2011 YAMAHA VMAX ABS

TABLE OF CONTENTSSAFETY INFORMATION ..................1-1
DESCRIPTION ..................................2-1
Left view ..........................................2-1
Right view ........................................2-2
Controls and instruments.................2-3
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL
FUNCTIONS.......................................3-1
Immobilizer system .........................3-1
Main switch/steering lock ................3-2
Indicator lights and warning
lights ............................................3-4
Speedometer unit ...........................3-7
Multi-function display ......................3-8
Anti-theft alarm (optional) .............3-17
Handlebar switches ......................3-17
Clutch lever ...................................3-18
Shift pedal .....................................3-19
Brake lever ...................................3-19
Brake pedal ..................................3-20
ABS ..............................................3-20
Fuel tank cap ................................3-21
Fuel ...............................................3-22
Fuel tank breather/overflow
hose ..........................................3-24
Catalytic converters ......................3-24
Seats ............................................3-25
Adjusting the front fork ..................3-26
Adjusting the shock absorber
assembly ...................................3-28Luggage strap holders ................. 3-30
EXUP system ............................... 3-30
Sidestand ..................................... 3-31
Ignition circuit cut-off system ........ 3-31
FOR YOUR SAFETY –
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS............. 4-1
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT
RIDING POINTS................................. 5-1
Starting the engine ......................... 5-1
Shifting ........................................... 5-2
Tips for reducing fuel
consumption ............................... 5-3
Engine break-in .............................. 5-3
Parking ........................................... 5-4
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND
ADJUSTMENT................................... 6-1
Owner’s tool kit ............................... 6-2
Periodic maintenance chart for
the emission control system ....... 6-3
General maintenance and
lubrication chart .......................... 6-4
Removing and installing
the cowling and panels ............... 6-8
Checking the spark plugs ............. 6-10
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge ... 6-11
Final gear oil ................................. 6-14
Coolant ......................................... 6-16
Air filter element ........................... 6-19Checking the engine idling
speed ........................................ 6-19
Checking the throttle grip free
play ........................................... 6-19
Valve clearance ........................... 6-20
Tires ............................................. 6-20
Cast wheels ................................. 6-22
Clutch lever .................................. 6-23
Checking the brake lever free
play ........................................... 6-23
Brake light switches ..................... 6-24
Checking the front and
rear brake pads ........................ 6-24
Checking the brake fluid level ...... 6-25
Changing the brake and
clutch fluids ............................... 6-26
Checking and lubricating
the cables ................................. 6-26
Checking and lubricating
the throttle grip and cable ......... 6-26
Checking and lubricating
the brake and shift pedals ........ 6-27
Checking and lubricating
the brake and clutch levers ...... 6-27
Checking and lubricating
the sidestand ............................ 6-28
Lubricating the swingarm
pivots ........................................ 6-28
Checking the front fork ................. 6-29
Checking the steering .................. 6-29
Checking the wheel bearings ....... 6-30U2S3E2E0.book Page 1 Tuesday, September 21, 2010 10:43 AM

DESCRIPTION
2-1
2
EAU10410
Left view
1
4
56
7
8
11
9
10
12
13
14
15
2316
1. Headlight (page 6-34)
2. Front fork spring preload adjusting bolt (page 3-26)
3. Front fork rebound damping force adjusting knob (page 3-26)
4. Battery (page 6-30)
5. Owner’s tool kit (page 6-2)
6. Fuel tank cap (page 3-21)
7. Shock absorber assembly spring preload adjusting knob (page 3-28)
8. Luggage strap holder (page 3-30)9. Final gear oil check bolt (page 6-14)
10.Final gear oil drain bolt (page 6-14)
11.Shock absorber assembly rebound damping force adjusting knob
(page 3-28)
12.Sidestand (page 3-31)
13.Shift pedal (page 3-19)
14.Engine oil drain bolt (page 6-11)
15.Engine oil filter cartridge (page 6-11)
16.Front fork compression damping force adjusting screw (page 3-26)
U2S3E2E0.book Page 1 Tuesday, September 21, 2010 10:43 AM

