2009 YAMAHA VMAX ABS

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

2-1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

DESCRIPTION
EAU10410
Left view
1
4
56
78
9
10
23
11

1. Headlight (page 6-32)
2. Front fork spring preload adjusting bolt (page 3-24)
3. Front fork rebound damping force adjusting knob (page 3-24)
4. Battery (page 6-28)
5. Owner’s tool kit (page 6-1)
6. Fuel tank cap (page 3-19)
7. Shock absorber assembly spring preload adjusting knob (page 3-26)8. Shock absorber assembly rebound damping force adjusting knob
(page 3-26)
9. Sidestand (page 3-29)
10. Shift pedal (page 3-17)
11. Front fork compression damping force adjusting screw (page 3-24)

DESCRIPTION
2-2
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

EAU10420
Right view
12 3 5
6 94
8
10
7

1. Passenger seat (page 3-22)
2. Rear brake fluid reservoir (page 6-23)
3. Rider seat (page 3-22)
4. Fuse box 1 (page 6-31)
5. Radiator cap (page 6-14)
6. Coolant reservoir (page 6-14)
7. Engine oil level check window (page 6-9)
8. Brake pedal (page 3-18)9. Fuse box 2 (page 6-31)
10. Shock absorber assembly compression damping force adjusting
knob (page 3-26)

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-3
2
34
5
6
7
8
9
To unlock the steering
Push the key in, and then turn it to
“OFF” while still pushing it.

EAU34341
(Parking)
The steering is locked, and the taillight,
license plate light and auxiliary light are
on. The hazard lights and turn signal
lights can be turned on, but all other
electrical systems are off. The key can
be removed.
The steering must be locked before the
key can be turned to “ ”.
NOTICE

ECA11020
Do not use the parking position for
an extended length of time, other-
wise the battery may discharge.
EAU11003
Indicator and warning lights
EAU11030
Turn signal indicator lights “” and
“”
The corresponding indicator light flash-es when the turn signal switch is
pushed to the left or right.
EAU11060
Neutral indicator light “”
This indicator light comes on when the
transmission is in the neutral position.
EAU11080
High beam indicator light “”
This indicator light comes on when the
high beam of the headlight is switched
on.
EAU46562
Oil level warning light “”
This warning light comes on if the en-
gine oil level is low. To check the elec-
trical circuit of the warning light, place
the vehicle on a level surface, set the
engine stop switch to “ ” and turn the
key from “OFF” to “ON”.
If the warning light does not come on
and then go off, have a Yamaha dealer
check the electrical circuit.
If the warning light stays on, proceed as
follows.
1. Set the engine stop switch to “ ”.
2. Turn the key to “OFF”, wait two
1. Fuel level warning light “ ”
2. Right turn signal indicator light “ ”
3. Coolant temperature warning light “ ”
4. Neutral indicator light “ ”
5. High beam indicator light “ ”
6. Engine trouble warning light “ ”
7. Left turn signal indicator light “ ”
8. Immobilizer system indicator light
9. Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) warning
light “ ”
10. Oil level warning light “ ”
10
9
8
7
6
54321
ABS

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-5
2
34
5
6
7
8
9

EAU39501
ABS warning light “”
If this warning light comes on or flashes
while riding, the ABS may not work cor-
rectly. If this occurs, have a Yamaha
dealer check the system as soon as
possible. (See page 3-18.)
WARNING

EWA10081
If the ABS warning light comes on or
flashes while riding, the brake sys-
tem reverts to conventional braking.
Therefore, be careful not to cause
the wheels to lock during emergen-
cy braking. If the warning light
comes on or flashes while riding,
have a Yamaha dealer check the
brake system as soon as possible.
The electrical circuit of the warning light
can be checked by turning the key to
“ON”.
If the warning light does not come on or
remains on, have a Yamaha dealer
check the electrical circuit.
EAU38621
Immobilizer system indicator light
The electrical circuit of the indicator
light can be checked by turning the keyto “ON”.
If the indicator light does not come on
for a few seconds, then go off, have a
Yamaha dealer check the electrical cir-
cuit.
When the key is turned to “OFF” and 30
seconds have passed, the indicator
light will start flashing indicating the im-
mobilizer system is enabled. After 24
hours have passed, the indicator light
will stop flashing, however the immobi-
lizer system is still enabled.
This model is also equipped with a
self-diagnosis device for the immobiliz-
er system. (See page 3-13 for an expla-
nation of the self-diagnosis device.)
EAU46622
Speedometer unit
Speedometer
The speedometer shows the riding speed.
TIP

For the U.K.
The speedometer display can be
switched between kilometers and
miles. (See page 3-6 for details.)
Tachometer
The tachometer allows the rider to
monitor the engine speed and keep it
ABS

