2016 YAMAHA VMAX tow

Instrument and control functions
3-9
3
The odometer shows the total distance
traveled by the vehicle.
The tripmeters show the distance trav-
eled since they were last reset.
The fuel reserve tripmeter shows the
distance traveled on the fuel reserve.
The clock displays time in 12-hour for-
mat.
TIPThe odometer will lock at 999999. 
The tripmeters will reset and con-
tinue counting after 9999.9 is
reached.
 For the UK: to switch between ki-
lometers and miles, press “SE-
LECT” for 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 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 one second.
The fuel reserve tripmeter can be reset
manually, or after refueling and travel-
ing 5 km (3 mi), it will reset automatical-
ly and disappear from the display.
Fuel meter
The fuel meter indicates the amount of
fuel in the fuel tank. The displayed fuel
level decreases from “F” (full) towards
“E” (empty) as the fuel level decreases.
When the amount of fuel decreases to
approximately 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 the 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.
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
U2CEE1E0.book Page 9 Thursday, November 19, 2015 10:32 AM

Instrument and control functions
3-18
3
EAU12461
Turn si gnal switch “ / ”
To signal a right-hand turn, push this
switch to “ ”. To signal a left-hand
turn, push this switch to “ ”. When
released, the switch returns to the cen-
ter position. To cancel the turn signal
lights, push the switch in after it has re-
turned to the center position.
EAU12501
Horn switch “ ”
Press this switch to sound the horn.
EAU12661
En gine stop switch “ / ”
Set this switch to “ ” before starting
the engine. Set this switch to “ ” to
stop the engine in case of an emergen-
cy, such as when the vehicle overturns
or when the throttle cable is stuck.
EAU12713
Start switch “ ”
Push this switch to crank the engine
with the starter. See page 5-1 for start-
ing instructions prior to starting the en-
gine.
EAU42342
The engine trouble warning light and
ABS warning light may come on when
the key is turned to “ON” and the start
switch is pushed, but this does not in-
dicate a malfunction.
EAU12735
Hazar d switch “ ”
With the key in the “ON” or “ ” posi-
tion, use this switch to turn on the haz-
ard lights (simultaneous flashing of all
turn signal lights).
The hazard lights are used in case of an
emergency or to warn other drivers
when your vehicle is stopped where it
might be a traffic hazard.NOTICE
ECA10062
Do not use the hazar d lig hts for an
exten ded len gth of time with the en-
g ine not runnin g, otherwise the bat-
tery may d ischarge.
EAU12832
Clutch leverThe clutch lever is located on the left
side of the handlebar. To disengage
the clutch, pull the lever toward the
handlebar grip. To engage the clutch,
release 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.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
U2CEE1E0.book Page 18 Thursday, November 19, 2015 10:32 AM

Instrument and control functions
3-19
3 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.
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,
1. Shift pedal
1
1. Brake lever
2. Brake lever position adjusting knob
3. “ ” mark
4. Distance between brake lever and throttle
grip
1
4
2
3
U2CEE1E0.book Page 19 Thursday, November 19, 2015 10:32 AM

Operation and important rid ing 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-
placed .
[ECA10333]
U2CEE1E0.book Page 3 Thursday, November 19, 2015 10:32 AM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-42
6
En
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 rag , 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 stopped , press down 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.
U2CEE1E0.book Page 42 Thursday, November 19, 2015 10:32 AM

Motorcycle care and stora ge
7-3
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 cleaning 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 brakes 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 brake
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 ri din g at hi gher
speed s, 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 suitab le care
prod uct.
 Avoi d usin g a brasive 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.
U2CEE1E0.book Page 3 Thursday, November 19, 2015 10:32 AM