DESCRIPTION
2-2
2
EAU10420
Right view
12 4 6
7 5
3
9 11
8
10
1. Passenger seat (page 3-25)
2. Rear brake fluid reservoir (page 6-25)
3. Luggage strap holder (page 3-30)
4. Rider seat (page 3-25)
5. Fuse box 1 (page 6-33)
6. Radiator cap (page 6-16)
7. Coolant reservoir (page 6-16)
8. Engine oil level check window (page 6-11)9. Brake pedal (page 3-20)
10.Fuse box 2 (page 6-33)
11.Shock absorber assembly compression damping force adjusting knob
(page 3-28)U2S3E2E0.book Page 2 Tuesday, September 21, 2010 10:43 AM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-4
3
EAU49391
Indicator lights 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.
EAU11060
Neutral indicator light“”
This indicator light comes on when the
transmission is in the neutral position.
EAU11080
High beam indicator light“”
This indicator light comes on when the
high beam of the headlight is switched
on.
EAU46565
Oil level warning light“”
This warning light comes on if the en-
gine oil level is low.
To check the electrical circuit of the
warning light, place the vehicle on a
level surface, set the engine stop
switch to“” and turn the key from
“OFF” to “ON”.
If the warning light does not come on
for a few seconds and then go off, have
a Yamaha dealer check the electrical
circuit.If the warning light stays on, proceed as
follows.
1. Set the engine stop switch to“”.
2. Turn the key to “OFF”, wait two
minutes, and then turn the key to
“ON”.
3. If the warning light comes on and
does not go off, check the engine
oil level. (See page 6-11.) If the
warning light still stays on after
confirming the oil level is correct,
have a Yamaha dealer check the
vehicle.
TIP

This warning light will not come
on:
when the engine is idling
when riding
if the engine has stalled and the
key has not been turned from
“ON” to “OFF” and then back to
“ON”
However, if the warning light is on
when the engine is started, it will
stay on until the key is turned to
“OFF”.
1. Shift timing indicator light
2. Fuel level warning light“”
3. Right turn signal indicator light“”
4. Coolant temperature warning light“”
5. Neutral indicator light“”
6. High beam indicator light“”
7. Engine trouble warning light“”
8. Left turn signal indicator light“”
9. Immobilizer system indicator light
10.Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) warning
light“”
11.Oil level warning light“”11
102
1
9
3
4
5
8
7
6
ABS
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-6
3 If the warning light does not come on
initially when the key is turned to “ON”,
or if the warning light remains on, have
a Yamaha dealer check the electrical
circuit.
EAU39502
ABS warning light“”
If this warning light comes on or flashes
while riding, the ABS may not work cor-
rectly. If this occurs, have a Yamaha
dealer check the system as soon as
possible. (See page 3-20.)
WARNING
EWA10081
If the ABS warning light comes on or
flashes while riding, the brake sys-
tem reverts to conventional braking.
Therefore, be careful not to cause
the wheels to lock during emergen-
cy braking. If the warning light
comes on or flashes while riding,
have a Yamaha dealer check the
brake system as soon as possible.The electrical circuit of the warning light
can be checked by turning the key to
“ON”. 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 “ON”,
or if the warning light remains on, have
a Yamaha dealer check the electrical
circuit.
EAU48520
Shift timing indicator light
This indicator light can be set to come
on and go off at the desired engine
speeds and is used to inform the rider
when it is time to shift to the next higher
gear.
The electrical circuit of the indicator
light can be checked by turning the key
to “ON”. The indicator light should
come on for a few seconds, and then
go off.
If the indicator light does not come on
initially when the key is turned to “ON”,
or if the indicator light remains on, have
a Yamaha dealer check the electrical
circuit. (See page 3-9 for a detailed ex-
planation of the function of this indicator
light and on how to set it.)
EAU38624
Immobilizer system indicator light
The electrical circuit of the indicator
light can be checked by turning the key
to “ON”. The indicator light should
come on for a few seconds, and then
go off.
If the indicator light does not come on
initially when the key is turned to “ON”,
or if the indicator light remains on, have
a Yamaha dealer check the electrical
circuit.
When the key is turned to “OFF” and 30
seconds have passed, the indicator
light will start flashing indicating the im-
mobilizer system is enabled. After 24
hours have passed, the indicator light
will stop flashing, however the immobi-
lizer system is still enabled.
The self-diagnosis device also detects
problems in the immobilizer system cir-
cuits. (See page 3-16 for an explana-
tion of the self-diagnosis device.)
ABS
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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
3-20
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
U2S3E2E0.book Page 20 Tuesday, September 21, 2010 10:43 AM

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
U2S3E2E0.book Page 21 Tuesday, September 21, 2010 10:43 AM