2008 YAMAHA WR 250R Owners Manual

32D-28199-E0
WR250R
OWNER’S MANUAL

INTRODUCTION
EAU10100
Welcome to the Yamaha world of motorcycling!
As the owner of the WR250R, you are benefiting from Yamaha’s vast experience and newest technology regarding the de-
sign and manufacture of high-quality products, which have earned Yamaha a reputation for dependability.
Please take the time to read this manual thoroughly, so as to enjoy all advantages of your WR250R. The owner’s manual
does not only instruct you in how to operate, inspect and maintain your motorcycle, but also in how to safeguard yourself and
others from trouble and injury.
In addition, the many tips given in this manual will help keep your motorcycle in the best possible condition. If you have any
further questions, do not hesitate to contact your Yamaha dealer.
The Yamaha team wishes you many safe and pleasant rides. So, remember to put safety first!

IMPORTANT MANUAL INFORMATION
EAU10151
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 motorcycle
and 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.
*Product and specifications are subject to change without notice.
The Safety Alert Symbol means ATTENTION! BECOME ALERT! YOUR SAFETY IS
INVOLVED!
Failure to follow WARNING instructions could result in se
vere injur
y or death
to the
motorcycle operator, a bystander, or a person inspecting or repairing the motorcy-
cle.
A CAUTION indicates special precautions that must be taken to avoid damage to
the motorcycle.
A NOTE provides key information to make procedures easier or clearer.
WARNING
CAUTION:NOTE:

IMPORTANT MANUAL INFORMATION
EAU10200
WR250R
OWNER’S MANUAL
©2007 by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
1st edition, September 2007
All rights reserved.
Any reprinting or unauthorized use
without the written permission of
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
is expressly prohibited.
Printed in Japan.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
SAFETY 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
Multi-function display .......................3-3
Handlebar switches .........................3-8
Clutch lever ......................................3-9
Shift pedal ......................................3-10
Brake lever ....................................3-10
Brake pedal ...................................3-10
Fuel tank cap .................................3-11
Fuel ................................................3-11
Catalytic converter .........................3-12
Seat ...............................................3-12
Helmet holder ................................3-13
Adjusting the front fork ...................3-13
Front fork bleeding .........................3-15
Adjusting the shock absorber
assembly ....................................3-15
EXUP system ................................3-17
Sidestand .......................................3-18
Ignition circuit cut-off system .........3-18
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
.............. 4-1
Pre-operation check list ................... 4-2
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT
RIDING POINTS
.................................. 5-1
Starting the engine .......................... 5-1
Shifting ............................................ 5-2
Tips for reducing fuel
consumption ................................ 5-3
Engine break-in ............................... 5-3
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 ...... 6-6
Checking the spark plug .................. 6-8
Engine oil and oil filter element ....... 6-9
Coolant .......................................... 6-12
Cleaning the air filter element and
check hose ................................. 6-15
Adjusting the engine idling
speed ......................................... 6-17
Checking the throttle cable free
play ............................................ 6-18
Valve clearance ............................. 6-18
Tires .............................................. 6-18
Spoke wheels ................................ 6-20Adjusting the clutch lever free
play ............................................ 6-21
Adjusting the brake lever free
play ............................................ 6-22
Adjusting the rear brake light
switch ......................................... 6-22
Checking the front and rear brake
pads ........................................... 6-23
Checking the brake fluid level ....... 6-23
Changing the brake fluid ............... 6-24
Drive chain slack ........................... 6-25
Cleaning and lubricating the drive
chain .......................................... 6-26
Checking and lubricating the
cables ........................................ 6-27
Checking and lubricating the throttle
grip and cable ............................ 6-27
Checking and lubricating the brake
and shift pedals ......................... 6-27
Checking and lubricating the brake
and clutch levers ........................ 6-28
Checking and lubricating the
sidestand ................................... 6-29
Lubricating the rear suspension .... 6-29
Checking the front fork .................. 6-29
Checking the steering ................... 6-30
Checking the wheel bearings ........ 6-31
Battery ........................................... 6-31
Replacing the fuses ...................... 6-32
Replacing the headlight bulb ........ 6-33
Tail/brake light ............................... 6-35

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Replacing a turn signal light bulb .. 6-35
Replacing the license plate light
bulb ............................................ 6-36
Replacing an auxiliary light bulb .... 6-36
Supporting the motorcycle ............. 6-37
Front wheel .................................... 6-37
Rear wheel .................................... 6-38
Troubleshooting ............................. 6-40
Troubleshooting charts .................. 6-41
MOTORCYCLE CARE AND
STORAGE
........................................... 7-1
Matte color caution .......................... 7-1
Care ................................................. 7-1
Storage ............................................ 7-3
SPECIFICATIONS
.............................. 8-1
CONSUMER INFORMATION
.............. 9-1
Identification numbers ..................... 9-1

1-1
1
SAFETY INFORMATION
EAUW0200
MOTORCYCLES ARE SINGLE
TRACK VEHICLES. THEIR SAFE
USE AND OPERATION ARE DEPEN-
DENT UPON THE USE OF PROPER
RIDING TECHNIQUES AS WELL AS
THE EXPERTISE OF THE OPERA-
TOR. EVERY OPERATOR SHOULD
KNOW THE FOLLOWING REQUIRE-
MENTS BEFORE RIDING THIS MO-
TORCYCLE.
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 MANUAL
AND/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 you are
approaching and passing
through intersections, since in-
tersections are the most likely
places for motorcycle accidents
to occur.

Ride where other motorists can
see you. Avoid riding in anothermotorist’s blind spot.

Many accidents involve inexperi-
enced operators. In fact, many op-
erators who have been involved in
accidents do not even have a cur-
rent motorcycle license.

Make sure that you are qualified
and that you only lend your mo-
torcycle to other qualified opera-
tors.

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 accidents have been caused
by error of the motorcycle opera-
tor. A typical error made by the op-
erator is veering wide on a turn
due to EXCESSIVE SPEED or un-
dercornering (insufficient lean an-
gle for the speed).

Always obey the speed limit and
never travel faster than warrant-