2015 YAMAHA XVS950 engine

FOR YOUR SAFETY – PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
4-1
4
EAU15599
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/overflow hose for obstructions, cracks or damage, and
check hose connection. 3-12, 3-14
En gine oil • Check oil level in engine.
• If necessary, add recommended oil to specified level.
• Check vehicle for oil leakage. 6-9
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. 6-17, 6-18
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OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-1
5
EAU15952
Read the Owner’s Manual carefully to
become familiar with all controls. If
there is a control or function you do not
understand, ask your Yamaha dealer.
WARNING
EWA10272
Failure to familiarize yourself with
the controls can lead to loss of con-
trol, which coul d cause an acci dent
or injury.
EAU48712
TIPThis model is equipped with:  a lean angle sensor to stop the en-
gine in case of a turnover. In this
case, the display will indicate error
code 30, but this is not a malfunc-
tion. Turn the key to “OFF” and
then to “ON” to clear the error
code. Failing to do so will prevent
the engine from starting even
though the engine will crank when
pushing the start switch.
 an engine auto-stop system. The
engine stops automatically if left
idling for 20 minutes. If the engine
stops, simply push the start
switch to restart the engine.
EAU67591
Startin g the en gineIn order for the ignition circuit cut-off
system to enable starting, one of the
following conditions must be met:
 The transmission is in the neutral
position.
 The transmission is in gear with
the clutch lever pulled and the
sidestand up.
See page 3-18 for more informa-
tion.
1. Turn the key to “ON” and make sure that the start/engine stop
switch is set to “ ”.
The following warning lights and
indicator light should come on for
a few seconds, then go off. Oil level warning light
 Fuel level warning light
 Engine trouble warning light
 Immobilizer system indicator
lightNOTICE
ECA11834
If a warnin g or in dicator li ght does
not come on initially when the key is
turne d to “ON”, or if a warning or in-
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OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-2
5
d
icator li ght remains on, see pa ge
3-3 for the correspon din g warnin g
an d in dicator li ght circuit check.
The ABS warning light should
come on when the key is turned to
“ON” and then go off after travel-
ing at a speed of 10 km/h (6 mi/h)
or higher.
NOTICE
ECA17682
If the ABS warnin g li ght does not
come on an d then go off as ex-
plaine d a bove, see pa ge 3-3 for the
warnin g li ght circuit check.2. Shift the transmission into the
neutral position. The neutral indi-
cator light should come on. If not,
ask a Yamaha dealer to check the
electrical circuit.
3. Start the engine by pushing the “ ” side of the start/engine
stop switch.
If the engine fails to start, release
the start/engine stop switch, wait
a few seconds, and then try again.
Each starting attempt should be
as short as possible to preserve the battery. Do not crank the en-
gine more than 10 seconds on any
one attempt.
NOTICE
ECA11043
For maximum en
gine life, never ac-
celerate har d when the en gine is
col d!
EAU16673
Shiftin gShifting gears lets you control the
amount of engine power available for
starting off, accelerating, climbing hills,
etc.
The gear positions are shown in the il-
lustration.TIPTo shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position, press the shift pedal down
repeatedly until it reaches the end of its
travel, and then slightly raise it.1. Shift pedal
2. Neutral position
1
2
5
4
3
2
N 1 5
4
3
2
N 1
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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 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 .
EAU16682
To start out an d accelerate
1. Pull the clutch lever to disengage the clutch.
2. Shift the transmission into first gear. The neutral indicator light
should go out.
3. Open the throttle gradually, and at the same time, release the clutch
lever slowly. 4. At the recommended shift points
shown in the following table, close
the throttle, and at the same time,
quickly pull the clutch lever in.
5. Shift the transmission into second gear. (Make sure not to shift the
transmission into the neutral posi-
tion.)
6. Open the throttle part way and gradually release the clutch lever.
7. Follow the same procedure when shifting to the next higher gear.
TIPWhen shifting gears in normal operat-
ing conditions, use the recommended
shift points.
