2009 YAMAHA WR 250R Owners Manual

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
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EAU22580
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.
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 brake
fluid. Mixing fluids may result in a
harmful chemical reaction and
lead to poor braking performance.

Be careful that water does not en-
ter the brake fluid reservoir whenrefilling. Water will significantly
lower the boiling point of the fluid
and may result in vapor lock.

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
11

Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 4

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EAU22731
Changing the brake fluid
Have a Yamaha dealer change the
brake fluid at the intervals specified in
the TIP after the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart. In addition, have
the oil seals of the master cylinders and
calipers as well as the brake hoses re-
placed at the intervals listed below or
whenever they are damaged or leak-
ing.

Oil seals: Replace every two
years.

Brake hoses: Replace every four
years.
EAU22760
Drive chain slack
The drive chain slack should be
checked before each ride and adjusted
if necessary.
EAU47221
To check the drive chain slack
1. Place the motorcycle on the side-
stand.
TIP

When checking and adjusting the drive
chain slack, there should be no weight
on the motorcycle.
2. Shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position.
3. Push on the drive chain at the cen-
ter point between the chain ten-
sioner and the chain support
mounting bolt with a force of 50 N
(5.0 kgf, 36 lbf).
4. Measure drive chain slack be-
tween the swingarm and the top of
the chain link closest to the swing-
arm as shown.5. If the drive chain slack is incorrect,
adjust it as follows.
EAU22943
To adjust the drive chain slack
1. Loosen the axle nut and the lock-
nut on each side of the swingarm.
2. To tighten the drive chain, turn the
drive chain slack adjusting bolt on
each side of the swingarm in direc-
tion (a). To loosen the drive chain,
turn the adjusting bolt on each side
of the swingarm in direction (b),
and then push the rear wheel for-
ward.
NOTICE:
Improper drive
chain slack will overload the en-

Drive chain slack:
8.0–13.0 mm (0.31–0.51 in)
1. Drive chain slack
2. Chain support mounting bolt
3. Chain tensioner
1
3
2

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
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9 gine as well as other vital parts
of the motorcycle and can lead
to chain slippage or breakage.
To prevent this from occurring,
keep the drive chain slack with-
in the specified limits.

[ECA10571]

TIP

Using the alignment marks on each
side of the swingarm, make sure that
both chain pullers are in the same posi-
tion for proper wheel alignment.
3. Tighten the locknuts, and then
tighten the axle nut to the specified
torque.
EAU23023
Cleaning and lubricating the
drive chain
The drive chain must be cleaned and
lubricated at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart, otherwise it will quickly wear
out, especially when riding in dusty or
wet areas. Service the drive chain as
follows.
NOTICE

ECA10581
The drive chain must be lubricated
after washing the motorcycle and
riding in the rain.
1. Clean the drive chain with kero-
sene and a small soft brush.
NOTICE:
To prevent damaging
the O-rings, do not clean the
drive chain with steam cleaners,
high-pressure washers or inap-
propriate solvents.

[ECA11121]

2. Wipe the drive chain dry.
3. Thoroughly lubricate the drive
chain with a special O-ring chain
lubricant.
NOTICE:
Do not use
engine oil or any other lubri-
cants for the drive chain, as they
1. Axle nut
2. Locknut
3. Drive chain slack adjusting bolt
4. Alignment marks
1
32
4
(b)
(a)

Tightening torque:
Axle nut:
125 Nm (12.5 m·kgf, 90.4 ft·lbf)

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
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9may contain substances that
could damage the O-rings.

