2021 YAMAHA MT-125 steering

Table of contentsSafety information ............................ 1-1
Description ....................................... 2-1
Left view ......................................... 2-1
Right view ....................................... 2-2
Controls and instruments ............... 2-3
Instrument an d control functions ... 3-1
Main switch/steering lock............... 3-1
Indicator lights and warning lights............................................ 3-2
Multi-function meter unit ................ 3-4
Handlebar switches ...................... 3-12
Clutch lever .................................. 3-13
Shift pedal .................................... 3-14
Brake lever.................................... 3-14
Brake pedal .................................. 3-14
ABS .............................................. 3-15
Fuel tank cap ................................ 3-16
Fuel ............................................... 3-16
Fuel tank breather hose and overflow hose ............................ 3-18
Catalytic converter ....................... 3-19
Seat .............................................. 3-19
Helmet holder ............................... 3-20
Sidestand ..................................... 3-20
Ignition circuit cut-off system ....... 3-21 For your safety – pre-operation
checks
............................................... 4-1
Operation an d important ri din g
points ................................................. 5-1
Engine break-in ............................... 5-1
Starting the engine .......................... 5-2
Shifting ............................................ 5-3
Tips for reducing fuel consumption ................................ 5-4
Parking ............................................ 5-4
Perio dic maintenance an d
a d justment ........................................ 6-1
Tool kit ............................................ 6-2
Periodic maintenance chart for the emission control system .............. 6-3
General maintenance and lubrication chart ........................... 6-4
Removing and installing cowlings... 6-8
Checking the spark plug ................. 6-8
Canister ........................................... 6-9
Engine oil and oil filter element ..... 6-10
Why Yamalube .............................. 6-12
Coolant.......................................... 6-13
Replacing the air filter element
and cleaning the check hose..... 6-14
Adjusting the engine idling speed ......................................... 6-15
Adjusting the throttle grip free play ............................................ 6-16 Valve clearance............................. 6-16
Tires .............................................. 6-17
Cast wheels .................................. 6-19
Adjusting the clutch lever free
play ............................................ 6-19
Checking the front brake lever free play..................................... 6-20
Adjusting the brake pedal free
play ............................................ 6-21
Brake light switches ..................... 6-21
Checking the front and rear brake pads .......................................... 6-22
Checking the brake fluid level ...... 6-22
Changing the brake fluid .............. 6-24
Drive chain slack........................... 6-24
Cleaning and lubricating the drive chain.......................................... 6-25
Checking and lubricating the cables ........................................ 6-26
Checking and lubricating the
throttle grip and cable ............... 6-26
Checking and lubricating the brake and shift pedals............... 6-27
Checking and lubricating the brake and clutch levers ............. 6-27
Checking and lubricating the
sidestand................................... 6-28
Lubricating the rear suspension ... 6-28
Checking the front fork ................. 6-29
Checking the steering................... 6-29
Checking the wheel bearings ....... 6-30UB6GE1E0.book Page 1 Thursday, July 30, 2020 1:08 PM

Safety information
1-4
1
tents, can create unstable han-
dling or a slow steering re-
sponse.
 This vehicle is not desi gne d to
pull a trailer or to be attached to
a si decar.
Genuine Yamaha Accessories
Choosing accessories for your vehicle
is an important decision. Genuine
Yamaha accessories, which are avail- able only from a Yamaha dealer, have
been designed, tested, and approved
by Yamaha for use on your vehicle.
Many companies with no connection
to Yamaha manufacture parts and ac-
cessories or offer other modifications
for Yamaha vehicles. Yamaha is not in
a position to test the products that
these aftermarket companies produce.
Therefore, Yamaha can neither en-
dorse nor recommend the use of ac-
cessories not sold by Yamaha or
modifications not specifically recom-
mended by Yamaha, even if sold and
installed by a Yamaha dealer. Aftermarket 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 or carry
cargo that would impair the per-
formance 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 suspension travel, steering travel or control opera-
tion, or obscure lights or reflec-
tors.
