engine YAMAHA XVS950 2011 Owner's Manual

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-3
5
EAU16810
Tips for reducing fuel con-
sumption Fuel consumption depends largely on
your riding style. Consider the following
tips to reduce fuel consumption:

Shift up swiftly, and avoid high en-
gine speeds during acceleration.


Do not rev the engine while shifting
down, and avoid high engine
speeds with no load on the engine.


Turn 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 crossings).
EAU16841
Engine break-in There is never a more important period
in the life of your engine than the period
between 0 and 1600 km (1000 mi). For
this reason, you should read the follow-
ing material carefully.
Since the engine is brand new, do not
put an excessive load on it for the first
1600 km (1000 mi). The various parts in
the engine wear and polish themselves
to the correct operating clearances.
During this period, prolonged full-throt-
tle operation or any condition that might
result in engine overheating must be
avoided.
EAU17023
0–1000 km (0–600 mi)
Avoid prolonged operation above 1/3
throttle. NOTICE: After 1000 km (600
mi) of operation, the engine oil must
be changed, and the oil filter car-
tridge or element replaced.
[ECA11282]
1000–1600 km (600–1000 mi)
Avoid prolonged operation above 1/2
throttle.1600 km (1000 mi) and beyond
The vehicle can now be operated nor-
mally.
NOTICE
ECA10270
If any engine trouble should occur
during the engine break-in period,
immediately have a Yamaha dealer
check the vehicle.
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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.
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-1
6
EAU17243
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
EWA15121
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 1-1 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.
U26PE2E0.book Page 1 Thursday, May 13, 2010 5:38 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-6
6
EAU18680
TIP

Air filter
This model’s air filter is equipped with a disposable oil-coated paper element, which must not be cleaned with com-
pressed air to avoid damaging it.
The air filter element needs to be replaced more frequently when riding in unusually wet or dusty areas.
21*Rear suspension re-
lay arm and con-
necting arm
pivoting pointsCheck operation.√√√√
Lubricate with lithium-soap-based
grease.√√
22 Engine oilChange.
Check oil level and vehicle for oil
leakage.√√√√√√
23Engine oil filter car-
tridgeReplace.√√√
24*Front and rear brake
switchesCheck operation.√√√√√√
25Moving parts and
cablesLubricate.√√√√√
26*Throttle grip hous-
ing and cableCheck operation and free play.
Adjust throttle grip free play if nec-
essary.
Lubricate throttle grip housing and
cable.√√√√√
27*Lights, signals and
switchesCheck operation.
Adjust headlight beam.√√√√√√ NO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOBODOMETER READING
ANNUAL
CHECK 1000 km
(600 mi)10000 km
(6000 mi)20000 km
(12000 mi)30000 km
(18000 mi)40000 km
(24000 mi)
U26PE2E0.book Page 6 Thursday, May 13, 2010 5:38 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-8
6
EAU18751
Removing and installing the
panel The panel shown needs to be removed
to perform some of the maintenance
jobs described in this chapter. Refer to
this section each time the panel needs
to be removed and installed.
EAU19151
Panel A
To remove the panelRemove the bolt, and then pull the pan-
el off as shown.To install the panel
Place the panel in the original position,
and then install the bolt.
EAU19642
Checking the spark plugs The spark plugs are important engine
components, which should be checked
periodically, preferably by a Yamaha
dealer. Since heat and deposits will
cause any spark plug to slowly erode,
they should be removed and checked
in accordance with the periodic mainte-
nance and lubrication chart. In addition,
the condition of the spark plugs can re-
veal the condition of the engine.
The porcelain insulator around the cen-
ter electrode of each spark plug should
be a medium-to-light tan (the ideal color
when the vehicle is ridden normally),
and all spark plugs installed in the en-
gine should have the same color. If any
spark plug shows a distinctly different
color, the engine could be operating im-
properly. Do not attempt to diagnose
such problems yourself. Instead, have
a Yamaha dealer check the vehicle.
If a spark plug shows signs of electrode
erosion and excessive carbon or other
deposits, it should be replaced.
1. Panel A
1
1. Bolt
1
Specified spark plug:
NGK/CPR7EA-9
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-9
6Before installing a spark plug, the spark
plug gap should be measured with a
wire thickness gauge and, if necessary,
adjusted to specification.
Clean the surface of the spark plug
gasket and its mating surface, and then
wipe off any grime from the spark plug
threads.
TIPIf a torque wrench is not available when
installing a spark plug, a good estimate
of the correct torque is 1/4–1/2 turn
past finger tight. However, the spark
plug should be tightened to the speci-
fied torque as soon as possible.
EAU47112
Engine oil and oil filter car-
tridge The engine oil level should be checked
before each ride. In addition, the oil
must be changed and the oil filter car-
tridge replaced at the intervals speci-
fied in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart.
To check the engine oil level
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion. A slight tilt to the side can
result in a false reading.
2. Start the engine, warm it up for
several minutes, and then turn it
off.
3. Wait a few minutes until the oil set-
tles.
4. Remove the engine oil filler cap,
wipe the engine oil dipstick clean,
insert it back into the oil filler hole
(without screwing it in), and then
remove it again to check the oil lev-
el.
1. Spark plug gapSpark plug gap:
0.8–0.9 mm (0.031–0.035 in)
Tightening torque:
Spark plug:
13 Nm (1.3 m·kgf, 9.4 ft·lbf)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-10
6
TIPThe engine oil should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks.
5. If the engine oil is at or below the
minimum level mark, add sufficient
oil of the recommended type to
raise it to the correct level.
6. Insert the dipstick into the oil filler
hole, and then tighten the oil filler
cap.
To change the engine oil (with or
without oil filter cartridge replace-
ment)
1. Start the engine, warm it up for
several minutes, and then turn it
off.
2. Place an oil pan under the engine
to collect the used oil.
3. Remove the engine oil filler cap,
the engine oil drain bolt and its
gasket to drain the oil from the
crankcase.
TIPSkip steps 4–6 if the oil filter cartridge is
not being replaced.4. Remove the oil filter cartridge with
an oil filter wrench.
1. Engine oil filler cap
1. Engine oil dipstick
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
1
1
3
2
1. Engine oil drain bolt
2. Gasket
1. Oil filter wrench
2. Oil filter cartridge
1
2
1 2
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-11
6
TIPAn oil filter wrench is available at a
Yamaha dealer.5. Apply a thin coat of clean engine
oil to the O-ring of the new oil filter
cartridge.TIPMake sure that the O-ring is properly
seated.6. Install the new oil filter cartridge
with an oil filter wrench, and then
tighten it to the specified torque
with a torque wrench.7. Install the engine oil drain bolt and
its new gasket, and then tighten
the bolt to the specified torque.
8. Refill with the specified amount of
the recommended engine oil, and
then install and tighten the oil filler
cap.
TIPBe sure to wipe off spilled oil on any
parts after the engine and exhaust sys-
tem have cooled down.NOTICE
ECA11620


