2015 YAMAHA VMAX tow

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-9
3
a transmission gear indicator
 a coolant temperature meter
 a self-diagnosis device
TIPFor the UK only:
The speedometer and odometer/trip-
meter displays can be switched be-
tween kilometers and miles. To switch
the speedometer and odometer/trip-
meter displays, press “SELECT” for at
least two seconds.
TripmetersTurn the key to “ON”. Push “SELECT”
to switch the display between the trip-
meters “TRIP-1” and “TRIP-2” in the
following order:
TRIP-1 → TRIP-2 → TRIP-1
When the fuel amount in the fuel tank
decreases to 3.9 L (1.03 US gal,
0.86 Imp.gal), the fuel level warning
light comes on, and the tripmeter auto-
matically changes to the fuel reserve
tripmeter “TRIP-F” and starts counting
the distance traveled from that point. In
that case, push “SELECT” to switch
the display between the various trip-
meters in the following order:
TRIP-F → TRIP-1 → TRIP-2 → TRIP-F
If you continue to ride the vehicle after
the fuel reserve tripmeter “TRIP-F” ap-
pears, the fuel meter and fuel level
warning indicator “ ” start flashing.
To reset a tripmeter, select it by push-
ing “SELECT”, and then push “RESET”
for at least one second. If you do not
reset the fuel reserve tripmeter manu-
ally, it resets itself automatically and
the display returns to the prior meter
after refueling and traveling 5 km (3 mi). Fuel meter
The fuel meter indicates the amount of
fuel in the fuel tank. The fuel level dis-
played decreases towards “E” (Empty)
as the fuel tank level decreases. When
the fuel amount in the fuel tank de-
creases to 3.9 L (1.03 US gal,
0.86 Imp.gal), the fuel level warning
light comes on. If this occurs, refuel as
soon as possible.
If you continue to ride the vehicle after
the fuel reserve tripmeter “TRIP-F” ap-
pears, the fuel meter and fuel level
warning indicator “ ” start flashing.
Transmission gear indicatorThis indicator shows the selected gear.
The neutral position is indicated
by “ ” and by the neutral indicator
light.
Coolant temperature meterWith the key in the “ON” position, the
coolant temperature meter indicates
the temperature of the coolant. The
coolant temperature varies with
changes in the weather and engine
load. If the coolant temperature warn-
ing light comes on, and the top seg-
1. Odometer
2. Clock
3. Tripmeter/fuel reserve tripmeter
4. Coolant temperature warning indicator “ ”
5. Coolant temperature meter
6. Transmission gear indicator
7. Fuel level warning indicator “ ”
8. Fuel meter
123
865
7
4
U2CEE0E0.book Page 9 Wednesday, August 27, 2014 11:11 AM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-19
3
EAU12831
Clutch leverThe clutch lever is located at the left
handlebar grip. To disengage the
clutch, pull the lever toward the han-
dlebar grip. To engage the clutch, re-
lease the lever. The lever should be
pulled rapidly and released slowly for
smooth clutch operation.
The clutch lever is equipped with a
clutch lever position adjusting dial. To
adjust the distance between the clutch
lever and the handlebar grip, turn the
adjusting dial while holding the lever
pushed away from the handlebar grip.Make sure that the appropriate setting
on the adjusting dial is aligned with the
arrow mark on the clutch lever.
The clutch lever is equipped with a
clutch switch, which is part of the igni-
tion circuit cut-off system. (See page
3-32.)
EAU12872
Shift pe
dalThe shift pedal is located on the left
side of the motorcycle and is used in
combination with the clutch lever when
shifting the gears of the 5-speed con-
stant-mesh transmission equipped on
this motorcycle.
1. Clutch lever
2. Clutch lever position adjusting dial
3. Arrow mark
4. Distance between clutch lever and handle-
bar grip
4
1
2
3
1. Shift pedal
1
U2CEE0E0.book Page 19 Wednesday, August 27, 2014 11:11 AM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-20
3
EAU33854
Brake leverThe brake lever is located on the right
side of the handlebar. To apply the
front brake, pull the lever toward the
throttle grip.
The brake lever is equipped with a
brake lever position adjusting knob. To
adjust the distance between the brake
lever and the throttle grip, turn the ad-
justing knob while holding the lever
pushed away from the throttle grip.
When the desired position is obtained,be sure to set it by aligning a groove on
the adjusting knob with the “ ” mark
on the brake lever.
EAU12944
Brake pe
dalThe brake pedal is located on the right
side of the motorcycle. To apply the
rear brake, press down on the brake
pedal.
1. Brake lever
2. Brake lever position adjusting knob
3. “ ” mark
4. Distance between brake lever and throttle
grip
1
4
2
3
1. Brake pedal
1
U2CEE0E0.book Page 20 Wednesday, August 27, 2014 11:11 AM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-3
5
NOTICE
ECA10261
Even with the transmission in
the neutral position, do not
coast for lon g period s of time
with the en gine off, an d d o not
tow the motorcycle for lon g d is-
tances. The transmission is
properly lu bricated only when
the en gine is runnin g. Ina de-
quate lu brication may damag e
the transmission.
 Always use the clutch while
chan gin g g ears to avoi d d am-
a g in g the en gine, transmission,
an d d rive train, which are not
d esi gne d to withstan d the
shock of force d shifting .
EAU16811
Tips for re ducin g 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).
EAU16842
Engine break-inThere is never a more important period
in the life of your engine than the period
between 0 and 1600 km (1000 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
1600 km (1000 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.
EAU17124
0–1000 km (0–600 mi)
Avoid prolonged operation above 4800
r/min. NOTICE: After 1000 km (600
mi) of operation, the en gine oil an d
final gear oil must be chan ged , an d
the oil filter cartri dge or element re-
place d.
[ECA10333]
U2CEE0E0.book Page 3 Wednesday, August 27, 2014 11:11 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-43
6En
gine overheatin g
WARNING
EWAT1041
Do not remove the ra diator cap when the en gine an d ra diator are hot. Scal din g hot flui d an d steam may be
b lown out un der pressure, which coul d cause serious injury. Be sure to wait until the en gine has coole d.
 Place a thick ra g, like a towel, over the ra diator cap, an d then slowly rotate the cap counterclockwise to the
d etent to allow any resi dual pressure to escape. When the hissin g soun d has stoppe d, press d own on the cap
while turnin g it counterclockwise, an d then remove the cap.TIPIf coolant is not available, tap water can be temporarily used instead, provided that it is changed to the recommended cool-
ant as soon as possible.
Wait until the
engine has cooled.
Check the coolant level in the
reservoir and radiator.
The coolant level
is OK.The coolant level is low.
Check the cooling system
for leakage.
Have a Yamaha dealer checkand repair the cooling system.Add coolant. (See TIP.)
Start the engine. If the engine overheats again,
have a
Yamaha dealer check
and repair the cooling system.
There is
leakage.
There is
no leakage.
U2CEE0E0.book Page 43 Wednesday, August 27, 2014 11:11 AM

MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE7-3
7

Never use compounds or other
special treatments to clean the ti-
tanium mufflers, as they will re-
move the finish on the outer
surface of the mufflers.
 Even the smallest amounts of oil,
such as from oily towels or finger-
prints, will leave stains on the tita-
nium mufflers, which can be
removed with a mild detergent.
 Note that the thermally induced
discoloring of the portion of the
exhaust pipe leading into the tita-
nium mufflers is normal and can-
not be removed.
After cleanin g
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. 4. To prevent corrosion, it is recom-
mended to apply a corrosion pro-
tection spray on all metal,
including chrome- and nickel-plat-
ed, surfaces.
5. Use spray oil as a universal clean- er to remove any remaining dirt.
6. Touch up minor paint damage caused by stones, etc.
7. Wax all painted surfaces.
8. Let the motorcycle dry completely before storing or covering it.
WARNING
EWA11132
Contaminants on the b rakes or tires
can cause loss of control.  Make sure that there is no oil or
wax on the brakes or tires.
 If necessary, clean the b rake
d iscs an d b rake linin gs with a
re gular brake disc cleaner or
acetone, an d wash the tires with
warm water an d a mil d d eter-
g ent. Before rid ing at hi gher
spee ds, test the motorcycle’s
b rakin g performance an d cor-
nerin g b ehavior.
NOTICE
ECA10801
 Apply spray oil an d wax spar-
in gly an d make sure to wipe off
any excess.
 Never apply oil or wax to any
rubber an d plastic parts, but
treat them with a suita ble care
pro duct.
 Avoi d using abrasive polishin g
compoun ds as they will wear
away the paint.TIP Consult a Yamaha dealer for ad-
vice on what products to use.
 Washing, rainy weather or humid
climates can cause the headlight
lens to fog. Turning the headlight
on for a short period of time will
help remove the moisture from the
lens.
U2CEE0E0.book Page 3 Wednesday, August 27, 2014 11:11 AM