Page 25 of 88
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-9
3 brand. Use of unleaded fuel will extend
spark plug life and reduce maintenance
costs.
EAU13445
Catalytic converters This vehicle is equipped with catalytic
converters in the exhaust system.
WARNING
EWA10862
The exhaust system is hot after op-
eration. To prevent a fire hazard or
burns:
Do not park the vehicle near
possible fire hazards such as
grass or other materials that
easily burn.
Park the vehicle in a place
where pedestrians or children
are not likely to touch the hot
exhaust system.
Make sure that the exhaust sys-
tem has cooled down before do-
ing any maintenance work.
Do not allow the engine to idle
more than a few minutes. Long
idling can cause a build-up ofheat.
NOTICE
ECA10701
Use only unleaded gasoline. The use
of leaded gasoline will cause unre-
pairable damage to the catalyticconverter.
U22BE0E0.book Page 9 Wednesday, December 17, 2008 11:00 AM
Page 26 of 88
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-10
3
EAU13960
Seat To remove the seat
Remove the bolts, and then pull the
seat off.
To install the seat
1. Insert the projections on the front
of the seat into the seat holders as
shown.2. Place the seat in the original posi-
tion, and then tighten the bolts.
TIPMake sure that the seat is properly se-cured before riding.
EAU14832
Adjusting the shock absorber
assembly This shock absorber assembly is
equipped with a spring preload adjust-
ing ring.NOTICE
ECA10101
To avoid damaging the mechanism,
do not attempt to turn beyond themaximum or minimum settings.
Adjust the spring preload as follows.
To increase the spring preload and
thereby harden the suspension, turn
the adjusting ring in direction (a). To de-
1. Bolt
1. Projection
2. Seat holder
1. Spring preload adjusting nut
2. Position indicator
(b)
(a)
U22BE0E0.book Page 10 Wednesday, December 17, 2008 11:00 AM
Page 27 of 88

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-11
3 crease the spring preload and thereby
soften the suspension, turn the adjust-
ing ring in direction (b).
Align the appropriate notch in the ad-
justing ring with the position indicator
on the shock absorber.
For WR125R only
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
flame or other high heat source.This may cause the unit to ex-
plode due to excessive gas
pressure.
Do not deform or damage the
cylinder in any way. Cylinder
damage will result in poor
damping performance.
Do not dispose of a damaged or
worn-out shock absorber as-
sembly yourself. Take the shock
absorber assembly to a Yamahadealer for any service.
EAU15301
Sidestand The sidestand is located on the left side
of the frame. Raise the sidestand or
lower it with your foot while holding the
vehicle upright.TIPThe built-in sidestand switch is part of
the ignition circuit cut-off system, which
cuts the ignition in certain situations.
(See further down for an explanation ofthe ignition circuit cut-off system.)
WARNING
EWA10240
The vehicle must not be ridden with
the sidestand down, or if the side-
stand cannot be properly moved up
(or does not stay up), otherwise the
sidestand could contact the ground
and distract the operator, resulting
in a possible loss of control.
Yamaha’s ignition circuit cut-off
system has been designed to assist
the operator in fulfilling the respon-
sibility of raising the sidestand be-
fore starting off. Therefore, check
this system regularly as described
Spring preload setting:
Minimum (soft):
1
Standard:
3
Maximum (hard):
7
U22BE0E0.book Page 11 Wednesday, December 17, 2008 11:00 AM
Page 28 of 88
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-12
3below and have a Yamaha dealer re-
pair it if it does not function proper-
ly.
EAU44892
Ignition circuit cut-off system The ignition circuit cut-off system (com-
prising the sidestand switch, clutch
switch and neutral switch) has the fol-
lowing functions.
It prevents starting when the trans-
mission is in gear and the side-
stand is up, but the clutch lever is
not pulled.
It prevents starting when the trans-
mission is in gear and the clutch le-
ver is pulled, but the sidestand is
still down.
It cuts the running engine when the
transmission is in gear and the sid-
estand is moved down.
Periodically check the operation of the
ignition circuit cut-off system according
to the following procedure.
U22BE0E0.book Page 12 Wednesday, December 17, 2008 11:00 AM
Page 29 of 88

