
FOR YOUR SAFETY – PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
4-1
4
EAU15598
Inspect your vehicle each time you use it to make sure the vehicle is in safe operating condition. Always follow the inspection
and maintenance procedures and schedules described in the Owner’s Manual.
WARNING
EWA11152
Failure to inspect or maintain the vehicle properly increases the possibility of an accident or equipment damage.
Do not operate the vehicle if you find any problem. If a problem cannot be corrected by the procedures provided in
this manual, have the vehicle inspected by a Yamaha dealer.Before using this vehicle, check the following points:
ITEM CHECKS PAGE
Fuel• Check fuel level in fuel tank.
• Refuel if necessary.
• Check fuel line for leakage.3-16
Engine oil• Check oil level in engine.
• If necessary, add recommended oil to specified level.
• Check vehicle for oil leakage.6-10
Coolant• Check coolant level in reservoir.
• If necessary, add recommended coolant to specified level.
• Check cooling system for leakage.6-13
Front brake• Check operation.
• If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed hydraulic system.
• Check brake pads for wear.
• Replace if necessary.
• Check fluid level in reservoir.
• If necessary, add specified brake fluid to specified level.
• Check hydraulic system for leakage.6-21, 6-22
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OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-3
5
NOTICE
ECA10261
Even with the transmission in
the neutral position, do not
coast for long periods of time
with the engine off, and do not
tow the motorcycle for long dis-
tances. The transmission is
properly lubricated only when
the engine is running. Inade-
quate lubrication may damage
the transmission.
Always use the clutch while
changing gears to avoid dam-
aging the engine, transmission,
and drive train, which are not
designed to withstand the
shock of forced shifting.
EAU16811
Tips for reducing fuel con-
sumptionFuel consumption depends largely on
your riding style. Consider the follow-
ing tips to reduce fuel consumption:
Shift up swiftly, and avoid high en-
gine speeds during acceleration.
Do not rev the engine while shift-
ing down, and avoid high engine
speeds with no load on the en-
gine.
Turn the engine off instead of let-
ting it idle for an extended length
of time (e.g., in traffic jams, at traf-
fic lights or at railroad crossings).
EAU16831
Engine break-inThere is never a more important period
in the life of your engine than the period
between 0 and 1000 km (600 mi). For
this reason, you should read the fol-
lowing material carefully.
Since the engine is brand new, do not
put an excessive load on it for the first
1000 km (600 mi). The various parts in
the engine wear and polish themselves
to the correct operating clearances.
During this period, prolonged full-throt-
tle operation or any condition that
might result in engine overheating
must be avoided.
EAU16983
0–500 km (0–300 mi)
Avoid prolonged operation above 6000
r/min.
After every hour of operation, stop the
engine, and then let it cool for five to
ten minutes.
Vary the engine speed from time to
time. Do not operate the engine at one
set throttle position.
U5D7E4E0.book Page 3 Thursday, July 10, 2014 3:01 PM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-4
5500–1000 km (300–600 mi)
Avoid prolonged operation above 8000
r/min.
Rev the engine freely through the
gears, but do not use full throttle at any
time. NOTICE: After 1000 km (600 mi)
of operation, the engine oil must be
changed, the oil filter cartridge or el-
ement replaced, and the oil strainer
cleaned.
[ECA10322]
1000 km (600 mi) and beyond
The vehicle can now be operated nor-
mally.NOTICE
ECA10311
Keep the engine speed out of
the tachometer red zone.
If any engine trouble should oc-
cur during the engine break-in
period, immediately have a
Yamaha dealer check the vehi-
cle.
EAU17214
ParkingWhen parking, stop the engine, and
then remove the key from the main
switch.
WARNING
EWA10312
Since the engine and exhaust
system can become very hot,
park in a place where pedestri-
ans or children are not likely to
touch them and be burned.
Do not park on a slope or on soft
ground, otherwise the vehicle
may overturn, increasing the
risk of a fuel leak and fire.
Do not park near grass or other
flammable materials which
might catch fire.
U5D7E4E0.book Page 4 Thursday, July 10, 2014 3:01 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-8
6
EAU18782
Removing and installing cowl-
ingsThe cowlings shown need to be re-
moved to perform some of the mainte-
nance jobs described in this chapter.
Refer to this section each time a cowl-
ing needs to be removed and installed.
