2011 YAMAHA VMAX Owners Manual

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-18
3 position. To cancel the turn signal
lights, push the switch in after it has re-
turned to the center position.
EAU12500
Horn switch“”
Press this switch to sound the horn.
EAU12660
Engine stop switch“/”
Set this switch to“” before starting
the engine. Set this switch to“” to
stop the engine in case of an emergen-
cy, such as when the vehicle overturns
or when the throttle cable is stuck.
EAU12711
Start switch“”
Push this switch to crank the engine
with the starter. See page 5-1 for start-
ing instructions prior to starting the en-
gine.
EAU42340
The engine trouble warning light and
ABS warning light will come on when
the key is turned to “ON” and the start
switch is pushed, but this does not indi-
cate a malfunction.
EAU12733
Hazard switch“”
With the key in the “ON” or“” posi-
tion, use this switch to turn on the haz-
ard lights (simultaneous flashing of all
turn signal lights).
The hazard lights are used in case of
an emergency or to warn other drivers
when your vehicle is stopped where it
might be a traffic hazard.NOTICE
ECA10061
Do not use the hazard lights for an
extended length of time with the en-
gine not running, otherwise the bat-
tery may discharge.
EAU12830
Clutch lever The clutch lever is located at the left
handlebar grip. To disengage the
clutch, pull the lever toward the handle-
bar grip. To engage the clutch, release
the lever. The lever should be pulled
rapidly and released slowly for smooth
clutch operation.
The clutch lever is equipped with a
clutch lever position adjusting dial. To
adjust the distance between the clutch
lever and the handlebar grip, turn the
adjusting dial while holding the lever
pushed away from the handlebar grip.1. Clutch lever
2. Clutch lever position adjusting dial
3. Arrow mark
4. Distance between clutch lever and handlebar
grip
4
1
2
3
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-19
3Make sure that the appropriate setting
on the adjusting dial is aligned with the
arrow mark on the clutch lever.
The clutch lever is equipped with a
clutch switch, which is part of the igni-
tion circuit cut-off system. (See page
3-31.)
EAU12871
Shift pedal The shift pedal is located on the left
side of the motorcycle and is used in
combination with the clutch lever when
shifting the gears of the 5-speed con-
stant-mesh transmission equipped on
this motorcycle.
EAU33851
Brake lever The brake lever is located at the right
handlebar grip. To apply the front
brake, pull the lever toward the handle-
bar grip.
The brake lever is equipped with a
brake lever position adjusting knob. To
adjust the distance between the brake
lever and the handlebar grip, turn the
adjusting knob while holding the lever
pushed away from the handlebar grip.
When the desired position is obtained,
1. Shift pedal
1
1. Brake lever
2. Brake lever position adjusting knob
3.“” mark
4. Distance between brake lever and handlebar
grip
1
4
2
3
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-20
3 be sure to set it by aligning a groove on
the adjusting knob with the“” mark
on the brake lever.
EAU12941
Brake pedal The brake pedal is on the right side of
the motorcycle. To apply the rear
brake, press down on the brake pedal.
EAU46392
ABS The Yamaha ABS (Anti-lock Brake
System) features a dual electronic con-
trol system, which acts on the front and
rear brakes independently. The ABS is
monitored by an ECU, which will have
recourse to manual braking if a mal-
function occurs.
WARNING
EWA10090


The ABS performs best on long
braking distances.


On certain (rough or gravel)
roads, the braking distance may
be longer with than without the
ABS. Therefore, always keep a
sufficient distance to the vehicle
ahead to match the riding
speed.
TIP

When the ABS is activated, the
brakes are operated in the usual
way. A pulsating action may be felt
at the brake lever or brake pedal,
but this does not indicate a mal-
function.
1. Brake pedal
1
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-21
3


