Page 58 of 96

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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Page 86 of 96

MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
7-2
7off any detergent residue using
plenty of water, as it is harmful
to plastic parts.
Do not use any harsh chemical
products on plastic parts. Be
sure to avoid using cloths or
sponges which have been in
contact with strong or abrasive
cleaning products, solvent or
thinner, fuel (gasoline), rust re-
movers or inhibitors, brake fluid,
antifreeze or electrolyte.
Do not use high-pressure wash-
ers or steam-jet cleaners since
they cause water seepage and
deterioration in the following ar-
eas: seals (of wheel and swing-
arm bearings, fork and brakes),
electric components (couplers,
connectors, instruments,
switches and lights), breather
hoses and vents.
For motorcycles equipped with
a windshield: Do not use strong
cleaners or hard sponges as
they will cause dulling or
scratching. Some cleaning
compounds for plastic may
leave scratches on the wind-shield. Test the product on a
small hidden part of the wind-
shield to make sure that it does
not leave any marks. If the wind-
shield is scratched, use a quality
plastic polishing compound af-
ter washing.
After normal useRemove dirt with warm water, a mild
detergent, and a soft, clean sponge,
and then rinse thoroughly with clean
water. Use a toothbrush or bottlebrush
for hard-to-reach areas. Stubborn dirt
and insects will come off more easily if
the area is covered with a wet cloth for
a few minutes before cleaning. Use the
special sponge, which is located under
the tool kit, to clean the muffler and to
remove any discoloration from it.
After riding in the rain, near the sea oron salt-sprayed roadsSince sea salt or salt sprayed on roads
during winter are extremely corrosive
in combination with water, carry out
the following steps after each ride in
the rain, near the sea or on salt-
sprayed roads.
TIPSalt sprayed on roads in the winter
may remain well into spring.1. Clean the motorcycle with cold
water and a mild detergent, after
the engine has cooled down.
NOTICE: Do not use warm wa-
ter since it increases the corro-
sive action of the salt.
[ECA10792]
2. After drying the motorcycle, apply
a corrosion protection spray on all
metal, including chrome- and
nickel-plated, surfaces to prevent
corrosion.
After cleaning
1. Dry the motorcycle with a chamois
or an absorbing cloth.
2. Immediately dry the drive chain
and lubricate it to prevent it from
rusting.
3. Use a chrome polish to shine
chrome, aluminum and stainless-
steel parts, including the exhaust
system. (Even the thermally in-
duced discoloring of stainless-
steel exhaust systems can be re-
moved through polishing.)
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Page 88 of 96

MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
7-4
72. Fill up the fuel tank and add fuel
stabilizer (if available) to prevent
the fuel tank from rusting and the
fuel from deteriorating.
3. Perform the following steps to
protect the cylinder, piston rings,
etc. from corrosion.
a. Remove the spark plug cap
and spark plug.
b. Pour a teaspoonful of engine
oil into the spark plug bore.
c. Install the spark plug cap onto
the spark plug, and then place
the spark plug on the cylinder
head so that the electrodes are
grounded. (This will limit spark-
ing during the next step.)
d. Turn the engine over several
times with the starter. (This will
coat the cylinder wall with oil.)
e. Remove the spark plug cap
from the spark plug, and then
install the spark plug and the
spark plug cap. WARNING! To
prevent damage or injury
from sparking, make sure to
ground the spark plug elec-
trodes while turning the en-
gine over.
[EWA10952]
4. Lubricate all control cables and
the pivoting points of all levers and
pedals as well as of the side-
stand/centerstand.
5. Check and, if necessary, correct
the tire air pressure, and then lift
the motorcycle so that both of its
wheels are off the ground. Alterna-
tively, turn the wheels a little every
month in order to prevent the tires
from becoming degraded in one
spot.
6. Cover the muffler outlet with a
plastic bag to prevent moisture
from entering it.
7. Remove the battery and fully
charge it. Store it in a cool, dry
place and charge it once a month.
Do not store the battery in an ex-
cessively cold or warm place [less
than 0 °C (30 °F) or more than 30
°C (90 °F)]. For more information
on storing the battery, see page
6-30.TIPMake any necessary repairs before
storing the motorcycle.
U5D7E4E0.book Page 4 Thursday, July 10, 2014 3:01 PM