EAUM3480
Cowling A
To remove the cowlingRemove the screws, and then take the
cowling off.To install the cowling
Place the cowling in the original posi-
tion, and then install the screws.
Cowling B
To remove the cowling1. Remove cowling A. (See page
6-8.)
2. Remove the screws shown, and
then take the cowling off.
To install the cowling
1. Place the cowling in the original
position, and then install the
screws.
2. Install cowling A.
1. Cowling A
2. Cowling BZAUM1204
1. Cowling A
2. ScrewZAUM1205
2
1
1. Screw
2. Cowling B
1. Screw
2. Cowling BZAUM1219
FULL
LOW
1
ZAUM1206
YA M A H
A
12
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-16
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.
EAUM2405
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 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
adjusted in accordance with the
riding speed and with the totalweight of rider, passenger, car-
go, and accessories approved
for this model.
WARNING
EWA10512
Never overload your vehicle. Opera-
tion of an overloaded vehicle could
cause an accident.Tire air pressure (measured on cold
tires):
0–90 kg (0–198 lb):
Front:
180 kPa (1.80 kgf/cm², 26 psi)
Rear:
200 kPa (2.00 kgf/cm², 29 psi)
MT125 90–180 kg (198–397 lb)
MT125A 90–178 kg (198–392 lb):
Front:
180 kPa (1.80 kgf/cm², 26 psi)
Rear:
225 kPa (2.25 kgf/cm², 33 psi)
Maximum load*:
MT125 180 kg (397 lb)
MT125A 178 kg (392 lb)
* Total weight of rider, passenger, car-
go and accessories
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-17
6 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 side-
wall is cracked, have a Yamaha dealer
replace the tire immediately.
TIPThe tire tread depth limits may differ
from country to country. Always com-
ply with the local regulations.
WARNING
EWA10472
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 information
This motorcycle is equipped with tube-
less tires, tire air valves and cast
wheels.
Tires age, even if they have not been
used or have only been used occasion-
ally. Cracking of the tread and sidewall
rubber, sometimes accompanied by
carcass deformation, is an evidence of
ageing. Old and aged tires shall be
checked by tire specialists to ascertain
their suitability for further use.
1. Tire sidewall
2. Tire tread depthMinimum tire tread depth (front and
rear):
1.6 mm (0.06 in)
1. Tire air valve
2. Tire air valve core
3. Tire air valve cap with seal
123
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-28
6
EAUM1653
Lubricating the swingarm piv-
otsThe swingarm pivots must be lubricat-
ed by a Yamaha dealer at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
EAU23273
Checking the front forkThe condition and operation of the
front fork must be checked as follows
at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance 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.
[EWA10752]
2. While applying the front brake,
push down hard on the handle-
bars several times to check if the
front fork compresses and re-
bounds smoothly.
NOTICE
ECA10591
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
ZAUM1212
YA M A H A
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-37
6
2. Lift the front wheel off the ground
according to the procedure in the
previous section “Supporting the
motorcycle”.3. Remove the brake caliper by re-
moving the bolts. NOTICE: Do
not apply the brake after the
wheel and brake disc have been
removed, otherwise the brake
pads will be forced shut.
[ECA11073]
4. Pull the wheel axle out, and then
remove the wheel.
To install the front wheel
1. Lift the wheel up between the fork
legs.
2. Insert the wheel axle.
3. Lower the front wheel so that it is
on the ground.
4. Install the brake caliper by install-
ing the bolts.TIPMake sure that there is enough space
between the brake pads before install-
ing the brake caliper onto the brake
disc.5. Tighten the wheel axle to the
specified torque.
6. Tighten the wheel axle pinch bolt
A and pinch bolt B to the specified
torques.7. Retighten the wheel axle pinch
bolt A to the specified torque.
8. Tighten the brake caliper bolts to
the specified torques.
9. Push down hard on the handlebar
several times to check for proper
fork operation.
1. Axle bolt
2. Front wheel axle pinch bolt A
3. Front wheel axle pinch bolt B
1. Brake caliper bolt
2. Brake caliperZAUM1215
3
ZAUM1192
Tightening torques:
Wheel axle:
59 Nm (5.9 m·kgf, 43 ft·lbf)
Front wheel axle pinch bolt:
23 Nm (2.3 m·kgf, 17 ft·lbf)
Brake caliper bolt:
38 Nm (3.8 m·kgf, 27 ft·lbf)
U5D7E4E0.book Page 37 Thursday, July 10, 2014 3:01 PM