2008 YAMAHA YZ85 light

SAFETY INFORMATION
1-2
1Loading and accessories
Adding accessories to your motorcycle
can adversely affect stability and han-
dling if the weight distribution of the
motorcycle is changed. To avoid the
possibility of an accident, use extreme
caution when adding accessories to
your motorcycle. Use extra care when
riding a motorcycle that has added ac-
cessories. Here are some general
guidelines to follow if adding accesso-
ries to your motorcycle:
Loading


Accessory weight should be kept
as low and close to the motorcycle
as possible. Make sure to distrib-
ute the weight as evenly as possi-
ble on both sides of the motorcycle
to minimize imbalance or instabili-
ty.


Shifting weights can create a sud-
den imbalance. Make sure that ac-
cessories are securely attached to
the motorcycle before riding.
Check accessory mounts fre-
quently.


Never attach any large or heavy
items to the handlebar, front fork,
or front fender.Accessories
Genuine Yamaha accessories have
been specifically designed for use on
this motorcycle. Since Yamaha cannot
test all other accessories that may be
available, you must personally be re-
sponsible for the proper selection, in-
stallation and use of non-Yamaha
accessories. Use extreme caution
when selecting and installing any ac-
cessories.
Keep these guidelines in mind for
mounting accessories in addition to
those provided under “Loading”.

Never install accessories or that
would impair the performance of
your motorcycle. Carefully inspect
the accessory before using it to
make sure that it does not in any
way reduce ground clearance or
cornering clearance, limit suspen-
sion travel, steering travel or con-
trol operation.
Accessories fitted to the handle-
bar or the front fork area can
create instability due to improper
weight distribution or aerody-
namic changes. If accessories
are added to the handlebar orfront fork area, they must be as
lightweight as possible and
should be kept to a minimum.
Bulky or large accessories may
seriously affect the stability of
the motorcycle due to aerody-
namic effects. Wind may at-
tempt to lift the motorcycle, or
the motorcycle may become un-
stable in cross winds.
Certain accessories can dis-
place the operator from his or
her normal riding position. This
improper position limits the free-
dom of movement of the opera-
tor and may limit control ability,
therefore, such accessories are
not recommended.


Use caution when adding electri-
cal accessories. If electrical acces-
sories exceed the capacity of the
motorcycle’s electrical system an
electric failure could result, which
could cause a dangerous loss of
engine power.
U5PA86E0.book Page 2 Monday, April 9, 2007 3:16 PM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-6
3
EAU13640
Starter (choke) knob Starting a cold engine requires a richer
air-fuel mixture, which is supplied by
the starter (choke).
Move the knob in direction (a) to turn on
the starter (choke).
Move the knob in direction (b) to turn off
the starter (choke).
EAU13650
Kickstarter To start the engine, fold out the kick-
starter lever, move it down lightly with
your foot until the gears engage, and
then push it down smoothly but force-
fully. This model is equipped with a pri-
mary kickstarter, allowing the engine to
be started in any gear if the clutch is
disengaged. However, shifting the
transmission into the neutral position
before starting is recommended.
EAU13960
Seat To remove the seat
Remove the bolts, and then pull the
seat off.
To install the seat
1. Insert the projections on the front
of the seat into the seat holders as
shown.
1. Starter (choke) knob
1. Kickstarter lever
1. Bolt
U5PA86E0.book Page 6 Monday, April 9, 2007 3:16 PM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-1
5
EAU41400
WARNING
EWA14610


This model is designed for off-
road use only. Become thor-
oughly familiar with all operat-
ing controls and their functions
before riding. Consult a Yamaha
dealer regarding any control or
function that you do not thor-
oughly understand.