• Accessories fitted to the han- dlebar or the front fork area can
create instability due to improp-
er weight distribution or aerody-
namic changes. If accessories
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 due to aerody-
namic effects. Wind may at-
tempt to lift the motorcycle, or
the motorcycle may become
unstable in cross winds. These
accessories may also cause in-
stability when passing or being
passed by large vehicles.
• Certain accessories can dis- place the operator from his or
her normal riding position. This
improper position limits the
freedom of movement of the
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Description
2-3
2
EAU10431
Controls and instruments
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1. Clutch lever (page 3-13)
2. Left handlebar switches (page 3-12)
3. Multi-function meter unit (page 3-4)
4. Main switch/steering lock (page 3-1)
5. Front brake fluid reservoir (page 6-22)
6. Right handlebar switches (page 3-12)
7. Throttle grip (page 6-16)
8. Brake lever (page 3-14)
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Instrument and control functions
3-1
3
EAU10462
Main switch/steerin g lockThe main switch/steering lock controls
the ignition and lighting systems, and is
used to lock the steering. The various
positions are described below.
EAU85050
ON
All electrical circuits are supplied with
power and the vehicle lights are turned
on. The engine can be started. The key
cannot be removed.TIP To prevent battery discharge, do
not leave the key in the on position
without the engine running.
 The headlight comes on automat-
ically when the engine is started. 
The headlight will stay on until the
key is turned to “OFF”, even if the
engine stalls.
EAU10662
OFF
All electrical systems are off. The key
can be removed.
WARNING
EWA10062
Never turn the key to “OFF” or
“LOCK” while the vehicle is movin g.
Otherwise the electrical systems will
b e switche d off, which may result in
loss of control or an acci dent.
EAU10696
LOCK
The steering is locked and all electrical
systems are off. The key can be re-
moved. To lock the steering
1. Turn the handlebars all the way to
the left or right.
2. With the key in the “OFF” position, push the key in and turn it to
“LOCK”.
3. Remove the key.TIPIf the steering will not lock, try turning
the handlebars back to the right or left
slightly.1. Push.
2. Turn.12
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Instrument and control functions
3-2
3
To unlock the steering
From the “LOCK” position, push the
key and turn it to “OFF”.
EAU4939N
In
dicator li ghts an d warnin g
lig hts
EAU11022
Turn si gnal in dicator li ght “ ”
This indicator light flashes when a turn
signal light is flashing.
EAU11061
Neutral in dicator li ght “ ”
This indicator light comes on when the
transmission is in the neutral position.
EAU11081
Hi gh beam in dicator li ght “ ”
This indicator light comes on when the
high beam of the headlight is switched
on.
EAU11449
Coolant temperature warnin g
li g ht “ ”
This warning light comes on when the
engine is overheating. If this occurs,
stop the engine immediately and allow
the engine to cool. (See page 6-36.)
For vehicles with a radiator fan, the ra-
diator fan(s) automatically switch on or
off according to the coolant tempera-
ture.TIPWhen the vehicle is turned on, the light
will come on for a few seconds, and
then go off. If the light does not come
on, or if the light remains on, have a
Yamaha dealer check the vehicle. NOTICE
ECA10022
Do not continue to operate the en-
g ine if it is overheatin g.
1. Push.
2. Turn.12
1. Shift light
2. Turn signal indicator light “ ”
3. High beam indicator light “ ”
4. Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) warning
light “ ”
5. Malfunction indicator light “ ”
6. Coolant temperature warning light “ ”
7. Neutral indicator light “ ”ZAUM15665 6 7
2
3
4
1
ABS
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-29
6
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 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 6-34.)
WARNING! To avoi d injury, se-
curely support the vehicle so
there is no dan ger 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.ZAUM1744
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Consumer information
9-1
9
EAU53562
Id entification num bersRecord the vehicle identification num-
ber, engine serial number, and the
model label information in the spaces
provided below. These identification
numbers are needed when registering
the vehicle with the authorities in your
area and when ordering spare parts
from a Yamaha dealer.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER:
ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER:
MODEL LABEL INFORMATION:
EAU26401
Vehicle i dentification num ber
The vehicle identification number is
stamped into the steering head pipe.
