2008 YAMAHA WR 250R checking oil

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

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-9
2
3
4
5
67
8
9
plug gap should be measured with a
wire thickness gauge and, if necessary,
adjusted to specification.
Clean the surface of the spark plug
gasket and its mating surface, and then
wipe off any grime from the spark plug
threads.
NOTE:

If a torque wrench is not available when
installing a spark plug, a good estimateof 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.
EAU45140
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 a
false 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.
1. Spark plug gap
Spark plug gap:
0.6–0.7 mm (0.024–0.028 in)
Tightening torque:
Spark plug:
13 Nm (1.3 m·kgf, 9.4 ft·lbf)
11

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-12
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10. Start the engine, and then let it idle
for several minutes while checking
it for oil leakage. If oil is leaking, im-
mediately turn the engine off and
check for the cause.
11. Turn the engine off, and then
check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
CAUTION:

ECA11230
After changing the engine oil, make
sure to check the oil pressure as de-
scribed below.

Remove the bleed bolt.

Start the engine and keep it
idling until oil flows out. If no oilcomes out after one minute,
turn the engine off immediately
so it will not seize. If this occurs,
have a Yamaha dealer repair the
vehicle.

After checking the oil pressure,
tighten the bleed bolt to the
specified torque.
EAU20070
Coolant
The coolant level should be checked
before each ride. In addition, the cool-
ant must be changed at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
EAU20252
To check the coolant level
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion.
NOTE:


The coolant level must be checked
on a cold engine since the level
varies with engine temperature.

Make sure that the vehicle is posi-
tioned straight up when checking
the coolant level. A slight tilt to the
side can result in a false reading.
2. Check the coolant level in the cool-
ant reservoir.
NOTE:

The coolant should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks.
1. “CD” specification
2. “ENERGY CONSERVING II”
1
2

1. Bleed bolt
Tightening torque:
Bleed bolt:
10 Nm (1.0 m·kgf, 7.2 ft·lbf)1

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
enter the brake system, possibly caus-
ing it to become ineffective.
Before riding, check that the brake fluid
is above the minimum level mark and
replenish if necessary. A low brake fluid
level may indicate worn brake pads
and/or brake system leakage. If the
brake fluid level is low, be sure to check
the brake pads for wear and the brake
system for leakage.
Observe these precautions:


When checking the fluid level,
make sure that the top of the brake
fluid reservoir is level.

Use only the recommended quality
brake fluid, otherwise the rubber
seals may deteriorate, causing
leakage and poor braking perfor-
mance.

Refill with the same type of brake
fluid. Mixing fluids may result in a
harmful chemical reaction and
lead to poor braking performance.

Be careful that water does not en-
ter the brake fluid reservoir whenrefilling. Water will significantly
lower the boiling point of the fluid
and may result in vapor lock.

Brake fluid may deteriorate paint-
ed surfaces or plastic parts. Al-
ways clean up spilled fluid
immediately.

As the brake pads wear, it is nor-
mal for the brake fluid level to grad-
ually go down. However, if the
brake fluid level goes down sud-
denly, have a Yamaha dealer
check the cause.
EAU22730
Changing the brake fluid
Have a Yamaha dealer change the
brake fluid at the intervals specified in
the NOTE after the periodic mainte-
nance and lubrication chart. In addition,
have the oil seals of the master cylin-
ders and calipers as well as the brake
hoses replaced at the intervals listed
below or whenever they are damaged
or leaking.

Oil seals: Replace every two
years.

Brake hoses: Replace every four
years.
Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 4

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-27
2
3
4
5
67
8
9

EAU23100
Checking and lubricating the
cables
The operation of all control cables and
the condition of the cables should be
checked before each ride, and the ca-
bles and cable ends should be lubricat-
ed if necessary. If a cable is damaged
or does not move smoothly, have a
Yamaha dealer check or replace it.
WARNING

EWA10720
Damage to the outer sheath may in-
terfere with proper cable operation
and will cause the inner cable to
rust. Replace a damaged cable as
soon as possible to prevent unsafe
conditions.
EAU23111
Checking and lubricating the
throttle grip and cable
The operation of the throttle grip should
be checked before each ride. In addi-
tion, the cable should be lubricated at
the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance chart.
EAU44271
Checking and lubricating the
brake and shift pedals
The operation of the brake and shift
pedals should be checked before each
ride, and the pedal pivots should be lu-
bricated if necessary.
Recommended lubricant:
Engine oil