This ABS has a test mode which
allows the owner to experience the
pulsating at the brake lever or
brake pedal when the ABS is oper-
ating. However, special tools are
required, so please consult your
Yamaha dealer when performing
this test.
NOTICE
ECA16120
Keep any type of magnets (including
magnetic pick-up tools, magnetic
screwdrivers, etc.) away from the
front and rear wheel hubs, otherwise
the magnetic rotors equipped in the
wheel hubs may be damaged, result-
ing in improper performance of the
ABS system.
EAU46850
Fuel tank cap To remove the fuel tank cap
1. Pull the rider seat backrest release
lever on the left side of the vehicle
as shown. The backrest will slide
forward.
1. Front wheel hub
1. Rear wheel hub
11
1. Rider seat backrest release lever
1. Rider seat backrest
1
1
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-22
3 2. Insert the key into the lock, and
then turn it 1/4 turn clockwise. The
lock will be released and the fuel
tank cap can be removed.
To install the fuel tank cap
1. Insert the fuel tank cap into the
tank opening with the key inserted
in the lock and with the mark on the
cap aligned with the mark on the
fuel tank.2. Turn the key counterclockwise to
the original position, and then re-
move it.
3. Return the backrest to the original
position.
TIPThe fuel tank cap cannot be installed
unless the key is in the lock. In addition,
the key cannot be removed if the cap is
not properly installed and locked.
WARNING
EWA10131
Make sure that the fuel tank cap is
properly installed before riding.
Leaking fuel is a fire hazard.
EAU13212
Fuel Make sure there is sufficient gasoline in
the tank.
WARNING
EWA10881
Gasoline and gasoline vapors are
extremely flammable. To avoid fires
and explosions and to reduce the
risk of injury when refueling, follow
these instructions.1. Before refueling, turn off the en-
gine and be sure that no one is sit-
ting on the vehicle. Never refuel
while smoking, or while in the vi-
cinity of sparks, open flames, or
other sources of ignition such as
the pilot lights of water heaters and
clothes dryers.
2. Do not overfill the fuel tank. Stop
filling when the fuel reaches the
bottom of the filler tube. Because
fuel expands when it heats up,
heat from the engine or the sun
can cause fuel to spill out of the
fuel tank.
1. Unlock.
1
1. Match marks
1
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-23
3
3. Wipe up any spilled fuel immedi-
ately. NOTICE: Immediately wipe
off spilled fuel with a clean, dry,
soft cloth, since fuel may deteri-
orate painted surfaces or plastic
parts.
[ECA10071]
4. Be sure to securely close the fuel
tank cap.
WARNING
EWA15151
Gasoline is poisonous and can
cause injury or death. Handle gaso-
line with care. Never siphon gaso-
line by mouth. If you should swallow
some gasoline or inhale a lot of gas-
oline vapor, or get some gasoline in
your eyes, see your doctor immedi-ately. If gasoline spills on your skin,
wash with soap and water. If gaso-
line spills on your clothing, change
your clothes.
EAU13391
NOTICE
ECA11400
Use only unleaded gasoline. The use
of leaded gasoline will cause severe
damage to internal engine parts,
such as the valves and piston rings,
as well as to the exhaust system.Your Yamaha engine has been de-
signed to use premium unleaded gaso-
line with a research octane number of
95 or higher. If knocking (or pinging) oc-
curs, use a gasoline of a differentbrand. Use of unleaded fuel will extend
spark plug life and reduce maintenance
costs.
1. Fuel tank filler tube
2. Maximum fuel level
12
Recommended fuel:
Premium unleaded gasoline only
Fuel tank capacity:
15.0 L (3.96 US gal, 3.30 Imp.gal)
Fuel reserve amount (when the fuel
level warning light comes on):
3.9 L (1.03 US gal, 0.86 Imp.gal)
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-24
3
EAU39451
Fuel tank breather/overflow
hose Before operating the motorcycle:

Check the fuel tank breather/over-
flow hose connection.


Check the fuel tank breather/over-
flow hose for cracks or damage,
and replace it if damaged.


Make sure that the end of the fuel
tank breather/overflow hose is not
blocked, and clean it if necessary.
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 of
heat.
NOTICE
ECA10701
Use only unleaded gasoline. The use
of leaded gasoline will cause unre-
pairable damage to the catalytic
converter.
1. Fuel tank breather hose
2. Fuel tank overflow hose
12
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-25
3
EAU46840
Seats Rider seat
To remove the rider seat1. Pull the rider seat backrest release
lever on the left side of the vehicle
as shown. The backrest will slide
forward.
2. Remove the bolts, and then pull
the rider seat off.
To install the rider seat
1. Insert the projection on the front of
the rider seat into the seat holder
as shown.2. Place the rider seat in the original
position, and then tighten the bolts.
TIPMake sure that the rider seat is properly
secured before riding.3. Return the backrest to the original
position.
Passenger seat
To remove the passenger seat1. Pull the rider seat backrest release
lever on the left side of the vehicle
as shown. The backrest will slide
forward.
1. Rider seat backrest release lever
1
1. Rider seat backrest
1. Bolt
11
1. Projection
2. Seat holder
1
2
U2S3E2E0.book Page 25 Tuesday, September 21, 2010 10:43 AM