
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-17
3
EAU55761
Adjustin g the shock a bsorb er
assem blies
WARNING
EWA10211
Always a djust both shock ab sorber
assem blies equally, otherwise poor
han dlin g an d loss of sta bility may re-
sult.Each shock absorber assembly is
equipped with a spring preload adjust-
ing ring.
When making this adjustment, use the
special wrench and extension bar in-
cluded in the additional tool kit, which
was handed out separately at the pur-
chase of the vehicle.NOTICE
ECA10102
To avoi d d amag ing the mechanism,
d o not attempt to turn b eyond the
maximum or minimum setting s.Adjust the spring preload as follows.
To increase the spring preload and
thereby harden the suspension, turn
the adjusting ring on each shock ab-
sorber assembly in direction (a). To de-
crease the spring preload and thereby soften the suspension, turn the adjust-
ing ring on each shock absorber as-
sembly in direction (b).
Align the appropriate notch in the ad-
justing ring with the position indicator
on the shock absorber.
EAU15306
Si
destan dThe sidestand is located on the left
side of the frame. Raise the sidestand
or lower it with your foot while holding
the vehicle upright.TIPThe built-in sidestand switch is part of
the ignition circuit cut-off system,
which cuts the ignition in certain situa-
tions. (See the following section for an
explanation of the ignition circuit cut-
off system.)
WARNING
EWA10242
The vehicle must not be ri dden with
the si destan d d own, or if the si de-
stan d cannot b e properly moved up
(or does not stay up), otherwise the
si destan d coul d contact the groun d
an d d istract the operator, resultin g
in a possi ble loss of control.
Yamaha’s i gnition circuit cut-off
system has been desi gne d to assist
the operator in fulfillin g the respon-
si bility of raisin g the si destan d b e-
fore startin g off. Therefore, check
1. Special wrench
2. Extension bar
3. Spring preload adjusting ring
4. Position indicatorSprin g preloa d setting :
Minimum (soft): 1
Standard: 2
Maximum (hard):
5
1 2345
3
(a)
(b)
12
4
U2DEE0E0.book Page 17 Friday, June 14, 2013 1:29 PM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-2
5
on, see pa
ge 3-3 for the correspond -
in g warnin g an d in dicator li ght cir-
cuit check.
For ABS models:The ABS warning light should
come on when the main switch is
turned to “ON” and then go off af-
ter traveling at a speed of 10 km/h
(6 mi/h) or higher.
NOTICE
ECA17682
If the ABS warnin g li ght does not
come on an d then go off as ex-
plaine d a bove, see pa ge 3-3 for the
warnin g li ght circuit check.2. Shift the transmission into the
neutral position. The neutral indi-
cator light should come on. If not,
ask a Yamaha dealer to check the
electrical circuit.
3. Start the engine by pushing the start switch.
If the engine fails to start, release
the start switch, wait a few sec-
onds, and then try again. Each
starting attempt should be as
short as possible to preserve the battery. Do not crank the engine
more than 10 seconds on any one
attempt.
NOTICE
ECA11043
For maximum en
gine life, never ac-
celerate har d when the en gine is
col d!
EAU16672
Shiftin gShifting gears lets you control the
amount of engine power available for
starting off, accelerating, climbing hills,
etc.
The gear positions are shown in the il-
lustration.TIPTo shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position, press the shift pedal down
repeatedly until it reaches the end of its
travel, and then slightly raise it.1. Shift pedal
2. Neutral position
1
2
5
4
3
2
N 1 5
4
3
2
N 1
U2DEE0E0.book Page 2 Friday, June 14, 2013 1:29 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-14
6
EAU21402
Valve clearanceThe 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.
EAU21567
TiresTires are the only contact between the
vehicle and the road. Safety in all con-
ditions of riding depends on a relatively
small area of road contact. Therefore, it
is essential to maintain the tires in good
condition at all times and replace them
at the appropriate time with the speci-
fied tires.
Tire air pressure
The tire air pressure should be
checked and, if necessary, adjusted
before each ride.
WARNING
EWA10504
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 b e
checked and a djuste d on col d
tires (i.e., when the temperature
of the tires equals the am bient
temperature).
The tire air pressure must b e
a d juste d in accor dance with the
ri din g speed and with the total wei
ght of ri der, passen ger, car-
g o, an d accessories approve d
for this mo del.
