4
EAU15591
The condition of a vehicle is the owner’s responsibility. Vital components can start to deteriorate quickly and unexpectedly,
even if the vehicle remains unused (for example, as a result of exposure to the elements). Any damage, fluid leakage or loss
of tire air pressure could have serious consequences. Therefore, it is very important, in addition to a thorough visual inspec-
tion, to check the following points before each ride.NOTE:Pre-operation checks should be made each time the vehicle is used. Such an inspection can be accomplished in a very shorttime; and the added safety it assures is more than worth the time involved.
WARNING
EWA11150
If any item in the Pre-operation check list is not working properly, have it inspected and repaired before operatingthe vehicle.U5PA85E0.book Page 1 Thursday, April 13, 2006 3:06 PM
Page 39 of 82

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-1
5
EAU41400
WARNING
EWA14610
This model is designed for off-
road use only. Become thor-
oughly familiar with all operat-
ing controls and their functions
before riding. Consult a Yamaha
dealer regarding any control or
function that you do not thor-
oughly understand.
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 removed. If
the sidestand is not removed, it
will contact the ground, which
could distract the operator or af-
fect the balance of the motor-
cycle, resulting in a possibleloss of control.
EAU41300
Starting and warming up a
cold engine 1. Turn the fuel cock lever to “ON”.
2. Shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position.
3. Turn the starter (choke) on and
completely close the throttle. (See
page 3-6.)
4. Start the engine by pushing the
kickstarter lever down.CAUTION:
ECA11130
For maximum engine life, always
warm the engine up before starting
off. Never accelerate hard when theengine is cold!
5. 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.
EAU16660
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. Instead, start
the engine with the throttle slightly
open.NOTE:If the engine does not start after several
kicks, try again with the throttle 1/4 to1/2 open.
U5PA85E0.book Page 1 Thursday, April 13, 2006 3:06 PM
Page 41 of 82

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-3
5
EAU41502
Engine break-in 1. Before starting the engine, fill the
fuel tank with a break-in oil-fuel
mixture as follows.
2. Start and warm up the engine.
Check the operation of the controls
and the engine stop button. (See
page 3-1.)
3. Operate the motorcycle in the low-
er gears at moderate throttle open-
ings for five to eight minutes. Stop
the engine and check the spark
plug condition (see page 6-8); it
will show a rich condition during
break-in.
4. Allow the engine to cool. Restart
the engine and operate the motor-
cycle as in the step above for five
minutes. Then, very briefly shift to
the higher gears and check the
full-throttle response. Stop the en-
gine and check the spark plug.5. After again allowing the engine to
cool, restart and run the motor-
cycle for five more minutes. Full
throttle and the higher gears may
be used, but sustained full-throttle
operation should be avoided. Stop
the engine and check the spark
plug again.
6. Allow the engine to cool, remove
the cylinder head and cylinder, and
inspect the piston and cylinder.
Remove any high spots on the pis-
ton with #600-grit wet sandpaper.
Clean all components and careful-
ly reassemble the cylinder head
and cylinder.
WARNING
EWA10320
If you are not familiar with mainte-
nance work, have a Yamaha dealerdo it for you.
7. Drain the break-in oil-fuel mixture
from the fuel tank and refill with the
specified mix. (See page 3-3.)
8. Start the engine and check the op-
eration of the motorcycle through-
out its entire operating range. Stop
the engine and check the sparkplug condition. Restart the motor-
cycle and ride it for about 10 to 15
more minutes. The motorcycle will
now be ready to ride normally.
After the engine break-in period, thor-
oughly check the motorcycle for loose
parts, oil leakage and any other prob-
lems. Be sure to inspect and make ad-
justments thoroughly, especially cable
and drive chain slack and loose
spokes. In addition, check all fittings
and fasteners for looseness, and tight-
en if necessary.
CAUTION:
ECA15560
When any of the following parts
have been replaced, they must
be broken in.
Cylinder or crankshaft:
About one hour of break-in op-
eration is necessary.
Piston, rings or transmission
gears:
These parts require about 30
minutes of break-in operation at
half-throttle or less. Observe the
condition of the engine carefully
during operation.
Recommended 2-stroke engine oil:
See page 8-1.
Mixing ratio (gasoline to oil):
15:1
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Page 42 of 82
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-4
5
If any engine trouble should oc-
cur during the engine break-in
period, immediately have a
Yamaha dealer check the vehi-cle.
EAU17190
Parking When parking, stop the engine, and
then turn the fuel cock lever to “OFF”.
WARNING
EWA10310
Since the engine and exhaust
system can become very hot,
park in a place where pedestri-
ans or children are not likely to
touch them.
Do not park on a slope or on soft
ground, otherwise the vehiclemay overturn.
U5PA85E0.book Page 4 Thursday, April 13, 2006 3:06 PM
Page 43 of 82
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-1
6
EAU17240
Safety is an obligation of the owner. Pe-
riodic inspection, adjustment and lubri-
cation will keep your vehicle in the
safest and most efficient condition pos-
sible. The most important points of in-
spection, adjustment, and lubrication
are explained on the following pages.
The intervals given in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart
should be simply considered as a gen-
eral guide under normal riding condi-
tions. However, DEPENDING ON THE
WEATHER, TERRAIN, GEOGRAPHI-
CAL LOCATION, AND INDIVIDUAL
USE, THE MAINTENANCE INTER-
VALS MAY NEED TO BE SHORT-
ENED.
WARNING
EWA10320
If you are not familiar with mainte-
nance work, have a Yamaha dealerdo it for you.
U5PA85E0.book Page 1 Thursday, April 13, 2006 3:06 PM