2012 YAMAHA VMAX Owners Manual

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-18
6
6. Remove the coolant reservoir cov-
er and coolant reservoir by remov-
ing the bolts. 7. Remove the coolant reservoir cap
guard by removing the bolt, and
then remove the reservoir cap.
8. Drain the coolant from the coolant reservoir by turning it upside down.
9. Install the coolant reservoir cover and the coolant reservoir by plac-
ing them in their original position,
and then installing the bolts.
10. Remove the coolant drain screw and its O-ring to drain the cooling
system.
11. After the coolant is completely drained, thoroughly flush the cool-
ing system with clean tap water.
12. Install the coolant drain screw and its new O-ring. 13. Hold the vehicle upright, and pour
the specified amount of the recom-
mended coolant into the radiator
and reservoir. NOTICE: Failing to
hold the vehicle upright when
filling the radiator with coolant
may cause air to be trapped in
the cooling system.
[ECA16540]
14. Install the coolant reservoir cap, and then install the reservoir cap
guard by installing the bolt.
15. Install the radiator cap.
16. Start the engine, let it idle for sev- eral minutes, and then turn it off.
1. Radiator cap
1. Bolt
2. Coolant reservoir cap
3. Coolant reservoir cap guard
4. Coolant reservoir cover
5. Coolant reservoir
1
4
5
1
2
3
1
1. Coolant drain screw
2. O-ring
1
2
Antifreeze/water mixture ratio: 1:1
Recommended antifreeze: High-quality ethylene glycol anti-
freeze containing corrosion inhibi-
tors for aluminum engines
Coolant quantity:
Radiator capacity (including all
routes): 3.75 L (3.96 US qt, 3.30 Imp.qt)
Coolant reservoir capacity (up to the
maximum level mark): 0.27 L (0.29 US qt, 0.24 Imp.qt)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-19
617. Remove the radiator cap to check
the coolant level in the radiator. If
necessary, add sufficient coolant
until it reaches the top of the radia-
tor, and then install the radiator
cap.
18. Check the coolant level in the res- ervoir. If necessary, remove the
coolant reservoir cap guard and
the cap, add coolant to the maxi-
mum level mark, and then install
the cap and the cap guard.
19. Start the engine, and then check the vehicle for coolant leakage. If
coolant is leaking, have a Yamaha
dealer check the cooling system.
20. Install the air intake duct by install- ing the bolts.
21. Install the cowling.
EAU36764
Air filter element The air filter element must be replaced
at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.
Have a Yamaha dealer replace the air
filter element.
EAU44734
Checking the engine idling
speed Check the engine idling speed and, if
necessary, have it corrected by a
Yamaha dealer.Engine idling speed: 950–1050 r/min
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-20
6
EAU21384
Checking the throttle grip free
play The throttle grip free play should mea-
sure 3.0–5.0 mm (0.12–0.20 in) at the
inner edge of the throttle grip. Periodi-
cally check the throttle grip free play
and, if necessary, have a Yamaha deal-
er adjust it.
EAU21401
Valve clearance The valve clearance changes with use,
resulting in improper air-fuel mixture
and/or engine noise. To prevent this
from occurring, the valve clearance
must be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer
at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.
EAU21775
Tires To maximize the performance, durabil-
ity, and safe operation of your motorcy-
cle, 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.
1. Throttle grip free play
1
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-21
6
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.TIPThe tire tread depth limits may differ
from country to country. Always comply
with the local regulations.
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 a
Yamaha 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.
Tire air pressure (measured on cold
tires):0–90 kg (0–198 lb):Front:
250 kPa (2.50 kgf/cm², 36 psi)
Rear: 290 kPa (2.90 kgf/cm², 42 psi)
90–190 kg (198–419 lb): Front:250 kPa (2.50 kgf/cm², 36 psi)
Rear: 290 kPa (2.90 kgf/cm², 42 psi)
High-speed riding:
Front:290 kPa (2.90 kgf/cm², 42 psi)
Rear:
290 kPa (2.90 kgf/cm², 42 psi)
Maximum load*: 190 kg (419 lb)
* Total weight of rider, passenger, car- go and accessories
1. Tire sidewall
2. Tire tread depthMinimum tire tread depth (front and
rear): 1.6 mm (0.06 in)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-22
6
Tire information
This motorcycle is equipped with tube-
less tires, tire air valves and cast
wheels.
