2008 YAMAHA XVS1300A engine

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-1
5
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 lossof control.
EAU42881
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 sidestanddown.
1. Turn the key to “ON” and make
sure that the engine stop switch is
set to“”.
CAUTION:
ECA15680
The following warning lights and in-
dicator light should come on for a
few seconds, then go off.

Oil level warning light


Fuel level warning light


Coolant temperature warning
light


Engine trouble warning light


Immobilizer system indicator
light
If a warning or indicator light does
not go off, see page 3-4 for the corre-
sponding warning and indicator
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-
U11CE1E0.book Page 1 Friday, August 31, 2007 1:25 PM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-2
5serve 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 theengine 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 itstravel, and then slightly raise it.
CAUTION:
ECA10260


Even with the transmission in
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 theshock of forced shifting.
1. Shift pedal
2. Neutral position
U11CE1E0.book Page 2 Friday, August 31, 2007 1:25 PM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-3
5
EAU16810
Tips for reducing fuel con-
sumption 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,
the 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 dealercheck the vehicle.
U11CE1E0.book Page 3 Friday, August 31, 2007 1:25 PM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-4
5
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 vehiclemay overturn.
CAUTION:
ECA10380
Never park in an area where there
are fire hazards such as grass orother flammable materials.U11CE1E0.book Page 4 Friday, August 31, 2007 1:25 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-4
6
18Clutch lever pivot
shaftLubricate with lithium-soap-based
grease.√√√√√
19Shift pedal pivot
shaftLubricate with lithium-soap-based
grease.√√√√√
20 SidestandCheck operation.
Lubricate.√√√√√
21*Sidestand switchCheck operation.√√√√√√
22*Front forkCheck operation and for oil leak-
age.√√√√
23*Shock absorber as-
semblyCheck operation and shock ab-
sorber for oil leakage.√√√√
24*Rear suspension re-
lay arm and con-
necting arm
pivoting pointsCheck operation.√√√√
Lubricate with lithium-soap-based
grease.√√
25*Fuel injection sys-
temAdjust synchronization.√√√√√
26 Engine oilChange.
Check oil level and vehicle for oil
leakage.√√√√√√
27Engine oil filter car-
tridgeReplace.√√√
28*Cooling systemCheck coolant level and vehicle
for coolant leakage.√√√√√
Change. Every 3 years
29*Front and rear brake
switchesCheck operation.√√√√√√ 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)U11CE1E0.book Page 4 Friday, August 31, 2007 1:25 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-6
6
EAU18751
Removing and installing the
panel The panel shown needs to be removed
to perform some of the maintenance
jobs described in this chapter. Refer to
this section each time the panel needs
to be removed and installed.
EAU19193
Panel A
To remove the panelRemove the bolts, and then take the
panel off.To install the panel
Place the panel in the original position,
and then install the bolts.
EAU42430
Checking the spark plugs The spark plugs are important engine
components, which are easy to check.
Since heat and deposits will cause any
spark plug to slowly erode, the spark
plugs should be removed and checked
in accordance with the periodic mainte-
nance and lubrication chart. In addition,
the condition of the spark plugs can re-
veal the condition of the engine.
To remove a spark plug
1. Remove the appropriate spark
plug cover (rear right or front left)
by removing the bolts.
2. Remove the spark plug cap.
1. Panel A
1. Panel A
2. Bolt
1. Spark plug cover
2. Bolt
U11CE1E0.book Page 6 Friday, August 31, 2007 1:25 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-7
6 3. Remove the spark plug as shown,
with the spark plug wrench includ-
ed in the additional tool kit, which
was handed out separately at the
purchase of the vehicle.
To check the spark plugs
1. Check that the porcelain insulator
around the center electrode on
each spark plug is a medium-to-
light tan (the ideal color when the
vehicle is ridden normally).
2. Check that all spark plugs installed
in the engine have the same color.
NOTE:If any spark plug shows a distinctly dif-
ferent color, the engine could be oper-
ating improperly. Do not attempt todiagnose such problems yourself. In-
stead, have a Yamaha dealer check
the vehicle.
3. Check each spark plug for elec-
trode erosion and excessive car-
bon or other deposits, and replace
it if necessary.
To install a spark plug
1. Measure the spark plug gap with a
wire thickness gauge and, if nec-
essary, adjust the gap to specifica-
tion.2. Clean the surface of the spark plug
gasket and its mating surface, and
then wipe off any grime from the
spark plug threads.
3. Install the spark plug with the
spark plug wrench, and then tight-
en it to the specified torque.
NOTE:
If a torque wrench is not available when
installing a spark plug, a good estimate
of 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.
4. Install the spark plug cap.
5. Install the spark plug cover by in-
stalling the bolts.
1. Spark plug wrench
Specified spark plug:
NGK/LMAR7A-9
1. Spark plug gap
Spark plug gap:
0.8–0.9 mm (0.031–0.035 in)
Tightening torque:
Spark plug:
12.5 Nm (1.25 m·kgf, 9.0 ft·lbf)
U11CE1E0.book Page 7 Friday, August 31, 2007 1:25 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-8
6
EAU42593
Engine oil and oil filter car-
tridge The engine oil level should be checked
before each ride. In addition, the oil
must be changed and the oil filter car-
tridge replaced at the intervals speci-
fied in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication 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 afalse 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-left side of the crank-
case.
NOTE:The engine oil should be between theminimum and maximum level marks.
4. If the engine oil is below the mini-
mum level mark, add sufficient oil
of the recommended type to raise
it to the correct level.
To change the engine oil (with or
without oil filter cartridge replace-
ment)
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face.2. Start the engine, warm it up for
several minutes, and then turn it
off.
3. Place an oil pan under the engine
to collect the used oil.
4. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and drain bolt to drain the oil from
the crankcase.
NOTE:Skip steps 5–7 if the oil filter cartridge isnot being replaced.
5. Remove the oil filter cartridge with
an oil filter wrench.
1. Engine oil filler cap
2. Engine oil level check window
3. Maximum level mark
4. Minimum level mark
1. Engine oil drain bolt
U11CE1E0.book Page 8 Friday, August 31, 2007 1:25 PM