Record this number in the space pro-
vided.TIPThe vehicle identification number is
used to identify your motorcycle and
may be used to register your motorcy-
cle with the licensing authority in your
area.
EAU26442
En gine serial num ber
The engine serial number is stamped
into the crankcase.
EAU26481
Mo del la bel
1. Vehicle identification number
1
1. Engine serial number
1. Model label
1
1
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10-1
10
IndexAABS ....................................................... 3-15
ABS warning light ................................... 3-3
Air filter element and check hose,
replacing and cleaning ....................... 6-14BBattery .................................................. 6-30
Brake and clutch levers, checking and lubricating ........................................... 6-27
Brake and shift pedals, checking and lubricating ........................................... 6-27
Brake fluid, changing ............................ 6-24
Brake fluid level, checking .................... 6-22
Brake lever ............................................ 3-14
Brake light switches.............................. 6-21
Brake pedal........................................... 3-14
Brake pedal free play, adjusting ........... 6-21CCables, checking and lubricating ......... 6-26
Canister................................................... 6-9
Care ........................................................ 7-1
Catalytic converter ................................ 3-19
Clutch lever ........................................... 3-13
Clutch lever free play, adjusting ........... 6-19
Coolant ................................................. 6-13
Coolant temperature warning light ......... 3-2
Cowlings, removing and installing .......... 6-8DData recording, vehicle ........................... 9-2
Diagnostic connector.............................. 9-2
Dimmer switch ...................................... 3-13
Drive chain, cleaning and lubricating .... 6-25
Drive chain slack................................... 6-24
EEngine break-in ...................................... 5-1
Engine idling speed .............................. 6-15
Engine oil and oil filter element ............ 6-10
Engine overheating ............................... 6-36
Engine serial number .............................. 9-1FFront and rear brake pads, checking ... 6-22
Front brake lever free play, checking ... 6-20
Front fork, checking ............................. 6-29
Fuel ....................................................... 3-16
Fuel consumption, tips for reducing ...... 5-4
Fuel tank breather hose and overflow hose ................................................... 3-18
Fuel tank cap ........................................ 3-16
Fuses, replacing ................................... 6-31HHandlebar switches .............................. 3-12
Helmet holder ....................................... 3-20
High beam indicator light ....................... 3-2
Horn switch .......................................... 3-13IIdentification numbers ............................ 9-1
Ignition circuit cut-off system ............... 3-21
Indicator lights and warning lights ......... 3-2LLicense plate light bulb, replacing........ 6-33MMain switch/steering lock....................... 3-1
Maintenance and lubrication, periodic ... 6-4
Maintenance, emission control system.................................................. 6-3
Malfunction indicator light (MIL) ............. 3-3
Matte color, caution ............................... 7-1 Model label .............................................9-1
Multi-function meter unit .........................3-4
NNeutral indicator light ..............................3-2PParking ....................................................5-4
Part locations ..........................................2-1
Pass switch ...........................................3-13RRear suspension, lubricating ................6-28SSafety information ...................................1-1
Seat .......................................................3-19
Shifting ....................................................5-3
Shift light .................................................3-3
Shift pedal .............................................3-14
Sidestand ..............................................3-20
Sidestand, checking and lubricating.....6-28
Spark plug, checking ..............................6-8
Specifications .........................................8-1
Start/Engine stop switch .......................3-13
Starting the engine ..................................5-2
Steering, checking ................................6-29
Storage ...................................................7-3
Supporting the motorcycle ...................6-34TTail/brake light ......................................6-32
Throttle grip and cable, checking and
lubricating ...........................................6-26
Throttle grip free play, adjusting ...........6-16
Tires ......................................................6-17
Tool kit ....................................................6-2
Troubleshooting ....................................6-34
Troubleshooting chart ...........................6-35
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