2015 YAMAHA VMAX maintenance

TABLE OF CONTENTSSAFETY INFORMATION.................. 1-1
DESCRIPTION .................................. 2-1
Left view ......................................... 2-1
Right view ....................................... 2-2
Controls and instruments ............... 2-3
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL
FUNCTIONS ...................................... 3-1
Immobilizer system......................... 3-1
Main switch/steering lock............... 3-2
Indicator lights and warning lights............................................ 3-4
Speedometer unit ........................... 3-7
Multi-function display ..................... 3-8
Handlebar switches ...................... 3-17
Clutch lever .................................. 3-19
Shift pedal .................................... 3-19
Brake lever.................................... 3-20
Brake pedal .................................. 3-20
ABS .............................................. 3-21
Fuel tank cap ................................ 3-22
Fuel ............................................... 3-23
Fuel tank breather hose and
overflow hose ............................ 3-24
Catalytic converters...................... 3-24
Seats ............................................ 3-25
Adjusting the front fork ................. 3-27
Adjusting the shock absorber
assembly ................................... 3-29
Luggage strap holders ................. 3-31 EXUP system ................................ 3-31
Sidestand ...................................... 3-31
Ignition circuit cut-off system ....... 3-32
FOR YOUR SAFETY –
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS ............. 4-1
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT
RIDING POINTS ................................ 5-1
Starting the engine .......................... 5-1
Shifting ............................................ 5-2
Tips for reducing fuel consumption ................................ 5-3
Engine break-in ............................... 5-3
Parking ............................................ 5-4
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND
ADJUSTMENT ................................... 6-1
Owner’s tool kits ............................. 6-2
Periodic maintenance chart for the emission control system .............. 6-3
General maintenance and lubrication chart ........................... 6-4
Removing and installing the cowling and panels ...................... 6-8
Checking the spark plugs ............. 6-10
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge.... 6-11
Final gear oil .................................. 6-14
Coolant.......................................... 6-16
Air filter element ............................ 6-19 Checking the engine idling
speed ........................................ 6-20
Checking the throttle grip free play ............................................ 6-20
Valve clearance............................. 6-20
Tires .............................................. 6-21
Cast wheels .................................. 6-23
Clutch lever................................... 6-23
Checking the brake lever free
play ............................................ 6-24
Brake light switches ..................... 6-24
Checking the front and rear brake
pads .......................................... 6-25
Checking the brake fluid level ...... 6-25
Changing the brake and clutch
fluids .......................................... 6-27
Checking and lubricating the
cables ........................................ 6-27
Checking and lubricating the throttle grip and cable ............... 6-27
Checking and lubricating the brake and shift pedals............... 6-28
Checking and lubricating the
brake and clutch levers ............. 6-28
Checking and lubricating the sidestand................................... 6-29
Lubricating the swingarm pivots......................................... 6-29
Checking the front fork ................. 6-30
Checking the steering................... 6-30
Checking the wheel bearings ....... 6-31U2CEE0E0.book Page 1 Wednesday, August 27, 2014 11:11 AM

1-1
1
SAFETY INFORMATION
EAU1028B
Be a Responsible Owner
As the vehicle’s owner, you are re-
sponsible for the safe and proper oper-
ation of your motorcycle.
Motorcycles are single-track vehicles.
Their safe use and operation are de-
pendent upon the use of proper riding
techniques as well as the expertise of
the operator. Every operator should
know the following requirements be-
fore riding this motorcycle.
He or she should:  Obtain thorough instructions from
a competent source on all aspects
of motorcycle operation.
 Observe the warnings and mainte-
nance requirements in this Own-
er’s Manual.
 Obtain qualified training in safe
and proper riding techniques.
 Obtain professional technical ser-
vice as indicated in this Owner’s
Manual and/or when made neces-
sary by mechanical conditions. 
Never operate a motorcycle with-
out proper training or instruction.
Take a training course. Beginners
should receive training from a cer-
tified instructor. Contact an autho-
rized motorcycle dealer to find out
about the training courses nearest
you.
Safe Ri din g
Perform the pre-operation checks
each time you use the vehicle to make
sure it is in safe operating condition.
