2016 YAMAHA XVS950CR ECU

Safety information
1-5
1operator and may limit control
ability, therefore, such accesso-
ries are not recommended.
 Use caution when adding electri-
cal accessories. If electrical ac-
cessories exceed the capacity of
the motorcycle’s electrical sys-
tem, an electric failure could re-
sult, which could cause a
dangerous loss of lights or engine
power.
Aftermarket Tires an d Rims
The tires and rims that came with your
motorcycle were designed to match
the performance capabilities and to
provide the best combination of han-
dling, braking, and comfort. Other
tires, rims, sizes, and combinations
may not be appropriate. Refer to page
6-13 for tire specifications and more in-
formation on replacing your tires.
Transportin g the Motorcycle
Be sure to observe following instruc-
tions before transporting the motorcy-
cle in another vehicle.  Remove all loose items from the
motorcycle. 
Check that the fuel cock (if
equipped) is in the “OFF” position
and that there are no fuel leaks.
 Point the front wheel straight
ahead on the trailer or in the truck
bed, and choke it in a rail to pre-
vent movement.
 Shift the transmission in gear (for
models with a manual transmis-
sion).
 Secure the motorcycle with tie-
downs or suitable straps that are
attached to solid parts of the mo-
torcycle, such as the frame or up-
per front fork triple clamp (and not,
for example, to rubber-mounted
handlebars or turn signals, or
parts that could break). Choose
the location for the straps carefully
so the straps will not rub against
painted surfaces during transport.
 The suspension should be com-
pressed somewhat by the tie-
downs, if possible, so that the mo-
torcycle will not bounce exces-
sively during transport.
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Instrument and control functions
3-1
3
EAU10978
Immo bilizer systemThis vehicle is equipped with an immo-
bilizer system to help prevent theft by
re-registering codes in the standard
keys. This system consists of the fol-
lowing:
 a code re-registering key (with a
red bow)
 two standard keys (with a black
bow) that can be re-registered
with new codes
 a transponder (which is installed in
the code re-registering key)
 an immobilizer unit
 an ECU 
an immobilizer system indicator
light (See page 3-5.)
The key with the red bow is used to
register codes in each standard key.
Since re-registering is a difficult pro-
cess, take the vehicle along with all
three keys to a Yamaha dealer to have
them re-registered. Do not use the key
with the red bow for driving. It should
only be used for re-registering the
standard keys. Always use a standard
key for driving.
NOTICE
ECA11822
 DO NOT LOSE THE CODE RE-
REGISTERING KEY! CONTACT
YOUR DEALER IMMEDIATELY
IF IT IS LOST! If the co de re-re g-
isterin g key is lost, reg istering
new co des in the stan dar d keys
is impossib le. The stan dar d
keys can still be used to start
the vehicle, however if cod e re-
re gisterin g is require d (i.e., if a
new stan dar d key is mad e or all
keys are lost) the entire immo bi-
lizer system must b e replaced.
Therefore, it is hi ghly recom- men
ded to use either stan dar d
key an d keep the co de re-reg is-
tering key in a safe place.
 Do not su bmerse any key in wa-
ter.
 Do not expose any key to exces-
sively hi gh temperatures.
 Do not place any key close to
ma gnets (this inclu des, but not
limite d to, pro ducts such as
speakers, etc.).
 Do n o

t place items that transmit
electrical si gnals close to any
key.
 Do not place heavy items on any
key.
 Do not grin d any key or alter its
shape.
 Do not d isassemble the plastic
part of any key.
 Do not put two keys of any im-
mo bilizer system on the same
key rin g.
 Keep the stan dar d keys as well
as keys of other immo bilizer
systems away from this vehi-
cle’s cod e re-registering key.
1. Code re-registering key (red bow)
2. Standard keys (black bow)UB33E1E0.book Page 1 Wednesday, September 9, 2015 2:55 PM