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-29
2
3
4
5
67
8
9

EAU23201
Checking and lubricating the
sidestand
The operation of the sidestand should
be checked before each ride, and the
sidestand pivot and metal-to-metal
contact surfaces should be lubricated if
necessary.
WARNING

EWA10730
If the sidestand does not move up
and down smoothly, have a Yamaha
dealer check or repair it.
EAU23250
Lubricating the rear
suspension
The pivoting points of the rear suspen-
sion must be lubricated at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
EAU23271
Checking the front fork
The condition and operation of the front
fork must be checked as follows at the
intervals specified in the periodic main-
tenance and lubrication chart.
To check the condition
WARNING

EWA10750
Securely support the vehicle so that
there is no danger of it falling over.
Check the inner tubes for scratches,
damage and excessive oil leakage.
To check the operation
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion.
2. While applying the front brake,
push down hard on the handlebars
several times to check if the front
fork compresses and rebounds
smoothly.

Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease

INDEX
A
Air filter element and check hose,
cleaning ................................................ 6-15
Auxiliary light bulb, replacing .................. 6-36
B
Battery..................................................... 6-31
Brake and clutch levers, checking and
lubricating ............................................. 6-28
Brake and shift pedals, checking and
lubricating ............................................. 6-27
Brake fluid, changing .............................. 6-24
Brake fluid level, checking ...................... 6-23
Brake lever .............................................. 3-10
Brake lever free play, adjusting............... 6-22
Brake pedal ............................................. 3-10
C
Cables, checking and lubricating ............ 6-27
Care .......................................................... 7-1
Catalytic converter .................................. 3-12
Clutch lever ............................................... 3-9
Clutch lever free play, adjusting .............. 6-21
Coolant.................................................... 6-12
Coolant temperature warning light ............ 3-2
D
Dimmer switch .......................................... 3-9
Drive chain, cleaning and lubricating ...... 6-26
Drive chain slack ..................................... 6-25
E
Engine break-in ......................................... 5-3
Engine idling speed................................. 6-17
Engine oil and oil filter element ................. 6-9
Engine stop switch .................................... 3-9
Engine trouble warning light...................... 3-3
EXUP system .......................................... 3-17
F
Front and rear brake pads, checking .......6-23
Front fork, adjusting .................................3-13
Front fork, bleeding ..................................3-15
Front fork, checking .................................6-29
Fuel ..........................................................3-11
Fuel consumption, tips for reducing ...........5-3
Fuel level warning light ..............................3-2
Fuel tank cap ...........................................3-11
Fuses, replacing ......................................6-32
H
Handlebar switches ...................................3-8
Headlight bulb, replacing .........................6-33
Helmet holder ..........................................3-13
High beam indicator light ...........................3-2
Horn switch ................................................3-9
I
Identification numbers................................9-1
Ignition circuit cut-off system ...................3-18
Indicator and warning lights .......................3-2
K
Key identification number ..........................9-1
L
License plate light bulb, replacing ...........6-36
M
Main switch/steering lock ...........................3-1
Matte color, caution ...................................7-1
Model label ................................................9-2
Multi-function display .................................3-3
N
Neutral indicator light .................................3-2
P
Panels, removing and installing .................6-6Parking ...................................................... 5-4
Part locations............................................. 2-1
Periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart ........................................................ 6-2
Pre-operation check list ............................. 4-2
R
Rear brake light switch, adjusting............ 6-22
Rear suspension, lubricating ................... 6-29
S
Safety information ..................................... 1-1
Seat ......................................................... 3-12
Shifting ...................................................... 5-2
Shift pedal ............................................... 3-10
Shock absorber assembly, adjusting....... 3-15
Sidestand ................................................ 3-18
Sidestand, checking and lubricating ........ 6-29
Spark plug, checking ................................. 6-8
Specifications ............................................ 8-1
Starting the engine .................................... 5-1
Start switch ................................................ 3-9
Steering, checking ................................... 6-30
Storage ...................................................... 7-3
Supporting the motorcycle....................... 6-37
T
Tail/brake light ......................................... 6-35
Throttle cable free play, checking............ 6-18
Throttle grip and cable, checking and
lubricating .............................................. 6-27
Tires ........................................................ 6-18
Tool kit ....................................................... 6-1
Troubleshooting....................................... 6-40
Troubleshooting charts ............................ 6-41
Turn signal indicator light .......................... 3-2
Turn signal light bulb, replacing............... 6-35