2018 YAMAHA YZ65 ESP

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Safety information
EAU4121C
Be a Responsible Owner
As the vehicle’s owner, you are re-
sponsible for the safe and proper oper-
ation of your motorcycle.
Motorcycles are single-track vehicles.
Their safe use and operation are de-
pendent upon the use of proper riding
techniques as well as the expertise of
the operator. Every operator should
know the following requirements be-
fore riding this motorcycle.
He or she should:  Obtain thorough instructions from
a competent source on all aspects
of motorcycle operation.
 Observe the warnings and mainte-
nance requirements in this Own-
er’s Manual.
 Obtain qualified training in safe
and proper riding techniques.
 Obtain professional technical ser-
vice as indicated in this Owner’s
Manual and/or when made neces-
sary by mechanical conditions.
 Never operate a motorcycle with-
out proper training or instruction.
Take a training course. Beginners
should receive training from a cer-
tified instructor. Contact an autho-
rized motorcycle dealer to find out
about the training courses nearest
you.
Safe Ri din g
Perform the pre-operation checks
each time you use the vehicle to make
sure it is in safe operating condition.
Failure to inspect or maintain the vehi-
cle properly increases the possibility of
an accident or equipment damage. See page 5-1 for a list of pre-operation
checks.
 This motorcycle is designed for
off-road use only, therefore, it is il-
legal to operate it on public
streets, roads, or highways, even
a dirt or gravel one. Off-road use
on public lands may be illegal.
Please check local regulations be-
fore riding.
 This motorcycle is designed to
carry the operator only. No pas-
sengers.
 The failure of motorists to detect
and recognize motorcycles in traf-
fic is the predominating cause of
automobile/motorcycle accidents.
Many accidents have been
caused by an automobile driver
who did not see the motorcycle.
Making yourself conspicuous ap-
pears to be very effective in reduc-
ing the chance of this type of
accident.
Therefore:
• Wear a brightly colored jacket.
• Use extra caution when you are approaching and passing
through intersections, since in-
tersections are the most likely
places for motorcycle accidents
to occur.
• Ride where other motorists can see you. Avoid riding in another
motorist’s blind spot.
• Never maintain a motorcycle without proper knowledge.
Contact an authorized motorcy-
cle dealer to inform you on ba-
sic motorcycle maintenance.
Certain maintenance can only
be carried out by certified staff.
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Safety information
2-4
2Aftermarket Parts, Accessories, an
d
Mo difications
While you may find aftermarket prod-
ucts similar in design and quality to
genuine Yamaha accessories, recog-
nize that some aftermarket accesso-
ries or modifications are not suitable
because of potential safety hazards to
you or others. Installing aftermarket
products or having other modifications
performed to your vehicle that change
any of the vehicle’s design or operation
characteristics can put you and others
at greater risk of serious injury or
death. You are responsible for injuries
related to changes in the vehicle.
Keep the following guidelines in mind,
as well as those provided under “Load-
ing” when mounting accessories.  Never install accessories that
would impair the performance of
your motorcycle. Carefully inspect
the accessory before using it to
make sure that it does not in any
way reduce ground clearance or
cornering clearance, limit suspen-
sion travel, steering travel or con-
trol operation.
• Accessories fitted to the han- dlebar or the front fork area can
create instability due to improp-
er weight distribution. If acces-
sories are added to the
handlebar or front fork area,
they must be as lightweight as
possible and should be kept to
a minimum.
• Bulky or large accessories may seriously affect the stability of
the motorcycle. Wind may at- tempt to lift the motorcycle, or
the motorcycle may become
unstable in cross winds.
• Certain accessories can dis- place the operator from his or
her normal riding position. This
improper position limits the
freedom of movement of the
operator 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
7-14 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.
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Operation and important ri din g points
6-1
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EAU15952
Read the Owner’s Manual carefully to
become familiar with all controls. If
there is a control or function you do not
understand, ask your Yamaha dealer.
WARNING
EWA10272
Failure to familiarize yourself with
the controls can lead to loss of con-
trol, which coul d cause an acci dent
or injury.
EAU41308
Startin g an d warmin g up a
col d en gine
1. Turn the fuel cock lever to “ON”.
2. Shift the transmission into the
neutral position.
3. Turn the starter (choke) on and completely close the throttle. (See
page 4-7.)
4. Start the engine by pushing the kickstarter lever down.
5. When the engine is warm, turn the starter (choke) off.
TIP
The engine is warm when it responds
quickly to the throttle with the starter
(choke) turned off.
NOTICE
ECA11043
For maximum en gine life, never ac-
celerate har d when the en gine is
col d!
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Operation and important rid ing points
6-4
6 the higher gears and check the
full-throttle response. Stop the en-
gine and check the spark plug.
