warning YAMAHA XV1900A 2012 Owner's Manual

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-2
5dicator light remains on, see page
3-4 for the corresponding warning
and indicator light circuit check.
2. Shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position. The neutral indicator
light should come on. If not, ask a
Yamaha dealer to check the elec- trical circuit.
3. Start the engine by pushing the start switch.
If the engine fails to start, release
the start switch, wait a few sec-
onds, and then try again. Each
starting attempt should be as short
as possible to preserve the bat-
tery. Do not crank the engine more
than 10 seconds on any one at-
tempt.NOTICE
ECA11042
For maximum engine life, never ac-
celerate hard when the engine is
cold!
EAU16671
Shifting Shifting 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.
NOTICE
ECA10260
●
Even 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 dis-
tances. The transmission is
properly lubricated only when
the engine is running. Inade-
quate lubrication may damage
the transmission.
●
Always use the clutch while
changing gears to avoid damag-
ing the engine, transmission,
and drive train, which are not
designed to withstand the
shock of forced shifting.
1. Shift pedal
2. Neutral position
U1CRE1E0.book Page 2 Mond ay, October 3, 2011 8:45 AM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-4
5
EAU17213
Parking When parking, stop the engine, and
then remove the key from the main
switch.
WARNING
EWA10311
●
Since the engine and exhaust
system can become very hot,
park in a place where pedestri-
ans or children are not likely to
touch them and be burned.
●
Do not park on a slope or on soft
ground, otherwise the vehicle
may overturn, increasing the
risk of a fuel leak and fire.
●
Do not park near grass or other
flammable materials which
might catch fire.
U1CRE1E0.book Page 4 Monday, October 3, 2011 8:45 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-1
6
EAU17244
Periodic inspection, adjustment, and lu-
brication will keep your vehicle in the
safest and most efficient condition pos-
sible. Safety is an obligation of the vehi-
cle owner/operator. The most important
points of vehicle inspection, adjust-
ment, and lubrication are explained on
the following pages.
The intervals given in the periodic
maintenance charts should be simply
considered as a general guide under
normal riding conditions. However, de-
pending on the weather, terrain, geo-
graphical location, and individual use,
the maintenance intervals may need to
be shortened.
WARNING
EWA10321
Failure to properly maintain the ve-
hicle or performing maintenance ac-
tivities incorrectly may increase
your risk of injury or death during
service or while using the vehicle. If
you are not familiar with vehicle ser-
vice, have a Yamaha dealer perform
service.
WARNING
EWA15122
Turn off the engine when performing
maintenance unless otherwise
specified.●
A running engine has moving
parts that can catch on body
parts or clothing and electrical
parts that can cause shocks or
fires.
●
Running the engine while ser-
vicing can lead to eye injury,
burns, fire, or carbon monoxide
poisoning – possibly leading to
death. See page 1-2 for more in-
formation about carbon monox-
ide.WARNING
EWA15460
Brake discs, calipers, drums, and
linings can become very hot during
use. To avoid possible burns, let
brake components cool before
touching them.
EAU17302
Emission controls not only function to
ensure cleaner air, but are also vital to
proper engine operation and maximum
performance. In the following periodic
maintenance charts, the services relat-
ed to emissions control are grouped
separately. These services require
specialized data, knowledge, and
equipment. Maintenance, replacement,
or repair of the emission control devic-
es and systems may be performed by
any repair establishment or individual
that is certified (if applicable). Yamaha
dealers are trained and equipped to
perform these particular services.
U1CRE1E0.book Page 1 Monday, October 3, 2011 8:45 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-13
6
EAU21384
Checking the throttle grip free
play The throttle grip free play should mea-
sure 4.0–6.0 mm (0.16–0.24 in) at the
inner edge of the throttle grip. Periodi-
cally check the throttle grip free play
and, if necessary, have a Yamaha deal-
er 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.
EAU21565
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
EWA10503
Operation of this vehicle with im-
proper tire pressure may cause se-
vere injury or death from loss of
control.●
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 grip free play
U1CRE1E0.book Page 13 Monday, October 3, 2011 8:45 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-14
6
WARNING
EWA10511
Never overload your vehicle. Opera-
tion of an overloaded vehicle could
cause an accident.
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.TIPThe tire tread depth limits may differ
from country to country. Always comply
with the local regulations.
Tire information
This motorcycle is equipped with tube-
less tires, tire air valves and cast
wheels.
WARNING
EWA10461
The front and rear tires should be of
the same make and design, other-
wise the handling characteristics of
the vehicle may be different, which
could lead to an accident.After extensive tests, only the tires list-
ed below have been approved for this
model by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
Tire air pressure (measured on cold
tires): 0–90 kg (0–198 lb):Front:
250 kPa (2.50 kgf/cm², 36 psi)
Rear: 280 kPa (2.80 kgf/cm², 41 psi)
90–203 kg (198–448 lb): Front:250 kPa (2.50 kgf/cm², 36 psi)
Rear: 280 kPa (2.80 kgf/cm², 41 psi)
Maximum load*:
203 kg (448 lb)
* Total weight of rider, passenger, car- go and accessories
1. Tire sidewall
2. Tire tread depthMinimum tire tread depth (front and
rear):
1.6 mm (0.06 in)
Front tire:Size:
130/70R18M/C 63H
Manufacturer/model: DUNLOP/D251F
Rear tire: Size: 190/60R17M/C 78H
Manufacturer/model: DUNLOP/D251
U1CRE1E0.book Page 14 Monday, October 3, 2011 8:45 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-15
6
WARNING
EWA10471
●
Have a Yamaha dealer replace
excessively worn tires. Besides
being illegal, operating the vehi-
cle 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 to do so.
