2016 YAMAHA VMAX warning

Instrument and control functions
3-23
3
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 painted surfaces or
plastic parts.
[ECA10072]
4. Be sure to securely close the fuel tank cap.
WARNING
EWA15152
Gasoline is poisonous an d can cau-
se injury or death. Han dle gasoline
with care. Never siphon gasoline by
mouth. If you should swallow some
g asoline or inhale a lot of g asoline
vapor, or g et some gasoline in your
eyes, see your d octor immediately. If g
asoline spills on your skin, wash
with soap an d water. If g asoline
spills on your clothin g, chan ge your
clothes.
EAU54602
NOTICE
ECA11401
Use only unlea ded g asoline. The use
of lea ded g asoline will cause severe
d amag e to internal en gine parts,
such as the valves an d piston rin gs,
as well as to the exhaust system.Your Yamaha engine has been de-
signed to use premium unleaded gas-
oline with a research octane number of
95 or higher. If knocking (or pinging)
occurs, use a gasoline of a different 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.
1. Fuel tank filler tube
2. Maximum fuel level
12
Recommen
ded fuel:
Premium unleaded gasoline (Gaso-
hol [E10] acceptable)
Fuel tank capacity:
15 L (4.0 US gal, 3.3 Imp.gal)
Fuel reserve amount (when the fuel
level warnin g lig ht comes on):
3.9 L (1.03 US gal, 0.86 Imp.gal)
U2CEE1E0.book Page 23 Thursday, November 19, 2015 10:32 AM

Instrument and control functions
3-24
3
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.
EAU13447
Catalytic converters This 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 child ren
are not likely to touch the hot
exhaust system.
 Make sure that the exhaust sys-
tem has cooled down before
d oin g any maintenance work.
 Do not allow the en gine to id le
more than a few minutes. Lon g
i d lin g can cause a buil d-up of
heat.
NOTICE
ECA10702
Use only unlea ded g asoline. The use
of lea ded g asoline will cause unre-
paira ble damag e to the catalytic
converter.
1. Fuel tank breather hose
2. Fuel tank overflow hose
12
U2CEE1E0.book Page 24 Thursday, November 19, 2015 10:32 AM

Instrument and control functions
3-26
3
2. Remove the bolts, and then pull the passenger seat off.
To install the passenger seat
1. Insert the projection on the pas- senger seat into the seat holder as
shown. 2. Place the passenger seat in the
original position, and then install
the bolts.
3. Return the backrest to the original position.
TIPMake sure that the passenger seat is
properly secured before riding.
EAU14735
Adjustin g the front fork
WARNING
EWA10181
Always a djust both fork le gs equally,
otherwise poor han dlin g an d loss of
stab ility may result.This front fork is equipped with spring
preload adjusting bolts, rebound
damping force adjusting knobs and
compression damping force adjusting
screws.NOTICE
ECA10102
To avoi d d amag ing the mechanism,
d o not attempt to turn beyon d the
maximum or minimum settin gs.Sprin g preloa d
To increase the spring preload and
thereby harden the suspension, turn
the adjusting bolt on each fork leg in di-
rection (a). To decrease the spring pre-
load and thereby soften the
suspension, turn the adjusting bolt on
each fork leg in direction (b).
1. Rider seat backrest release lever
1. Bolt
2. Passenger seat
12
1
1. Projection
2. Seat holder
1
2
U2CEE1E0.book Page 26 Thursday, November 19, 2015 10:32 AM

Instrument and control functions
3-30
3
TIPTo obtain a precise adjustment, it is
advisable to check the actual total
number of clicks or turns of each
damping 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 hig hly pressurize d nitro gen
g as. Rea d an d un derstan d the fol-
lowin g information before han dlin g
the shock ab sorber assem bly.
 Do not tamper with or attempt
to open the cylin der assem bly.
 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-
plod e due to excessive gas
pressure.
 Do not d eform or damag e the
cylin der in any way. Cylin der
d amag e will result in poor
d ampin g performance. 
Do not dispose of a d amaged or
worn-out shock ab sorber as-
se

m bly yourself. Take the shock
a b sor ber assem bly to a Yamaha
d ealer for any service.
EAU15152
Lu gga ge strap hol dersThere is a luggage strap holder on
each passenger footrest.1. Luggage strap holder
1
1
U2CEE1E0.book Page 30 Thursday, November 19, 2015 10:32 AM

