2008 YAMAHA WR 250X engine

PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
4-2
2
3
45
6
7
8
9

EAU15605
Pre-operation check list
ITEM CHECKS PAGE
Fuel

Check fuel level in fuel tank.

Refuel if necessary.

Check fuel line for leakage.3-11
Engine oil

Check oil level in engine.

If necessary, add recommended oil to specified level.

Check vehicle for oil leakage.6-9
Coolant

Check coolant level in reservoir.

If necessary, add recommended coolant to specified level.

Check cooling system for leakage.6-12
Front brake

Check operation.

If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed hydraulic system.

Check lever free play.

Adjust if necessary.

Check brake pads for wear.

Replace if necessary.

Check fluid level in reservoir.

If necessary, add recommended brake fluid to specified level.

Check hydraulic system for leakage.6-22, 6-23
Rear brake

Check operation.

If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed hydraulic system.

Check brake pads for wear.

Replace if necessary.

Check fluid level in reservoir.

If necessary, add recommended brake fluid to specified level.

Check hydraulic system for leakage.6-23
Clutch

Check operation.

Lubricate cable if necessary.

Check lever free play.

Adjust if necessary.6-21

5-1
2
3
4
56
7
8
9

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
EAU15950
WARNING

EWA10270

Become thoroughly familiar
with all operating controls and
their functions before riding.
Consult a Yamaha dealer re-
garding any control or function
that you do not thoroughly un-
derstand.

Never start the engine or oper-
ate it in a closed area for any
length of time. Exhaust fumes
are poisonous, and inhaling
them can cause loss of con-
sciousness and death within a
short time. Always make sure
that there is adequate ventila-
tion.

Before starting out, make sure
that the sidestand is up. If the
sidestand is not raised com-
pletely, it could contact the
ground and distract the opera-
tor, resulting in a possible loss
of control.
EAU45310
NOTE:

This model is equipped with a lean an-
gle sensor to stop the engine in case of
a turnover. To start the engine after a
turnover, be sure to turn the main
switch to “OFF” and then to “ON”. Fail-
ing to do so will prevent the engine from
starting even though the engine will
crank when pushing the start switch.
EAU45120
Starting the engine
In order for the ignition circuit cut-off
system to enable starting, one of the
following conditions must be met:

The transmission is in the neutral
position.

The transmission is in gear with
the clutch lever pulled and the sid-
estand up.
WARNING

EWA10290

Before starting the engine,
check the function of the igni-
tion circuit cut-off system ac-
cording to the procedure
described on page 3-18.

Never ride with the sidestand
down.
1. Turn the key to “ON” and make
sure that the engine stop switch is
set to “ ”.
CAUTION:

ECA16130
The following warning lights should
come on for a few seconds, then go
off.

Fuel level warning light

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9


Coolant temperature warning
light

Engine trouble warning light
If a warning light does not go off, see
page 3-2 for the corresponding
warning light circuit check.
2. Shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position.
NOTE:

When the transmission is in the neutral
position, the neutral indicator light
should be on, otherwise have a
Yamaha dealer check the electrical cir-
cuit.
3. Start the engine by pushing the
start switch.
NOTE:

If the engine fails to start, release the
start switch, wait a few seconds, and
then try again. Each starting attempt
should be as short as possible to pre-
serve the battery. Do not crank the en-
gine more than 10 seconds on any one
attempt.
CAUTION:

ECA11130
For maximum engine life, always
warm the engine up before starting
off. Never accelerate hard when the
engine is cold!
EAU16671
Shifting
Shifting gears lets you control the
amount of engine power available for
starting off, accelerating, climbing hills,
etc.
The gear positions are shown in the il-
lustration.
NOTE:

To shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position, press the shift pedal down
repeatedly until it reaches the end of its
travel, and then slightly raise it.
CAUTION:

ECA10260

Even with the transmission in
1. Shift pedal
2. Neutral position
1
1 2 3 4 5N26

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-3
2
3
4
56
7
8
9 the neutral position, do not
coast for long periods of time
with the engine off, and do not
tow the motorcycle for long dis-
tances. The transmission is
properly lubricated only when
the engine is running. Inade-
quate lubrication may damage
the transmission.