1. Tachometer
2. Shift timing indicator light
3. Tachometer red zone
4. Speedometer
12
4
3

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-18
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

EAU12941
Brake pedal
The brake pedal is on the right side of
the motorcycle. To apply the rear
brake, press down on the brake pedal.
EAU46390
ABS
The Yamaha ABS (Anti-lock Brake
System) features a dual electronic con-
trol system, which acts on the front and
rear brakes independently. The ABS is
monitored by an ECU (Electronic Con-
trol Unit), which will have recourse to
manual braking if a malfunction occurs.
WARNING

EWA10090

The ABS performs best on long
braking distances.

On certain (rough or gravel)
roads, the braking distance may
be longer with than without the
ABS. Therefore, always keep a
sufficient distance to the vehi-
cle ahead to match the riding
speed.
TIP


When the ABS is activated, the
brakes are operated in the usual
way. A pulsating action may be felt
at the brake lever or brake pedal,
but this does not indicate a mal-
function.

This ABS has a test mode whichallows the owner to experience the
pulsating at the brake lever or
brake pedal when the ABS is oper-
ating. However, special tools are
required, so please consult your
Yamaha dealer when performing
this test.
NOTICE

ECA16120
Keep any type of magnets (including
magnetic pick-up tools, magnetic
screwdrivers, etc.) away from the
front and rear wheel hubs, otherwise
the magnetic rotors equipped in the
wheel hubs may be damaged, result-
ing in improper performance of the
ABS system.
1. Brake pedal
1

1. Front wheel hub
1

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-26
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
TIP

Although the total number of clicks of a
damping force adjusting mechanism
may not exactly match the above spec-
ifications due to small differences in
production, the actual number of clicks
always represents the entire adjusting
range. To obtain a precise adjustment,
it would be advisable to check the num-
ber of clicks of each damping force ad-
justing mechanism and to modify the
specifications as necessary.
EAU46491
Adjusting the shock absorber
assembly
This shock absorber assembly is
equipped with a spring preload adjust-
ing knob and rebound and compres-
sion damping force adjusting knobs.
NOTICE

ECA10101
To avoid damaging the mechanism,
do not attempt to turn beyond the
maximum or minimum settings.
Spring preload
To increase the spring preload and
thereby harden the suspension, turn
the adjusting knob in direction (a). To
decrease the spring preload and there-
by soften the suspension, turn the ad-
justing knob in direction (b).
TIP

Align the appropriate mark on the ad-
justing mechanism with the end of the
adjusting knob.
Compression damping setting:
Minimum (soft):
20 click(s) in direction (b)*
Standard:
12 click(s) in direction (b)*
Maximum (hard):
1 click(s) in direction (b)*
* With the adjusting screw fully turned
in direction (a)
1. Spring preload adjusting knob
(a)
(b)
1
Spring preload setting:
Minimum (soft):
11
Standard:
6
Maximum (hard):
1
5
4
3
2
1
11
67
10
9
8

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-27
2
34
5
6
7
8
9 Rebound damping force
To increase the rebound damping force
and thereby harden the rebound damp-
ing, turn the adjusting knob in direction
(a). To decrease the rebound damping
force and thereby soften the rebound
damping, turn the adjusting knob in di-
rection (b).
Compression damping force
To increase the compression damping
force and thereby harden the compres-
sion damping, turn the adjusting knob
in direction (a). To decrease the com-
pression damping force and thereby
soften the compression damping, turn
the adjusting knob in direction (b).
TIP

To obtain a precise adjustment, it is ad-
visable to check the actual total number
of clicks or turns of each damping force
adjusting mechanism. This adjustment
range may not exactly match the spec-
ifications listed due to small differences
in production.
WARNING

EWA10221
This shock absorber assembly con-
tains highly pressurized nitrogen
gas. Read and understand the fol-
lowing information before handling
the shock absorber assembly.

Do not tamper with or attempt to
open the cylinder assembly.

Do not subject the shock ab-
sorber assembly to an open
1. Rebound damping force adjusting knob
Rebound damping setting:
Minimum (soft):
20 clicks in direction (b)*
Standard:
12 clicks in direction (b)*
Maximum (hard):
3 clicks in direction (b)*
* With the adjusting knob fully turned in
direction (a)
(b)(a)
1

1. Compression damping force adjusting
knob
(b)
(a) 1

Compression damping setting:
Minimum (soft):
12 clicks in direction (b)*
Standard:
10 clicks in direction (b)*
Maximum (hard):
1 clicks in direction (b)*
* With the adjusting knob fully turned in
direction (a)