Instrument and control functions
3-11
3
EAU12944
Brake ped alThe brake pedal is located on the right
side of the motorcycle. To apply the
rear brake, press down on the brake
pedal.
EAU63040
ABSThe Yamaha ABS (Anti-lock Brake
System) features a dual electronic con-
trol system, which acts on the front and
rear brakes independently.
Operate the brakes with ABS as you
would conventional brakes. If the ABS
is activated, a pulsating sensation may
be felt at the brake lever or brake ped-
al. In this situation, continue to apply
the brakes and let the ABS work; do
not “pump” the brakes as this will re-
duce braking effectiveness.
WARNING
EWA16051
Always keep a sufficient d istance
from the vehicle ahea d to match the
ri din g spee d even with ABS.
 The ABS performs best with
lon g b rakin g d istances.
 On certain surfaces, such as
rou gh or g ravel roa ds, the b rak-
in g d istance may b e longer with
the ABS than without.The ABS is monitored by an ECU,
which will revert the system to conven-
tional braking if a malfunction occurs.
TIP The ABS performs a self-diagno-
sis test each time the vehicle first
starts off after the key is turned to
“ON” and the vehicle has traveled
at a speed of 10 km/h (6 mi/h) or
higher. During this test, a “click-
ing” noise can be heard from the
hydraulic control unit, and if the
brake lever or brake pedal is even
slightly applied, a vibration can be
felt at the lever and pedal, but
these do not indicate a malfunc-
tion.
 This ABS has a test mode which
allows the owner to experience
the pulsation at the brake lever or
brake pedal when the ABS is op-
erating. However, special tools are
required, so please consult your
Yamaha dealer.NOTICE
ECA20100
Be careful not to d amage the wheel
sensor or wheel sensor rotor; other-
wise, improper performance of the
ABS will result.
1. Brake pedal
1
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Instrument and control functions
3-13
3
EAU13222
FuelMake sure there is sufficient gasoline in
the tank.
WARNING
EWA10882
Gasoline an d g asoline vapors are
extremely flammab le. To avoid fires
an d explosions an d to re duce the
risk of injury when refuelin g, follow
these instructions.1. Before refueling, turn off the en- gine and be sure that no one is sit-
ting on the vehicle. Never refuel
while smoking, or while in the vi-
cinity of sparks, open flames, or
other sources of ignition such as
the pilot lights of water heaters
and clothes dryers.
2. Do not overfill the fuel tank. When refueling, be sure to insert the
pump nozzle into the fuel tank filler
hole. 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 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 shoul d 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 gasoline
spills on your clothin g, chan ge your
clothes.
EAU57691
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 regular unleaded gaso-
line with a research octane number of
95 or higher. If knocking (or pinging)
occurs, use a gasoline of a different
1. Fuel tank filler tube
2. Maximum fuel level
2
1
Recommen ded fuel:
Regular unleaded gasoline (Gasohol
[E10] acceptable)
Fuel tank capacity:
12 L (3.2 US gal, 2.6 Imp.gal)
Fuel reserve amount (when the fuel
level warnin g lig ht comes on):
2.8 L (0.74 US gal, 0.62 Imp.gal)
UB33E1E0.book Page 13 Wednesday, September 9, 2015 2:55 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-20
6
TIPA belt tension gauge is available at a
Yamaha dealer.4. Calculate the drive belt slack by subtracting the measurement not-
ed in step 2 from the measure-
ment noted in step 3.
5. If the drive belt slack is incorrect, have a Yamaha dealer adjust it.
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.
1. Belt tension gauge
2. Drive belt slackDrive belt slack:
6.0–8.0 mm (0.24–0.31 in)
6 8 10 12 14
1
2
Recommen ded lu bricant:
Yamaha cable lubricant or other
suitable cable lubricant
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-23
6
EAU51951
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 front fork for 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 6-30.)
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.
UB33E1E0.book Page 23 Wednesday, September 9, 2015 2:55 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-27
6
EAU63180
Replacin g the hea dlig ht bul bThis model is equipped with a halogen
bulb headlight. If the headlight bulb
burns out, replace it as follows.NOTICE
ECA10661
Do not touch the g lass part of the
hea dlig ht bul b to keep it free from
oil, otherwise the transparency of
the glass, the luminosity of the b ulb,
an d the bul b life will be ad versely af-
fected . Thorou ghly clean off any d irt
an d fin gerprints on the head light
b ul b using a cloth moistene d with al-
cohol or thinner.1. Remove the headlight unit by re- moving the screws. 2. Disconnect the headlight coupler,
and then remove the headlight
bulb cover.
3. Unhook the headlight bulb holder, and then remove the burnt-out
bulb. 4. Place a new headlight bulb into
position, and then secure it with
the bulb holder.
5. Install the bulb cover, and then connect the coupler.
TIPWhen installing the headlight bulb cov-
er, make sure the “TOP” mark faces
upwards.
1. Do not touch the glass part of the bulb.
1. Screw
1. Headlight bulb cover
2. Headlight coupler
1
1
2
1. Headlight bulb holder
1
UB33E1E0.book Page 27 Wednesday, September 9, 2015 2:55 PM