Always use the clutch while
changing gears to avoid damag-
ing the engine, transmission,
and drive train, which are not
designed to withstand the
shock of forced shifting.
EAU16810
Tips for reducing fuel
consumption
Fuel consumption depends largely on
your riding style. Consider the following
tips to reduce fuel consumption:

Shift up swiftly, and avoid high en-
gine speeds during acceleration.

Do not rev the engine while shifting
down, and avoid high engine
speeds with no load on the engine.

Turn the engine off instead of let-
ting it idle for an extended length of
time (e.g., in traffic jams, at traffic
lights or at railroad crossings).
EAU16841
Engine break-in
There is never a more important period
in the life of your engine than the period
between 0 and 1600 km (1000 mi). For
this reason, you should read the follow-
ing material carefully.
Since the engine is brand new, do not
put an excessive load on it for the first
1600 km (1000 mi). The various parts in
the engine wear and polish themselves
to the correct operating clearances.
During this period, prolonged full-throt-
tle operation or any condition that might
result in engine overheating must be
avoided.
EAU17021
0–1000 km (0–600 mi)
Avoid prolonged operation above 1/3
throttle.
1000–1600 km (600–1000 mi)
Avoid prolonged operation above 1/2
throttle.
CAUTION:

ECA11281
After 1000 km (600 mi) of operation,

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9the engine oil must be changed, and
the oil filter cartridge or element re-

placed.
1600 km (1000 mi) and beyond
The vehicle can now be operated nor-
mally.
CAUTION:

ECA10270
If any engine trouble should occur
during the engine break-in period,
immediately have a Yamaha dealer
check the vehicle.
EAU17212
Parking
When parking, stop the engine, and
then remove the key from the main
switch.
WARNING

EWA10310

Since the engine and exhaust
system can become very hot,
park in a place where pedestri-
ans or children are not likely to
touch them.

Do not park on a slope or on soft
ground, otherwise the vehicle
may overturn.
CAUTION:

ECA10380
Never park in an area where there
are fire hazards such as grass or
other flammable materials.

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

17

Brake pedal pivot
shaft

Lubricate with lith-
ium-soap-based grease.
√√√√√
18

Clutch lever pivot
shaft

Lubricate with lith-
ium-soap-based grease.
√√√√√
19

Shift pedal pivot
shaft

Lubricate with lith-
ium-soap-based grease.
√√√√√
20

Sidestand

Check operation.

Lubricate.
√√√√√
21

*
Sidestand switch

Check operation.
√√√√√√
22

*
Front fork

Check operation and for oil
leakage.
√√√√
23

*
Shock absorber
assembly

Check operation and shock
absorber for oil leakage.
√√√√
24

*
Rear suspension
relay arm and con-
necting arm pivoting
points

Check operation.
√√√√
25

Engine oil

Change.

Check oil level and vehicle for
oil leakage.
√
Every 5000 km (3000 mi)
√
26

Engine oil filter ele-
ment

Replace.
√√√√√
27

*
Cooling system

Check coolant level and vehi-
cle for coolant leakage.
√√√√√

Change. Every 3 years
28

*
Front and rear brake
switches

Check operation.
√√√√√√
29

Moving parts and
cables

Lubricate.
√√√√√
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
6-8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9Panel D
To remove the panel
1. Remove the seat. (See
page 3-12.)
2. Remove the bolt and washer, and
then remove the panel as shown.To install the panel
1. Place the panel in the original po-
sition, and then install the washer
and bolt.
2. Install the seat.

EAU19621
Checking the spark plug
The spark plug is an important engine
component, which should be checked
periodically, preferably by a Yamaha
dealer. Since heat and deposits will
cause any spark plug to slowly erode, it
should be removed and checked in ac-
cordance with the periodic mainte-
nance and lubrication chart. In addition,
the condition of the spark plug can re-
veal the condition of the engine.
The porcelain insulator around the cen-
ter electrode of the spark plug should
be a medium-to-light tan (the ideal color
when the vehicle is ridden normally). If
the spark plug shows a distinctly differ-
ent color, the engine could be operating
improperly. Do not attempt to diagnose
such problems yourself. Instead, have
a Yamaha dealer check the vehicle.
If the spark plug shows signs of elec-
trode erosion and excessive carbon or
other deposits, it should be replaced.
Before installing a spark plug, the spark
1. Bolt
2. Washer
3. Panel D
3
2
1

Specified spark plug:
NGK/CR9EK

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