2016 YAMAHA XVS950CU 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
6-14 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)U2DEE1E0.book Page 1 Friday, September 4, 2015 4:52 PM

Instrument and control functions
3-11
3
EAU51802
ABS (for ABS mo dels)The 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 speed 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 un-
der the seat, and if the brake lever
or brake pedal is even slightly ap-
plied, a vibration can be felt at the
lever and pedal, but these do not
indicate a malfunction.
 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
ECA16121
Keep any type of mag nets (includin g
ma gnetic pick-up tools, mag netic
screwd rivers, etc.) away from the
front an d rear wheel hu bs, otherwise
the ma gnetic rotors equippe d in the wheel hu
bs may b e damag ed , re-
sultin g in improper performance of
the ABS system.
1. Rear wheel hub
2. Front wheel hub1
2
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Instrument and control functions
3-13
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
cause injury or death. Han dle gaso-
line with care. Never siphon gasoline
b y mouth. If you shoul d swallow
some gasoline or inhale a lot of g as-
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.
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 brand or premium unleaded fuel. Use
of unleaded fuel will extend spark plug
life and reduce maintenance 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
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)
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Instrument and control functions
3-16
3
2. Place the rider seat in the original position.
3. While pushing the front of the rider seat down so that there is no
space between the rubber damp-
ers and the frame, tighten the bolt
to the specified torque. 4. Install the panel.
TIPMake sure that the rider seat is proper-
ly secured before riding.
EAU55761
A
djustin g the shock a bsor ber
assem blies
WARNING
EWA10211
Always a djust both shock ab sorber
assem blies equally, otherwise poor
han dlin g an d loss of stab ility may re-
sult.Each shock absorber assembly is
equipped with a spring preload adjust-
ing ring.
When making this adjustment, use the
special wrench and extension bar in-
cluded in the additional tool kit, which
was handed out separately at the pur-
chase of the vehicle.NOTICE
ECA10102
To avoi d d amag ing the mechanism,
d o not attempt to turn beyon d the
maximum or minimum settin gs.Adjust the spring preload as follows.
To increase the spring preload and
thereby harden the suspension, turn
the adjusting ring on each shock ab-
sorber assembly in direction (a). To de-
crease the spring preload and thereby
1. Projection
2. Seat holder
21
1. Rubber damper
Ti ghtenin g torque:
Rider seat fitting bolt: 16 Nm (1.6 m·kgf, 12 ft·lbf)1
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-24
6
EAUM1653
Lu bricatin 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.
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 sur- face 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 dealer check or re-
pair it.
Recommen ded lu bricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-29
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 bul b,
an d the bul b life will b e adversely af-
fected . Thorou ghly clean off any d irt
an d fin gerprints on the hea dlig ht
b ul b usin g a cloth moistened 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 coupler
2. Headlight bulb cover
1
2
1
1. Headlight bulb holder
1
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