
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
4-5
4
other sources of ignition such as
the pilot lights of water heaters
and clothes dryers.
2. Do not overfill the fuel tank. Stop filling when the fuel reaches the
bottom of the filler tube. Because
fuel expands when it heats up,
heat from the engine or the sun
can cause fuel to spill out of the
fuel tank.
3. Wipe up any spilled fuel immedi- ately. NOTICE: Immediately
wipe off spille d fuel with a clean,
d ry, soft cloth, since fuel may
d eteriorate painte d surfaces or
plastic parts.
[ECA10072]
4. Be sure to securely close the fuel tank cap.
WARNING
EWA15152
Gasoline is poisonous an d can
cause injury or d eath. Handle gaso-
line with care. Never siphon gasoline
b y mouth. If you shoul d swallow
some gasoline or inhale a lot of gas-
oline vapor, or get some g asoline in
your eyes, see your doctor imme di-
ately. If g asoline spills on your skin, wash with soap an
d water. If gaso-
line spills on your clothin g, chan ge
your clothes.
EAU41362
Fuel tank breather hoseBefore operating the motorcycle:
Check the fuel tank breather hose
connection.
Check the fuel tank breather hose
for cracks or damage, and replace
it if necessary.
Make sure that the end of the fuel
tank breather hose is not blocked,
and clean it if necessary.TIPIf the fuel tank breather hose falls out,
reinstall it on the fuel tank cap with the
arrow mark on the one-way valve
pointed downward as shown.1. Fuel tank breather hose
2. One-way valve
U1SN83E0.book Page 5 Monday, September 8, 2014 2:36 PM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
4-8
4
EAU41473
Adjustin g the front fork
WARNING
EWA10181
Always a djust both fork le gs equally,
otherwise poor han dlin g an d loss of
sta bility may result.This front fork is equipped with re-
bound damping force adjusting screws
and compression damping force ad-
justing screws.NOTICE
ECA10102
To avoi d d amag ing the mechanism,
d o not attempt to turn b eyond the
maximum or minimum setting s.Reboun d d ampin g force
To increase the rebound damping
force and thereby harden the rebound
damping, turn the adjusting screw on
each fork leg in direction (a). To de-
crease the rebound damping force and
thereby soften the rebound damping,
turn the adjusting screw on each fork
leg in direction (b). Compression
dampin g force
1. Remove the rubber cap by pulling it out of the front fork leg.
2. To increase the compression damping force and thereby hard-
en the compression damping, turn
the adjusting screw on each fork
leg in direction (a). To decrease
the compression damping force and thereby soften the compres-
sion damping, turn the adjusting
screw on each fork leg in direction
(b).
3. Install the rubber cap.
1. Rebound damping force adjusting screwRe boun d d ampin g setting :
Minimum (soft): 20 click(s) in direction (b)*
Standard: 7 click(s) in direction (b)*
Maximum (hard):
1 click(s) in direction (b)*
* With the adjusting screw fully turned in direction (a)
1. Rubber cap
2. Compression damping force adjusting
screwCompression dampin g settin g:
Minimum (soft): 20 click(s) in direction (b)*
Standard:
YZ85/YZ85F: 10 click(s) in direc-
tion (b)*
YZ85LW/YZ85LWF: 9 click(s) in
direction (b)*
Maximum (hard): 1 click(s) in direction (b)*
* With the adjusting screw fully turned in direction (a)
U1SN83E0.book Page 8 Monday, September 8, 2014 2:36 PM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
4-9
4
TIPAlthough the total number of clicks of a
damping force adjusting mechanism
may not exactly match the above
specifications due to small differences
in production, the actual number of
clicks always represents the entire ad-
justing range. To obtain a precise ad-
justment, it would be advisable to
check the number of clicks of each
damping force adjusting mechanism
and to modify the specifications as
necessary.
EAU51651
Front fork bleedin g
WARNING
EWA10201
Always blee d b oth fork le gs, other-
wise poor han dlin g an d loss of sta-
b ility may result.When riding in extremely rough condi-
tions, the air temperature and pressure
in the front fork will rise. This will in-
crease the spring preload and harden
the front suspension. If this occurs,
bleed the front fork as follows.
1. Lift the front wheel off the ground according to the procedure on
page 7-28.TIPWhen bleeding the front fork, there
should be no weight on the front end of
the vehicle.2. Remove the bleed screws and al-low all of the air to escape from
each fork leg. 3. Install the bleed screws.
4. Lower the front wheel so that it is
on the ground, install the remov-
able sidestand, and then rest the
motorcycle on it.
1. Bleed screw
U1SN83E0.book Page 9 Monday, September 8, 2014 2:36 PM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
4-12
4damping force adjusting mechanism.
This adjustment range may not exactly
match the specifications listed due to
small differences in production.
WARNING
EWA10222
This shock a
bsor ber assem bly con-
tains hi ghly pressurize d nitro gen
g as. Rea d an d un derstan d the fol-
lowin g information before han dlin g
the shock a bsor ber assem bly.
Do not tamper with or attempt
to open the cylind er assembly.
Do not su bject the shock a b-
sor ber assem bly to an open
flame or other hi gh heat source.
This may cause the unit to ex-
plo de due to excessive gas
pressure.
