2015 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 rec-
ommended coolant into the radia-
tor and reservoir. NOTICE: Failing
to hol d the vehicle upri ght when
fillin g the ra diator with coolant
may cause air to be trappe d in
the coolin g system.
[ECA16541]
1. Radiator cap
1. Bolt
2. Coolant reservoir cover
3. Coolant reservoir
1
2
3
1
1. Bolt
2. Coolant reservoir cap
3. Coolant reservoir cap guard
2
3
1
1. Coolant drain screw
2. O-ring
1
2
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-19
614. 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.
17. Remove the radiator cap to check the coolant level in the radiator. If
necessary, add sufficient coolant
until it reaches the top of the radi-
ator, 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 right air intake duct by installing the bolts.
21. Install the cowling.
EAU36765
Air filter elementThe 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.
Antifreeze/water mixture ratio: 1:1
Recommen ded antifreeze:
High-quality ethylene glycol anti-
freeze containing corrosion inhibi-
tors for aluminum engines
Coolant quantity:
Radiator (including all routes):3.75 L (3.96 US qt, 3.30 Imp.qt)
Coolant reservoir (up to the maxi-
mum level mark): 0.27 L (0.29 US qt, 0.24 Imp.qt)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-20
6
EAU44735
Checking the en gine i dlin g
spee dCheck the engine idling speed and, if
necessary, have it corrected by a
Yamaha dealer.
EAU21385
Checkin g the throttle grip free
playThe 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.
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.
En gine i dlin g spee d:
950–1050 r/min
1. Throttle grip free play
1
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-21
6
EAU2177A
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 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 be
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 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.
Tire air pressure (measure d on col d
tires): Up to 90 k g (198 l b) loa d:
Front:
250 kPa (2.50 kgf/cm², 36 psi)
Rear: 290 kPa (2.90 kgf/cm², 42 psi)
90 k g (198 l b) to maximum load :
Front: 250 kPa (2.50 kgf/cm², 36 psi)
Rear: 290 kPa (2.90 kgf/cm², 42 psi)
Hi gh-spee d ri din g:
Front: 290 kPa (2.90 kgf/cm², 42 psi)
Rear:
290 kPa (2.90 kgf/cm², 42 psi)
Maximum loa d*:
190 kg (419 lb)
* Total weight of rider, passenger, car- go and accessories
1. Tire sidewall
2. Tire tread depthMinimum tire trea d d epth (front an d
rear): 1.6 mm (0.06 in)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-22
6
WARNING
EWA10472
Have a Yamaha d ealer replace
excessively worn tires. Besid es
b ein g ille gal, operatin g the vehi-
cle with excessively worn tires
d ecreases ri din g sta bility an d
can lead to loss of control.
 The replacement of all wheel
and b rake-relate d parts, inclu d-
in g the tires, shoul d b e left to a
Yamaha dealer, who has the
necessary professional knowl-
e dge an d experience to do so.
 Ride at mo derate spee ds after
chan gin g a tire since the tire
surface must first be “ broken
in” for it to develop its optimal
characteristics.
Tire information
This model is equipped with tubeless
tires and tire air valves.
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.
WARNING
EWA10482
 The front an d rear tires shoul d
b e of the same make an d d e-
si gn, otherwise the han dlin g characteristics of the motorcy-
cle may b
e different, which
coul d lea d to an acci dent.
 Always make sure that the valve
caps are securely installe d to
prevent air pressure leaka ge.
 Use only the tire valves an d
valve cores liste d below to
avoi d tire deflation durin g a
hi gh-spee d ri de.
After extensive tests, only the tires list-
ed below have been approved for this
model by Yamaha.
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 G
Rear tire:
Size: 200/50R18M/C 76V
Manufacturer/model:
BRIDGESTONE/BT028R G
FRONT and REAR:
Tire air valve:
TR412
Valve core: #9100 (original)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-23
6
WARNING
EWA10601
This motorcycle is fitted with super-
hi gh-spee d tires. Note the following
points in or der to make the most ef-
ficient use of these tires.  Use only the specifie d replace-
ment tires. Other tires may run
the dan ger of bursting at super
hi gh spee ds.
 Bran d-new tires can have a rel-
atively poor g rip on certain roa d
surfaces until they have been
“ b roken in”. Therefore, it is a d-
visa ble before doin g any hi gh-
speed ridin g to ri de conserva-
tively for approximately 100 km
(60 mi) after installin g a new tire.
 The tires must b e warmed up
b efore a hi gh-spee d run.
 Always a djust the tire air pres-
sure accor din g to the operating
con ditions.
EAU21963
Cast wheelsTo 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, warp-
age or other 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 de-
formed 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.
EAU42851
Clutch leverSince this model is equipped with a hy-
draulic clutch, adjusting the clutch le-
ver free play is not needed. However, it
is necessary to check the hydraulic
system for leakage before each ride. If
the clutch lever free play does become
excessive, 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
hydraulic system, have a Yamaha deal-
er bleed the system before operating
the motorcycle.
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-24
6
EAU37914
Checking the brake lever free
playThere should be no free play at the
brake lever end. If there is free play,
have a Yamaha dealer inspect the
brake system.
WARNING
EWA14212
A soft or spon gy feelin g in the brake
lever can in dicate the presence of
air in the hy draulic system. If there is
air in the hy draulic system, have a
Yamaha dealer blee d the system be-
fore operatin g the vehicle. Air in the
hy draulic system will diminish the b
rakin g performance, which may re-
sult in loss of control an d an acci-
d ent.
EAU36504
Brake li ght switchesThe 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.
1. No brake lever free play
1
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-25
6
EAU22393
Checking 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.
EAU43063
Front brake pa ds
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 disassem-
ble the brake. To check the brake pad
wear, check the wear indicator
grooves. If a brake pad has worn to the point that a wear indicator groove al-
most appears, have a Yamaha dealer
replace the brake pads as a set.
EAU22471
Rear
brake pad s
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.
EAU46542
Checkin g the brake flui d levelBefore 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
1. Brake pad wear indicator groove
1
1
1. Brake pad wear indicator groove
1
1. Minimum level mark
1
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