2009 YAMAHA VMAX warning

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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
EAU17241
Periodic inspection, adjustment, and lu-
brication will keep your vehicle in the
safest and most efficient condition pos-
sible. Safety is an obligation of the vehi-
cle owner/operator. The most important
points of vehicle inspection, adjust-
ment, and lubrication are explained on
the following pages.
The intervals given in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart
should be simply considered as a gen-
eral guide under normal riding condi-
tions. However, depending on the
weather, terrain, geographical location,
and individual use, the maintenance in-
tervals may need to be shortened.
WARNING

EWA10321
Failure to properly maintain the ve-
hicle or performing maintenance ac-
tivities incorrectly may increase
your risk of injury or death during
service or while using the vehicle. If
you are not familiar with vehicle ser-
vice, have a Yamaha dealer perform
service.
WARNING

EWA15121
Turn off the engine when performing
maintenance unless otherwise
specified.

A running engine has moving
parts that can catch on body
parts or clothing and electrical
parts that can cause shocks or
fires.

Running the engine while ser-
vicing can lead to eye injury,
burns, fire, or carbon monoxide
poisoning – possibly leading to
death. See page 1-1 for more in-
formation about carbon monox-
ide.
EAU17341
Owner’s tool kit
The owner’s tool kit is located behind
panel A. (See page 6-6.)
The service information included in this
manual and the tools provided in the
owner’s tool kit are intended to assist
you in the performance of preventive
maintenance and minor repairs. How-
ever, additional tools such as a torque
wrench may be necessary to perform
certain maintenance work correctly.
TIP

If you do not have the tools or experi-
ence required for a particular job, have
a Yamaha dealer perform it for you.
1. Owner’s tool kit
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
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8. Install the engine oil drain bolt, and
then tighten it to the specified
torque.
9. Refill with the specified amount of
the recommended engine oil, and
then install and tighten the oil filler
cap.
TIP

Be sure to wipe off spilled oil on any
parts after the engine and exhaust sys-
tem have cooled down.
NOTICE

ECA11620

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

Make sure that no foreign mate-
rial enters the crankcase.
10. Start the engine, and then let it idle
for several minutes while checking
it for oil leakage. If oil is leaking, im-
mediately turn the engine off and
check for the cause.
TIP

After the engine is started, the engine
oil level warning light should go off if the
oil level is sufficient.
NOTICE

ECA10400
If the oil level warning light flickers
or remains on, immediately turn the
engine off and have a Yamaha dealer
check the vehicle.
1. Torque wrench
Tightening torque:
Oil filter cartridge:
17 Nm (1.7 m·kgf, 12 ft·lbf)
Tightening torque:
Engine oil drain bolt:
43 Nm (4.3 m·kgf, 30 ft·lbf)
1

Recommended engine oil:
See page 8-1.
Oil quantity:
Without oil filter cartridge replace-
ment:
4.30 L (4.55 US qt, 3.78 Imp.qt)
With oil filter cartridge replacement:
4.70 L (4.97 US qt, 4.14 Imp.qt)
1. “CD” specification
2. “ENERGY CONSERVING II”
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
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11. Turn the engine off, and then
check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.

EAU46572
Final gear oil
The final gear case must be checked
for oil leakage before each ride. If any
leakage is found, have a Yamaha deal-
er check and repair the vehicle. In addi-
tion, the final gear oil must be checked
and changed as follows at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
WARNING

EWA10370

Make sure that no foreign mate-
rial enters the final gear case.

Make sure that no oil gets on the
tire or wheel.
To check the final gear oil level
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion.
TIP


The final gear oil level must be
checked on a cold engine.

