2009 YAMAHA VMAX brake pads

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

4-1
2
3
45
6
7
8
9

FOR YOUR SAFETY – PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
EAU15596
Inspect your vehicle each time you use it to make sure the vehicle is in safe operating condition. Always follow the inspection
and maintenance procedures and schedules described in the Owner’s Manual.
WARNING

EWA11151
Failure to inspect or maintain the vehicle properly increases the possibility of an accident or equipment damage.
Do not operate the vehicle if you find any problem. If a problem cannot be corrected by the procedures provided in
this manual, have the vehicle inspected by a Yamaha dealer.
Before using this vehicle, check the following points:
ITEM CHECKS PAGE
Fuel

Check fuel level in fuel tank.

Refuel if necessary.

Check fuel line for leakage.3-20
Engine oil

Check oil level in engine.

If necessary, add recommended oil to specified level.

Check vehicle for oil leakage.6-9
Final gear oil

Check vehicle for oil leakage. 6-12
Coolant

Check coolant level in reservoir.

If necessary, add recommended coolant to specified level.

Check cooling system for leakage.6-14
Front brake

Check operation.

If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed hydraulic system.

Check brake pads for wear.

Replace if necessary.

Check fluid level in reservoir.

If necessary, add recommended brake fluid to specified level.

Check hydraulic system for leakage.6-22, 6-23

FOR YOUR SAFETY – PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
4-2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Rear brake

Check operation.

If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed hydraulic system.

Check brake pads for wear.

Replace if necessary.

Check fluid level in reservoir.

If necessary, add recommended brake fluid to specified level.

Check hydraulic system for leakage.6-22, 6-23
Clutch

Check operation.

If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed hydraulic system.

Check hydraulic system for leakage.6-21
Throttle grip

Make sure that operation is smooth.

Check cable free play.

If necessary, have Yamaha dealer adjust cable free play and lubricate cable
and grip housing.6-17, 6-24
Control cables

Make sure that operation is smooth.

Lubricate if necessary.6-24
Wheels and tires

Check for damage.

Check tire condition and tread depth.

Check air pressure.

Correct if necessary.6-18, 6-20
Brake and shift pedals

Make sure that operation is smooth.

Lubricate pedal pivoting points if necessary. 6-25, 6-26
Brake and clutch levers

Make sure that operation is smooth.

Lubricate lever pivoting points if necessary.6-25
Sidestand

Make sure that operation is smooth.

Lubricate pivot if necessary.6-26
Chassis fasteners

Make sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are properly tightened.

Tighten if necessary.—
Instruments, lights, signals
and switches

Check operation.

Correct if necessary.—
ITEM CHECKS PAGE

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

EAU1770A
Periodic maintenance and lubrication chart
TIP


The annual checks must be performed every year, except if a kilometer-based maintenance, or for the UK, a
mileage-based maintenance, is performed instead.

From 50000 km (30000 mi), repeat the maintenance intervals starting from 10000 km (6000 mi).

Items marked with an asterisk should be performed by a Yamaha dealer as they require special tools, data and technical
skills.
NO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOBODOMETER READING
ANNUAL
CHECK 1000 km
(600 mi)10000 km
(6000 mi)20000 km
(12000 mi)30000 km
(18000 mi)40000 km
(24000 mi)
1*
Fuel line

Check fuel hoses for cracks or
damage.
√√√√√
2*
Spark plugs

Check condition.

Clean.
√√

Replace.
√√
3*
Valves

Check valve clearance.

Adjust.Every 40000 km (24000 mi)
4*
Air filter element

Replace.
√
5*
Clutch

Check operation, fluid level and
vehicle for fluid leakage.
√√√√√
6*
Front brake

Check operation, fluid level and
vehicle for fluid leakage.
√√√√√√

Replace brake pads. Whenever worn to the limit
7*
Rear brake

Check operation, fluid level and
vehicle for fluid leakage.
√√√√√√

Replace brake pads. Whenever worn to the limit
8*
Brake hoses

Check for cracks or damage.
√√√√√

Replace. Every 4 years

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-22
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

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

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-23
2
3
4
5
67
8
9

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

INDEX
A
ABS ......................................................... 3-18
ABS warning light ...................................... 3-5
Air filter element....................................... 6-17
Anti-theft alarm (optional) ........................ 3-14
Auxiliary light bulb, replacing ................... 6-36
B
Battery ..................................................... 6-28
Brake and clutch fluids, changing ............ 6-24
Brake and clutch levers, checking and
lubricating .............................................. 6-25
Brake fluid level, checking ....................... 6-23
Brake lever .............................................. 3-17
Brake pedal ............................................. 3-18
Brake pedal, checking and lubricating ..... 6-25
C
Cables, checking and lubricating ............. 6-24
Care ........................................................... 7-1
Catalytic converters ................................. 3-22
Clutch lever.................................... 3-16
,
6-21
Coolant .................................................... 6-14
Coolant temperature warning light............. 3-4
Cowling and panels, removing and
installing .................................................. 6-6
D
Dimmer switch ......................................... 3-15
E
Engine break-in ......................................... 5-3
Engine idling speed, checking ................. 6-17
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge ................ 6-9
Engine stop switch................................... 3-15
Engine trouble warning light ...................... 3-4
EXUP system .......................................... 3-28
F
Final gear oil ............................................ 6-12
Front and rear brake pads, checking....... 6-22
Front brake lever free play, checking ...... 6-21
Front fork, adjusting................................. 3-24
Front fork, checking ................................. 6-26
Fuel ......................................................... 3-20
Fuel level warning light .............................. 3-4
Fuel tank cap ........................................... 3-19
Fuses, replacing ...................................... 6-31
H
Handlebar switches ................................. 3-15
Hazard switch .......................................... 3-16
Headlight bulb, replacing ......................... 6-32
High beam indicator light ........................... 3-3
Horn switch.............................................. 3-15
I
Identification numbers ............................... 9-1
Ignition circuit cut-off system ................... 3-29
Immobilizer system.................................... 3-1
Immobilizer system indicator light ............. 3-5
Indicator and warning lights....................... 3-3
K
Key identification number .......................... 9-1
L
License plate light bulb, replacing ........... 6-35
Luggage strap holders............................. 3-28
M
Main switch/steering lock .......................... 3-2
Matte color, caution ................................... 7-1
Model label ................................................ 9-2
Multi-function display ................................. 3-6
N
Neutral indicator light................................. 3-3
O
Oil level warning light ................................ 3-3
P
Parking ...................................................... 5-3
Part locations ............................................ 2-1
Pass switch ............................................. 3-15
Periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart ........................................................ 6-2
R
Rear brake light switch, adjusting ........... 6-22
S
Safety information ..................................... 1-1
Seats ....................................................... 3-22
Shifting ...................................................... 5-2
Shift pedal ............................................... 3-17
Shift pedal, checking and lubricating ...... 6-26
Shock absorber assembly, adjusting ...... 3-26
Sidestand ................................................ 3-29
Sidestand, checking and lubricating ....... 6-26
Spark plugs, checking ............................... 6-8
Specifications ............................................ 8-1
Speedometer unit...................................... 3-5
Starting the engine .................................... 5-1
Start switch ............................................. 3-15
Steering, checking .................................. 6-27
Storage ..................................................... 7-4
Supporting the motorcycle ...................... 6-36
T
Tail/brake light......................................... 6-34
Throttle cable free play, checking ........... 6-17
Throttle grip and cable, checking and
lubricating ............................................. 6-24
Tires ........................................................ 6-18
Tool kit ...................................................... 6-1