Page 32 of 86
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
4-7
4
EAU46280
Seat To remove the seat
Remove the bolts, and then pull the
seat off.
To install the seat
1. Fit the slot in the seat onto the pro-
jection on the fuel tank, and insert
the projection on the seat into the
seat holder 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.
EAU41471
Adjusting the front fork
WARNING
EWA10180
Always adjust both fork legs equal-
ly, otherwise poor handling and loss
of stability may result.This front fork is equipped with rebound
damping force adjusting screws and
compression damping force adjusting
screws.NOTICE
ECA10101
To avoid damaging the mechanism,
do not attempt to turn beyond the
maximum or minimum settings.Rebound damping force
1. Bolt
1. Slot
2. Projection
3. Seat holder
12
2
3
1. Rebound damping force adjusting screw
U5PA88E0.book Page 7 Tuesday, June 9, 2009 8:44 AM
Page 34 of 86

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
4-9
4
EAU14791
Front fork bleeding
WARNING
EWA10200
Always bleed both fork legs, other-
wise poor handling and loss of sta-
bility may result.When riding in extremely rough condi-
tions, the air temperature and pressure
in the front fork will rise. This will in-
crease the spring preload and harden
the front suspension. If this occurs,
bleed the front fork as follows.
1. Elevate the front wheel by placing
a suitable stand under the engine.
TIPWhen bleeding the front fork, there
should be no weight on the front end of
the vehicle.2. Remove the bleed screws and al-
low all of the air to escape from
each fork leg.
3. Install the bleed screws.
EAU41332
Adjusting the shock absorber
assembly This shock absorber assembly is
equipped with a spring preload adjust-
ing nut, a rebound damping force ad-
justing screw and a compression
damping force adjusting screw.NOTICE
ECA10101
To avoid damaging the mechanism,
do not attempt to turn beyond the
maximum or minimum settings.Spring preload
Adjust the spring preload as follows.
1. Loosen the locknut.
1. Bleed screw
1. Locknut
2. Spring preload adjusting nut
U5PA88E0.book Page 9 Tuesday, June 9, 2009 8:44 AM
Page 36 of 86

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
4-11
4
Compression damping force
To increase the compression damping
force and thereby harden the compres-
sion damping, turn the adjusting screw
in direction (a). To decrease the com-
pression damping force and thereby
soften the compression damping, turn
the adjusting screw in direction (b).
TIPTo obtain a precise adjustment, it is ad-
visable to check the actual total number
of clicks or turns of each damping forceadjusting mechanism. This adjustment
range may not exactly match the spec-
ifications listed due to small differences
in production.
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 Yamaha
dealer for any service.
Rebound damping setting:
Minimum (soft):
20 click(s) in direction (b)*
Standard:YZ85(Z)
6 click(s) in direction (b)*
For Europe only: 12 click(s) in di-
rection (b)*
Standard:YZ85LW(Z)
7 click(s) in direction (b)*
For Europe only: 12 click(s) in di-
rection (b)*
Maximum (hard):
1 click(s) in direction (b)*
* With the adjusting screw fully turned
in direction (a)
1. Compression damping force adjusting screwCompression damping setting:
Minimum (soft):
20 click(s) in direction (b)*
Standard:YZ85(Z)
9 click(s) in direction (b)*
For Europe only: 12 click(s) in di-
rection (b)*
Standard:YZ85LW(Z)
7 click(s) in direction (b)*
For Europe only: 12 click(s) in di-
rection (b)*
Maximum (hard):
1 click(s) in direction (b)*
* With the adjusting screw fully turned
in direction (a)
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Page 37 of 86
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
4-12
4
EAU41381
Removable sidestand This motorcycle is equipped with a re-
movable sidestand.TIPMake sure that the sidestand is proper-
ly secured when the motorcycle is be-
ing supported or is being transported.
WARNING
EWA14601
Never apply force on the motor-
cycle while it is on the side-
stand.
Always remove the sidestand
before starting out.
1. Sidestand
U5PA88E0.book Page 12 Tuesday, June 9, 2009 8:44 AM
Page 38 of 86

FOR YOUR SAFETY – PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
5-1
5
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
FuelCheck fuel level in fuel tank.
Always use a fresh mixture of gasoline and oil.
Check fuel line for leakage.4-3
Transmission oilCheck oil level in transmission case.
If necessary, add recommended oil to specified level.7-9
CoolantCheck coolant level.
If necessary, add recommended coolant to specified level.
Check cooling system for leakage.7-10
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.7-19, 7-20
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Page 41 of 86

