Page 9 of 84

SAFETY INFORMATION
1-2
1 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-
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.
This motorcycle is designed for on-
road use only. It is not suitable for
off-road use.
Protective apparel
The majority of fatalities from motor-
cycle accidents are the result of head
injuries. The use of a safety helmet is
the single most critical factor in the pre-
vention 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 cancause 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
motorcycle 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:
U5D7E0E0.book Page 2 Tuesday, December 18, 2007 10:13 AM
Page 50 of 84

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-18
6
After extensive tests, only the
tires listed below have been ap-
proved for this model by
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
Always make sure that the valve
caps are securely installed to
prevent air pressure leakage.
Use only the tire valves and
valve cores listed below toavoid tire deflation during a ride.
WARNING
EWA10600
This motorcycle is fitted with super-
high-speed tires. Note the following
points in order to make the most ef-
ficient use of these tires.
Use only the specified replace-
ment tires. Other tires may run
the danger of bursting at super
high speeds.
Brand-new tires can have a rela-
tively poor grip on certain road
surfaces until they have been
“broken in”. Therefore, it is ad-
visable before doing any high-
speed riding to ride conserva-
tively for approximately 100 km
(60 mi) after installing a new tire.
The tires must be warmed up
before a high-speed run.
Always adjust the tire air pres-
sure according to the operatingconditions.
EAU21960
Cast wheels To maximize the performance, durabil-
ity, and safe operation of your vehicle,
note the following points regarding the
specified wheels.
The wheel rims should be checked
for cracks, bends or warpage be-
fore each ride. If any damage is
found, have a Yamaha dealer re-
place 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:
100/80-17 M/C 52H
Manufacturer/model:
PIRELLI/SPORT DEMON
MICHELIN/PILOT SPORTY
Tire air valve:
TR412
Va l ve c o r e :
V3002 (original)
Rear tire:
Size:
130/70-17 M/C 62H
Manufacturer/model:
PIRELLI/SPORT DEMON
MICHELIN/PILOT SPORTY
Tire air valve:
TR412
Va l ve c o r e :
V3002 (original)
U5D7E0E0.book Page 18 Tuesday, December 18, 2007 10:13 AM
Page 54 of 84

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-22
6
Be careful that water does not en-
ter the brake fluid reservoir when
refilling. Water will significantly
lower the boiling point of the fluid
and may result in vapor lock.
Brake fluid may deteriorate paint-
ed surfaces or plastic parts. Al-
ways clean up spilled fluid
immediately.
As the brake pads wear, it is nor-
mal for the brake fluid level to grad-
ually go down. However, if the
brake fluid level goes down sud-
denly, have a Yamaha dealer
check the cause.
EAUM1360
Changing the brake fluid Have a Yamaha dealer change the
brake fluid at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart. In addition, have the brake
hose replaced every four years or
whenever it is damaged or leaking.
EAU22760
Drive chain slack The drive chain slack should be
checked before each ride and adjusted
if necessary.
EAU22773
To check the drive chain slack
1. Place the motorcycle on the side-
stand.NOTE:When checking and adjusting the drive
chain slack, there should be no weighton the motorcycle.
2. Shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position.
3. Move the rear wheel by pushing
the motorcycle to locate the tight-
est portion of the drive chain, and
then measure the drive chain slack
as shown.Drive chain slack:
30.0–40.0 mm (1.18–1.57 in)
U5D7E0E0.book Page 22 Tuesday, December 18, 2007 10:13 AM