2009 YAMAHA VMAX Owners Manual

OWNER’S MANUAL
2S3-28199-E0VMX17
Read this manual carefully before operating this vehicle.

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Read this manual carefully before operating this vehicle. This manual should stay with this vehicle if it is sold.
DECLARATION of CONFORMITY
YAMAHA MOTOR ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.1450-6, Mori, Mori-machi, Shuchi-gun, Shizuoka-ken, 437-0292 Japan
General manager of quality assurance div.1
Version up the norm of EN60950 to EN60950-1
To change company name27 Feb. 2006
1 Mar. 2007
2
3Revision record
No. Contents Date
To change contact person and integrate type-designation. 9 Jun. 2005Date of issue: 1 Aug. 2002Place of issue: Shizuoka, JapanR&TTE Directive(1999/5/EC)
EN300 330-2 v1.1.1(2001-6), EN60950-1(2001)
Two or Three-Wheel Motor Vehicles Directive(97/24/EC: Chapter 8, EMC) is in compliance with following norm(s) or documents:Kind of equipment: IMMOBILIZER
Type-designation: 5SL-00 Hereby declare that the product:Company: YAMAHA MOTOR ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
Address: 1450-6, Mori, Mori-Machi, Shuchi-gun, Shizuoka-Ken, 437-0292 JapanWe

INTRODUCTION
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Welcome to the Yamaha world of motorcycling!
As the owner of the VMX17, you are benefiting from Yamaha’s vast experience and newest technology regarding the design
and manufacture of high-quality products, which have earned Yamaha a reputation for dependability.
Please take the time to read this manual thoroughly, so as to enjoy all advantages of your VMX17. The Owner’s Manual does
not only instruct you in how to operate, inspect and maintain your motorcycle, but also in how to safeguard yourself and oth-
ers from trouble and injury.
In addition, the many tips given in this manual will help keep your motorcycle in the best possible condition. If you have any
further questions, do not hesitate to contact your Yamaha dealer.
The Yamaha team wishes you many safe and pleasant rides. So, remember to put safety first!
Yamaha continually seeks advancements in product design and quality. Therefore, while this manual contains the most cur-
rent product information available at the time of printing, there may be minor discrepancies between your motorcycle and this
manual. If there is any question concerning this manual, please consult a Yamaha dealer.
WARNING

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Please read this manual carefully and completely before operating this motorcycle.

IMPORTANT MANUAL INFORMATION
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Particularly important information is distinguished in this manual by the following notations:
This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential personal injury
hazards. Obey all safety messages that follow this symbol to avoid possible injury
or death.
A WARNING indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in
death or serious injury.
A NOTICE indicates special precautions that must be taken to avoid damage to the
vehicle or other property.
A TIP provides key information to make procedures easier or clearer.
WARNING
NOTICETIP

IMPORTANT MANUAL INFORMATION
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VMX17
OWNER’S MANUAL
©2008 by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
1st edition, July 2008
All rights reserved.
Any reprinting or unauthorized use
without the written permission of
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
is expressly prohibited.
Printed in Japan.