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 removed. If
the sidestand is not removed, it
will contact the ground, which
could distract the operator or af-
fect the balance of the motor-
cycle, resulting in a possibleloss of control.
EAU41301
Starting and warming up a
cold engine 1. Turn the fuel cock lever to “ON”.
2. Shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position.
3. Turn the starter (choke) on and
completely close the throttle. (See
page 3-6.)
4. Start the engine by pushing the
kickstarter lever down.CAUTION:
ECA11130
For maximum engine life, always
warm the engine up before starting
off. Never accelerate hard when theengine is cold!
5. When the engine is warm, turn the
starter (choke) off.NOTE:The engine is warm when it responds
normally to the throttle with the starter(choke) turned off.
EAU16660
Starting a warm engine Follow the same procedure as for start-
ing a cold engine with the exception
that the starter (choke) is not required
when the engine is warm. Instead, start
the engine with the throttle slightly
open.NOTE:If the engine does not start after several
kicks, try again with the throttle 1/4 to1/2 open.
U5PA86E0.book Page 1 Monday, April 9, 2007 3:16 PM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-2
5
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.
EAU16690
To start out and accelerate
1. Pull the clutch lever to disengage
the clutch.
2. Shift the transmission into first
gear.
3. Open the throttle gradually and si-
multaneously release the clutch le-
ver slowly.4. Once the motorcycle has reached
a speed high enough to change
gears, close the throttle, and at the
same time, quickly pull the clutch
lever in.
5. Shift the transmission into second
gear. (Make sure not to shift the
transmission into the neutral posi-
tion.)
6. Open the throttle halfway and
gradually release the clutch lever.
7. Follow the same procedure when
shifting to the next gear.
EAU16710
To decelerate
1. Close the throttle and apply both
the front and the rear brakes to
slow the motorcycle.
2. Downshift through the gears and
shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position when the motorcycle
is almost completely stopped.
1. Shift pedal
2. Neutral positionU5PA86E0.book Page 2 Monday, April 9, 2007 3:16 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-8
6
EAU19612
Checking the spark plug The spark plug is an important engine
component, which is easy to check.
Since heat and deposits will cause any
spark plug to slowly erode, the spark
plug should be removed and checked
in accordance with the periodic mainte-
nance and lubrication chart. In addition,
the condition of the spark plug can re-
veal the condition of the engine.
To remove the spark plug
1. Remove the spark plug cap.
2. Remove the spark plug as shown,
with a spark plug wrench available
at a Yamaha dealer.To check the spark plug
1. Check that the porcelain insulator
around the center electrode of the
spark plug is a medium-to-light tan
(the ideal color when the vehicle is
ridden normally).
NOTE:
If the spark plug shows a distinctly dif-
ferent color, the engine could be oper-
ating improperly. Do not attempt to
diagnose such problems yourself. In-
stead, have a Yamaha dealer checkthe vehicle.2. Check the spark plug for electrode
erosion and excessive carbon or
other deposits, and replace it if
necessary.
To install the spark plug
1. Measure the spark plug gap with a
wire thickness gauge and, if nec-
essary, adjust the gap to specifica-
tion.
1. Spark plug cap
1. Spark plug wrench
Specified spark plug:
NGK/BR10EG1. Spark plug gapSpark plug gap:
0.5–0.6 mm (0.020–0.024 in)
U5PA86E0.book Page 8 Monday, April 9, 2007 3:16 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-10
6
CAUTION:
ECA10452


In order to prevent clutch slip-
page (since the transmission oil
also lubricates the clutch), do
not mix any chemical additives.
Do not use oils with a diesel
specification of “CD” or oils of a
higher quality than specified. In
addition, do not use oils labeled
“ENERGY CONSERVING II” or
higher.


Make sure that no foreign mate-rial enters the transmission.
7. Start the engine, and then let it idle
for several minutes while checking
the transmission for oil leakage. If
oil is leaking, immediately turn the
engine off and check for the cause.
EAU20070
Coolant The coolant level should be checked
before each ride. In addition, the cool-
ant must be changed at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
EAUM1292
To check the coolant level
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion.
WARNING
EWA10380
Never attempt to remove the radiatorcap when the engine is hot.
2. Remove the radiator cap and
check the coolant level in the radi-
ator.
NOTE:

The coolant level must be checked
on a cold engine since the level
varies with engine temperature.