WARNING
EWA10512
Never overloa d your vehicle. Opera-
tion of an overloa ded vehicle coul d
cause an acci dent.
Tire air pressure (measure d on col d
tires): 0–90 k g (0–198 l b):
Front:
225 kPa (2.25 kgf/cm², 33 psi)
Rear: 250 kPa (2.50 kgf/cm², 36 psi)
For non-ABS mo dels 90–206 k g
(198–454 l b)
For ABS mo dels 90–202 k g (198–
445 l b):
Front: 250 kPa (2.50 kgf/cm², 36 psi)
Rear: 280 kPa (2.80 kgf/cm², 41 psi)
Maximum loa d*:
For non-ABS models 206 kg (454
lb)
For ABS models 202 kg (445 lb)
* Total weight of rider, passenger, car- go and accessories
U2DEE0E0.book Page 14 Friday, June 14, 2013 1:29 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-18
6
EAU57070
Brake light switchesFor non-ABS mo dels
The brake light, which is activated by
the brake pedal and brake lever,
should come on just before braking
takes effect. If necessary, adjust the
rear brake light switch as follows, but
the front brake light switch should be
adjusted by a Yamaha dealer.
Turn the rear brake light switch adjust-
ing nut while holding the rear brake
light switch in place. To make the
brake light come on earlier, turn the ad- justing nut in direction (a). To make the
brake light come on later, turn the ad-
justing nut in direction (b).
For ABS mo
dels
The brake light, which is activated by
the brake pedal and brake lever,
should come on just before braking
takes effect. If necessary, have a
Yamaha dealer adjust the brake light
switches.
EAU22393
Checkin g the front an d rear
b rake pa dsThe front and rear brake pads must be
checked for wear at the intervals spec-
ified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart.
EAU22431
Front brake pad s
Each front brake pad is provided with
wear indicator grooves, which allow
you to check the brake pad wear with-
out 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 the wear
1. Rear brake light switch
2. Rear brake light switch adjusting nut
1
2
(a)
(b)
1. Brake pad wear indicator groove11
U2DEE0E0.book Page 18 Friday, June 14, 2013 1:29 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-20
6
Use only the specifie d b rake flu-
i d ; otherwise, the ru bber seals
may deteriorate, causin g leak-
a g e.
Refill with the same type of
brake flui d. A ddin g a brake flui d
other than DOT 4 may result in a
harmful chemical reaction.
Be careful that water or dust
d oes not enter the brake flui d
reservoir when refillin g. Water
will si gnificantly lower the boil-
in g point of the flui d an d may re-
sult in vapor lock, an d d irt may
clo g the ABS hy draulic unit
valves.
NOTICE
ECA17641
Brake flui d may d amage painte d
surfaces or plastic parts. Always
clean up spille d flui d imme diately.As the brake pads wear, it is normal for
the brake fluid level to gradually go
down. A low brake fluid level may indi-
cate worn brake pads and/or brake
system leakage; therefore, be sure to
check the brake pads for wear and the
brake system for leakage. If the brake fluid level goes down suddenly, have a
Yamaha dealer check the cause before
further riding.
EAU22733
Chan
gin g the brake flui dHave a Yamaha dealer change the
brake fluid at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart. In addition, have the oil seals
of the master cylinders and calipers as
well as the brake hoses replaced at the
intervals listed below or whenever they
are damaged or leaking.
Oil seals: Replace every two
years.
Brake hoses: Replace every four
years.
U2DEE0E0.book Page 20 Friday, June 14, 2013 1:29 PM
![YAMAHA XV950 2014 Owners Manual PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-27
6is turne
d to “OFF”, then connect
the positive lea d before con-
nectin g the ne gative lea d.
[ECA16841]
4. After installation, make sure that
the batt YAMAHA XV950 2014 Owners Manual PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-27
6is turne
d to “OFF”, then connect
the positive lea d before con-
nectin g the ne gative lea d.
[ECA16841]
4. After installation, make sure that
the batt](/manual-img/51/53333/w960_53333-67.png)
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-27
6is turne
d to “OFF”, then connect
the positive lea d before con-
nectin g the ne gative lea d.
[ECA16841]
4. After installation, make sure that
the battery leads are properly con-
nected to the battery terminals.NOTICE
ECA16531
Always keep the b attery charged .