Do not d eform or d amage the
cylin der in any way. Cylin der
d amag e will result in poor
d ampin g performance.
Do not dispose of a damag ed or
worn-out shock a bsor ber as-
sem bl
y yourself. Take the shock
a b sor ber assem bly to a Yamaha
d ealer for any service.
EAU41382
Remova ble sid estan dThis motorcycle is equipped with a re-
movable sidestand.TIPMake sure that the sidestand is proper-
ly secured when the motorcycle is be-
ing supported or is being transported.
WARNING
EWA14602
Never apply force on the motor-
cycle while it is on the si de-
stan d.
Always remove the si destan d
b efore startin g out.1. Sidestand
1
U1SN83E0.book Page 12 Monday, September 8, 2014 2:36 PM

FOR YOUR SAFETY – PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
5-1
5
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.
• Always use a fresh mixture of gasoline and oil.
• Check fuel line for leakage.
• Check fuel tank breather hose for obstructions, cracks or damage, and check
hose connection. 4-3, 4-5
Transmission oil • Check for leakage. 7-9
Coolant • Check coolant level.
• If necessary, add recommended coolant to specified level.
• Check cooling system for leakage. 7-10
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. 7-20, 7-20
U1SN83E0.book Page 1 Monday, September 8, 2014 2:36 PM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
6-1
6
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.
EAU41308
Startin g an d warmin g up a
col d en gine1. Turn the fuel cock lever to “ON”.
2. Shift the transmission into the
neutral position.
3. Turn the starter (choke) on and completely close the throttle. (See
page 4-6.)
4. Start the engine by pushing the kickstarter lever down.
5. When the engine is warm, turn the starter (choke) off.TIPThe engine is warm when it responds
quickly to the throttle with the starter
(choke) turned off.NOTICE
ECA11043
For maximum en gine life, never ac-
celerate har d when the en gine is
col d!
EAU16661
Startin g a warm en gineFollow the same procedure as for
starting a cold engine with the excep-
tion that the starter (choke) is not re-
quired when the engine is warm.
Instead, start the engine with the throt-
tle slightly open.TIPIf the engine does not start after sever-
al kicks, try again with the throttle 1/4
to 1/2 open.
U1SN83E0.book Page 1 Monday, September 8, 2014 2:36 PM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
6-3
6
EAU41505
Engine break-in
WARNING
EWA10322
Failure to properly maintain the vehi-
cle or performin g 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.1. Before starting the engine, fill the fuel tank with a break-in oil-fuel
mixture as follows.
2. Start and warm up the engine. Check the operation of the con-
trols and the engine stop switch.
(See page 4-1.)
3. Operate the motorcycle in the lower gears at moderate throttle
openings for five to eight minutes.
Stop the engine and check the spark plug condition (see page
7-8); it will show a rich condition
during break-in.
4. Allow the engine to cool. Restart the engine and operate the motor-
cycle as in the step above for five
minutes. Then, very briefly shift to
the higher gears and check the
full-throttle response. Stop the en-
gine and check the spark plug.
5. After again allowing the engine to cool, restart and run the motorcy-
cle for five more minutes. Full
throttle and the higher gears may
be used, but sustained full-throttle
operation should be avoided.
Stop the engine and check the
spark plug again.
6. Allow the engine to cool, remove the cylinder head and cylinder,
and inspect the piston and cylin-
der. Remove any high spots on
the piston with #600-grit wet
sandpaper. Clean all components
and carefully reassemble the cyl-
inder head and cylinder.
7. Drain the break-in oil-fuel mixture from the fuel tank and refill with
the specified mix. (See page 4-3.) 8. Start the engine and check the op-
eration of the motorcycle through-
out its entire operating range.
Stop the engine and check the
spark plug condition. Restart the
motorcycle and ride it for about 10
to 15 more minutes. The motorcy-
cle will now be ready to ride nor-
mally.
After the engine break-in period, thor-
oughly check the motorcycle for loose
parts, oil leakage and any other prob-
lems. Be sure to inspect and make ad-
justments thoroughly, especially cable
and drive chain slack and loose
spokes. In addition, check all fittings
and fasteners for looseness, and tight-
en if necessary.
NOTICE
ECA15561
When any of the followin g parts
have been replaced , they must
b e broken in.
Cylin der or crankshaft:
A bout one hour of b reak-in op-
eration is necessary.
Piston, rin gs or transmission
g ears:
Recommen ded 2-stroke en gine oil:
See page 9-1.
Mixin g ratio ( gasoline to oil):
15:1
U1SN83E0.book Page 3 Monday, September 8, 2014 2:36 PM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
6-4
6
These parts require a
bout 30
minutes of break-in operation at
half-throttle or less. O bserve the
con dition of the en gine carefully
d urin g operation.
If any en gine trou ble shoul d oc-
cur durin g the en gine break-in
period , imme diately have a
Yamaha dealer check the vehi-
cle.
EAU17192
Parkin gWhen parking, stop the engine, and
then turn the fuel cock lever to “OFF”.
WARNING
EWA10312
Since the en gine an d exhaust
system can b ecome very hot,
park in a place where ped estri-
ans or chil dren are not likely to
touch them an d 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 grass or other
flamma ble materials which
mi ght catch fire.
U1SN83E0.book Page 4 Monday, September 8, 2014 2:36 PM