YAMAHA XVS250 2004 Owner's Manual

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-7
3
NOTE:The fuel tank cap cannot be installed
unless the key is in the lock. In addition,
the key cannot be removed if the cap isnot properly installed and locked.
WARNING
EWA11140
Make sure that the fuel tank cap isproperly installed before riding.
EAU13210
Fuel Make sure that there is sufficient fuel in
the tank. Fill the fuel tank to the bottom
of the filler tube as shown.
WARNING
EWA10880


Do not overfill the fuel tank, oth-
erwise it may overflow when the
fuel warms up and expands.


Avoid spilling fuel on the hot en-gine.
CAUTION:
ECA10070
Immediately wipe off spilled fuel
with a clean, dry, soft cloth, since
fuel may deteriorate painted surfac-es or plastic parts.
EAU13320
CAUTION:
ECA11400
Use only unleaded gasoline. The use
of leaded gasoline will cause severe
damage to internal engine parts,
such as the valves and piston rings,as well as to the exhaust system.
Your Yamaha engine has been de-
signed to use regular unleaded gaso-
line with a research octane number of
91 or higher. If knocking (or pinging) oc-
curs, use a gasoline of a different brand
1. Fuel tank filler tube
2. Fuel level
Recommended fuel:
REGULAR UNLEADED GASOLINE
ONLY
Fuel tank capacity:
11.0 L (2.91 US gal) (2.42 Imp.gal)
Fuel reserve amount:
3.4 L (0.90 US gal) (0.75 Imp.gal)
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-8
3or premium unleaded fuel. Use of un-
leaded fuel will extend spark plug life
and reduce maintenance costs.
EAU13580
Fuel cock This model is equipped with a negative
pressure fuel cock. The fuel cock sup-
plies fuel from the tank to the carburetor
while also filtering it.
The fuel cock lever positions are ex-
plained as follows and shown in the il-
lustrations.
ON
With the fuel cock lever in this position,
fuel flows to the carburetor when the
engine is running. Turn the fuel cock le-
ver to this position when starting the en-
gine and riding.RES
This indicates reserve. With the fuel
cock lever in this position, the fuel re-
serve is made available. Quickly turn
the fuel cock lever to this position if you
run out of fuel while riding, otherwise
the engine may stall and will have to be
primed (see “PRI”). After turning the
fuel cock lever to “RES”, refuel as soon
as possible and be sure to turn the fuel
cock lever back to “ON”!1. Pointed end positioned over “ON”
1. Pointed end positioned over “RES”
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-9
3 PRI
This indicates prime. With the fuel cock
lever in this position, the engine can be
“primed”. Turn the fuel cock lever to this
position when the engine has been al-
lowed to run out of fuel. This sends fuel
directly to the carburetor, which will
make starting easier. After the engine
has started, be sure to turn the lever to
“ON” (or “RES” if you have not refueled
yet).
EAU13590
Starter (choke) lever “” Starting a cold engine requires a richer
air-fuel mixture, which is supplied by
the starter (choke).
Move the lever in direction (a) to turn on
the starter (choke).
Move the lever in direction (b) to turn off
the starter (choke).
EAU14281
Helmet holder To open the helmet holder, insert the
key into the lock, and then turn the key
as shown.
To lock the helmet holder, place it in the
original position, and then remove the
key.
WARNING
EWA10160
Never ride with a helmet attached to
the helmet holder, since the helmet
may hit objects, causing loss of con-trol and possibly an accident.
1. Pointed end positioned over “PRI”
1. Starter (choke) lever “”
1. Helmet holder
2. Unlock.
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-10
3
EAU14880
Adjusting the shock absorber
assemblies Each shock absorber assembly is
equipped with a spring preload adjust-
ing ring.CAUTION:
ECA10100
Never attempt to turn an adjusting
mechanism beyond the maximum orminimum settings.
WARNING
EWA10210
Always adjust both shock absorber
assemblies equally, otherwise poor
handling and loss of stability mayresult.
Adjust the spring preload as follows.
To increase the spring preload and
thereby harden the suspension, turn
the adjusting ring on each shock ab-
sorber assembly in direction (a). To de-
crease the spring preload and thereby
soften the suspension, turn the adjust-
ing ring on each shock absorber as-
sembly in direction (b).NOTE:Align the appropriate notch in the ad-
justing ring with the position indicatoron the shock absorber.
EAU15300
Sidestand The sidestand is located on the left side
of the frame. Raise the sidestand or
lower it with your foot while holding the
vehicle upright.NOTE:The built-in sidestand switch is part of
the ignition circuit cut-off system, which
cuts the ignition in certain situations.
(See further down for an explanation ofthe ignition circuit cut-off system.)
WARNING
EWA10240
The vehicle must not be ridden with
the sidestand down, or if the side-
stand cannot be properly moved up
(or does not stay up), otherwise the
sidestand could contact the ground
and distract the operator, resulting
in a possible loss of control.
Yamaha’s ignition circuit cut-off
system has been designed to assist
the operator in fulfilling the respon-
sibility of raising the sidestand be-
fore starting off. Therefore, check
this system regularly as described
1. Spring preload adjusting ring
2. Position indicator
Spring preload setting:
Minimum (soft):
1
Standard:
2
Maximum (hard):
5
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-11
3 below and have a Yamaha dealer re-
pair it if it does not function proper-
ly.
EAU15311
Ignition circuit cut-off system The ignition circuit cut-off system (com-
prising the sidestand switch, clutch
switch and neutral switch) has the fol-
lowing functions.

