warning YAMAHA WR 250R 2008 Owner's Manual

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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
EAU17240
Safety is an obligation of the owner. Pe-
riodic inspection, adjustment and lubri-
cation will keep your vehicle in the
safest and most efficient condition pos-
sible. The most important points of in-
spection, adjustment, and lubrication
are explained on the following pages.
The intervals given in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart
should be simply considered as a gen-
eral guide under normal riding condi-
tions. However, DEPENDING ON THE
WEATHER, TERRAIN, GEOGRAPHI-
CAL LOCATION, AND INDIVIDUAL
USE, THE MAINTENANCE INTER-
VALS MAY NEED TO BE SHORT-
ENED.
WARNING

EWA10320
If you are not familiar with mainte-
nance work, have a Yamaha dealer
do it for you.
EAU35010
Owner’s tool kit
The owner’s tool kit is located inside the
tool box.
The service information included in this
manual and the tools provided in the
owner’s tool kit are intended to assist
you in the performance of preventive
maintenance and minor repairs. How-
ever, additional tools such as a torque
wrench may be necessary to perform
certain maintenance work correctly.
NOTE:

If you do not have the tools or experi-
ence required for a particular job, have
a Yamaha dealer perform it for you.
WARNING

EWA10350
Modifications not approved by
Yamaha may cause loss of perfor-
mance and render the vehicle un-
safe for use. Consult a Yamaha
dealer before attempting any chang-
es.
1. Tool box
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3. If the coolant is at or below the
minimum level mark, remove pan-
el C (See page 6-6.), remove the
reservoir cap, add coolant to the
maximum level mark, and then in-
stall the reservoir cap and the pan-
el.
CAUTION:

ECA10471

If coolant is not available, use
distilled water or soft tap water
instead. Do not use hard water
or salt water since it is harmful
to the engine.

If water has been used instead
of coolant, replace it with cool-
ant as soon as possible, other-
wise the cooling system will not
be protected against frost and
corrosion.

If water has been added to thecoolant, have a Yamaha dealer
check the antifreeze content of
the coolant as soon as possible,
otherwise the effectiveness of
the coolant will be reduced.
WARNING

EWA10380
Never attempt to remove the radiator
cap when the engine is hot.
NOTE:


The radiator fan is automatically
switched on or off according to the
coolant temperature in the radia-
tor.

If the engine overheats, see page
6-41 for further instructions.
EAU45152
To change the coolant
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and let the engine cool if nec-
essary.
2. Place a container under the engine
to collect the used coolant.
3. Remove the radiator cap retaining
bolt and radiator cap.
1. Maximum level mark
2. Minimum level mark
1
2

1. Coolant reservoir cap
Coolant reservoir capacity (up to the
maximum level mark):
0.25 L (0.26 US qt) (0.22 Imp.qt)
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WARNING

EWA10380
Never attempt to remove the radiator
cap when the engine is hot.
4. Remove the coolant reservoir by
removing the bolts.5. Remove the coolant reservoir cap.
6. Drain the coolant from the coolant
reservoir by turning it upside down.
7. Install the coolant reservoir by
placing it in the original position,
and then installing the bolts.8. Remove the coolant drain bolt to
drain the cooling system.
9. After the coolant is completely
drained, thoroughly flush the cool-
ing system with clean tap water.
10. Install the coolant drain bolt, and
then tighten it to the specified
torque.
NOTE:

Check the washer for damage and re-
place it if necessary.
11. Pour the specified amount of the
1. Radiator cap
2. Radiator cap retaining bolt
2 1

1. Bolt
1. Coolant reservoir cap
1
1
1. Coolant drain bolt
Tightening torque:
Coolant drain bolt:
10 Nm (1.0 m·kgf, 7.2 ft·lbf)
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EAU21382
Checking the throttle cable
free play
The throttle cable free play should mea-
sure 3.0–5.0 mm (0.12–0.20 in) at the
throttle grip. Periodically check the
throttle cable free play and, if neces-
sary, have a Yamaha dealer adjust it.
EAU21401
Valve clearance
The valve clearance changes with use,
resulting in improper air-fuel mixture
and/or engine noise. To prevent this
from occurring, the valve clearance
must be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer
at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.
EAU21640
Tires
To maximize the performance, durabil-
ity, and safe operation of your motorcy-
cle, note the following points regarding
the specified tires.
Tire air pressure
The tire air pressure should be checked
and, if necessary, adjusted before each
ride.
WARNING

EWA10500

The tire air pressure must be
checked and adjusted on cold
tires (i.e., when the temperature
of the tires equals the ambient
temperature).

The tire air pressure must be ad-
justed in accordance with the
riding speed and with the total
weight of rider, passenger, car-
go, and accessories approved
for this model.
1. Throttle cable free play
1

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WARNING

EWA11020
Because loading has an enormous
impact on the handling, braking,
performance and safety characteris-
tics of your motorcycle, you should
keep the following precautions in
mind.

NEVER OVERLOAD THE MO-
TORCYCLE! Operation of an
overloaded motorcycle may re-
sult in tire damage, loss of con-
trol, or severe injury. Make sure
that the total weight of rider,passenger, cargo, and accesso-
ries does not exceed the speci-
fied maximum load for the
vehicle.

Do not carry along loosely
packed items, which can shift
during a ride.

Securely pack the heaviest
items close to the center of the
motorcycle and distribute the
weight evenly on both sides.

Adjust the suspension and tire
air pressure with regard to the
load.

Check the tire condition and air
pressure before each ride.Tire inspection
The tires must be checked before each
ride. If the center tread depth reaches
the specified limit, if the tire has a nail or
glass fragments in it, or if the sidewall is
cracked, have a Yamaha dealer re-
place the tire immediately.
NOTE:

The tire tread depth limits may differ
from country to country. Always comply
with the local regulations.
Tire air pressure (measured on cold
tires):
0–90 kg (0–198 lb):
Front:
125 kPa (18 psi) (1.25 kgf/cm
2

)
Rear:
175 kPa (25 psi) (1.75 kgf/cm
2

)
90–185 kg (198–408 lb):
Front:
150 kPa (22 psi) (1.50 kgf/cm
2

)
Rear:
200 kPa (29 psi) (2.00 kgf/cm
2

)
Maximum load*:
185 kg (408 lb)
* Total weight of rider, passenger, car-
go and accessories
1. Tire sidewall
2. Tire tread depth
Minimum tire tread depth (front and
rear):
1.6 mm (0.06 in)
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9Tire information
This motorcycle is equipped with tube
tires.
WARNING

EWA10460

The front and rear tires should
be of the same make and de-
sign, otherwise the handling
characteristics of the vehicle
cannot be guaranteed.

After extensive tests, only the
tires listed below have been ap-
proved for this model by
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
WARNING

EWA10570

Have a Yamaha dealer replace
excessively worn tires. Besidesbeing illegal, operating the mo-
torcycle with excessively worn
tires decreases riding stability
and can lead to loss of control.

The replacement of all wheel-
and brake-related parts, includ-
ing the tires, should be left to a
Yamaha dealer, who has the
necessary professional knowl-
edge and experience.

It is not recommended to patch
a punctured tube. If unavoid-
able, however, patch the tube
very carefully and replace it as
soon as possible with a
high-quality product.
EAU21940
Spoke wheels
To maximize the performance, durabil-
ity, and safe operation of your motorcy-
cle, note the following points regarding
the specified wheels.

The wheel rims should be checked
for cracks, bends or warpage, and
the spokes for looseness or dam-
age before each ride. If any dam-
age is found, have a Yamaha
dealer replace the wheel. Do not
attempt even the smallest repair to
the wheel. A deformed or cracked
wheel must be replaced.

The wheel should be balanced
whenever either the tire or wheel
has been changed or replaced. An
unbalanced wheel can result in
poor performance, adverse han-
dling characteristics, and a short-
ened tire life.

Ride at moderate speeds after
changing a tire since the tire sur-
face must first be “broken in” for it
to develop its optimal characteris-
tics.
Front tire:
Size:
80/100-21M/C 51P
Manufacturer/model:
BRIDGESTONE/TW-301 F
Rear tire:
Size:
120/80-18M/C 62P
Manufacturer/model:
BRIDGESTONE/TW-302 F

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EAU22093
Adjusting the brake lever free
play
The brake lever free play should mea-
sure 5.0–8.0 mm (0.20–0.31 in) as
shown. Periodically check the brake le-
ver free play and, if necessary, adjust it
as follows.
1. Loosen the locknut at the brake le-
ver.
2. To increase the brake lever free
play, turn the brake lever free play
adjusting screw in direction (a). To
decrease the brake lever free play,
turn the adjusting screw in direc-
tion (b).3. Tighten the locknut.
WARNING

EWA10630

After adjusting the brake lever
free play, check the free play
and make sure that the brake is
working properly.

A soft or spongy feeling in the
brake lever can indicate the
presence of air in the hydraulic
system. If there is air in the hy-
draulic system, have a Yamaha
dealer bleed the system before
operating the motorcycle. Air in
the hydraulic system will dimin-
ish the braking performance,
which may result in loss of con-
trol and an accident.
EAU22271
Adjusting the rear brake light
switch
The rear brake light switch, which is ac-
tivated by the brake pedal, is properly
adjusted when the brake light comes
on just before braking takes effect. If
necessary, adjust the brake light switch
as follows.
Turn the rear brake light switch adjust-
ing nut while holding the rear brake light
switch in place. To make the brake light
come on earlier, turn the adjusting nut
in direction (a). To make the brake light
come on later, turn the adjusting nut in
direction (b).
1. Locknut
2. Brake lever free play adjusting screw
3. Brake lever free play
3
1
2
(b)
(a)

1. Rear brake light switch
2. Adjusting nut
1
2
(b)
(a)

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EAU23100
Checking and lubricating the
cables
The 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 lubricat-
ed if necessary. If a cable is damaged
or does not move smoothly, have a
Yamaha dealer check or replace it.
WARNING

EWA10720
Damage to the outer sheath may in-
terfere with proper cable operation
and will cause the inner cable to
rust. Replace a damaged cable as
soon as possible to prevent unsafe
conditions.
EAU23111
Checking and lubricating the
throttle grip and cable
The operation of the throttle grip should
be checked before each ride. In addi-
tion, the cable should be lubricated at
the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance chart.
EAU44271
Checking and lubricating the
brake and shift pedals
The operation of the brake and shift
pedals should be checked before each
ride, and the pedal pivots should be lu-
bricated if necessary.
Recommended lubricant:
Engine oil

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EAU23201
Checking and lubricating the
sidestand
The operation of the sidestand should
be checked before each ride, and the
sidestand pivot and metal-to-metal
contact surfaces should be lubricated if
necessary.
WARNING

EWA10730
If the sidestand does not move up
and down smoothly, have a Yamaha
dealer check or repair it.
EAU23250
Lubricating the rear
suspension
The pivoting points of the rear suspen-
sion must be lubricated at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
EAU23271
Checking the front fork
The condition and operation of the front
fork must be checked as follows at the
intervals specified in the periodic main-
tenance and lubrication chart.
To check the condition
WARNING

EWA10750
Securely support the vehicle so that
there is no danger of it falling over.
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.
2. While applying the front brake,
push down hard on the handlebars
several times to check if the front
fork compresses and rebounds
smoothly.

Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease

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CAUTION:

ECA10590
If any damage is found or the front
fork does not operate smoothly,
have a Yamaha dealer check or re-
pair it.
EAU23280
Checking the steering
Worn 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 pe-
riodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.
1. Place a stand under the engine to
raise the front wheel off the
ground.
WARNING

EWA10750
Securely support the vehicle so that
there is no danger of it falling over.
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 steering.