warning YAMAHA XT1200ZE 2015 Owner's Manual

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-33
3brand. Use of unleaded fuel will extend
spark plug life and reduce mainte-
nance 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.
EAU51152
Fuel tank
breather hose an d
overflow hoseBefore operating the motorcycle:
 Check each hose connection.
 Check each hose for cracks or
damage, and replace if necessary.
 Make sure that the end of each
hose is not blocked, and clean if
necessary.
 Make sure that the end of each
hose is positioned outside of the
cowling.
EAU13434
Catalytic converterThis model is equipped with a catalytic
converter in the exhaust system.
WARNING
EWA10863
The exhaust system is hot after op-
eration. To prevent a fire hazar d or
b urns:
 Do not park the vehicle near
possi ble fire hazard s such as
g rass or other materials that
easily burn.
 Park the vehicle in a place
where ped estrians or chil dren
are not likely to touch the hot
exhaust system.
 Make sure that the exhaust sys-
tem has coole d down before
d oin g any maintenance work.
 Do not allow the en gine to i dle
more than a few minutes. Lon g
i d lin g can cause a b uild-up of
heat.
1. Fuel tank breather hose and overflow hose
1
U2KBE1E0.book Page 33 Monday, August 18, 2014 9:42 AM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-37
33. Align the slide plate holders withthe match marks at the desired
position.
TIPMake sure that the slide plate
holders are aligned with the match
marks at the same height on both
sides of the windshield.
 Make sure that the projection on
each slide plate holder fits into the
corresponding hole in the slide
plate.
4. Tighten the adjusting knobs.
EAU55424
Adjustin g the front an d rear
suspensionThis model is equipped with an elec-
tronically adjustable suspension sys-
tem. The preload of the rear shock
absorber and the damping forces of
both the front fork and rear shock ab-
sorber can be adjusted.
WARNING
EWA12423
Be sure to stop the vehicle before
makin g any settin g chan ges to the
multi-function meter unit. Chan gin g
settin gs while ri din g can distract the
operator an d increase the risk of an
acci dent.Preloa d
When riding with luggage or a passen-
ger, use the preload adjusting function
to adjust the suspension system to
match the load. There are 4 preload
settings.TIP The preload adjusting function will
appear only when the engine is
running.
1. Slide plate holder
1
1. Match mark
2. Slide plate
2
1
U2KBE1E0.book Page 37 Monday, August 18, 2014 9:42 AM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-38
3

Changing the preload setting will
also adjust the front and rear sus-
pension damping forces accord-
ingly. See “Damping force” on
page 3-40 for more information.
 About cold temperature opera-
tion:
• When using the preload adjust- ing function, there should be no
weight on the vehicle.
• When using the preload adjust- ing function at ambient temper-
atures near or below 0 °C (32
°F), to protect the preload ad-
justing function motor, the elec-
tronically adjustable suspension
system warning light may come
on.
• The suspension will still operate as normal, only the preload ad-
justing function cannot be used.
• To reset the electronically ad- justable suspension system
warning light, wait approximate-
ly 6 minutes and then turn the
key to “OFF” or immediately
turn the key to “OFF” and then
wait 6 minutes. • If the electronically adjustable
suspension system warning
light remains on, have a
Yamaha dealer check the sus- pension system.
To adjust the preload1. Turn the key to “ON”, start the en- gine, and then shift the transmis-
sion into neutral.
2. Push the menu switch “MENU” to switch the function display to the
preload adjusting function. 3. Use the select switch to select the
desired preload setting pictogram.
Select the suitable setting from
the following 4 pictograms ac-
cording to your load condition.1. Function display
2. Preload adjusting function
3. Preload setting pictogram
GEARN
132
1. Menu switch “MENU”
2. Select switch “ / ”
12
U2KBE1E0.book Page 38 Monday, August 18, 2014 9:42 AM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-41
3
TIPThe damping force setting can be set to
7 levels (+3, +2, +1, 0, –1, –2 and –3).
“+3” is the hardest level and “–3” is the
softest level.6. Push the menu switch “MENU”.
If the vehicle moves while you are ad-
justing the damping force, the informa-
tion display will change to the display
mode.
WARNING
EWA16421
The rear shock a bsor ber assem bly
contains hi ghly pressurize d nitro gen
g as. Rea d an d un derstan d the fol-
lowin g information b efore handlin g
the shock a bsor ber assem bly.
 Do not tamper with or attempt
to open the cylin der assem bly.
 Do not su bject the shock a b-
sor ber assem bly to an open
flame or other hi gh heat source.
This may cause the unit to ex-
plo de due to excessive gas
pressure. 
Do not deform or d amage the
cylin der in any way. Cylin der
d amag e will result in poor
d ampin g performance.
 Do not d ispose of a damag ed or
worn-out shock a bsor ber as-
sem bl

y yourself. Take the shock
a b sor ber assem bly to a Yamaha
d ealer for any service.
1. Damping force setting level
GEARNHARD
+3
1
1. Damping force adjusting function
2. Damping force setting
3. Preload setting pictogram
GEARNHARD
+3
GEAR1HARD
+3
123
U2KBE1E0.book Page 41 Monday, August 18, 2014 9:42 AM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-42
3
EAU49702
CarriersThis motorcycle is equipped with a
standard carrier, and with an additional
carrier, located under the passenger
seat. This additional carrier extends
the loading surface and the loading ca-
pacity of the standard carrier.
To use the additional carrier, consult a
Yamaha dealer.
Stan dar d carrier A
dditional carrier
WARNING
EWA15482
 Do not exceed the maximum
loa d of 205 k g (452 l b) for the ve-
hicle.
 Do not sit on an d never ri de with
a passen ger on the stan dar d or
a dd itional carrier.
 Do not exceed the standar d car-
rier capacity of 5 k g (11 l b).
 Do not exceed the additional
carrier capacity of 5 k g (11 l b).NOTICE
ECA16822
Do not lift the vehicle b y either carri-
er.
EAU49491
Lu gga ge strap hol dersThere are four luggage strap holders
below the passenger seat.
1. Standard carrier
1
1. Additional carrier
1
1. Luggage strap holder
1
U2KBE1E0.book Page 42 Monday, August 18, 2014 9:42 AM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-43
3
EAU15306
Sidestan dThe sidestand is located on the left
side of the frame. Raise the sidestand
or lower it with your foot while holding
the vehicle upright.TIPThe built-in sidestand switch is part of
the ignition circuit cut-off system,
which cuts the ignition in certain situa-
tions. (See the following section for an
explanation of the ignition circuit cut-
off system.)
WARNING
EWA10242
The vehicle must not be ri dden with
the si destan d d own, or if the si de-
stan d cannot b e properly move d up
(or does not stay up), otherwise the
si destan d coul d contact the groun d
an d d istract the operator, resultin g
in a possi ble loss of control.
Yamaha’s ig nition circuit cut-off
system has been desi gne d to assist
the operator in fulfillin g the respon-
si bility of raisin g the si destan d b e-
fore startin g off. Therefore, check this system re
gularly an d have a
Yamaha dealer repair it if it does not
function properly.
EAU54491
I g nition circuit cut-off systemThe ignition circuit cut-off system
(comprising the sidestand switch,
clutch switch and neutral switch) has
the following functions.
 It prevents starting when the
transmission is in gear and the
sidestand is up, but the clutch le-
ver is not pulled.
 It prevents starting when the
transmission is in gear and the
clutch lever is pulled, but the side-
stand is still down.
 It cuts the running engine when
the transmission is in gear and the
sidestand is moved down.
Periodically check the operation of the
ignition circuit cut-off system accord-
ing to the following procedure.
U2KBE1E0.book Page 43 Monday, August 18, 2014 9:42 AM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-45
3
EAU49453
Auxiliary DC jack
WARNING
EWA14361
To prevent electrical shock or short-
circuiting, make sure that the cap is
installe d when the auxiliary DC jack
is not bein g use d.NOTICE
ECA15432
The accessory connecte d to the
auxiliary DC jack shoul d not b e used
with the en gine turne d off, an d the
loa d must never exceed 30 W (2.5 A),
otherwise the fuse may blow or the
b attery may d ischarge.This vehicle is equipped with an auxil-
iary DC jack.
A 12-V accessory connected to the
auxiliary DC jack can be used when the
key is in the “ON” position and should
only be used when the engine is run-
ning.
To use the auxiliary DC jack
1. Turn the key to “OFF”.
2. Remove the auxiliary DC jack cap. 3. Turn the accessory off.
4. Insert the accessory plug into the
auxiliary DC jack.
5. Turn the key to “ON”, and then start the engine. (See page 5-1.)
6. Turn the accessory on.
1. Auxiliary DC jack cap
1. Auxiliary DC jack
11
U2KBE1E0.book Page 45 Monday, August 18, 2014 9:42 AM

FOR YOUR SAFETY – PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
4-1
4
EAU15598
Inspect your vehicle each time you use it to make sure the vehicle is in safe operating condition. Always follow the inspection
and maintenance procedures and schedules described in the Owner’s Manual.
WARNING
EWA11152
Failure to inspect or maintain the vehicle properly increases the possibility of an acci dent or equipment damag e.
Do not operate the vehicle if you fin d any pro blem. If a pro blem cannot be corrected b y the proce dures provi ded in
this manual, have the vehicle inspecte d b y a Yamaha dealer.Before using this vehicle, check the following points:
ITEM CHECKS PAGE
Fuel • Check fuel level in fuel tank.
• Refuel if necessary.
• Check fuel line for leakage.
• Check fuel tank breather hose and overflow hose for obstructions, cracks or
damage, and check hose connections. 3-32, 3-33
En gine oil • Check oil level in engine.
• If necessary, add recommended oil to specified level.
• Check vehicle for oil leakage. 6-11
Final gear oil • Check vehicle for oil leakage. 6-14
Coolant • Check coolant level in reservoir.
• If necessary, add recommended coolant to specified level.
• Check cooling system for leakage. 6-15
Front brake • Check operation.
• If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed hydraulic system.
• Check brake pads for wear.
• Replace if necessary.
• Check fluid level in reservoir.
• If necessary, add specified brake fluid to specified level.
• Check hydraulic system for leakage. 6-22, 6-23
U2KBE1E0.book Page 1 Monday, August 18, 2014 9:42 AM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-1
5
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.
EAU48712
TIPThis model is equipped with:  a lean angle sensor to stop the en-
gine in case of a turnover. In this
case, the display will indicate error
code 30, but this is not a malfunc-
tion. Turn the key to “OFF” and
then to “ON” to clear the error
code. Failing to do so will prevent
the engine from starting even
though the engine will crank when
pushing the start switch.
 an engine auto-stop system. The
engine stops automatically if left
idling for 20 minutes. If the engine
stops, simply push the start
switch to restart the engine.
EAU58240
Startin g the en gineIn 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 lever pulled and the
sidestand up.
See page 3-43 for more informa-
tion.
1. Turn the key to “ON” and make sure that the start/engine stop
switch is set to “ ”.
The following warning lights and
indicator lights should come on for
a few seconds, then go off. Oil level warning light
 Engine trouble warning light
 Traction control system indi-
cator/warning light
 Cruise control indicator lights
 Electronically adjustable sus-
pension system warning light
 Immobilizer system indicator
light
U2KBE1E0.book Page 1 Monday, August 18, 2014 9:42 AM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-2
5
NOTICE
ECA11834
If a warning or in dicator li ght does
not come on initially when the key is
turne d to “ON”, or if a warning or in-
d icator li ght remains on, see pag e
3-4 for the correspon din g warnin g
an d in dicator li ght circuit check.
The ABS warning light should
come on when the key is turned to
“ON”, and then go off after travel-
ing at a speed of 10 km/h (6 mi/h)
or higher.
NOTICE
ECA17682
If the ABS warnin g lig ht does not
come on an d then g o off as ex-
plaine d a bove, see pa ge 3-4 for the
warnin g lig ht circuit check.2. Shift the transmission into the
neutral position. The neutral indi-
cator light should come on. If not,
ask a Yamaha dealer to check the
electrical circuit.
3. Start the engine by pushing the “ ” side of the start/engine
stop switch. If the engine fails to start, release
the start/engine stop switch, 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 en-
gine more than 10 seconds on any
one attempt.
NOTICE
ECA11043
For maximum en
gine life, never ac-
celerate har d when the en gine is
col d!
EAU16673
Shiftin gShifting gears lets you control the
amount of engine power available for
starting off, accelerating, climbing hills,
etc.
The gear positions are shown in the il-
lustration.TIPTo shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position, press the shift pedal down
repeatedly until it reaches the end of its
travel, and then slightly raise it.1. Shift pedal
2. Neutral position
1
2
654321N
U2KBE1E0.book Page 2 Monday, August 18, 2014 9:42 AM