2009 YAMAHA VMAX ECO mode

SAFETY INFORMATION
1-3
1
engine exhaust can be drawn into
a building through openings such
as windows and doors.
Loading
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, along with the information about
accessories below, are some general
guidelines to follow if loading cargo to
your motorcycle:
The total weight of the operator, pas-
senger, accessories and cargo must
not exceed the maximum load limit.
Operation of an overloaded vehicle
could cause an accident.
When loading within this weight limit,
keep the following in mind:


Cargo and accessory weight
should be kept as low and close to
the motorcycle as possible. Se-
curely pack your heaviest items as
close to the center of the vehicle as
possible and make sure to distrib-
ute the weight as evenly as possi-
ble on both sides of the motorcycle
to minimize imbalance or instabili-
ty.

Shifting weights can create a sud-
den imbalance. Make sure that ac-
cessories and cargo are securely
attached to the motorcycle before
riding. Check accessory mounts
and cargo restraints frequently.

Properly adjust the suspension
for your load (suspension-ad-
justable models only), and
check the condition and pres-
sure of your tires.

Never attach any large or heavy
items to the handlebar, front
fork, or front fender. These
items, including such cargo as
sleeping bags, duffel bags, or
tents, can create unstable han-
dling or a slow steering re-sponse.

This vehicle is not designed to
pull a trailer or to be attached to
a sidecar.
Genuine Yamaha Accessories
Choosing accessories for your vehicle
is an important decision. Genuine
Yamaha accessories, which are avail-
able only from a Yamaha dealer, have
been designed, tested, and approved
by Yamaha for use on your vehicle.
Many companies with no connection to
Yamaha manufacture parts and acces-
sories or offer other modifications for
Yamaha vehicles. Yamaha is not in a
position to test the products that these
aftermarket companies produce.
Therefore, Yamaha can neither en-
dorse nor recommend the use of ac-
cessories not sold by Yamaha or
modifications not specifically recom-
mended by Yamaha, even if sold and
installed by a Yamaha dealer.
Aftermarket Parts, Accessories,
and Modifications
While you may find aftermarket prod-

Maximum load:
190 kg (419 lb)

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
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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
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
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started flashing)


a fuel meter

a transmission gear indicator

a coolant temperature display

a self-diagnosis device
TIP

For the U.K. only:
The speedometer and odometer/trip-
meter displays can be switched be-
tween miles and kilometers. To switch
the speedometer and odometer/tripme-
ter displays, press “SELECT” for at
least two seconds.
Tripmeters
Turn the key to “ON”. Push “SELECT”
to switch the display between the trip-
meters “TRIP-1” and “TRIP-2” in the fol-
lowing order.
TRIP-1
→
TRIP-2
→
TRIP-1
When the fuel amount in the fuel tank
decreases to 3.9 L (1.03 US gal, 0.86
Imp.gal), the fuel warning indicator
starts flashing, and the tripmeter auto-
matically changes to the fuel reserve
tripmeter “TRIP-F” and starts counting
the distance traveled from that point. In
that case, push “SELECT” to switch the
display between the various tripmeters
in the following order:
TRIP-F
→
TRIP-1
→
TRIP-2
→
TRIP-F
To reset a tripmeter, select it by push-
ing “SELECT”, and then push “RESET”
for at least one second. If you do not re-
set the fuel reserve tripmeter manually,
it resets itself automatically and the dis-
play returns to the prior meter after re-
fueling and traveling 5 km (3 mi).
Select mode
The various functions of this multi-func-
tion display are adjusted in the Select
mode.
TIP


The transmission must be in neu-
tral to change settings in this
mode.

Shifting the transmission into gear
saves all settings made, then can-
cels the Select mode and displays
the Normal mode in all screens.

Depending on the screen, pushing
“RESET” saves settings or can-
cels the Select mode to display the
Normal mode.
Push and hold “SELECT” and “RESET”
for at least three seconds to enter the
Select mode.
The following items can be set/adjusted
in this mode:

brightness

shift timing indicator light
1. Odometer
2. Clock
3. Tripmeters/fuel reserve tripmeter
4. Fuel meter
5. Transmission gear indicator
6. Coolant temperature display
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
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2. Push “RESET”.
3. Push “SELECT” to highlight “All re-
set”.
4. Push “RESET”, then push “SE-
LECT” to highlight “Yes”.
5. Push “RESET” to reset the bright-
ness and shift timing light indicator
values to the factory setting. The
display returns to the Normal
mode.
TIP

To perform further multi-function dis-
play settings, enter the Select mode
again by pushing and holding “SE-
LECT” and “RESET” for at least three
seconds.
Using the stopwatch
The stopwatch can be activated as fol-
lows.
1. Push “SELECT” to highlight “Stop-
watch”.
2. Push “RESET”.
3. Push “SELECT” to highlight “Stop-
watch”.
4. Push “RESET”.
The multi-function display chang-
es to the Normal mode and the
stopwatch is displayed in place of
the clock.5. Push “SELECT” to start the stop-
watch.
6. Push “SELECT” or the start switch
“” to stop the stopwatch.
7. Push “RESET” to reset the stop-
watch.
TIP


If neither “SELECT” or “RESET”
are pushed for one minute, the
screen automatically changes to
the Normal mode.

Pushing “RESET” for at least two
seconds changes the screen to
the Normal mode.

