2008 YAMAHA WR 250R warning

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:

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

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-

3-1
2
34
5
6
7
8
9

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
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.
EAU38530
ON
All electrical circuits are supplied with
power; the meter lighting, taillight, li-
cense plate light and auxiliary light
come on, and the engine can be start-
ed. The key cannot be removed.
NOTE:

The headlight comes on automatically
when the engine is started and stays on
until the key is turned to “OFF”, even if
the engine stalls.
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 steering
1. 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-
1. Push.
2. Turn.
1
2

1. Push.
2. Turn.
1 2

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9fore turning the key to “OFF” or

“LOCK”.
EAU11003
Indicator and warning lights
EAU11020
Turn signal indicator light “”
This indicator light flashes when the
turn signal switch is pushed to the left or
right.
EAU11060
Neutral indicator light “”
This indicator light comes on when thetransmission 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.
EAU11350
Fuel level warning light “”
This warning light comes on when the
fuel level drops below approximately
2.1 L (0.55 US gal) (0.46 Imp.gal).
When this occurs, refuel as soon as
possible.
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 cir-
cuit.
EAU11440
Coolant temperature warning light
“”
This warning light comes on when the
engine overheats. When this occurs,
stop the engine immediately and allow
1. Coolant temperature warning light “ ”
2. Fuel level warning light “ ”
3. Neutral indicator light “ ”
4. Turn signal indicator light “ ”
5. High beam indicator light “ ”
6. Engine trouble warning light “ ”
1234
5 6

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-3
2
34
5
6
7
8
9
the engine to cool.
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 cir-
cuit.
CAUTION:

ECA10020
Do not operate the engine if it is
overheated.
EAU43020
Engine trouble warning light “”
This warning light comes on when an
electrical circuit monitoring the engine
is defective. When this occurs, have a
Yamaha dealer check the self-diagno-
sis 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.
NOTE:

This warning light will come on whenthe key is turned to “ON” and the start
switch is pushed, but this does not indi-
cate a malfunction.
EAU45272
Multi-function display
WARNING

EWA12311
Be sure to stop the vehicle before
making any setting changes to the
multi-function display.
1. “RESET” button
2. “SELECT 1” button
3. “SELECT 2” button
4. Clock/stopwatch
5. Speedometer
6. Odometer/tripmeter/fuel reserve tripmeter
1
23
4
5
6

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
NOTE:


The multi-function display can be
set to the basic mode or the mea-
surement mode.

Tripmeter A will automatically re-
set to zero when changing from
the basic mode to the measure-
ment mode or vice versa.
Basic mode:

a speedometer (which shows the
riding speed)

an odometer (which shows the to-tal distance traveled)

two tripmeters (which show the
distance traveled since they were
last set to zero)

a fuel reserve tripmeter (which
shows the distance traveled since
the fuel level warning light came
on)

a clock

a self-diagnosis device
Measurement mode:

a speedometer (which shows the
riding speed)

a distance-compensation tripme-
ter (which shows the accumulated
distance traveled since set to zero
and which can be calibrated to pro-
vide a more accurate tripmeter
reading)

a stopwatch (which shows the time
that has been accumulated since
the start of stopwatch measure-
ment)

a self-diagnosis device
NOTE:


Be sure to turn the key to “ON” be-
fore using the “SELECT 1”,“SELECT 2” and “RESET” but-
tons.

When the key is turned to “ON”, all
of the display segments of the
multi-function display will appear
and then disappear, in order to test
the electrical circuit.

For the U.K. only: To switch the
speedometer and odometer/trip-
meter displays between kilometers
and miles, press the “SELECT 2”
button until the display changes af-
ter the main switch is turned to
“ON”.
Basic mode
Odometer and tripmeter modes
Push the “SELECT 2” button to switch
the display between the odometer
mode and the tripmeter modes A and B
in the following order:
odometer
→
tripmeter A
→
tripmeter B
→
odometer

1. Stopwatch indicator “ ”
2. Tripmeter A indicator “ ”/
Distance-compensation tripmeter “ ”
3. Tripmeter B indicator “ ”
1
3
2

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-5
2
34
5
6
7
8
9
NOTE:

Indicator “ ” comes on when tripmeter
A is selected, and indicator “ ” comes
on when tripmeter B is selected.If the fuel level warning light comes on
(see page 3-2), the display will auto-
matically change to the fuel reserve
tripmeter mode “F” and start counting
the distance traveled from that point. In
this case, push the “SELECT 2” button
to switch the display between the vari-
ous tripmeter and odometer modes in
the following order:
fuel reserve tripmeter “F”
→
odometer
→
tripmeter A
→
tripmeter B
→
fuel re-
serve tripmeter “F”
NOTE:

The fuel level warning light may not
function accurately while riding off road
as the fuel level reading changes due to
the movement and inclination of the ve-
hicle.
If the fuel level warning light comes on
while riding in the measurement mode,
change to the basic mode and push the
“SELECT 2” button to display the fuel
reserve tripmeter.
NOTE:

To change from the measurement
mode to the basic mode, the stopwatch
and the distance-compensation tripme-
ter must be stopped.
To reset a tripmeter, select it by push-
ing the “SELECT 2” button, and then
push the “RESET” button for at least
one second. If you do not reset the fuel
reserve tripmeter manually, it will reset
itself automatically and the display will
return to the prior mode after refueling
and traveling 5 km (3 mi).
Clock
Turn the key to “ON”.NOTE:

When setting the clock, push the
“SELECT 1” button to increase the dig-
its or “SELECT 2” button to decrease
1. Tripmeter A indicator “ ”
1. Tripmeter B indicator “ ”
11

1. Fuel reserve tripmeter “F”
1