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-13
3
With the engine turned off:
1. Move the sidestand down.
2. Make sure that the engine stop switch is set to “
3. Turn the key on.
4. Shift the transmission into the neutral position.
5. Push the start switch.
Does the engine start?
With the engine still running:
6. Move the sidestand up.
7. Keep the clutch lever pulled.
8. Shift the transmission into gear.
9. Move the sidestand down.
Does the engine stall?
After the engine has stalled:
10. Move the sidestand up.
11. Keep the clutch lever pulled.
12. Push the start switch.
Does the engine start?
The system is OK. The motorcycle can be ridden.The neutral switch may not be working correctly.
The motorcycle should not be ridden until
checked by a Yamaha dealer.
The sidestand switch may not be working correctly.
The motorcycle should not be ridden until
checked by a Yamaha dealer.
The clutch switch may not be working correctly.
The motorcycle should not be ridden until
checked by a Yamaha dealer.
YES NO YES NO YES NO
If a malfunction is noted, have a Yamaha
dealer check the system before riding.
WARNING
”.
U22BE0E0.book Page 13 Wednesday, December 17, 2008 11:00 AM
Page 30 of 88

FOR YOUR SAFETY – PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
4-1
4
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 inthis manual, have the vehicle inspected by a Yamaha dealer.
Before using this vehicle, check the following points:
ITEM CHECKS PAGE
FuelCheck fuel level in fuel tank.
Refuel if necessary.
Check fuel line for leakage.3-8
Engine oilCheck oil level in engine.
If necessary, add recommended oil to specified level.
Check vehicle for oil leakage.6-9
CoolantCheck coolant level in reservoir.
If necessary, add recommended coolant to specified level.
Check cooling system for leakage.6-12
Front brakeCheck 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.6-19, 6-20
U22BE0E0.book Page 1 Wednesday, December 17, 2008 11:00 AM
Page 31 of 88

FOR YOUR SAFETY – PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
4-2
4
Rear brakeCheck 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.6-19, 6-20
ClutchCheck operation.
Lubricate cable if necessary.
Check lever free play.
Adjust if necessary.6-18
Throttle gripMake sure that operation is smooth.
Check cable free play.
If necessary, have Yamaha dealer adjust cable free play and lubricate cable and
grip housing.6-14, 6-24
Control cablesMake sure that operation is smooth.
Lubricate if necessary.6-23
Drive chainCheck chain slack.
Adjust if necessary.
Check chain condition.
Lubricate if necessary.6-21, 6-23
Wheels and tiresCheck for damage.
Check tire condition and tread depth.
Check air pressure.
Correct if necessary.6-15, 6-17
Brake pedalMake sure that operation is smooth.
Lubricate pedal pivoting point if necessary.6-25
Brake and clutch leversMake sure that operation is smooth.
Lubricate lever pivoting points if necessary.6-24
SidestandMake sure that operation is smooth.
Lubricate pivot if necessary.6-25 ITEM CHECKS PAGE
U22BE0E0.book Page 2 Wednesday, December 17, 2008 11:00 AM
Page 32 of 88
FOR YOUR SAFETY – PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
4-3
4
Chassis fastenersMake sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are properly tightened.
Tighten if necessary.—
Instruments, lights, signals
and switchesCheck operation.
Correct if necessary.—
Sidestand switch Check operation of ignition circuit cut-off system.
If system is not working correctly, have Yamaha dealer check vehicle.3-11
BatteryCheck fluid level.
Fill with distilled water if necessary.6-27 ITEM CHECKS PAGE
U22BE0E0.book Page 3 Wednesday, December 17, 2008 11:00 AM