Failure to inspect or maintain the vehi-
cle properly increases the possibility of
an accident or equipment damage.
See page 4-1 for a list of pre-operation
checks.  This motorcycle is designed to
carry the operator and a passen-
ger.
 The failure of motorists to detect
and recognize motorcycles in traf-
fic is the predominating cause of
automobile/motorcycle accidents.
Many accidents have been
caused by an automobile driver
who did not see the motorcycle.
Making yourself conspicuous ap- pears to be very effective in reduc-
ing the chance of this type of
accident.
Therefore:
• Wear a brightly colored jacket.
• Use extra caution when you are approaching and passing
through intersections, since in-
tersections are the most likely
places for motorcycle accidents
to occur.
• Ride where other motorists can see you. Avoid riding in another
motorist’s blind spot.
• Never maintain a motorcycle without proper knowledge.
Contact an authorized motorcy-
cle dealer to inform you on ba-
sic motorcycle maintenance.
Certain maintenance can only
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-10
3
ment and the coolant temperature
warning indicator flash, stop the vehi-
cle and let the engine cool. (See page
6-43.)
NOTICE
ECA10022
Do not continue to operate the en-
g
ine if it is overheatin g.Select mo de
The various functions of this multi-
function display are adjusted in the Se-
lect mode.TIP The transmission must be in neu-
tral to change settings in this
mode.
 Shifting the transmission into gear
saves all settings made, then can-
cels the Select mode and displays
the Normal mode in all screens.
 Depending on the screen, pushing
“RESET” saves settings or can-
cels the Select mode to display
the Normal mode.Push and hold “SELECT” and “RE-
SET” for at least three seconds to enter
the Select mode. The following items can be set/adjust-
ed in this mode:
 brightness
 shift timing indicator light
 clock
 stopwatch
 countdown clock
 system status
 maintenance counters
TIPTo return to the Normal mode, push
“SELECT” to scroll to “ ”, then push
“RESET”.Adjusting the brightnessThis function allows you to adjust the
brightness of the tachometer panel
and speedometer (“Meter panel”), the
tachometer needle (“Needle”), and the
multi-function display (“Display”) to
suit the outside lighting conditions.
1. Push “SELECT” to highlight “Brightness”. 2. Push “RESET”, then push “SE-
LECT” to scroll through the func-
tions and to highlight an item.
3. Push “RESET”; the brightness lev- el segments for the selected item
starts flashing.
4. Push “SELECT” to highlight the desired brightness level.
5. Push “RESET” to set the bright- ness level.
6. Push “SELECT” to scroll to “ ”, then push “RESET” to return to
the previous menu.
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-16
3

Pushing “RESET” displays the
Normal mode for five seconds.
Pushing “SELECT” and “RESET”
for at least three seconds, chang-
es the display to the Normal
mode.
 To perform further multi-function
display settings, enter the Select
mode again by pushing and hold-
ing “SELECT” and “RESET” for at
least three seconds.
Resetting the maintenance countersThis function allows you to reset the
maintenance counters for the tires, the
engine oil, and an item of your choice.
1. Push “SELECT” to highlight “Maintenance”.
2. Push “RESET”.
3. Push “SELECT” to highlight the item to reset. 4. Push “RESET” to reset the item.
TIP
The bottom area was left blank for
another item the rider cares to
check the distance of since it has
been changed, replaced or
checked (i.e., air filter element, en-
gine parts, etc.).
 Letters and numbers cannot be
entered in the blank area.5. Push “SELECT” to scroll to “ ”.
6. Push “RESET” to return to the pre-
vious menu. Self-d
iagnosis device
TIPThe display indicates error codes only
in the Normal mode.This model is equipped with a self-di-
agnosis device for various electrical
circuits.1. Immobilizer system indicator light
2. Engine trouble warning light “ ”
1. Error code display
2
1
1
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-24
3
brand. Use of unleaded fuel will extend
spark plug life and reduce mainte-
nance costs.
Gasohol
There are two types of gasohol: gaso-
hol containing ethanol and that con-
taining methanol. Gasohol containing
ethanol can be used if the ethanol con-
tent does not exceed 10% (E10). Gas-
ohol containing methanol is not
recommended by Yamaha because it
can cause damage to the fuel system
or vehicle performance problems.
