2009 YAMAHA VMAX maintenance

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
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9 Tire inspection
The tires must be checked before each
ride. If the center tread depth reaches
the specified limit, if the tire has a nail or
glass fragments in it, or if the sidewall is
cracked, have a Yamaha dealer re-
place the tire immediately.
TIP

The tire tread depth limits may differ
from country to country. Always comply
with the local regulations.
WARNING

EWA10470

Have a Yamaha dealer replace
excessively worn tires. Besides
being illegal, operating the vehi-
cle with excessively worn tires
decreases riding stability and
can lead to loss of control.

The replacement of all wheel
and brake related parts, includ-
ing the tires, should be left to a
Yamaha dealer, who has the
necessary professional knowl-
edge and experience.Tire information
This motorcycle is equipped with cast
wheels and tubeless tires with valves.
WARNING

EWA10481

The front and rear tires should
be of the same make and de-
sign, otherwise the handling
characteristics of the motorcy-
cle may be different, which
could lead to an accident.

Always make sure that the valve
caps are securely installed to
prevent air pressure leakage.

Use only the tire valves and
1. Tire sidewall
2. Tire tread depth
Minimum tire tread depth (front and
rear):
1.6 mm (0.06 in)
1. Tire air valve
2. Tire air valve core
3. Tire air valve cap with seal

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
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9valve cores listed below to
avoid tire deflation during a

high-speed ride.
After extensive tests, only the tires list-
ed below have been approved for this
model by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
WARNING

EWA10600
This motorcycle is fitted with su-
per-high-speed tires. Note the fol-
lowing points in order to make the
most efficient use of these tires.

Use only the specified replace-
ment tires. Other tires may runthe 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 con-
servatively 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 operating
conditions.
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:
120/70R18M/C 59V
Manufacturer/model:
BRIDGESTONE/BT028F
Rear tire:
Size:
200/50R18M/C 76V
Manufacturer/model:
BRIDGESTONE/BT028R
FRONT and REAR:
Tire air valve:
TR412
Valve core:
#9100 (original)

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
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EAU42850
Clutch lever
Since this model is equipped with a hy-
draulic clutch, adjusting the clutch lever
free play is not needed. However, it is
necessary to check the hydraulic sys-
tem for leakage before each ride. If the
clutch lever free play does become ex-
cessive, and shifting becomes rough or
clutch slippage occurs, causing poor
acceleration, there may be air in the
clutch system. If there is air in the hy-
draulic system, have a Yamaha dealer
bleed the system before operating the
motorcycle.
EAU37912
Checking the front brake lever
free play
There should be no free play at the
brake lever end. If there is free play,
have a Yamaha dealer inspect the
brake system.
WARNING

EWA14211
A soft or spongy feeling in the brake
lever can indicate the presence of air
in the hydraulic system. If there is air
in the hydraulic system, have a
Yamaha dealer bleed the system be-
fore operating the vehicle. Air in the
hydraulic system will diminish the
braking performance, which may re-sult in loss of control and an acci-
dent.
1. Brake lever free play
1

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
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EAU22272
Adjusting the rear brake light
switch
The rear brake light, which is activated
by the brake pedal, should come on just
before braking takes effect. If neces-
sary, adjust the rear brake light switch
as follows.
Turn the rear brake light switch adjust-
ing nut while holding the rear brake light
switch in place. To make the brake light
come on earlier, turn the adjusting nut
in direction (a). To make the brake light
come on later, turn the adjusting nut in
direction (b).
EAU22390
Checking the front and rear
brake pads
The front and rear brake pads must be
checked for wear at the intervals spec-
ified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart.
EAU22410
Front brake pads
Each front brake pad is provided with a
wear indicator, which allows you to
check the brake pad wear without hav-
ing to disassemble the brake. To check
the brake pad wear, check the position
of the wear indicator while applying the
brake. If a brake pad has worn to thepoint that the wear indicator almost
touches the brake disc, have a Yamaha
dealer replace the brake pads as a set.
EAU22470
Rear brake pads
Each rear brake pad is provided with a
wear indicator groove, which allows
you to check the brake pad wear with-
out having to disassemble the brake.
To check the brake pad wear, check
the wear indicator groove. If a brake
pad has worn to the point that the wear
indicator groove has almost disap-
peared, have a Yamaha dealer replace
the brake pads as a set.
1. Rear brake light switch
2. Rear brake light switch adjusting nut
1
2
(a)(b)