[ECA11111]

EAU23101
Checking and lubricating the
cables
The operation of all control cables and
the condition of the cables should be
checked before each ride, and the ca-
bles and cable ends should be lubricat-
ed if necessary. If a cable is damaged
or does not move smoothly, have a
Yamaha dealer check or replace it.
WARNING! Damage to the outer
sheath may interfere with proper ca-
ble operation and will cause the in-
ner cable to rust. Replace a
damaged cable as soon as possible
to prevent unsafe conditions.
[EWA10721]

EAU23111
Checking and lubricating the
throttle grip and cable
The operation of the throttle grip should
be checked before each ride. In addi-
tion, the cable should be lubricated at
the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance chart.
Recommended lubricant:
Engine oil

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EAU23142
Checking and lubricating the
brake and clutch levers
Brake lever
Clutch lever
The operation of the brake and clutch
levers should be checked before each
ride, and the lever pivots should be lu-bricated if necessary.
EAU23182
Checking and lubricating the
brake pedal
The operation of the brake pedal
should be checked before each ride,
and the pedal pivot should be lubricat-
ed if necessary.
Recommended lubricants:
Brake lever:
Silicone grease
Clutch lever:
Lithium-soap-based grease
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease

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EAU23202
Checking and lubricating the
sidestand
The operation of the sidestand should
be checked before each ride, and the
sidestand pivot and metal-to-metal
contact surfaces should be lubricated if
necessary.
WARNING

EWA10731
If the sidestand does not move up
and down smoothly, have a Yamaha
dealer check or repair it. Otherwise,
the sidestand could contact the
ground and distract the operator, re-
sulting in a possible loss of control.
EAU23250
Lubricating the rear
suspension
The pivoting points of the rear suspen-
sion must be lubricated at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
EAU23272
Checking the front fork
The condition and operation of the front
fork must be checked as follows at the
intervals specified in the periodic main-
tenance and lubrication chart.
To check the condition
Check the inner tubes for scratches,
damage and excessive oil leakage.
To check the operation
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion.
WARNING! To avoid injury,
securely support the vehicle so
there is no danger of it falling
over.

[EWA10751]

2. While applying the front brake,
push down hard on the handlebars
several times to check if the front
fork compresses and rebounds
smoothly.
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease

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NOTICE

ECA10590
If any damage is found or the front
fork does not operate smoothly,
have a Yamaha dealer check or re-
pair it.
EAU23283
Checking the steering
Worn or loose steering bearings may
cause danger. Therefore, the operation
of the steering must be checked as fol-
lows at the intervals specified in the pe-
riodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.
1. Place a stand under the engine to
raise the front wheel off the
ground. (See page 6-36 for more
information.)
WARNING! To
avoid injury, securely support
the vehicle so there is no danger
of it falling over.
[EWA10751]

2. Hold the lower ends of the front
fork legs and try to move them for-
ward and backward. If any free
play can be felt, have a Yamaha
dealer check or repair the steering.

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EAU23290
Checking the wheel bearings
The front and rear wheel bearings must
be checked at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart. If there is play in the wheel
hub or if the wheel does not turn
smoothly, have a Yamaha dealer check
the wheel bearings.
EAU46340
Battery
The battery is located behind panel D.
(See page 6-7.)
This model is equipped with a VRLA
(Valve Regulated Lead Acid) battery.
There is no need to check the electro-
lyte or to add distilled water. However,
the battery lead connections need to be
checked and, if necessary, securely
fastened.
WARNING

EWA10760

Electrolyte is poisonous and
dangerous since it contains sul-
furic acid, which causes severeburns. Avoid any contact with
skin, eyes or clothing and al-
ways shield your eyes when
working near batteries. In case
of contact, administer the fol-
lowing FIRST AID.

EXTERNAL: Flush with plenty
of water.

INTERNAL: Drink large quan-
tities of water or milk and im-
mediately call a physician.

EYES: Flush with water for 15
minutes and seek prompt
medical attention.

Batteries produce explosive hy-
drogen gas. Therefore, keep
sparks, flames, cigarettes, etc.,
away from the battery and pro-
vide sufficient ventilation when
charging it in an enclosed
space.

KEEP THIS AND ALL BATTER-
IES OUT OF THE REACH OF
CHILDREN.
To charge the battery
Have a Yamaha dealer charge the bat-
tery as soon as possible if it seems to
1. Negative battery lead (black)
2. Positive battery lead (red)
3. Battery
3
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