2016 YAMAHA VMAX warning

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-23
6
WARNING
EWA10601
This motorcycle is fitte d with super-
hi gh-spee d tires. Note the following
points in or der to make the most ef-
ficient use of these tires.  Use only the specifie d replace-
ment tires. Other tires may run
the dan ger of bursting at super
hi gh spee ds.
 Bran d-new tires can have a rel-
atively poor g rip on certain road
surfaces until they have been
“ b roken in”. Therefore, it is a d-
visa ble before doin g any hi gh-
speed ridin g to ri de conserva-
tively for approximately 100 km
(60 mi) after installin g a new tire.
 The tires must b e warmed up
b efore a hi gh-spee d run.
 Always a djust the tire air pres-
sure accor din g to the operating
con ditions.
EAU21963
Cast wheelsTo maximize the performance, durabil-
ity, and safe operation of your vehicle,
note the following points regarding the
specified wheels.
 The wheel rims should be
checked for cracks, bends, warp-
age or other damage before each
ride. If any damage is found, have
a Yamaha dealer replace the
wheel. Do not attempt even the
smallest repair to the wheel. A de-
formed or cracked wheel must be
replaced.
 The wheel should be balanced
whenever either the tire or wheel
has been changed or replaced. An
unbalanced wheel can result in
poor performance, adverse han-
dling characteristics, and a short-
ened tire life.
EAU42851
Clutch leverSince this model is equipped with a hy-
draulic clutch, adjusting the clutch le-
ver free play is not needed. However, it
is necessary to check the hydraulic
system for leakage before each ride. If
the clutch lever free play does become
excessive, and shifting becomes rough
or clutch slippage occurs, causing
poor acceleration, there may be air in
the clutch system. If there is air in the
hydraulic system, have a Yamaha deal-
er bleed the system before operating
the motorcycle.
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-24
6
EAU37914
Checkin g the brake lever free
playThere should be no free play at the
brake lever end. If there is free play,
have a Yamaha dealer inspect the
brake system.
WARNING
EWA14212
A soft or spon gy feelin g in the brake
lever can in dicate the presence of
air in the hy draulic system. If there is
air in the hy draulic system, have a
Yamaha dealer blee d the system be-
fore operatin g the vehicle. Air in the
hy draulic system will diminish the b
rakin g performance, which may re-
sult in loss of control an d an acci-
d ent.
EAU36504
Brake li ght switchesThe brake light, which is activated by
the brake pedal and brake lever,
should come on just before braking
takes effect. If necessary, have a
Yamaha dealer adjust the brake light
switches.
1. No brake lever free play
1
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-26
6
Rear
brake
TIPThe rear brake fluid reservoir is located
under the passenger seat. (See page
3-25.)
WARNING
EWA16011
Improper maintenance can result in
loss of b raking a bility. O bserve
these precautions:  Insufficient brake flui d may al-
low air to enter the brake sys-
tem, re ducin g brakin g
performance. 
Clean the filler cap before re-
movin g. Use only DOT 4 b rake
flui d from a seale d container.
 Use only the specified b rake flu-
i d ; otherwise, the ru bber seals
may deteriorate, causin g leak-
a g e.
 Refill with the same type of
brake flui d. A dding a brake fluid
other than DOT 4 may result in a
harmful chemical reaction.
 Be careful that water or d ust
d oes not enter the brake flui d
reservoir when refillin g. Water
will si gnificantly lower the boil-
in g point of the flui d an d may re-
sult in vapor lock, an d d ir t may
cl

o g the ABS hy draulic unit
valves.
NOTICE
ECA17641
Brake flui d may d amage painte d
surfaces or plastic parts. Always
clean up spilled fluid imme diately.As the brake pads wear, it is normal for
the brake fluid level to gradually go
down. A low brake fluid level may indi-
cate worn brake pads and/or brake system leakage; therefore, be sure to
check the brake pads for wear and the
brake system for leakage. If the brake
fluid level goes down suddenly, have a
Yamaha dealer check the cause before
further riding.
1. Minimum level markSpecifie
d b rake flui d:
DOT 41
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-27
6
EAU22754
Chan gin g the brake an d
clutch flui dsHave a Yamaha dealer change the
brake and clutch fluids at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart. In addition, have
the oil seals of the brake and clutch
master cylinders and calipers as well
as the brake and clutch hoses replaced
at the intervals listed below or whenev-
er they are damaged or leaking.
 Oil seals: Replace every two
years.
 Brake and clutch hoses: Replace
every four years.
EAU23098
Checkin g an d lu bricatin g the
cab lesThe operation of all control cables and
the condition of the cables should be
checked before each ride, and the ca-
bles and cable ends should be lubri-
cated if necessary. If a cable is
damaged or does not move smoothly,
have a Yamaha dealer check or re-
place it. WARNING! Dama ge to the
outer housin g of cab les may result
in internal rustin g an d cause inter-
ference with cab le movement. Re-
place damag ed cab les as soon as
possi ble to prevent unsafe con di-
tions.
[EWA10712] EAU23115
Checkin
g an d lu bricatin g the
throttle grip an d ca bleThe operation of the throttle grip
should be checked before each ride. In
addition, the cable should be lubricat-
ed by a Yamaha dealer at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
chart.
