2008 YAMAHA WR 250R wheel

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

SAFETY INFORMATION
1-2
1
ed by road and traffic conditions.

Always signal before turning or
changing lanes. Make sure that
other motorists can see you.

The posture of the operator and
passenger is important for proper
control.

The operator should keep both
hands on the handlebar and
both feet on the operator foot-
rests during operation to main-
tain control of the motorcycle.

The passenger should always
hold onto the operator, the seat
strap or grab bar, if equipped,
with both hands and keep both
feet on the passenger footrests.

Never carry a passenger unless
he or she can firmly place both
feet on the passenger footrests.

Never ride under the influence of
alcohol or other drugs.
Protective apparel
The majority of fatalities from motorcy-
cle accidents are the result of head in-
juries. The use of a safety helmet is the
single most critical factor in the preven-tion or reduction of head injuries.

Always wear an approved helmet.

Wear a face shield or goggles.
Wind in your unprotected eyes
could contribute to an impairment
of vision that could delay seeing a
hazard.

The use of a jacket, heavy boots,
trousers, gloves, etc., is effective in
preventing or reducing abrasions
or lacerations.

Never wear loose-fitting clothes,
otherwise they could catch on the
control levers, footrests, or wheels
and cause injury or an accident.

Never touch the engine or exhaust
system during or after operation.
They become very hot and can
cause burns. Always wear protec-
tive clothing that covers your legs,
ankles, and feet.

A passenger should also observe
the above precautions.
Modifications
Modifications made to this motorcycle
not approved by Yamaha, or the re-
moval of original equipment, may ren-der the motorcycle unsafe for use and
may cause severe personal injury.
Modifications may also make your mo-
torcycle illegal to use.
Loading and accessories
Adding accessories or cargo to your
motorcycle can adversely affect stabili-
ty and handling if the weight distribution
of the motorcycle is changed. To avoid
the possibility of an accident, use ex-
treme caution when adding cargo or
accessories to your motorcycle. Use
extra care when riding a motorcycle
that has added cargo or accessories.
Here are some general guidelines to
follow if loading cargo or adding acces-
sories to your motorcycle:
Loading
The total weight of the operator, pas-
senger, accessories and cargo must
not exceed the maximum load limit.
When loading within this weight limit,
keep the following in mind:

Maximum load:
185 kg (408 lb)

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

The stopwatch will continue counting
when the vehicle is stopped. To stop
and/or resume counting, repeat steps 2
and 3.
Auto start
1. Push the “SELECT 1” button for at
least two seconds to set the auto
start.NOTE:

When the stopwatch is set to auto start,
the stopwatch indicator “ ” and the
distance-compensation tripmeter indi-
cator “ ” will start flashing, and the
digits in the display will start scrolling
from left to right.2. When the vehicle starts moving,
the stopwatch will start counting.
3. Push the “SELECT 1” button and
“SELECT 2” button together to
stop the stopwatch.
4. To resume counting, push the
“SELECT 1” button and “SELECT
2” button together again.
NOTE:

The stopwatch will continue counting
when the vehicle is stopped. To stop
and/or resume counting, repeat steps 3
and 4.
Measurement mode (for calibrating
the distance-compensation tripme-
ter’s reading)
The distance-compensation tripmeteris a feature intended to provide a more
accurate tripmeter reading for enduro
riding. Calibrating this meter in accor-
dance with the distances specified on
the enduro course map will help famil-
iarize the rider with the course. In addi-
tion, calibrating the meter may also be
necessary when using tire, wheel,
chain sprocket sizes, etc. other than
specified. For further information con-
cerning the use of this meter, please
consult your nearby Yamaha dealer.
Calibrate the distance-compensation
tripmeter as follows.
To increase the reading, push the
“SELECT 1” button. To decrease the
reading, push the “SELECT 2” button.
Pushing and holding either button will
increase or decrease the reading con-
tinuously until the button is released.
NOTE:

Calibrating the reading of the dis-
tance-compensation tripmeter is possi-
ble regardless of the stopwatch
operation.

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-15
2
34
5
6
7
8
9

EAU14790
Front fork bleeding
When riding in extremely rough condi-
tions, the air temperature and pressure
in the front fork will rise. This will in-
crease the spring preload and harden
the front suspension. If this occurs,
bleed the front fork as follows.
1. Elevate the front wheel by placing
a suitable stand under the engine.
NOTE:

When bleeding the front fork, there
should be no weight on the front end of
the vehicle.
2. Remove the bleed screws and al-
low all of the air to escape fromeach fork leg.
WARNING

EWA10200
Always bleed both fork legs, other-
wise poor handling and loss of sta-
bility may result.
3. Install the bleed screws.
EAU45260
Adjusting the shock absorber
assembly
This shock absorber assembly is
equipped with a spring preload adjust-
ing ring, a rebound damping force ad-
justing dial and a compression
damping force adjusting screw.
CAUTION:

ECA10100
Never attempt to turn an adjusting
mechanism beyond the maximum or
minimum settings.
Spring preload
Spring preload adjustment should be
made by a Yamaha dealer, since this
service requires special tools and tech-
nical skills. The specified settings are
listed below.
NOTE:

The spring preload setting is deter-
mined by measuring distance A, shown
in the illustration. The shorter the dis-
tance A is, the higher the spring pre-
load; the longer distance A is, the lower
the spring preload.
1. Bleed screw
1

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
6-20
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