Make sure that the vehicle is posi-
tioned straight up when checking
the oil level.2. Loosen the final gear oil check bolt
until oil flows out.
3. If no oil flows out, remove the final
gear oil filler bolt. (See steps 3–4
under “To change the final gear oil”
for oil filler bolt removal.)
4. Pour the recommended type of oil
in the final gear oil filler hole until it
flows out of the oil check bolt hole.
5. Install the final gear oil filler bolt
and final gear oil check bolt, and
then tighten them to their specified
torques.
1. Final gear oil drain bolt
2. Final gear oil check bolt
3. Final gear oil drain bolt washer
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
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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.
EAU46690
To check the coolant level
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion.
TIP


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 the
side can result in a false reading.
2. Check the coolant level in the cool-
ant reservoir.
TIP

The coolant should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks.3. If the coolant is at or below the
minimum level mark, remove the
coolant reservoir cap guard by re-
moving the bolt, and then remove
the reservoir cap.
4. Add coolant to the maximum level
mark, and then install the reservoir
cap.
WARNING! Remove only
the coolant reservoir cap. Never
attempt to remove the radiator
cap when the engine is
hot.
[EWA15161]

NOTICE:
If coolant is
not available, use distilled wateror soft tap water instead. Do not
use hard water or salt water
since it is harmful to the engine.
If water has been used instead
of coolant, replace it with cool-
ant as soon as possible, other-
wise the cooling system will not
be protected against frost and
corrosion. If water has been
added to the coolant, have a
Yamaha dealer check the anti-
freeze content of the coolant as
soon as possible, otherwise the
effectiveness of the coolant will
be reduced.
[ECA10472]

5. Install the coolant reservoir cap
guard by installing the bolt.
EAU46422
To change the coolant
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and let the engine cool if nec-
essary.
2. Remove cowling A. (See
page 6-6.)
1. Coolant reservoir cap
2. Coolant reservoir cap guard
3. Bolt
4. Maximum level mark
5. Minimum level mark2
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Coolant reservoir capacity (up to the
maximum level mark):
0.27 L (0.29 US qt, 0.24 Imp.qt)

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
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3. Remove the air intake duct by re-
moving the bolts.
4. Place a container under the engine
to collect the used coolant.
5. Remove the radiator cap.
WARNING! Never attempt to re-
move the radiator cap when the
engine is hot.

[EWA10381]
6. Remove the coolant reservoir cov-
er and coolant reservoir by remov-
ing the bolts.
7. Remove the coolant reservoir cap
guard by removing the bolt, and
then remove the reservoir cap.
8. Drain the coolant from the coolant
reservoir by turning it upside down.
9. Install the coolant reservoir cover
and the coolant reservoir by plac-
ing them in their original position,
and then installing the bolts.
10. Remove the coolant drain bolt to
drain the cooling system.
1. Bolt
2. Air intake duct
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1. Radiator cap
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1. Bolt
2. Coolant reservoir cap
3. Coolant reservoir cap guard
4. Bolt
5. Coolant reservoir cover
6. Coolant reservoir
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
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EAU21401
Valve clearance
The valve clearance changes with use,
resulting in improper air-fuel mixture
and/or engine noise. To prevent this
from occurring, the valve clearance
must be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer
at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.
EAU21772
Tires
To maximize the performance, durabil-
ity, and safe operation of your motorcy-
cle, note the following points regarding
the specified tires.
Tire air pressure
The tire air pressure should be checked
and, if necessary, adjusted before each
ride.
WARNING

EWA10501
Operation of this vehicle with im-
proper tire pressure may cause se-
vere injury or death from loss of
control.

The tire air pressure must be
checked and adjusted on cold
tires (i.e., when the temperature
of the tires equals the ambient
temperature).

The tire air pressure must be ad-
justed in accordance with the
riding speed and with the total
weight of rider, passenger, car-
go, and accessories approved
for this model.
WARNING

EWA10511
Never overload your vehicle. Opera-
tion of an overloaded vehicle could
cause an accident.
Tire air pressure (measured on cold
tires):
0–90 kg (0–198 lb):
Front:
250 kPa (2.50 kgf/cm
2

, 36 psi)
Rear:
290 kPa (2.90 kgf/cm
2

, 42 psi)
90–190 kg (198–419 lb):
Front:
250 kPa (2.50 kgf/cm
2

, 36 psi)
Rear:
290 kPa (2.90 kgf/cm
2

, 42 psi)
High-speed riding:
Front:
290 kPa (2.90 kgf/cm
2

, 42 psi)
Rear:
290 kPa (2.90 kgf/cm
2

, 42 psi)
Maximum load*:
190 kg (419 lb)
* Total weight of rider, passenger, car-
go and accessories

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)