The throttle cable is equipped with a
rubber cover. Make sure that the cover
is securely installed. Even though the
cover is installed correctly, it does not
completely protect the cable from wa-
ter entry. Therefore, use care not to
pour water directly onto the cover or
cable when washing the vehicle. If the
cable or cover becomes dirty, wipe
clean with a moist cloth.
Recommen ded lu bricant:
Yamaha cable lubricant or other
suitable cable lubricant
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-29
6
EAU23203
Checkin g an d lu bricatin g the
si destan dThe operation of the sidestand should
be checked before each ride, and the
sidestand pivot and metal-to-metal
contact surfaces should be lubricated
if necessary.
WARNING
EWA10732
If the si destan d d oes not move up
an d d own smoothly, have a Yamaha
d ealer check or repair it. Otherwise,
the si destan d coul d contact the
g roun d an d d istract the operator, re-
sultin g in a possi ble loss of control.
EAUM1653
Lub ricatin g the swin garm piv-
otsThe swingarm pivots must be lubricat-
ed by a Yamaha dealer at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
Recommen ded lu bricant:
Silicone grease
Recommen ded lu bricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
Recommen ded lu bricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-30
6
EAU23273
Checkin g the front forkThe condition and operation of the
front fork must be checked as follows
at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.
To check the con dition
Check the inner tubes for scratches,
damage and excessive oil leakage.
To check the operation 1. Place the vehicle on a level surfa- ce and hold it in an upright posi-
tion. WARNING! To avoi d injury,
securely support the vehicle so
there is no dan ger of it fallin g
over.
[EWA10752]
2. While applying the front brake, push down hard on the handle-
bars several times to check if the
front fork compresses and re-
bounds smoothly.
NOTICE
ECA10591
If any damag e is foun d or the front
fork does not operate smoothly,
have a Yamaha d ealer check or re-
pair it.
EAU23285
Checkin g the steerin gWorn or loose steering bearings may
cause danger. Therefore, the operation
of the steering must be checked as fol-
lows at the intervals specified in the
periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.
1. Raise the front wheel off the ground. (See page 6-39.)
WARNING! To avoid injury, se-
curely support the vehicle so
there is no d anger of it fallin g
over.
[EWA10752]
2. Hold the lower ends of the front fork legs and try to move them for-
ward and backward. If any free
play can be felt, have a Yamaha
dealer check or repair the steer-
ing.
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-31
6
EAU23292
Checkin g the wheel b earingsThe front and rear wheel bearings must
be checked at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart. If there is play in the wheel
hub or if the wheel does not turn
smoothly, have a Yamaha dealer
check the wheel bearings.
EAU46556
BatteryThe battery is located under cowling A.
(See page 6-8.)
This model is equipped with a VRLA
(Valve Regulated Lead Acid) battery.
There is no need to check the electro-
lyte or to add distilled water. However,
the battery lead connections need to
be checked and, if necessary, tight-
ened.
WARNING
EWA10761
 Electrolyte is poisonous an d
d an gerous since it contains sul-
furic aci d, which causes severe
b urns. Avoi d any contact with
skin, eyes or clothin g an d al-
ways shiel d your eyes when
workin g near b atteries. In case
of contact, a dminister the fol-
lowin g FIRST AID.
EXTERNAL: Flush with plenty of water.
INTERNAL: Drink lar ge quan-
tities of water or milk and im-
me diately call a physician. EYES: Flush with water for 15
minutes an d seek prompt
me dical attention.
 Batteries pro duce explosive hy-
d ro gen gas. Therefore, keep
sparks, flames, ci garettes, etc.,
away from the battery an d pro-
vi de sufficient ventilation when
char gin g it in an enclose d
space.
 KEEP THIS AND ALL BATTER-
IES OUT OF THE REACH OF
CHILDREN.
To remove the battery
1. Remove cowling A. (See page 6-8.)
2. Disconnect the negative battery lead first, then the positive battery
lead by removing their bolt.
NOTICE: When removin g the
b attery, be sure the key is
turne d to “OFF”, then d iscon-
nect the neg ative lead b efore
d isconnectin g the positive lea d.
[ECA16303]
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-34
6
EAU46456
Replacin g the fusesThe main fuse and the ABS motor fuse
are located behind cowling A. (See
page 6-8.)
Fuse box 1 is located under the rider
seat. (See page 3-25.) Fuse
box 1
Fuse box 2 is located behind panel B.
(See page 6-8.) Fuse
box 2
If a fuse is blown, replace it as follows. 1. Turn the key to “OFF” and turn off the electrical circuit in question.
2. Remove the blown fuse, and then install a new fuse of the specified
amperage. WARNING! Do not
use a fuse of a hi gher ampera ge
ratin g than recommen ded to1. Main fuse
2. ABS motor fuse
3. ABS motor spare fuse
1
3
2
1. ABS solenoid fuse
2. Fuel injection system fuse
3. Spare fuse
123
1. Ignition fuse
2. ABS control unit fuse
3. Headlight fuse
4. Backup fuse (for clock and immobilizer sys-
tem)
5. Electronic throttle valve fuse
6. Radiator fan motor fuse
7. Spare fuse
8. Signaling system fuse
9. Parking lighting fuse
10.Sub radiator fan motor fuse
1 23456
7
8
10
7
9
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