Instrument and control functions
3-31
3
EAU41942
EXUP systemThis model is equipped with Yamaha’s
EXUP (EXhaust Ultimate Power valve)
system. This system boosts engine
power by means of a valve that regu-
lates the inner diameter of the exhaust
pipe. The EXUP system valve is con-
stantly adjusted in accordance with the
engine speed by a computer-con-
trolled servomotor.NOTICE
ECA15611
The EXUP system has been set an d
extensively teste d at the Yamaha
factory. Chan gin g these settin gs
without sufficient technical knowl-
e dge may result in poor perfor-
mance of or d amage to the en gine.
EAU15306
Si destan dThe sidestand is located on the left
side of the frame. Raise the sidestand
or lower it with your foot while holding
the vehicle upright.TIPThe built-in sidestand switch is part of
the ignition circuit cut-off system,
which cuts the ignition in certain situa-
tions. (See the following section for an
explanation of the ignition circuit cut-
off system.)
WARNING
EWA10242
The vehicle must not be ri dden with
the si destan d d own, or if the si de-
stan d cannot b e properly moved up
(or does not stay up), otherwise the
si destan d coul d contact the g round
an d d istract the operator, resultin g
in a possi ble loss of control.
Yamaha’s ig nition circuit cut-off
system has been desi gne d to assist
the operator in fulfillin g the respon-
si bility of raisin g the si destan d b e-
fore startin g off. Therefore, check this system reg
ularly and have a
Yamaha dealer repair it if it does not
function properly.
U2CEE1E0.book Page 31 Thursday, November 19, 2015 10:32 AM

Instrument and control functions
3-33
3
With the engine turned off:
1. Move the sidestand down.
2. Make sure that the engine stop switch is set to “
3. Turn the key on.
4. Shift the transmission into the neutral position.
5. Push the start switch.
Does the engine start?
With the engine still running:
6. Move the sidestand up.
7. Keep the clutch lever pulled.
8. Shift the transmission into gear.
9. Move the sidestand down.
Does the engine stall?
After the engine has stalled:
10. Move the sidestand up.
11. Keep the clutch lever pulled.
12. Push the start switch.
Does the engine start?
The system is OK. The motorcycle can be ridden. The neutral switch may not be working correctly.
The motorcycle should not be ridden
until
checked by a Yamaha dealer.
The sidestand switch may not be working correctly.
The motorcycle should not be ridden until
checked by a Yamaha dealer.
The clutch switch may not be working correctly.
The motorcycle should not be ridden until
checked by a Yamaha dealer.
YES NO YES NO YES NO
If a malfunction is noted, have a Yamaha
dealer check the system before riding.
WARNING
”.
U2CEE1E0.book Page 33 Thursday, November 19, 2015 10:32 AM

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 accident or equipment d amage.
Do not operate the vehicle if you fin d any pro blem. If a pro blem cannot b e 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. 3-22, 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
U2CEE1E0.book Page 1 Thursday, November 19, 2015 10:32 AM

Operation and important rid ing 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 co-
d e . F ai l in g to do s o wi ll pr e v e nt the
engine from starting even though
the engine will crank when push-
ing 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.
EAU51693
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 3-32 for more informa-
tion.
1. Turn the key to “ON” and make sure that the engine stop switch is
set to “ ”.
The following warning lights and
indicator lights should come on for
a few seconds, then go off. Oil level warning light
 Fuel level warning light
 Coolant temperature warning
light
 Engine trouble warning light
 Shift timing indicator light
 Immobilizer system indicator
light
U2CEE1E0.book Page 1 Thursday, November 19, 2015 10:32 AM