●
Ride at moderate speeds after
changing a tire since the tire
surface must first be “broken
in” for it to develop its optimal
characteristics.
EAU21962
Cast wheels To maximize the performance, durabil-
ity, and safe operation of your vehicle,
note the following points regarding the
specified wheels.●
The wheel rims should be checked
for cracks, bends, warpage or oth-
er damage before each ride. If any
damage 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.
EAU22073
Clutch lever Since this model is equipped with a hy-
draulic clutch, adjusting the clutch lever
free play is not needed. However, it is
necessary to check the clutch fluid level
and check the hydraulic system for
leakage before each ride. (See page
6-17.) If the clutch lever free play does
become excessive, and shifting be-
comes rough or clutch slippage occurs,
causing poor acceleration, there may
be air in the clutch system. If there is air
in the hydraulic system, have a
Yamaha dealer bleed the system be- fore operating the motorcycle.
U1CRE1E0.book Page 15 Monday, October 3, 2011 8:45 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-16
6
EAU37913
Checking the brake lever free
play There should be no free play at the
brake lever end. If there is free play,
have a Yamaha dealer inspect the
brake system.
WARNING
EWA14211
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 hydraulic system, have a
Yamaha dealer bleed the system be- fore operating the vehicle. Air in the
hydraulic system will diminish the braking performance, which may re-
sult in loss of control and an acci-
dent.
EAU22273
Brake light switches The brake light, which is activated by
the brake pedal and brake lever, should
come on just before braking takes ef-
fect. If necessary, adjust the rear brake
light switch as follows, but the front
brake light switch should be adjusted
by a Yamaha dealer.
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. No brake lever free play
1
1. Rear brake light switch
2. Rear brake light switch adjusting nut
U1CRE1E0.book Page 16 Monday, October 3, 2011 8:45 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-18
6Rear brake
Clutch
TIPThe rear brake fluid reservoir is located
under the rider seat. (See page 3-16.)
WARNING
EWA16000
Improper maintenance can result in
loss of braking ability or clutch oper-
ation. Observe these precautions:●
Insufficient brake or clutch fluid
may allow air to enter the brake
or clutch system, reducing
braking or clutch performance.
●
Clean the filler caps before re-
moving. Use only DOT 4 brake
fluid from a sealed container.
●
Use only the specified brake flu-
id; otherwise, the rubber seals
may deteriorate, causing leak-
age.
●
Refill with the same type of
brake fluid. Adding a brake fluid
other than DOT 4 may result in a
harmful chemical reaction.
●
Be careful that water does not
enter the brake or clutch fluid
reservoir when refilling. Water will significantly lower the boil-
ing point of the fluid and may re-
sult in vapor lock.
NOTICE
ECA17640
Brake fluid may damage painted sur-
faces or plastic parts. Always clean
up spilled fluid immediately.As the brake pads wear, it is normal for
the brake fluid level to gradually go
down. A low brake fluid level may indi-
cate worn brake pads and/or brake sys-
tem leakage; therefore, be sure to
check the brake pads for wear and the
brake system for leakage. A low clutch
fluid level may indicate clutch system
leakage; therefore, be sure to check the
clutch system for leakage. If the brake
or clutch fluid level goes down sudden-
ly, have a Yamaha dealer check the
cause before further riding.
1. Minimum level mark
1. Minimum level mark
Specified brake and clutch fluid:
DOT 4 brake fluid
U1CRE1E0.book Page 18 Monday, October 3, 2011 8:45 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-20
65. If the drive belt slack is incorrect,
have a Yamaha dealer adjust it.
EAU23095
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! Damage to the outer housing of cables may result in in-
ternal rusting and cause interfer-
ence with cable movement. Replace
damaged cables as soon as possi-
ble to prevent unsafe conditions.[EWA10711] EAU49920
Checking and lubr
icating 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 by a
Yamaha dealer at the intervals speci- fied in the periodic maintenance chart.
Recommended lubricant: Yamaha Chain and Cable Lube or
engine oil
U1CRE1E0.book Page 20 Monday, October 3, 2011 8:45 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-22
6
EAU23202
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
EWA10731
If the sidestand does not move up
and down smoothly, have a Yamaha
dealer check or repair it. Otherwise,
the sidestand could contact the
ground and distract the operator, re-
sulting in a possible loss of control.
EAU23251
Lubricating the rear suspen-
sion The pivoting points of the rear suspen-
sion must be lubricated by a Yamaha
dealer at the intervals specified in the
periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.
Recommended lubricant:Silicone grease
Recommended lubricant:Lithium-soap-based grease
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
U1CRE1E0.book Page 22 Monday, October 3, 2011 8:45 AM