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EAU33603
Tires
To maximize the performance, durabil-
ity, and safe operation of your vehicle,
note the following points regarding the
specified tires.
Tire air pressure
The tire air pressure should be checked
and, if necessary, adjusted before each
ride.
WARNING
EWA10503
Operation of this vehicle with im-
proper tire pressure may cause se-
vere injury or death from loss of
control.
The tire air pressure must be
checked and adjusted on cold
tires (i.e., when the temperature
of the tires equals the ambient
temperature).
The tire air pressure must be ad-
justed in accordance with the
riding speed and with the total
weight of rider, passenger, car-
go, and accessories approved
for this model.
WARNING
EWA10511
Never overload your vehicle. Opera-
tion of an overloaded vehicle could
cause an accident.Tire inspection
The tires must be checked before each
ride. If the center tread depth reaches
the specified limit, if the tire has a nail or
glass fragments in it, or if the sidewall is
cracked, have a Yamaha dealer re-
place the tire immediately.
TIP
The tire tread depth limits may differ
from country to country. Always comply
with the local regulations.
Tire air pressure (measured on cold
tires):
0–90 kg (0–198 lb):
Front:
225 kPa (2.25 kgf/cm
2
, 33 psi)
Rear:
250 kPa (2.50 kgf/cm
2
, 36 psi)
XP500 90–194 kg (198–428 lb)
XP500A 90–190 kg (198–419 lb):
Front:
225 kPa (2.25 kgf/cm 2
, 33 psi)
Rear:
280 kPa (2.80 kgf/cm 2
, 41 psi)
Maximum load*:
XP500 194 kg (428 lb)
XP500A 190 kg (419 lb)
* Total weight of rider, passenger, car-
go and accessories
1. Tire sidewall
2. Tire tread depth
Minimum tire tread depth (front and
rear):
1.6 mm (0.06 in)
12
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9Tire information
This model is equipped with tubeless
tires.
After extensive tests, only the tires list-
ed below have been approved for this
model by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
WARNING
EWA10471
Have a Yamaha dealer replace
excessively worn tires. Besides
being illegal, operating the vehi-
cle with excessively worn tires
decreases riding stability and
can lead to loss of control.
The replacement of all wheel
and brake-related parts, includ-
ing the tires, should be left to aYamaha dealer, who has the
necessary professional knowl-
edge and experience to do so.
Ride at moderate speeds after
changing a tire since the tire
surface must first be “broken
in” for it to develop its optimal
characteristics.
EAU21962
Cast wheels
To maximize the performance, durabil-
ity, and safe operation of your vehicle,
note the following points regarding the
specified wheels.
The wheel rims should be checked
for cracks, bends, warpage or oth-
er damage before each ride. If any
damage is found, have a Yamaha
dealer replace the wheel. Do not
attempt even the smallest repair to
the wheel. A deformed or cracked
wheel must be replaced.
The wheel should be balanced
whenever either the tire or wheel
has been changed or replaced. An
unbalanced wheel can result in
poor performance, adverse han-
dling characteristics, and a short-
ened tire life.
Front tire:
Size:
120/70R15 M/C 56H
Manufacturer/model:
DUNLOP/GPR-100F
BRIDGESTONE/BT011F
Rear tire:
Size:
160/60R15 M/C 67H
Manufacturer/model:
DUNLOP/GPR-100L
BRIDGESTONE/BT012R
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EAU50860
Checking the front and rear
brake lever free play
Front
Rear
There should be no free play at thebrake lever ends. If there is free play,
have a Yamaha dealer inspect the
brake system.
WARNING
EWA14211
A soft or spongy feeling in the brake
lever can indicate the presence of air
in the hydraulic system. If there is air
in the hydraulic system, have a
Yamaha dealer bleed the system be-
fore operating the vehicle. Air in the
hydraulic system will diminish the
braking performance, which may re-
sult in loss of control and an acci-
dent.
EAU33473
Adjusting the rear brake lock
lever cable
Rear brake lock lever cable adjustment
may be required if the rear brake lock
lever does not hold properly. When the
rear brake lock lever is not in use, the
rear brake lock lever cable length
should measure 45 mm to 47 mm (1.77
in to 1.85 in) at the rear brake caliper.
Periodically check the rear brake lock
lever cable length and, if necessary,
adjust it as follows.
To increase the rear brake lock lever
cable length, turn the adjusting nut at
the rear brake caliper in direction (a).
1. No brake lever free play
1. No brake lever free play
1
1
1. Adjusting nut
2. Rear brake lock lever cable length
2
1
(b)
(a)
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To decrease the rear brake lock lever
cable length, turn the adjusting nut in
direction (b).
WARNING
EWA10650
If proper adjustment cannot be ob-
tained as described, have a Yamaha
dealer make this adjustment.
EAU22392
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.
EAU22493
Rear brake pads
1. Remove the rear brake caliper by
removing the bolts.
2. Check each rear brake pad for
damage and measure the lining
thickness. If a brake pad is dam-
aged or if the lining thickness is
less than 0.8 mm (0.03 in), have a
Yamaha dealer replace the brake
pads as a set.
3. Install the rear brake caliper by in-
1. Wear indicator
1
1. Brake caliper bolt
2. Lining thickness
1
2
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stalling the bolts, then tightening
them to the specified torque.
NOTICE
ECA12822
Do not apply the rear brake or rear
brake lock after the brake caliper
has been removed, otherwise the
brake caliper piston will be forced
out.
EAU40260
Checking the brake fluid level
Front brake
Rear brake
Insufficient brake fluid may allow air to
enter 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 or dust does
not enter the brake fluid reservoir
when refilling. Water will signifi-
Tightening torque:
Brake caliper bolt:
40 Nm (4.0 m·kgf, 28.9 ft·lbf)
1. Minimum level mark
1. Minimum level mark
1
1
Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 4
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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.
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.
EAU23114
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 by a
Yamaha dealer at the intervals speci-
fied in the periodic maintenance chart.
The throttle cable is equipped with a
rubber cover. Make sure that the cover
is securely installed. Even though the
cover is installed correctly, it does not
completely protect the cable from water
entry. Therefore, use care not to pour
water directly onto the cover or cable
when washing the vehicle. If the cable
or cover becomes dirty, wipe clean with
a moist cloth.
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EAU23172
Lubricating the front and rear
brake levers
Front brake lever
Rear brake lever
The pivoting points of the front and rear
brake levers must be lubricated at the
intervals specified in the periodic main-
tenance and lubrication chart.
EAU23213
Checking and lubricating the
centerstand and sidestand
The operation of the centerstand and
sidestand should be checked before
each ride, and the pivots and met-
al-to-metal contact surfaces should be
lubricated if necessary.
Recommended lubricant:
Silicone grease
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WARNING
EWA10741
If the centerstand or sidestand does
not move up and down smoothly,
have a Yamaha dealer check or re-
pair it. Otherwise, the centerstand or
sidestand could contact the ground
and distract the operator, resulting
in a possible loss of control.
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.
NOTICE
ECA10590
If any damage is found or the front
fork does not operate smoothly,
have a Yamaha dealer check or re-
pair it.
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