EAU16701
To decelerate
1. Apply both the front and the rear brakes to slow the motorcycle.
2. Shift the transmission into first gear when the motorcycle reaches
25 km/h (16 mi/h). If the engine is
about to stall or runs very roughly,
pull the clutch lever in and use the
brakes to stop the motorcycle. 3. Shift the transmission into the
neutral position when the motor-
cycle is almost completely
stopped. The neutral indicator
light should come on.
EAU16721
Recommen ded shift points
The recommended shift points during
acceleration and deceleration are
shown in the table below.Shift up points: 1st → 2nd: 20 km/h (12 mi/h)
2nd → 3rd: 30 km/h (19 mi/h)
3rd → 4th: 40 km/h (25 mi/h)
4th → 5th: 50 km/h (31 mi/h)
Shift down points:
5th → 4th: 25 km/h (16 mi/h)
4th → 3rd: 25 km/h (16 mi/h)
3rd → 2nd: 25 km/h (16 mi/h)
2nd → 1st: 25 km/h (16 mi/h)
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OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-4
5
EAU16811
Tips for reducin 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.
EAU17024
0–1000 km (0–600 mi)
Avoid prolonged operation above 1/3
throttle. NOTICE: After 1000 km (600
mi) of operation, the en gine oil must
b e chan ged , an d the oil filter car-
tri dge or element replace d.
[ECA11283]
1000–1600 km (600–1000 mi)
Avoid prolonged operation above 1/2
throttle. 1600 km (1000 mi) an
d b eyon d
The vehicle can now be operated nor-
mally.
NOTICE
ECA10271
If any en gine trou ble shoul d occur
d urin g the en gine break-in perio d,
imme diately have a Yamaha dealer
check the vehicle.
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OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-5
5
EAU17214
ParkingWhen parking, stop the engine, and
then remove the key from the main
switch.
WARNING
EWA10312
Since the en gine an d exhaust
system can become very hot,
park in a place where pe destri-
ans or chil dren are not likely to
touch them and b e burne d.
 Do not park on a slope or on soft
groun d, otherwise the vehicle
may overturn, increasin g the
risk of a fuel leak an d fire.
 Do not park near g rass or other
flammab le materials which
mi ght catch fire.
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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 during
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 b ody
parts or clothin g an d electrical
parts that can cause shocks or
fires.
 Runnin g the eng ine 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, an d
linin gs can b ecome very hot during
use. To avoi d possi ble burns, let
b rake components cool before
touching 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.
UB33E0E0.book Page 1 Monday, December 1, 2014 4:49 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-8
6
EAU18752
Removing an d installin g the
panelThe panel shown needs to be removed
to perform some of the maintenance
jobs described in this chapter. Refer to
this section each time the panel needs
to be removed and installed.
EAU54942
Panel A
To remove the panel1. Slide the panel lock cover open,
insert the key into the lock, and
then turn it 1/4 turn clockwise. 2. Pull the panel off as shown.
To install the panel
1. Place the panel in the original po- sition.
2. Turn the key 1/4 turn counter- clockwise, remove it, and then
slide the panel lock cover closed.
EAU19643
Checkin g the spark plu gsThe spark plugs are important engine
components, which should be
checked periodically, preferably by a
Yamaha dealer. Since heat and depos- its will cause any spark plug to slowly
erode, they should be removed and
checked in accordance with the peri-
odic maintenance and lubrication
chart. In addition, the condition of the
spark plugs can reveal the condition of
the engine.
The porcelain insulator around the
center electrode of each spark plug
should be a medium-to-light tan (the
ideal color when the vehicle is ridden
normally), and all spark plugs installed
in the engine should have the same
color. If any spark plug shows a dis-
tinctly different color, the engine could
be operating improperly. Do not at-
tempt to diagnose such problems
yourself. Instead, have a Yamaha deal-
er check the vehicle.
If a spark plug shows signs of elec-
trode erosion and excessive carbon or
other deposits, it should be replaced.
1. Panel A
1
1. Panel lock cover
2. Unlock.
1 2
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