It prevents starting when the trans-
mission is in gear and the side-
stand is up, but the clutch lever is
not pulled.


It prevents starting when the trans-
mission is in gear and the clutch le-
ver is pulled, but the sidestand is
still down.


It cuts the running engine when the
transmission is in gear and the sid-
estand is moved down.
Periodically check the operation of the
ignition circuit cut-off system according
to the following procedure.WARNING
EWA10250
If a malfunction is noted, have a
Yamaha dealer check the system be-fore riding.
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-12
3
With the engine turned off:
1. Move the sidestand down.
2. Make sure that the engine stop switch is turned on.
3. Turn the key on.
4. Shift the transmission into the neutral position.
5. Push the start switch.
Does the engine start?
With the engine still running:
6. Move the sidestand up.
7. Keep the clutch lever pulled.
8. Shift the transmission into gear.
9. Move the sidestand down.
Does the engine stall?
After the engine has stalled:
10. Move the sidestand up.
11. Keep the clutch lever pulled.
12. Push the start switch.
Does the engine start?
The system is OK. The motorcycle can be ridden.
This check is most reliable if performed with
a warmed-up engine.The neutral switch may be defective.
The motorcycle should not be ridden until
checked by a Yamaha dealer.
The sidestand switch may be defective.
The motorcycle should not be ridden until
checked by a Yamaha dealer.
The clutch switch may be defective.
The motorcycle should not be ridden until
checked by a Yamaha dealer.
YES NO YES NO YES NONOTE:
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PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
4-1
4
EAU15591
The condition of a vehicle is the owner’s responsibility. Vital components can start to deteriorate quickly and unexpectedly,
even if the vehicle remains unused (for example, as a result of exposure to the elements). Any damage, fluid leakage or loss
of tire air pressure could have serious consequences. Therefore, it is very important, in addition to a thorough visual inspec-
tion, to check the following points before each ride.NOTE:Pre-operation checks should be made each time the vehicle is used. Such an inspection can be accomplished in a very shorttime; and the added safety it assures is more than worth the time involved.
WARNING
EWA11150
If any item in the Pre-operation check list is not working properly, have it inspected and repaired before operatingthe vehicle.
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PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
4-2
4
EAU15601
Pre-operation check list
ITEM CHECKS PAGE
FuelCheck fuel level in fuel tank.
Refuel if necessary.
Check fuel line for leakage.3-7
Engine oilCheck oil level in engine.
If necessary, add recommended oil to specified level.
Check vehicle for oil leakage.6-8
Front brakeCheck operation.
If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed hydraulic system.
Check lever free play.
Adjust if necessary.
Check brake pads for wear.
Replace if necessary.
Check fluid level in reservoir.
If necessary, add recommended brake fluid to specified level.
Check hydraulic system for leakage.6-16, 6-19, 6-19
Rear brakeCheck operation.
Check pedal free play.
Adjust if necessary.6-17, 6-19
ClutchCheck operation.
Lubricate cable if necessary.
Check lever free play.
Adjust if necessary.6-15
Throttle gripMake sure that operation is smooth.
Check cable free play.
If necessary, have Yamaha dealer adjust cable free play and lubricate cable and
grip housing.6-12, 6-23
Control cablesMake sure that operation is smooth.
Lubricate if necessary.6-23
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PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
4-3
4
Drive chainCheck chain slack.
Adjust if necessary.
Check chain condition.
Lubricate if necessary.6-21, 6-22
Wheels and tiresCheck for damage.
Check tire condition and tread depth.
Check air pressure.
Correct if necessary.6-13, 6-15
Brake and shift pedalsMake sure that operation is smooth.
Lubricate pedal pivoting points if necessary.6-24
Brake and clutch leversMake sure that operation is smooth.
Lubricate lever pivoting points if necessary.6-24
SidestandMake sure that operation is smooth.
Lubricate pivot if necessary.6-24
Chassis fastenersMake sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are properly tightened.
Tighten if necessary.—
Instruments, lights, signals
and switchesCheck operation.
Correct if necessary.—
Sidestand switchCheck operation of ignition circuit cut-off system.
If system is defective, have Yamaha dealer check vehicle.3-10 ITEM CHECKS PAGE
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OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-1
5
EAU15950
WARNING
EWA10270


Become thoroughly familiar
with all operating controls and
their functions before riding.
Consult a Yamaha dealer re-
garding any control or function
that you do not thoroughly un-
derstand.


Never 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.


Before 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 lossof control.
EAU16400
Starting a cold engine In 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 sid-
estand up.WARNING
EWA10290


Before starting the engine,
check the function of the igni-
tion circuit cut-off system ac-
cording to the procedure
described on page 3-11.


Never ride with the sidestanddown.
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 neu-
tral position.
NOTE:When the transmission is in the neutral
position, the neutral indicator light
should be on, otherwise have a
Yamaha dealer check the electrical cir-cuit.
4. Turn the starter (choke) on and
completely close the throttle. (See
page 3-9.)
5. Start the engine by pushing the
start switch.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 en-
gine more than 10 seconds on any oneattempt.CAUTION:
ECA11370
The engine trouble warning light
should come on when the key is
turned to “ON”, and then go off after
a few seconds. If the engine trouble
warning light comes on or flashes
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