WARNING
EWA10481
●
The front and rear tires should
be of the same make and de-
sign, otherwise the handling
characteristics of the motorcy-
cle may be different, which
could lead to an accident.
●
Always make sure that the valve
caps are securely installed to
prevent air pressure leakage.
●
Use only the tire valves and
valve cores listed below to
avoid tire deflation during a
high-speed ride.
After extensive tests, only the tires list-
ed below have been approved for this
model by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
WARNING
EWA10600
This motorcycle is fitted with super-
high-speed tires. Note the following
points in order to make the most ef-
ficient use of these tires.
●
Use only the specified replace-
ment tires. Other tires may run
the danger of bursting at super
high speeds.
●
Brand-new tires can have a rela-
tively poor grip on certain road
surfaces until they have been
“broken in”. Therefore, it is ad-
visable before doing any high-
speed riding to ride conserva-
tively for approximately 100 km
(60 mi) after installing a new tire.
●
The tires must be warmed up
before a high-speed run.
●
Always adjust the tire air pres-
sure according to the operating
conditions.
1. Tire air valve
2. Tire air valve core
3. Tire air valve cap with seal
Front tire:
Size:120/70R18M/C 59V
Manufacturer/model: BRIDGESTONE/BT028F
Rear tire:
Size:200/50R18M/C 76V
Manufacturer/model:
BRIDGESTONE/BT028R
FRONT and REAR: Tire air valve:
TR412
Va l ve c o r e : #9100 (original)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-23
6
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.
EAU42850
Clutch lever Since this model is equipped with a hy-
draulic clutch, adjusting the clutch lever
free play is not needed. However, it is
necessary to check the hydraulic sys-
tem for leakage before each ride. If the
clutch lever free play does become ex-
cessive, and shifting becomes rough or
clutch slippage occurs, causing poor
acceleration, there may be air in the
clutch system. If there is air in the hy-
draulic system, have a Yamaha dealer
bleed the system before operating the
motorcycle.
EAU37913
Checking the brake lever free
play There should be no free play at the
brake lever end. 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 the1. No brake lever free play
1
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-24
6
braking performance, which may re-
sult in loss of control and an acci-
dent.
EAU36503
Brake light switches The brake light, which is activated by
the brake pedal and brake lever, should
come on just before braking takes ef-
fect. If necessary, have a Yamaha deal-
er adjust the brake light switches.
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.
EAU43062
Front brake pads
The front brake calipers are equipped
with two sets of brake pads.
Each front brake pad is provided with
one or two wear indicator grooves,
which allow you to check the brake pad
wear without having to disassemble the
brake. To check the brake pad wear,
check the wear indicator grooves. If a
brake pad has worn to the point that a1. Brake pad wear indicator groove
1
1
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-25
6wear indicator groove almost appears,
have a Yamaha dealer replace the
brake pads as a set.
EAU22470
Rear brake pads
Each rear brake pad is provided with a
wear indicator groove, which allows
you to check the brake pad wear with-
out having to disassemble the brake.
To check the brake pad wear, check
the wear indicator groove. If a brake
pad has worn to the point that the wear
indicator groove has almost disap-
peared, have a Yamaha dealer replace
the brake pads as a set.
EAU46541
Checking the brake fluid level Before riding, check that the brake fluid
is above the minimum level mark.
Check the brake fluid level with the top
of the reservoir level. Replenish the
brake fluid if necessary.
Front brake
Rear brake
TIPThe rear brake fluid reservoir is located
under the passenger seat. (See page
3-25.)
WARNING
EWA16010
Improper maintenance can result in
loss of braking ability. Observe
these precautions:●
Insufficient brake fluid may al-
low air to enter the brake sys-
tem, reducing braking
performance.
1. Brake pad wear indicator groove
1
1. Minimum level mark
1
1. Minimum level markSpecified brake fluid:
DOT 41
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