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
Immobilizer system ..........................3-1
Main switch/steering lock .................3-2
Indicator and warning lights .............3-3
Speedometer unit ............................3-5
Multi-function display .......................3-6
Anti-theft alarm (optional) ..............3-14
Handlebar switches .......................3-15
Clutch lever ....................................3-16
Shift pedal ......................................3-17
Brake lever ....................................3-17
Brake pedal ...................................3-18
ABS ...............................................3-18
Fuel tank cap .................................3-19
Fuel ................................................3-20
Catalytic converters .......................3-22
Seats .............................................3-22
Adjusting the front fork ...................3-24
Adjusting the shock absorber
assembly ....................................3-26
Luggage strap holders ...................3-28
EXUP system ................................3-28
Sidestand .......................................3-29Ignition circuit cut-off system ......... 3-29
FOR YOUR SAFETY –
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
.............. 4-1
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT
RIDING POINTS
.................................. 5-1
Starting the engine .......................... 5-1
Shifting ............................................ 5-2
Engine break-in ............................... 5-3
Parking ............................................ 5-3
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND
ADJUSTMENT
.................................... 6-1
Owner’s tool kit ................................ 6-1
Periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart ........................... 6-2
Removing and installing the
cowling and panels ...................... 6-6
Checking the spark plugs ................ 6-8
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge ...... 6-9
Final gear oil .................................. 6-12
Coolant .......................................... 6-14
Air filter element ............................ 6-17
Checking the engine idling
speed ......................................... 6-17
Checking the throttle cable free
play ............................................ 6-17
Valve clearance ............................. 6-18
Tires .............................................. 6-18
Cast wheels ................................... 6-20Clutch lever ................................... 6-21
Checking the front brake lever
free play ..................................... 6-21
Adjusting the rear brake light
switch ......................................... 6-22
Checking the front and rear brake
pads ........................................... 6-22
Checking the brake fluid level ....... 6-23
Changing the brake and clutch
fluids .......................................... 6-24
Checking and lubricating the
cables ........................................ 6-24
Checking and lubricating the
throttle grip and cable ................ 6-24
Checking and lubricating the
brake and clutch levers .............. 6-25
Checking and lubricating the
brake pedal ................................ 6-25
Checking and lubricating the
shift pedal .................................. 6-26
Checking and lubricating the
sidestand ................................... 6-26
Checking the front fork .................. 6-26
Checking the steering ................... 6-27
Checking the wheel bearings ........ 6-28
Battery ........................................... 6-28
Replacing the fuses ...................... 6-31
Replacing the headlight bulb ........ 6-32
Tail/brake light ............................... 6-34
Replacing a turn signal light
bulb ............................................ 6-34

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Replacing a license plate light
bulb ............................................ 6-35
Replacing the auxiliary light
bulb ............................................ 6-36
Supporting the motorcycle ............. 6-36
Troubleshooting ............................. 6-37
Troubleshooting charts .................. 6-38
MOTORCYCLE CARE AND
STORAGE
........................................... 7-1
Matte color caution .......................... 7-1
Care ................................................. 7-1
Storage ............................................ 7-4
SPECIFICATIONS
.............................. 8-1
CONSUMER INFORMATION
.............. 9-1
Identification numbers ..................... 9-1

1-1
1
SAFETY INFORMATION
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Be a Responsible Owner
As the vehicle’s owner, you are respon-
sible for the safe and proper operation
of your motorcycle.
Motorcycles are single-track vehicles.
Their safe use and operation are de-
pendent upon the use of proper riding
techniques as well as the expertise of
the operator. Every operator should
know the following requirements before
riding this motorcycle.
He or she should:

Obtain thorough instructions from
a competent source on all aspects
of motorcycle operation.

Observe the warnings and mainte-
nance requirements in this Own-
er’s Manual.

Obtain qualified training in safe
and proper riding techniques.

Obtain professional technical ser-
vice as indicated in this Owner’s
Manual and/or when made neces-
sary by mechanical conditions.
Safe Riding
Perform the pre-operation checks eachtime you use the vehicle to make sure it
is in safe operating condition. Failure to
inspect or maintain the vehicle properly
increases the possibility of an accident
or equipment damage. See page 4-1
for a list of pre-operation checks.

This motorcycle is designed to car-
ry the operator and a passenger.

The failure of motorists to detect
and recognize motorcycles in traf-
fic is the predominating cause of
automobile/motorcycle accidents.
Many accidents have been caused
by an automobile driver who did
not see the motorcycle. Making
yourself conspicuous appears to
be very effective in reducing the
chance of this type of accident.
Therefore:

Wear a brightly colored jacket.

Use extra caution when you are
approaching and passing
through intersections, since in-
tersections are the most likely
places for motorcycle accidents
to occur.

Ride where other motorists can
see you. Avoid riding in anothermotorist’s blind spot.

Many accidents involve inexperi-
enced operators. In fact, many op-
erators who have been involved in
accidents do not even have a cur-
rent motorcycle license.

Make sure that you are qualified
and that you only lend your mo-
torcycle to other qualified opera-
tors.

Know your skills and limits.
Staying within your limits may
help you to avoid an accident.

We recommend that you prac-
tice riding your motorcycle
where there is no traffic until you
have become thoroughly famil-
iar with the motorcycle and all of
its controls.

Many accidents have been caused
by error of the motorcycle opera-
tor. A typical error made by the op-
erator is veering wide on a turn
due to excessive speed or under-
cornering (insufficient lean angle
for the speed).

Always obey the speed limit and
never travel faster than warrant-