2008 YAMAHA WR 250R tires

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

PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
4-3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Throttle grip

Make sure that operation is smooth.

Check cable free play.

If necessary, have Yamaha dealer adjust cable free play and lubricate cable
and grip housing.6-18, 6-27
Control cables

Make sure that operation is smooth.

Lubricate if necessary.6-27
Drive chain

Check chain slack.

Adjust if necessary.

Check chain condition.

Lubricate if necessary.6-25, 6-26
Wheels and tires

Check for damage.

Check tire condition and tread depth.

Check air pressure.

Correct if necessary.6-18, 6-20
Brake and shift pedals

Make sure that operation is smooth.

Lubricate pedal pivoting points if necessary.6-27
Brake and clutch levers

Make sure that operation is smooth.

Lubricate lever pivoting points if necessary.6-28
Sidestand

Make sure that operation is smooth.

Lubricate pivot if necessary.6-29
Chassis fasteners

Make sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are properly tightened.

Tighten if necessary.—
Instruments, lights, signals
and switches

Check operation.

Correct if necessary.—
Sidestand switch

Check operation of ignition circuit cut-off system.

If system is defective, have Yamaha dealer check vehicle.3-18
ITEM CHECKS PAGE

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

8*
Brake hoses

Check for cracks or damage.
√√√√√

Replace. Every 4 years
9*
Wheels

Check runout, spoke tightness
and for damage.

Tighten spokes if necessary.
√√√√
10

*
Tires

Check tread depth and for
damage.

Replace if necessary.

Check air pressure.

Correct if necessary.
√√√√√
11

*
Wheel bearings

Check bearing for looseness or
damage.
√√√√
12

*
Swingarm

Check operation and for exces-
sive play.
√√√√
13

Drive chain

Check chain slack, alignment
and condition.

Adjust and lubricate chain with
a special O-ring chain lubricant
thoroughly.Every 500 km (300 mi) and after washing the motorcycle or riding in the rain
14

*
Steering bearings

Check bearing play and steer-
ing for roughness.
√√√√√

Lubricate with lith-
ium-soap-based grease.Every 50000 km (30000 mi)
15

*
Chassis fasteners

Make sure that all nuts, bolts
and screws are properly tight-
ened.
√√√√√
16

Brake lever pivot
shaft

Lubricate with silicone grease.
√√√√√
NO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOBODOMETER READING
ANNUAL
CHECK 1000 km
(600 mi)10000 km
(6000 mi)20000 km
(12000 mi)30000 km
(18000 mi)40000 km
(24000 mi)

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-18
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

EAU21382
Checking the throttle cable
free play
The throttle cable free play should mea-
sure 3.0–5.0 mm (0.12–0.20 in) at the
throttle grip. Periodically check the
throttle cable free play and, if neces-
sary, have a Yamaha dealer adjust it.
EAU21401
Valve clearance
The valve clearance changes with use,
resulting in improper air-fuel mixture
and/or engine noise. To prevent this
from occurring, the valve clearance
must be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer
at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.
EAU21640
Tires
To maximize the performance, durabil-
ity, and safe operation of your motorcy-
cle, note the following points regarding
the specified tires.
Tire air pressure
The tire air pressure should be checked
and, if necessary, adjusted before each
ride.
WARNING

EWA10500

The tire air pressure must be
checked and adjusted on cold
tires (i.e., when the temperature
of the tires equals the ambient
temperature).

The tire air pressure must be ad-
justed in accordance with the
riding speed and with the total
weight of rider, passenger, car-
go, and accessories approved
for this model.
1. Throttle cable free play
1

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-19
2
3
4
5
67
8
9
WARNING

EWA11020
Because loading has an enormous
impact on the handling, braking,
performance and safety characteris-
tics of your motorcycle, you should
keep the following precautions in
mind.

NEVER OVERLOAD THE MO-
TORCYCLE! Operation of an
overloaded motorcycle may re-
sult in tire damage, loss of con-
trol, or severe injury. Make sure
that the total weight of rider,passenger, cargo, and accesso-
ries does not exceed the speci-
fied maximum load for the
vehicle.

Do not carry along loosely
packed items, which can shift
during a ride.

Securely pack the heaviest
items close to the center of the
motorcycle and distribute the
weight evenly on both sides.

Adjust the suspension and tire
air pressure with regard to the
load.

Check the tire condition and air
pressure before each ride.Tire inspection
The tires must be checked before each
ride. If the center tread depth reaches
the specified limit, if the tire has a nail or
glass fragments in it, or if the sidewall is
cracked, have a Yamaha dealer re-
place the tire immediately.
NOTE:

The tire tread depth limits may differ
from country to country. Always comply
with the local regulations.
Tire air pressure (measured on cold
tires):
0–90 kg (0–198 lb):
Front:
125 kPa (18 psi) (1.25 kgf/cm
2

)
Rear:
175 kPa (25 psi) (1.75 kgf/cm
2

)
90–185 kg (198–408 lb):
Front:
150 kPa (22 psi) (1.50 kgf/cm
2

)
Rear:
200 kPa (29 psi) (2.00 kgf/cm
2

)
Maximum load*:
185 kg (408 lb)
* Total weight of rider, passenger, car-
go and accessories
1. Tire sidewall
2. Tire tread depth
Minimum tire tread depth (front and
rear):
1.6 mm (0.06 in)
12

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-20
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9Tire information
This motorcycle is equipped with tube
tires.
WARNING

EWA10460

The front and rear tires should
be of the same make and de-
sign, otherwise the handling
characteristics of the vehicle
cannot be guaranteed.