5. After again allowing the engine to cool, restart and run the motorcy-
cle for 5 more minutes. Full throttle
and the higher gears may be used,
but sustained full-throttle opera-
tion should be avoided. Stop the
engine and check the spark plug
again.
6. Allow the engine to cool, remove the cylinder head and cylinder,
and inspect the piston and cylin-
der. Remove any high spots on
the piston with #600-grit wet
sandpaper. Clean all components
and carefully reassemble the cyl-
inder head and cylinder.
7. Drain the break-in oil-fuel mixture from the fuel tank and refill with
the normal oil-fuel mixture. (See
page 4-4.)
8. Start the engine and check its power delivery and throttle re-
sponse throughout all gear rang-
es. Stop the engine and check the
spark plug condition. It should be-
gin to lighten in color.
9. Restart the motorcycle and ride it for about 10 to 15 more minutes.
Stop the engine and check the
spark plug condition. (See page
7-6.)
10. Lastly, thoroughly check the mo- torcycle for loose parts, oil leak-
age and any other problems.
Check all fittings and fasteners
and tighten as necessary.
TIP
Be sure to inspect and make adjust-
ments thoroughly. In particular, check
control cable slack, drive chain slack
and for loose spokes.
Notes on en gine overhauls
If the following parts have been re-
placed, they must be broken in as fol-
lows.  Piston, rings or transmission
gears: 30 minutes of break-in op-
eration at half-throttle or less.
 Cylinder or crankshaft: 60 minutes
of break-in operation is necessary.
TIP
Observe the condition of the engine
carefully during break-in operation.
NOTICE
ECA10271
If any en gine trou ble shoul d occur
d uring the en gine break-in perio d,
imme diately have a Yamaha d ealer
check the vehicle.
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-22
7
TIP
Using the alignment marks on the drive
chain pullers and the notch on each
side of the swingarm, make sure that
both drive chain pullers are in the same
position for proper wheel alignment.
3. Tighten both locknuts and the axle
nut to the specified torques.
4. Make sure that the drive chain pullers are in the same position,
the drive chain slack is correct,
and the drive chain moves
smoothly.
EAU23018
Cleanin g an d lu bricatin g the
d rive chain
The drive chain must be cleaned and
lubricated at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart, otherwise it will quickly wear
out, especially when riding in dusty or
wet areas. Service the drive chain as
follows.
NOTICE
ECA10584
The drive chain must b e lubricated
after washin g the motorcycle, ri din g
in the rain or ri din g in wet areas.
1. Remove all dirt and mud from the
drive chain with a brush or cloth.
TIP
For a thorough cleaning, have a
Yamaha dealer remove the drive chain and soak it in solvent.
2. Spray Yamaha chain lubricant or other suitable chain lubricant on
the entire chain, making sure that
all side plates and rollers have
been sufficiently oiled.
1. Notch
2. Alignment mark
3. Drive chain puller
Tightening torques:
Locknut: 21 N·m (2.1 kgf·m, 15 lb·ft)
Axle nut:
80 N·m (8.0 kgf·m, 59 lb·ft)
12
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Motorcycle care and stora ge
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EAU37834
Matte color caution
NOTICE
ECA15193
Some mo dels are equipped with
matte colore d finishe d parts. Be
sure to consult a Yamaha dealer for
a d vice on what pro ducts to use be-
fore cleanin g the vehicle. Usin g a
b rush, harsh chemical prod ucts or
cleanin g compoun ds when cleanin g
these parts will scratch or damag e
their surface. Wax also shoul d not
b e applied to any matte colored fin-
ishe d parts.
EAU41359
Care
While the open design of a motorcycle
reveals the attractiveness of the tech-
nology, it also makes it more vulnera-
ble. Rust and corrosion can develop
even if high-quality components are
used. A rusty exhaust pipe may go un-
noticed on a car, however, it detracts
from the overall appearance of a mo-
torcycle. Frequent and proper care
does not only comply with the terms of
the warranty, but it will also keep your
motorcycle looking good, extend its
life and optimize its performance.
Before cleanin g
1. Cover the muffler outlet with a plastic bag after the engine has
cooled down.
2. Make sure that all caps and cov- ers as well as all electrical cou-
plers and connectors, including
the spark plug cap, are tightly in-
stalled.
3. Remove extremely stubborn dirt, like oil burnt onto the crankcase,
with a degreasing agent and a
brush, but never apply such prod-
ucts onto seals, gaskets, sprock-
ets, the drive chain and wheel
axles. Always rinse the dirt and
degreaser off with water.
Cleanin g
NOTICE
ECA17692
Avoi d usin g stron g aci dic wheel
cleaners, especially on spoke d
wheels. If such pro ducts are
use d on har d-to-remove dirt, do
not leave the cleaner on the af-
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