EAU51172
Fuel tank
breather hose an d
overflow hoseBefore operating the motorcycle:
 Check each hose connection.
 Check each hose for cracks or
damage, and replace if necessary.
 Make sure that the end of each
hose is not blocked, and clean if
necessary.
EAU13446
Catalytic convertersThis vehicle is equipped with catalytic
converters in the exhaust system.
WARNING
EWA10863
The exhaust system is hot after op-
eration. To prevent a fire hazar d or
b urns:
 Do not park the vehicle near
possi ble fire hazar ds such as
g rass or other materials that
easily burn.
 Park the vehicle in a place
where pe destrians or chil dren
are not likely to touch the hot
exhaust system.
 Make sure that the exhaust sys-
tem has coole d down before
d oin g any maintenance work.
 Do not allow the en gine to i dle
more than a few minutes. Lon g
i d lin g can cause a b uild-up of
heat.
1. Fuel tank breather hose
2. Fuel tank overflow hose
12
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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 acci dent or equipment damag e.
Do not operate the vehicle if you fin d any pro blem. If a pro blem cannot be corrected b y the proce dures provi ded in
this manual, have the vehicle inspecte d b y 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.
• Check fuel tank breather hose and overflow hose for obstructions, cracks or
damage, and check hose connections. 3-23, 3-24
En gine oil • Check oil level in engine.
• If necessary, add recommended oil to specified level.
• Check vehicle for oil leakage. 6-11
Final gear oil • Check vehicle for oil leakage. 6-14
Coolant • Check coolant level in reservoir.
• If necessary, add recommended coolant to specified level.
• Check cooling system for leakage. 6-16
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. 6-25, 6-25
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-1
6
EAU17245
Periodic inspection, adjustment, and
lubrication will keep your vehicle in the
safest and most efficient condition
possible. Safety is an obligation of the
vehicle owner/operator. The most im-
portant points of vehicle inspection,
adjustment, and lubrication are ex-
plained on the following pages.
The intervals given in the periodic
maintenance charts should be simply
considered as a general guide under
normal riding conditions. However, de-
pending on the weather, terrain, geo-
graphical location, and individual use,
the maintenance intervals may need to
be shortened.
WARNING
EWA10322
Failure to properly maintain the vehi-
cle or performing maintenance ac-
tivities incorrectly may increase
your risk of injury or death durin g
service or while usin g the vehicle. If
you are not familiar with vehicle ser-
vice, have a Yamaha d ealer perform
service.
WARNING
EWA15123
Turn off the en gine when performin g
maintenance unless otherwise
specified .
 A runnin g en gine has movin g
parts that can catch on body
parts or clothin g an d electrical
parts that can cause shocks or
fires.
 Runnin g the en gine while ser-
vicin g can lead to eye injury,
b urns, fire, or car bon monoxi de
poisonin g – possi bly lea din g to
d eath. See pag e 1-3 for more in-
formation a bout car bon monox-
i d e.
WARNING
EWA15461
Brake discs, calipers, drums, and
linin gs can b ecome very hot d uring
use. To avoi d possi ble burns, let
b rake components cool before
touchin g them.
EAU17303
Emission controls not only function to
ensure cleaner air, but are also vital to
proper engine operation and maximum
performance. In the following periodic
maintenance charts, the services relat-
ed to emissions control are grouped
separately. These services require
specialized data, knowledge, and
equipment. Maintenance, replace-
ment, or repair of the emission control
devices and systems may be per-
formed by any repair establishment or
individual that is certified (if applicable).
Yamaha dealers are trained and equipped to perform these particular
services.
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-2
6
EAU63410
Owner’s tool kitsThe owner’s tool kit is located behind
panel A. (See page 6-8.)
Also, an additional tool kit was handed
out separately at the time of vehicle
purchase.
The service information included in this
manual and the tools provided in the
tool kits are intended to assist you in
the performance of preventive mainte-
nance and minor repairs. However,
other tools such as a torque wrench
may be necessary to perform certain
maintenance work correctly.
TIPIf you do not have the tools or experi-
ence required for a particular job, have
a Yamaha dealer perform it for you.
1. Owner’s tool kit
1
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