
INTRODUCTION
EAU10113
Welcome to the Yamaha world of motorcycling!
As the owner of the VP250, you are benefiting from Yamaha’s vast experience and newest technology regarding the design
and manufacture of high-quality products, which have earned Yamaha a reputation for dependability.
Please take the time to read this manual thoroughly, so as to enjoy all advantages of your VP250. The Owner’s Manual does
not only instruct you in how to operate, inspect and maintain your scooter, but also in how to safeguard yourself and others
from trouble and injury.
In addition, the many tips given in this manual will help keep your scooter in the best possible condition. If you have any fur-
ther questions, do not hesitate to contact your Yamaha dealer.
The Yamaha team wishes you many safe and pleasant rides. So, remember to put safety first!
Yamaha continually seeks advancements in product design and quality. Therefore, while this manual contains the most cur-
rent product information available at the time of printing, there may be minor discrepancies between your scooter and this
manual. If there is any question concerning this manual, please consult a Yamaha dealer.
WARNING
EWA12411
Please read this manual carefully and completely before operating this scooter.
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IMPORTANT MANUAL INFORMATION
EAU10132
Particularly important information is distinguished in this manual by the following notations:
This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential personal injury
hazards. Obey all safety messages that follow this symbol to avoid possible injury
or death.
A WARNING indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in
death or serious injury.
A NOTICE indicates special precautions that must be taken to avoid damage to the
vehicle or other property.
A TIP provides key information to make procedures easier or clearer.
WARNING
NOTICETIP
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TABLE OF CONTENTSSAFETY INFORMATION ..................1-1
Further safe-riding points ................1-5
DESCRIPTION ..................................2-1
Left view ..........................................2-1
Right view ........................................2-3
Controls and instruments.................2-5
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL
FUNCTIONS.......................................3-1
Main switch/steering lock ................3-1
Indicator and warning lights ............3-1
Speedometer ..................................3-2
Fuel gauge ......................................3-2
Coolant temperature gauge ............3-3
Multi-function display ......................3-3
Handlebar switches ........................3-6
Front brake lever ............................3-7
Rear brake lever .............................3-7
Fuel tank cap ..................................3-7
Fuel .................................................3-8
Catalytic converters ........................3-9
Seat ..............................................3-10
Storage compartments .................3-11
Windshield ....................................3-12
Adjusting the shock absorber
assemblies ................................3-13
Carrier (if applicable) ....................3-13
Luggage hook ...............................3-14
Sidestand ......................................3-14
Ignition circuit cut-off system ........3-15FOR YOUR SAFETY –
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS............. 4-1
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT
RIDING POINTS................................. 5-1
Starting the engine ......................... 5-1
Starting off ...................................... 5-2
Acceleration and deceleration ........ 5-2
Braking ........................................... 5-3
Tips for reducing fuel
consumption ............................... 5-3
Engine break-in .............................. 5-4
Parking ........................................... 5-4
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND
ADJUSTMENT................................... 6-1
Owner’s tool kit ............................... 6-1
Periodic maintenance chart for the
emission control system ............. 6-2
General maintenance and
lubrication chart .......................... 6-3
Removing and installing cowlings
and panels .................................. 6-6
Checking the spark plug ................. 6-7
Engine oil ....................................... 6-8
Final transmission oil .................... 6-10
Coolant ......................................... 6-11
Air filter and V-belt case air filter
elements ................................... 6-12
Checking the throttle cable free
play ........................................... 6-13Valve clearance ........................... 6-14
Tires ............................................. 6-14
Cast wheels ................................. 6-16
Front and rear brake lever free
play ........................................... 6-16
Checking the front and rear brake
pads .......................................... 6-17
Checking the brake fluid level ...... 6-17
Changing the brake fluid .............. 6-18
Checking and lubricating the
cables ....................................... 6-19
Checking and lubricating the
throttle grip and cable ............... 6-19
Lubricating the front and rear
brake levers .............................. 6-19
Checking and lubricating the
centerstand and sidestand ....... 6-20
Checking the front fork ................. 6-20
Checking the steering .................. 6-21
Checking the wheel bearings ....... 6-21
Battery ......................................... 6-22
Replacing the fuses ..................... 6-23
Replacing a headlight bulb .......... 6-24
Replacing a front turn signal light
bulb ........................................... 6-26
Replacing a tail/brake light bulb
or a rear turn signal light bulb ... 6-26
Replacing the license plate light
bulb ........................................... 6-27
Replacing an auxiliary light
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1-1
1
SAFETY INFORMATION
EAU10263
Be a Responsible Owner
As the vehicle’s owner, you are respon-
sible for the safe and proper operation
of your scooter.
Scooters are single-track vehicles.
Their safe use and operation are de-
pendent upon the use of proper riding
techniques as well as the expertise of
the operator. Every operator should
know the following requirements before
riding this scooter.
He or she should:
Obtain thorough instructions from
a competent source on all aspects
of scooter operation.
Observe the warnings and mainte-
nance requirements in this Own-
er’s Manual.
Obtain qualified training in safe
and proper riding techniques.
Obtain professional technical ser-
vice as indicated in this Owner’s
Manual and/or when made neces-
sary by mechanical conditions.Safe Riding
Perform the pre-operation checks each
time you use the vehicle to make sure it
is in safe operating condition. Failure to
inspect or maintain the vehicle properly
increases the possibility of an accident
or equipment damage. See page 4-1
for a list of pre-operation checks.
This scooter is designed to carry
the operator and a passenger.
The failure of motorists to detect
and recognize scooters in traffic is
the predominating cause of auto-
mobile/scooter accidents. Many
accidents have been caused by an
automobile driver who did not see
the scooter. Making yourself con-
spicuous appears to be very effec-
tive in reducing the chance of this
type of accident.
Therefore:
Wear a brightly colored jacket.
Use extra caution when you are
approaching and passing
through intersections, since in-
tersections are the most likely
places for scooter accidents to
occur.Ride where other motorists can
see you. Avoid riding in another
motorist’s blind spot.
Many accidents involve inexperi-
enced operators. In fact, many op-
erators who have been involved in
accidents do not even have a cur-
rent driver’s license.
Make sure that you are qualified
and that you only lend your
scooter to other qualified opera-
tors.
Know your skills and limits.
Staying within your limits may
help you to avoid an accident.
We recommend that you prac-
tice riding your scooter where
there is no traffic until you have
become thoroughly familiar with
the scooter and all of its con-
trols.
Many accidents have been caused
by error of the scooter operator. A
typical error made by the operator
is veering wide on a turn due to ex-
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-1
3
EAU10460
Main switch/steering lock The main switch/steering lock controls
the ignition and lighting systems, and is
used to lock the steering. The various
positions are described below.
EAU34121
ON“”
All electrical circuits are supplied with
power; the meter lighting, taillight, li-
cense plate light and auxiliary lights
come on, and the engine can be start-
ed. The key cannot be removed.TIPThe headlights come on automatically
when the engine is started and stay on
until the key is turned to“” or the sid-
estand is moved down.
EAU10661
OFF“”
All electrical systems are off. The key
can be removed.
WARNING
EWA10061
Never turn the key to“” or“”
while the vehicle is moving. Other-
wise the electrical systems will be
switched off, which may result in
loss of control or an accident.
EAU10681
LOCK“”
The steering is locked, and all electrical
systems are off. The key can be re-
moved.
To lock the steering1. Turn the handlebars all the way to
the left.
2. Push the key in from the“” posi-
tion, and then turn it to“” while
still pushing it.
3. Remove the key.
To unlock the steeringPush the key in, and then turn it to“”
while still pushing it.
EAU11004
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.
EAU11080
High beam indicator light“”
This indicator light comes on when the
high beam of the headlight is switched
on.
PUSHOPEN
ZAUM0253
1. High beam indicator light“”
2. Left turn signal indicator light“”
3. Right turn signal indicator light“”
4. Engine trouble warning light“”
12 3 4
ZAUM0635
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-2
3
EAU11484
Engine trouble warning light“”
This warning light comes on if a prob-
lem is detected in the electrical circuit
monitoring the engine. If this occurs,
have a Yamaha dealer check the self-
diagnosis system.