Storin g a d ischar ged battery can
cause permanent battery dama ge.
EAU57791
Replacin g the fusesThe main fuse, the fuel injection sys-
tem fuse (for non-ABS models) or the
ABS motor fuse (for ABS models), and
the fuse boxes, which contain the fus-
es for the individual circuits, are locat-
ed under the owner’s tool box behind
panel A. (See page 6-8.)TIPTo access the fuel injection system
fuse (for non-ABS models) or the ABS
motor fuse (for ABS models), remove
the starter relay cover by pulling it up-
ward.
For non-ABS mo dels1. Fuse box
2. Main fuse
3. Starter relay cover
4. Fuel injection system fuse
5. Fuel injection system spare fuse
3
2
1
4
5
U2DEE0E0.book Page 27 Friday, June 14, 2013 1:29 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-28
6
For non-ABS mo
dels For ABS mo dels For ABS mo dels
If a fuse is blown, replace it as follows. 1. Turn the key to “OFF” and turn off the electrical circuit in question.
2. Remove the blown fuse, and then install a new fuse of the specified
amperage. WARNING! Do not
use a fuse of a hi gher ampera ge
ratin g than recommen ded to
1. Ignition fuse
2. Signaling system fuse
3. Parking lighting fuse
4. Backup fuse (for clock and immobilizer sys-
tem)
5. Headlight fuse
6. Spare fuse
2 1
3
4
5
6
1. Fuse box
2. Main fuse
3. Starter relay cover
4. ABS motor fuse
5. ABS motor spare fuse
3
2
1
4
5
1. Ignition fuse
2. ABS control unit fuse
3. Signaling system fuse
4. Parking lighting fuse
5. Backup fuse (for clock and immobilizer sys-tem)
6. Headlight fuse
7. Spare fuse
8. Fuel injection system fuse
9. ABS solenoid fuse
2 1
4
5
6
7
789
3
U2DEE0E0.book Page 28 Friday, June 14, 2013 1:29 PM
![YAMAHA XV950 2014 Owners Manual PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-29
6avoi
d causin g extensive d am-
a g e to the electrical system an d
possi bly a fire.
[EWA15132]
3. Turn the key to “ON” and turn on
the electrical circu YAMAHA XV950 2014 Owners Manual PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-29
6avoi
d causin g extensive d am-
a g e to the electrical system an d
possi bly a fire.
[EWA15132]
3. Turn the key to “ON” and turn on
the electrical circu](/manual-img/51/53333/w960_53333-69.png)
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-29
6avoi
d causin g extensive d am-
a g e to the electrical system an d
possi bly a fire.
[EWA15132]
3. Turn the key to “ON” and turn on
the electrical circuit in question to
check if the device operates.
4. If the fuse immediately blows again, have a Yamaha dealer
check the electrical system.
EAU48514
Replacin g the hea dlig ht bul bThis model is equipped with a halogen
bulb headlight. If the headlight bulb
burns out, replace it as follows.NOTICE
ECA10651
Take care not to damag e the follow-
in g parts:
Hea dlig ht bul b
Do not touch the glass part of
the hea dlig ht bul b to keep it free
from oil, otherwise the transpar-
ency of the glass, the luminosity
of the b ulb, an d the bul b life will
b e ad versely affected . Thor-
ou ghly clean off any dirt an d fin-
g erprints on the head lig ht bul b
usin g a cloth moistene d with al-
cohol or thinner.
Hea dlig ht lens
Do not affix any type of tinted
film or stickers to the hea dlig ht
lens.
Do not use a hea dlig ht bul b of a
wattag e higher than specifie d.
1. Remove the headlight unit by re-
moving the screws.
2. Disconnect the headlight coupler, and then remove the headlight
bulb cover.
Specifie d fuses:
Main fuse: 40.0 A
Headlight fuse:
20.0 A
Signaling system fuse: 7.5 A
Ignition fuse: 15.0 A
Parking lighting fuse:
15.0 A
Fuel injection system fuse: 10.0 A
ABS motor fuse: For ABS models 30.0 A
ABS solenoid fuse:
For ABS models 15.0 A
ABS control unit fuse: For ABS models 7.5 A
Backup fuse: 7.5 A
1. Do not touch the glass part of the bulb.
1. Screw
1
U2DEE0E0.book Page 29 Friday, June 14, 2013 1:29 PM