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
6-1
6
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.
EAU41305
Starting and warming up a
cold engine 1. Turn the fuel cock lever to “ON”.
2. Shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position.
3. Turn the starter (choke) on and
completely close the throttle. (See
page 4-6.)
4. Start the engine by pushing the
kickstarter lever down. NOTICE:
For maximum engine life, never
accelerate hard when the en-
gine is cold!
[ECA11041]
5. When the engine is warm, turn the
starter (choke) off.TIPThe engine is warm when it responds
normally to the throttle with the starter
(choke) turned off.
EAU16660
Starting a warm engine Follow the same procedure as for start-
ing a cold engine with the exception
that the starter (choke) is not required
when the engine is warm. Instead, start
the engine with the throttle slightly
open.TIPIf the engine does not start after several
kicks, try again with the throttle 1/4 to
1/2 open.
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Page 43 of 86

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
6-3
6
EAU41503
Engine break-in
WARNING
EWA10321
Failure to properly maintain the ve-
hicle or performing maintenance ac-
tivities incorrectly may increase
your risk of injury or death during
service or while using the vehicle. If
you are not familiar with vehicle ser-
vice, have a Yamaha dealer perform
service.1. Before starting the engine, fill the
fuel tank with a break-in oil-fuel
mixture as follows.
2. Start and warm up the engine.
Check the operation of the controls
and the engine stop button. (See
page 4-1.)
3. Operate the motorcycle in the low-
er gears at moderate throttle open-
ings for five to eight minutes. Stop
the engine and check the sparkplug condition (see page 7-8); it
will show a rich condition during
break-in.
4. Allow the engine to cool. Restart
the engine and operate the motor-
cycle as in the step above for five
minutes. Then, very briefly shift to
the higher gears and check the
full-throttle response. Stop the en-
gine and check the spark plug.
5. After again allowing the engine to
cool, restart and run the motorcy-
cle for five more minutes. Full
throttle and the higher gears may
be used, but sustained full-throttle
operation should be avoided. Stop
the engine and check the spark
plug again.
6. Allow the engine to cool, remove
the cylinder head and cylinder, and
inspect the piston and cylinder.
Remove any high spots on the pis-
ton with #600-grit wet sandpaper.
Clean all components and careful-
ly reassemble the cylinder head
and cylinder.
7. Drain the break-in oil-fuel mixture
from the fuel tank and refill with the
specified mix. (See page 4-3.)8. Start the engine and check the op-
eration of the motorcycle through-
out its entire operating range. Stop
the engine and check the spark
plug condition. Restart the motor-
cycle and ride it for about 10 to 15
more minutes. The motorcycle will
now be ready to ride normally.
After the engine break-in period, thor-
oughly check the motorcycle for loose
parts, oil leakage and any other prob-
lems. Be sure to inspect and make ad-
justments thoroughly, especially cable
and drive chain slack and loose
spokes. In addition, check all fittings
and fasteners for looseness, and tight-
en if necessary.
NOTICE
ECA15560
When any of the following parts
have been replaced, they must
be broken in.
Cylinder or crankshaft:
About one hour of break-in op-
eration is necessary.
Piston, rings or transmission
gears:
Recommended 2-stroke engine oil:
See page 9-1.
Mixing ratio (gasoline to oil):
15:1
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Page 44 of 86
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
6-4
6These parts require about 30
minutes of break-in operation at
half-throttle or less. Observe the
condition of the engine carefully
during operation.
If any engine trouble should oc-
cur during the engine break-in
period, immediately have a
Yamaha dealer check the vehi-
cle.
EAU17191
Parking When parking, stop the engine, and
then turn the fuel cock lever to “OFF”.
WARNING
EWA10311
Since the engine and exhaust
system can become very hot,
park in a place where pedestri-
ans or children are not likely to
touch them and be burned.
Do not park on a slope or on soft
ground, otherwise the vehicle
may overturn, increasing the
risk of a fuel leak and fire.
Do not park near grass or other
flammable materials which
might catch fire.
U5PA88E0.book Page 4 Tuesday, June 9, 2009 8:44 AM