The electrical circuit of the warning light
can be checked by turning the key
to“”. The warning light should come
on for a few seconds, and then go off.
If the warning light does not come on
initially when the key is turned to“”,
or if the warning light remains on, have
a Yamaha dealer check the electrical
circuit.
EAU11591
Speedometer UK ONLY
The speedometer shows the riding
speed.
EAUM1471
Fuel gauge The fuel gauge indicates the amount of
fuel in the fuel tank. The needle moves
towards “E” (Empty) as the fuel level
decreases. When the remaining fuel in
the tank reaches approximately 2.7 L
(0.72 US gal, 0.60 Imp.gal), the fuel
level warning light will come on and the
multi-function display will automatically
change to the “Trip/fuel” mode. (See
page 3-4.) If this occurs, refuel as soon
as possible.TIPDo not allow the fuel tank to empty itself
completely.
1. Speedometer
1. Speedometer
1
ZAUM0636
1mph
0 1020304050
60
70
80
90
100
ZAUM0637
1. Fuel gauge
2. Fuel level warning light1
2ZAUM0638
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-3
3
EAU12172
Coolant temperature gauge With the key in the“” position, the
coolant temperature gauge indicates
the temperature of the coolant. The
coolant temperature varies with chang-
es in the weather and engine load. If
the needle reaches or enters the red
zone, stop the vehicle and let the en-
gine cool. (See page 6-29.)NOTICE
ECA10021
Do not continue to operate the en-
gine if it is overheating.
EAUM2481
Multi-function display
WARNING
EWA12312
Be sure to stop the vehicle before
making any setting changes to the
multi-function display. Changing
settings while riding can distract the
operator and increase the risk of an
accident.The multi-function display is equipped
with the following:
an odometer (which shows the to-
tal distance traveled)
two tripmeters (which show the
distance traveled since they were
last set to zero, the time passed
since the tripmeters were set to ze-
ro, and the average speed traveled
during this time)
a fuel reserve tripmeter (which
shows the distance traveled since
the fuel level warning light came
on)
a clock
an ambient temperature display
an oil change indicator (which
comes on when the engine oil
should be changed)
TIP
For the UK, the distance traveled
is displayed in miles and the tem-
perature reading is displayed in °F.
For other countries, the distance
traveled is displayed in kilometers
and the temperature reading is dis-
played in °C.
1. Red zone
1
ZAUM0639
1.“MODE” button
2. Multi-function display
3.“SET” button
1
2
3
ZAUM0640
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-4
3 Odometer and tripmeter modes
Pushing the “MODE” button switches
the display between the odometer
mode “Total” and the tripmeter modes
“Trip” in the following order:
Total → Trip 1 → Trip 2 → Trip/fuel →
Total
TIP
The Trip/fuel odometer is only acti-
vated if the fuel level warning light
comes on.
Pushing the “SET” button when in the
tripmeter mode switches the display
between the different tripmeter func-
tions in the following order:
Trip 1 or Trip 2 → Time 1 or 2 → Aver-
age speed 1 or 2 → Trip 1 or Trip 2
If the fuel level warning light comes on
(See page 3-2.), the display will auto-
matically change to the fuel reserve
tripmeter mode “Trip/fuel” and start
counting the distance traveled from that
point. In that case, pushing the “MODE”
button switches the display between
the various tripmeter and odometer
modes in the following order:Trip/Fuel → Trip 1 → Trip 2 → Total →
Trip/fuel
To reset a tripmeter, select it by push-
ing the “MODE” button, and then push
the “SET” button for at least one sec-
ond. If you do not reset the fuel reserve
tripmeter manually, it will reset itself au-
tomatically and the display will return to
the prior mode after refueling and trav-
eling 5 km (3 mi).
Clock mode
To set the clock:
1. When the display is in the “Total”
mode, push the “SET” button for at
least two seconds.
2. When the hour digits start flashing,
push the “SET” button to set the
hours.
1. Total
2. Trip 1
3. Trip 2
4. Trip/Fuel
"Mode"
"Mode"
"Mode"
"Mode"1
2
3
4
ZAUM0391
1. Distance
2. Time
3. Average speed
"Set"
"Set""Set"
12
3
ZAUM0392
ZAUM0393
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