1. Brake pad wear indicator
1

1. Brake pad wear indicator groove
1

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EAU46540
Checking the brake fluid level
Front brake
Rear brake
Insufficient brake fluid may allow air toenter the brake system, possibly caus-
ing it to become ineffective.
Before riding, check that the brake fluid
is above the minimum level mark and
replenish if necessary. A low brake fluid
level may indicate worn brake pads
and/or brake system leakage. If the
brake fluid level is low, be sure to check
the brake pads for wear and the brake
system for leakage.
TIP

The rear brake fluid reservoir is located
under the passenger seat. (See
page 3-22.)
Observe these precautions:

When checking the fluid level,
make sure that the top of the brake
fluid reservoir is level.

Use only the recommended quality
brake fluid, otherwise the rubber
seals may deteriorate, causing
leakage and poor braking perfor-
mance.

Refill with the same type of brakefluid. Mixing fluids may result in a
harmful chemical reaction and
lead to poor braking performance.

Be careful that water or dust does
not enter the brake fluid reservoir
when refilling. Water will signifi-
cantly lower the boiling point of the
fluid and may result in vapor lock,
and dirt may clog the ABS hydrau-
lic unit valves.

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.
1. Minimum level mark
1. Minimum level mark
1
1

Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 4

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EAU22751
Changing the brake and
clutch fluids
Have a Yamaha dealer change the
brake and clutch fluids at the intervals
specified in the TIP after the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart. In
addition, have the oil seals of the brake
and clutch master cylinders and cali-
pers as well as the brake and clutch
hoses replaced at the intervals listed
below or whenever they are damaged
or leaking.

Oil seals: Replace every two
years.

Brake and clutch hoses: Replace
every four years.
EAU23101
Checking and lubricating the
cables
The operation of all control cables and
the condition of the cables should be
checked before each ride, and the ca-
bles and cable ends should be lubricat-
ed if necessary. If a cable is damaged
or does not move smoothly, have a
Yamaha dealer check or replace it.
WARNING! Damage to the outer
sheath may interfere with proper ca-
ble operation and will cause the in-
ner cable to rust. Replace a
damaged cable as soon as possible
to prevent unsafe conditions.
[EWA10721]

EAU23111
Checking and lubricating the
throttle grip and cable
The operation of the throttle grip should
be checked before each ride. In addi-
tion, the cable should be lubricated at
the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance chart.
Recommended lubricant:
Engine oil

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
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EAU43600
Checking and lubricating the
brake and clutch levers
Brake lever
Clutch lever
The operation of the brake and clutch
levers should be checked before each
ride, and the lever pivots should be lu-bricated if necessary.
EAU23182
Checking and lubricating the
brake pedal
The operation of the brake pedal
should be checked before each ride,
and the pedal pivot should be lubricat-
ed if necessary.
Recommended lubricant:
Silicone grease
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
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EAU43071
Checking and lubricating the
shift pedal
The operation of the shift pedal should
be checked before each ride, and the
shift pedal rod pivots should be lubricat-
ed if necessary.
EAU23202
Checking and lubricating the
sidestand
The operation of the sidestand should
be checked before each ride, and the
sidestand pivot and metal-to-metal
contact surfaces should be lubricated if
necessary.
WARNING

EWA10731
If the sidestand does not move up
and down smoothly, have a Yamaha
dealer check or repair it. Otherwise,
the sidestand could contact the
ground and distract the operator, re-
sulting in a possible loss of control.
EAU23272
Checking the front fork
The condition and operation of the front
fork must be checked as follows at the
intervals specified in the periodic main-
tenance and lubrication chart.
To check the condition
Check the inner tubes for scratches,
damage and excessive oil leakage.
To check the operation
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion.
WARNING! To avoid injury,
securely support the vehicle so
there is no danger of it falling
over.

[EWA10751]

2. While applying the front brake,
push down hard on the handlebars
several times to check if the front
fork compresses and rebounds
smoothly.
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease