YAMAHA XT600E 2002 Owner's Guide

4-3
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
4
Chassis fasteners•Make sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are properly tightened.
•Tighten if necessary.—
Instruments, lights, signals
and switches•Check operation.
•Correct if necessary.3-1–3-4, 6-33–6-36
Sidestand switch•Check operation of ignition circuit cut-off system.
•If system is defective, have Yamaha dealer check vehicle.3-11–3-13 ITEM CHECKS PAGENOTE:
Pre-operation checks should be made each time the motorcycle is used. Such an inspection can be accomplished in a
very short time; and the added safety it assures is more than worth the time involved.
EWA00033
wIf any item in the Pre-operation check list is not working properly, have it inspected and repaired before operat-
ing the motorcycle.
4PT-E7 (English) 6/29/01 9:13 AM Page 30

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
Starting the engine ........................................................................... 5-1
Starting a warm engine ..................................................................... 5-2
Shifting .............................................................................................. 5-3
Recommended shift points (for Switzerland only) ............................ 5-3
Tips for reducing fuel consumption .................................................. 5-4
Engine break-in ................................................................................ 5-4
Parking ............................................................................................. 5-5
5
4PT-E7 (English) 6/29/01 9:13 AM Page 31

1. Turn the fuel cock lever to “ON”.
2. Turn the key to “ON” and make
sure that the engine stop switch
is set to “#”.
3. Shift the transmission into the
neutral position.NOTE:
When the transmission is in the neu-
tral position, the neutral indicator light
should be on, otherwise have a
Yamaha dealer check the electrical
circuit.4. Turn the starter (choke) on and
completely close the throttle.
(See page 3-9 for starter (choke)
operation.)
5. Start the engine by pushing the
start switch.
5-1
EAU00372
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5
EAU00373
w8Become thoroughly familiar
with all operating controls and
their functions before riding.
Consult a Yamaha dealer
regarding any control or func-
tion that you do not thorough-
ly understand.
8Never start the engine or oper-
ate it in a closed area for any
length of time. Exhaust fumes
are poisonous, and inhaling
them can cause loss of con-
sciousness and death within a
short time. Always make sure
that there is adequate ventila-
tion.
8Before starting out, make sure
that the sidestand is up. If the
sidestand is not raised com-
pletely, it could contact the
ground and distract the opera-
tor, resulting in a possible loss
of control.
EAU03515
Starting the engineStarting the engineIn order for the ignition circuit cut-off
system to enable starting, one of the
following conditions must be met:
8The transmission is in the neutral
position.
8The transmission is in gear with
the clutch lever pulled and the
sidestand up.
EW000054
w8Before starting the engine,
check the function of the igni-
tion circuit cut-off system
according to the procedure
described on page 3-13.
8Never ride with the sidestand
down.
4PT-E7 (English) 6/29/01 9:13 AM Page 32

5-2
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5 7. When the engine is warm, turn
the starter (choke) off.
NOTE:
The engine is warm when it responds
normally to the throttle with the starter
(choke) turned off.
EAU01258
Starting a warm engineEngine, starting a warmFollow the same procedure as for
starting a cold engine with the excep-
tion that the starter (choke) is not
required when the engine is warm.
NOTE:
If the engine fails to start, release the
start switch, wait a few seconds, and
then try again. Each starting attempt
should be as short as possible to pre-
serve the battery. Do not crank the
engine more than 10 seconds on any
one attempt.6. After starting the engine, move
the starter (choke) knob back
halfway.
ECA00055
cCFor maximum engine life, always
warm the engine up before starting
off. Never accelerate hard when
the engine is cold!
4PT-E7 (English) 6/29/01 9:13 AM Page 33

5-3
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5
EAU00423
ShiftingShiftingShifting gears lets you control the
amount of engine power available for
starting off, accelerating, climbing
hills, etc.
The gear positions are shown in the
illustration.NOTE:
To 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.
EC000048
cC8Even with the transmission in
the neutral position, do not
coast for long periods of time
with the engine off, and do not
tow the motorcycle for long
distances. The transmission is
properly lubricated only when
the engine is running.
Inadequate lubrication may
damage the transmission.
8Always use the clutch while
changing gears to avoid dam-
aging the engine, transmis-
sion, and drive train, which are
not designed to withstand the
shock of forced shifting.
EAU02941
Recommended shift points
(for Switzerland only)Shift points (for Switzerland only)The recommended shift points during
acceleration are shown in the table
below.NOTE:
When shifting down two gears at a
time, reduce the speed accordingly
(e.g., down to 35 km/h when shifting
from 4th to 2nd gear).
1
5
4
3
2
N
1
1. Shift pedal
N. Neutral position
Shift point (km/h)
1st →2nd 23
2nd →3rd 36
3rd →4th 50
4th →5th 60
4PT-E7 (English) 6/29/01 9:13 AM Page 34

5-4
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5
EAU00424
Tips for reducing fuel
consumptionFuel consumption, tips for reducingFuel consumption depends largely on
your riding style. Consider the follow-
ing tips to reduce fuel consumption:
8Thoroughly warm up the engine.
8Turn the starter (choke) off as
soon as possible.
8Shift up swiftly, and avoid high
engine speeds during accelera-
tion.
8Do not rev the engine while shift-
ing down, and avoid high engine
speeds with no load on the
engine.
8Turn the engine off instead of let-
ting it idle for an extended length
of time (e.g., in traffic jams, at
traffic lights or at railroad cross-
ings).
EAU01128
Engine break-inEngine break-inThere is never a more important peri-
od in the life of your engine than the
period between 0 and 1,600 km. For
this reason, you should read the fol-
lowing material carefully.
Since the engine is brand new, do
not put an excessive load on it for the
first 1,600 km. The various parts in
the engine wear and polish them-
selves to the correct operating clear-
ances. During this period, prolonged
full-throttle operation or any condition
that might result in engine overheat-
ing must be avoided.
EAU04315
0–1,000 km
Avoid prolonged operation above
4,000 r/min.
1,000–1,600 km
Avoid prolonged operation above
5,000 r/min.
ECA00058
cCAfter 1,000 km of operation, the
engine oil must be changed, and
the oil filter element replaced.1,600 km and beyond
The vehicle can now be operated
normally.
4PT-E7 (English) 6/29/01 9:13 AM Page 35

5-5
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5
EC000053
cC8Keep the engine speed out of
the tachometer red zone.
8If any engine trouble should
occur during the engine break-
in period, immediately have a
Yamaha dealer check the vehi-
cle.
EAU00457
ParkingParkingWhen parking, stop the engine,
remove the key from the main switch,
and then turn the fuel cock lever to
“OFF”.
EW000058
w8Since the engine and exhaust
system can become very hot,
park in a place where pedestri-
ans or children are not likely
to touch them.
8Do not park on a slope or on
soft ground, otherwise the
motorcycle may overturn.
4PT-E7 (English) 6/29/01 9:13 AM Page 36

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
Owner’s tool kit ................................................ 6-1
Periodic maintenance and lubrication chart ..... 6-3
Removing and installing the cowling
and panels .................................................... 6-6
Checking the spark plug .................................. 6-8
Engine oil and oil filter element ...................... 6-10
Cleaning the air filter element ........................ 6-13
Adjusting the carburetor ................................. 6-14
Adjusting the engine idling speed ................... 6-15
Adjusting the throttle cable free play .............. 6-16
Adjusting the valve clearance ........................ 6-16
Tires ............................................................... 6-16
Spoke wheels ................................................ 6-19
Adjusting the clutch lever free play ................ 6-20
Adjusting the brake lever free play ................. 6-21
Adjusting the brake pedal position ................. 6-21
Adjusting the rear brake light switch .............. 6-22
Checking the front and rear brake pads ........ 6-22
Checking the brake fluid level ........................ 6-23
Changing the brake fluid ................................ 6-24
Drive chain slack ............................................ 6-25
Lubricating the drive chain ............................. 6-26
Checking and lubricating the cables .............. 6-27Checking and lubricating the throttle grip
and cable .................................................... 6-27
Checking and lubricating the brake and
shift pedals .................................................. 6-28
Checking and lubricating the brake and
clutch levers ................................................ 6-28
Checking and lubricating the sidestand ......... 6-28
Lubricating the rear suspension ..................... 6-29
Checking the front fork ................................... 6-29
Checking the steering .................................... 6-30
Checking the wheel bearings ......................... 6-30
Battery ............................................................ 6-31
Replacing the fuse ......................................... 6-32
Replacing the headlight bulb ......................... 6-33
Replacing a turn signal light bulb ................... 6-35
Replacing the tail/brake light bulb .................. 6-35
Supporting the motorcycle ............................. 6-36
Front wheel ................................................... 6-37
Rear wheel ..................................................... 6-39
Troubleshooting ............................................. 6-41
Troubleshooting chart .................................... 6-42
6
4PT-E7 (English) 6/29/01 9:13 AM Page 37

6-1
EAU00462
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6
EAU01175
Owner’s tool kitTool kitThe owner’s tool kit is located behind
panel A. (See page 6-7 for panel
removal and installation procedures.)
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 pre-
ventive maintenance and minor
repairs. However, additional tools
such as a torque wrench may be nec-
essary to perform certain mainte-
nance work correctly.
EW000060
wIf you are not familiar with motor-
cycle maintenance work, have a
Yamaha dealer do it for you.
EAU00464
Safety is an obligation of the owner.
Periodic inspection, adjustment and
lubrication will keep your vehicle in
the safest and most efficient condi-
tion possible. The most important
points of inspection, adjustment, and
lubrication are explained on the fol-
lowing pages.
The intervals given in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart
should be simply considered as a
general guide under normal riding
conditions. However, DEPENDING
ON THE WEATHER, TERRAIN,
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION, AND
INDIVIDUAL USE, THE MAINTE-
NANCE INTERVALS MAY NEED TO
BE SHORTENED.
1
1. Owner’s tool kit
4PT-E7 (English) 6/29/01 9:13 AM Page 38

6-2
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6
NOTE:
If you do not have the tools or experi-
ence required for a particular job,
have a Yamaha dealer perform it for
you.
EW000063
wModifications not approved by
Yamaha may cause loss of perfor-
mance and render the vehicle
unsafe for use. Consult a Yamaha
dealer before attempting any
changes.
4PT-E7 (English) 6/29/01 9:13 AM Page 39