To perform further multi-function
display settings, enter the Select
mode again by pushing and hold-
ing “SELECT” and “RESET” for at
least three seconds.
Using the countdown clock:
The countdown clock can be activated
as follows.
1. Push “SELECT” to highlight “Stop-
watch”.
2. Push “RESET”.
3. Push “SELECT” to highlight
“Countdown”.

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
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4. Push “RESET”. The multi-function
display changes to the Normal
mode, the stopwatch is displayed
in place of the clock, and the trans-
mission gear indicator changes to
the countdown clock.
5. Push “SELECT” or shift into gear
and the countdown clock starts
counting down from “5”. Simulta-
neously, the shift timing indicator
flashes according to the number
displayed (i.e., when “5” is dis-
played, the indicator flashes five
times, when “4” is displayed, the
indicator flashes four times, etc.).
The stopwatch starts counting
when the countdown clock finishes
counting.
6. Push “SELECT” or push the start
switch “” to stop the countdown
clock.
7. Push “RESET” to reset the count-
down clock and stopwatch.
8. Push “RESET” to reset the count-down clock, and then repeat steps
5–6, OR push “RESET” again for
at least two seconds to enter the
Normal mode.
TIP

To perform further multi-function dis-
play settings,
be sure the transmis-
sion is in neutral,
then enter the
Select mode again by pushing and
holding “SELECT” and “RESET” for at
least three seconds.
Checking and resetting the system sta-
tusThe status/readings of the following
items are displayed, and the tripmeters
can be reset.


tripmeters and odometer

fuel consumption

air intake temperature

throttle opening position
TIP


The “System status” menu cannot
be entered if the fuel level warning
light or coolant temperature warn-
ing light is on.

If, when the engine is runningwhile the system status menu is
displayed, the fuel level warning
light or coolant temperature warn-
ing light comes on, the Normal
mode is automatically displayed.
1. Push “SELECT” to highlight “Sys-
tem status”, then push “RESET”.
2. Push “SELECT” to highlight “Yes”,
then push “RESET”. (Highlighting
“No” and pushing “RESET” returns
to the previous menu.)
The display changes to the status
screen.
Push “SELECT” and the various trip-
meters and the odometer are displayed

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
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in the following order:
(TRIP-F)
→
TRIP-1
→
TRIP-2
→
ODO
→
(TRIP-F)
Push “RESET” to reset a tripmeter.
TIP


For the U.K. only: Push “SELECT”
for at least two seconds to switch
between miles and kilometers.

Pushing “RESET” displays the
Normal mode for five seconds.
Pushing “SELECT” and “RESET”
for at least three seconds, chang-
es the display to the Normal mode.

To perform further multi-function
display settings, enter the Select
mode again by pushing and hold-
ing “SELECT” and “RESET” for at
least three seconds.
Resetting the maintenance counters
This function allows you to reset the
maintenance counters for the tires, theengine oil, and an item of your choice.
1. Push “SELECT” to highlight “Main-
tenance”, then push “RESET”.
2. Push “SELECT” to highlight the
item to reset.
3. Push “RESET” to reset the item.
TIP

The bottom area was left blank for an-
other item the rider cares to check the
distance of since it has been changed,
replaced or checked (i.e., air filter ele-
ment, engine parts, etc.).
4. Push “SELECT” to scroll to “”.
5. Push “RESET” to return to the pre-vious menu.
Self-diagnosis device
This model is equipped with a self-diag-
nosis device for various electrical cir-
cuits.
If a problem is detected in any of those
circuits, the engine trouble warning light
comes on and the display indicates a
two-digit error code.
NOTICE

ECA11590
If the display indicates an error
code, the vehicle should be checked
as soon as possible in order to avoid
engine damage.
The self-diagnosis device also detects
problems in the immobilizer system cir-
cuits.
If a problem is detected in any of the im-
1. Error code display
1

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-18
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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

5-1
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OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
EAU15951
Read the Owner’s Manual carefully to
become familiar with all controls. If
there is a control or function you do not
understand, ask your Yamaha dealer.
WARNING

EWA10271
Failure to familiarize yourself with
the controls can lead to loss of con-
trol, which could cause an accident
or injury.
EAU46632
TIP

This model is equipped with:

a lean angle sensor to stop the en-
gine in case of a turnover. In this
case, the multi-function display in-
dicates error code 30, but this is
not a malfunction. Turn the key to
“OFF” and then to “ON” to clear the
error code. Failing to do so will pre-
vent the engine from starting even
though the engine will crank when
pushing the start switch.

an engine auto-stop system. The
engine stops automatically if left
idling for 20 minutes. In this case,
the multi-function display indicates
error code 70, but this is not a mal-
function. Push the start switch to
clear the error code and to restart
the engine.
EAU46530
Starting the engine
In order for the ignition circuit cut-off
system to enable starting, one of the
following conditions must be met:

The transmission is in the neutral
position.

The transmission is in gear with
the clutch lever pulled and the sid-
estand up.
See page 3-29 for more information.
1. Turn the key to “ON” and make
sure that the engine stop switch is
set to “”.
The following warning lights and
indicator light should come on for a
few seconds, then go off.

Oil level warning light

Fuel level warning light

Coolant temperature warning light

Engine trouble warning light

ABS warning light

Immobilizer system indicator light
NOTICE

ECA11831
If a warning or indicator light does
not go off, see page 3-3 for the corre-
sponding warning and indicator