Page 44 of 432

STARTING AND BREAK-IN
1-30
EAS2GBB048
STARTING AND BREAK-IN
EAS2GBB049FUEL
Always use the recommended fuel as stated
below. Also, be sure to use new gasoline the
day of a race.
ECA
NOTICE
Use only unleaded gasoline. The use of
leaded gasoline will cause severe damage
to the engine internal parts such as valves,
piston rings, and exhaust system, etc.
TIP
Your Yamaha engine has been designed to use
premium unleaded gasoline with a pump oc-
tane number [(R+M)/2] of 91 or higher, or a re-
search octane number of 95 or higher. If
knocking (or pinging) occurs, use a gasoline of
a different brand.
EWA
WARNING
• For refueling, be sure to stop the engine
and use enough care not to spill any fuel.
Also be sure to avoid refueling close to a
fire.
• Refuel after the engine, exhaust pipe, etc.
have cooled off.
Gasohol (For USA and Canada)
There are two types of gasohol: gasohol con-
taining ethanol and that containing methanol.
Gasohol containing ethanol can be used if the
ethanol content does not exceed 10%. Gasohol
containing methanol is not recommended by
Yamaha because it can cause damage to the
fuel system or vehicle performance problems.
EAS2GBB050HANDLING NOTEEWA
WARNING
Never start or run the engine in a closed ar-
ea. The exhaust fumes are poisonous; they
can cause loss of consciousness and death
in a very short time. Always operate the ma-
chine in a well-ventilated area.
ECA
NOTICE
• Unlike a two-stroke engine, this engine
cannot be kick started when the throttle is
open because the kickstarter may kick
back. Also, if the throttle is open the air/
fuel mixture may be too lean for the engine
to start.
• Before starting the machine, perform the
checks in the pre-operation check list.
EAS2GBB051AIR FILTER MAINTENANCE
According to “CLEANING THE AIR FILTER
ELEMENT” section in the CHAPTER 3, apply
the Yamaha foam air filter oil or other quality
foam air filter oil to the element. (Excess oil in
the element may adversely affect engine start-
ing.)
EAS2GBB052STARTING A COLD ENGINEECA
NOTICE
For maximum engine life, never accelerate
hard when the engine is cold!
In 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 le-
ver pulled.
1. Pull the starter knob/idle screw “1” to its full
length.
TIP
When the ambient temperature is 15°C (59°F)
or below, use the starter knob/idle screw.
2. Completely close the throttle. Recommended fuel
Premium unleaded gasoline
only
Fuel tank capacity
7.5 L (2.0 US gal, 1.7 lmp.gal)
Fuel reserve amount
2.1 L (0.55 US gal, 0.46 lmp.gal)
1
Page 45 of 432

STARTING AND BREAK-IN
1-31
3. Start the engine by pushing the start switch.
If the engine fails to start when using the
start switch, release it, wait a few seconds,
and then try again.
Each starting attempt should be as short as
possible to preserve the battery. Do not
crank the engine more than 10 seconds on
any one attempt. If the engine does not start
with the starter motor, try using the kickstart-
er.
ECA
NOTICE
If the starter motor will not turn when the
start switch is pushed, stop pushing it im-
mediately in order to avoid placing extra
load on the starter motor, and start the en-
gine by using the kickstarter.
TIP
If the engine fails to start, push the engine stop
switch and give the kickstarter 10 to 20 slow
kicks at full throttle in order to clear the engine
of the rich air-fuel mixture retained in it.
4. When the engine starts running, warm this
up one or two minutes at a steady speed (of
3000 to 5000 r/min), and then return the
starter knob/idle screw to its original posi-
tion.
EWA
WARNING
Since exhaust gas contains harmful ingre-
dients, do not start or warm it up at an ill-
ventilated place or a closed narrow place.
5. To stop the engine, push the engine stop
switch “1”.
TIP
Continue pushing the engine stop switch till the
engine comes to a full stop.Starting with the kickstarter
When using the kickstarter to start the engine,
follow the procedures as described below.
1. Fold out the kickstarter lever, push it down
lightly with your foot until resistance is felt.
2. With the throttle fully closed, push the kick-
starter down lightly until the gears engage,
and then push it down smoothly but forceful-
ly.
EWA
WARNING
Do not open the throttle while kicking the
kickstarter lever. Otherwise, the kickstarter
lever may kick back.
TIP
If the engine fails to start, push the engine stop
switch and give the kickstarter 10 to 20 slow
kicks at full throttle in order to clear the engine
of the rich air-fuel mixture retained in it.
Page 55 of 432

ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS
2-2
EAS2GBB062
ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
Engine type Liquid cooled 4-stroke, DOHC
Displacement 250 cm
3
Number of cylinders Single cylinder
Bore stroke 77.0 53.6 mm (3.03 2.11 in)
Compression ratio 13.5:1
Starting system Electric starter and kickstarter
Fuel
Recommended fuel Premium unleaded gasoline only
Fuel tank capacity 7.5 L (2.0 US gal, 1.7 Imp.gal)
Fuel reserve amount 2.1 L (0.55 US gal, 0.46 lmp.gal)
Engine oil
Lubrication system Wet sump
Recommended brand YAMALUBE
Type SAE 10W-40, SAE 10W-50, SAE 15W-40,
SAE 20W-40 or SAE 20W-50
Recommended engine oil grade API service SG type or higher, JASO standard
MA
Engine oil quantity
Quantity (disassembled) 1.10 L (1.16 US qt, 0.97 Imp.qt)
Oil change 0.83 L (0.88 US qt, 0.73 Imp.qt)
With oil filter removal 0.85 L (0.90 US qt, 0.75 Imp.qt)
Oil filter
Oil filter type Paper
Bypass valve opening pressure 40.0–80.0 kPa (0.40–0.80 kgf/cm
2,
5.8–11.6 psi)
Oil pump
Oil pump type Trochoid
Inner-rotor-to-outer-rotor-tip clearance 0.000–0.150 mm (0.0000–0.0059 in)
Limit 0.23 mm (0.0091 in)
Outer-rotor-to-oil-pump-housing clearance 0.13–0.18 mm (0.0051–0.0071 in)
Limit 0.25 mm (0.0098 in)
Oil-pump-housing-to-inner-and-outer-rotor
clearance 0.06–0.11 mm (0.0024–0.0043 in)
Limit 0.18 mm (0.0071 in)
Cooling system
Radiator (including all routes) 1.00 L (1.06 US qt, 0.88 Imp.qt)
Radiator capacity 0.56 L (0.59 US qt, 0.49 Imp.qt)
Radiator cap valve opening pressure 107.9–137.3 kPa (1.08–1.37 kg/cm
2,
15.6–19.9 psi)
Radiator core
Width 112.6 mm (4.43 in)
Height 235.0 mm (9.25 in)
Depth 28.0 mm (1.10 in)
Water pump
Water pump type Single suction centrifugal pump
Spark plug(s)
Manufacturer/model NGK/LMAR8G
Spark plug gap 0.7–0.8 mm (0.028–0.031 in)