After extensive tests, only the
tires listed below have been ap-
proved for this model by
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
WARNING

EWA10570

Have a Yamaha dealer replace
excessively worn tires. Besidesbeing illegal, operating the mo-
torcycle with excessively worn
tires decreases riding stability
and can lead to loss of control.

The replacement of all wheel-
and brake-related parts, includ-
ing the tires, should be left to a
Yamaha dealer, who has the
necessary professional knowl-
edge and experience.

It is not recommended to patch
a punctured tube. If unavoid-
able, however, patch the tube
very carefully and replace it as
soon as possible with a
high-quality product.
EAU21940
Spoke wheels
To maximize the performance, durabil-
ity, and safe operation of your motorcy-
cle, note the following points regarding
the specified wheels.

The wheel rims should be checked
for cracks, bends or warpage, and
the spokes for looseness or dam-
age before each ride. If any dam-
age is found, have a Yamaha
dealer replace the wheel. Do not
attempt even the smallest repair to
the wheel. A deformed or cracked
wheel must be replaced.

The wheel should be balanced
whenever either the tire or wheel
has been changed or replaced. An
unbalanced wheel can result in
poor performance, adverse han-
dling characteristics, and a short-
ened tire life.

Ride at moderate speeds after
changing a tire since the tire sur-
face must first be “broken in” for it
to develop its optimal characteris-
tics.
Front tire:
Size:
80/100-21M/C 51P
Manufacturer/model:
BRIDGESTONE/TW-301 F
Rear tire:
Size:
120/80-18M/C 62P
Manufacturer/model:
BRIDGESTONE/TW-302 F

MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
7-3
2
3
4
5
6
78
9
5. Use spray oil as a universal clean-
er to remove any remaining dirt.
6. Touch up minor paint damage
caused by stones, etc.
7. Wax all painted surfaces.
8. Let the motorcycle dry completely
before storing or covering it.
WARNING

EWA11130

Make sure that there is no oil or
wax on the brakes or tires.

If necessary, clean the brake
discs and brake linings with a
regular brake disc cleaner or ac-
etone, and wash the tires with
warm water and a mild deter-
gent. Before riding at higher
speeds, test the motorcycle’s
braking performance and cor-
nering behavior.
CAUTION:

ECA10800

Apply spray oil and wax spar-
ingly and make sure to wipe off
any excess.

Never apply oil or wax to any
rubber and plastic parts, but
treat them with a suitable careproduct.

Avoid using abrasive polishing
compounds as they will wear
away the paint.
NOTE:

Consult a Yamaha dealer for advice on
what products to use.
EAU43200
Storage
Short-term
Always store your motorcycle in a cool,
dry place and, if necessary, protect it
against dust with a porous cover.
CAUTION:

ECA10810

Storing the motorcycle in a
poorly ventilated room or cover-
ing it with a tarp, while it is still
wet, will allow water and humid-
ity to seep in and cause rust.

To prevent corrosion, avoid
damp cellars, stables (because
of the presence of ammonia)
and areas where strong chemi-
cals are stored.
Long-term
Before storing your motorcycle for sev-
eral months:
1. Follow all the instructions in the
“Care” section of this chapter.
2. Fill up the fuel tank and add fuel
stabilizer (if available) to prevent
the fuel tank from rusting and the

MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
7-4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
fuel from deteriorating.
3. Perform the following steps to pro-
tect the cylinder, piston rings, etc.
from corrosion.
a. Remove the spark plug cap
and spark plug.
b. Pour a teaspoonful of engine oil
into the spark plug bore.
c. Install the spark plug cap onto
the spark plug, and then place
the spark plug on the cylinder
head so that the electrodes are
grounded. (This will limit spark-
ing during the next step.)
d. Turn the engine over several
times with the starter. (This will
coat the cylinder wall with oil.)
e. Remove the spark plug cap
from the spark plug, and then
install the spark plug and the
spark plug cap.
WARNING

EWA10950
To prevent damage or injury from
sparking, make sure to ground the
spark plug electrodes while turning
the engine over.
4. Lubricate all control cables and thepivoting points of all levers and
pedals as well as of the sidestand/
centerstand.
5. Check and, if necessary, correct
the tire air pressure, and then lift
the motorcycle so that both of its
wheels are off the ground. Alterna-
tively, turn the wheels a little every
month in order to prevent the tires
from becoming degraded in one
spot.
6. Cover the muffler outlet with a
plastic bag to prevent moisture
from entering it.
7. Remove the battery and fully
charge it. Store it in a cool, dry
place and charge it once a month.
Do not store the battery in an ex-
cessively cold or warm place
[less than 0 °C (30 °F) or more
than 30 °C (90 °F)]. For more in-
formation on storing the battery,
see page 6-31.
NOTE:

Make any necessary repairs before
storing the motorcycle.