In order to prevent clutch slip-
page (since the engine oil also
lubricates the clutch), do not
mix any chemical additives. Do
not use oils with a diesel speci-
fication of “CD” or oils of a high-
er quality than specified. In
addition, do not use oils labeled
“ENERGY CONSERVING II” or
higher.


Make sure that no foreign mate-
rial enters the crankcase.
1. O-ring
1. Torque wrench
2. Oil filter cartridgeTightening torque:
Oil filter cartridge:
17 Nm (1.7 m·kgf, 12 ft·lbf)
Tightening torque:
Engine oil drain bolt:
43 Nm (4.3 m·kgf, 31 ft·lbf)
1
2
Recommended engine oil:
See page 8-1.
Oil quantity:
Without oil filter cartridge replace-
ment:
3.70 L (3.91 US qt, 3.26 Imp.qt)
With oil filter cartridge replacement:
4.00 L (4.23 US qt, 3.52 Imp.qt)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-12
6 9. Start the engine, and then let it idle
for several minutes while checking
it for oil leakage. If oil is leaking, im-
mediately turn the engine off and
check for the cause.
TIPAfter the engine is started, the engine
oil level warning light should go off if the
oil level is sufficient.NOTICE
ECA10401
If the oil level warning light flickers
or remains on even if the oil level is
correct, immediately turn the engine
off and have a Yamaha dealer check
the vehicle.10. Turn the engine off, wait a few min-
utes until the oil settles, and then
check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
EAU47080
Replacing the air filter element The air filter element should be re-
placed at the intervals specified in the
periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart. Replace the air filter element
more frequently if you are riding in un-
usually wet or dusty areas.
To replace the air filter element
1. Remove the air filter case cover by
removing the bolts.
2. Pull the air filter element out.3. Insert a new air filter element into
the air filter case. NOTICE: Make
sure that the air filter element is
properly seated in the air filter
case. The engine should never
be operated without the air filter
element installed, otherwise the
piston(s) and/or cylinder(s) may
become excessively worn.
[ECA10481]
4. Install the air filter case cover by in-
stalling the bolts.
1. Bolt
2. Air filter case cover12
1
1. Air filter element
1
U26PE2E0.book Page 12 Thursday, May 13, 2010 5:38 PM

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.
EAU21564
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
1
U26PE2E0.book Page 13 Thursday, May 13, 2010 5:38 PM