Make sure that the vehicle is posi-
tioned straight up when checking
the coolant level. A slight tilt to theside can result in a false reading.
NOTE:The coolant should be at the bottom of
the radiator filler neck. The level will
change with variation of engine temper-ature.1. Radiator cap
U5PA86E0.book Page 10 Monday, April 9, 2007 3:16 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-29
6 5. Push the wheel forward, and then
remove the drive chain from the
rear sprocket.
NOTE:

If the drive chain is difficult to re-
move, remove the wheel axle first,
and then lift the wheel upward
enough to remove the drive chain
from the rear sprocket.


The drive chain does not need to
be disassembled in order to re-move and install the rear wheel.6. While supporting the brake caliper
and slightly lifting the wheel, pull
the wheel axle out.
NOTE:
A rubber mallet may be useful to tap thewheel axle out.
7. Remove the wheel.CAUTION:
ECA11070
Do not apply the brake after the
wheel has been removed together
with the brake disc, otherwise thebrake pads will be forced shut.
EAU41322
To install the rear wheel
1. Install the wheel and the brake cal-
iper bracket by inserting the wheel
axle from the right-hand side.NOTE:

Make sure that the slot in the brake
caliper bracket is fit over the retain-
er on the swingarm.


Make sure that there is enough
space between the brake pads be-fore installing the wheel.
2. Install the drive chain onto the rear
sprocket.
1. Axle nut
2. Washer
3. Locknut
4. Drive chain slack adjusting bolt
1. Wheel axle
1. Retainer
2. Slot
U5PA86E0.book Page 29 Monday, April 9, 2007 3:16 PM

MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
7-1
7
EAU37833
Matte color caution CAUTION:
ECA15192
Some models are equipped with
matte colored finished parts. Be
sure to consult a Yamaha dealer for
advice on what products to use be-
fore cleaning the vehicle. Using a
brush, harsh chemical products or
cleaning compounds when cleaning
these parts will scratch or damage
their surface. Wax also should not
be applied to any matte colored fin-ished parts.
EAU41352
Care While the open design of a motorcycle
reveals the attractiveness of the tech-
nology, it also makes it more vulnera-
ble. Rust and corrosion can develop
even if high-quality components are
used. A rusty exhaust pipe may go un-
noticed on a car, however, it detracts
from the overall appearance of a motor-
cycle. Frequent and proper care does
not only comply with the terms of the
warranty, but it will also keep your
motorcycle looking good, extend its life
and optimize its performance.
Before cleaning
1. Cover the muffler outlet with a
plastic bag after the engine has
cooled down.
2. Make sure that all caps and covers
as well as all electrical couplers
and connectors, including the
spark plug cap, are tightly in-
stalled.
3. Remove extremely stubborn dirt,
like oil burnt onto the crankcase,
with a degreasing agent and a
brush, but never apply such prod-ucts onto seals, gaskets, sprock-
ets, the drive chain and wheel
axles. Always rinse the dirt and de-
greaser off with water.
Cleaning
CAUTION:
ECA10771


Avoid using strong acidic wheel
cleaners, especially on spoked
wheels. If such products are
used on hard-to-remove dirt, do
not leave the cleaner on the af-
fected area any longer than in-
structed. Also, thoroughly rinse
the area off with water, immedi-
ately dry it, and then apply a cor-
rosion protection spray.


Improper cleaning can damage
plastic parts such as cowlings,
panels, windshields, headlight
lenses, meter lenses, etc. Use
only a soft, clean cloth or
sponge with mild detergent and
water to clean plastic.


Do not use any harsh chemical
products on plastic parts. Be
sure to avoid using cloths or
sponges which have been in
U5PA86E0.book Page 1 Monday, April 9, 2007 3:16 PM