Yamaha XT250 User manual

LIT-11626-21-52 3C5-28199-10
XT250XC
OWNER’S MANUAL
XT250X

EAU10041

INTRODUCTION
EAU10080
Congratulations on your purchase of the Yamaha XT250X/XT250XC. This model is the result of Yamaha’s vast experience
in the production of fine sporting, touring, and pacesetting racing machines. It represents the high degree of craftsmanship
and reliability that have made Yamaha a leader in these fields.
This manual will give you an understanding of the operation, inspection, and basic maintenance of this motorcycle. If you
have any questions concerning the operation or maintenance of your motorcycle, please consult a Yamaha dealer.
The design and manufacture of this Yamaha motorcycle fully comply with the emissions standards for clean air applicable
at the date of manufacture. Yamaha has met these standards without reducing the performance or economy of operation of
the motorcycle. To maintain these high standards, it is important that you and your Yamaha dealer pay close attention to the
recommended maintenance schedules and operating instructions contained within this manual.

IMPORTANT MANUAL INFORMATION
EAU10131
Particularly important information is distinguished in this manual by the following notations:
NOTE:
● This manual should be considered a permanent part of this motorcycle and should remain with it even if the motorcycle
is subsequently sold.
● Yamaha continually seeks advancements in product design and quality. Therefore, while this manual contains the most
current product information available at the time of printing, there may be minor discrepancies between your motorcycle
and this manual. If you have any questions concerning this manual, please consult your Yamaha dealer.
WARNING
EWA10010
PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL AND THE “YOU AND YOUR MOTORCYCLE: RIDING TIPS” BOOKLET CAREFULLY
AND COMPLETELY BEFORE OPERATING THIS MOTORCYCLE. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO OPERATE THIS MOTORCY-
CLE UNTIL YOU HAVE ATTAINED ADEQUATE KNOWLEDGE OF ITS CONTROLS AND OPERATING FEATURES
AND UNTIL YOU HAVE BEEN TRAINED IN SAFE AND PROPER RIDING TECHNIQUES. REGULAR INSPECTIONS
AND CAREFUL MAINTENANCE, ALONG WITH GOOD RIDING SKILLS, WILL ENSURE THAT YOU SAFELY ENJOY
THE CAPABILITIES AND THE RELIABILITY OF THIS MOTORCYCLE.
*Product and specifications are subject to change without notice.
The Safety Alert Symbol means ATTENTION! BECOME ALERT! YOUR SAFETY IS
INVOLVED!
Failure to follow WARNING instructions could result in severe injury or death to the
motorcycle operator, a bystander or a person inspecting or repairing the motorcycle.
A CAUTION indicates special precautions that must be taken to avoid damage to
the motorcycle.
A NOTE provides key information to make procedures easier or clearer.
WARNING
CAUTION:
NOTE:

IMPORTANT MANUAL INFORMATION
EAU10192
XT250X/XT250XC
OWNER’S MANUAL
©2007 by Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.
1st edition, June 2007
All rights reserved.
Any reprinting or unauthorized use
without the written permission of
Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.
is expressly prohibited.
Printed in Japan.
P/N LIT-11626-21-52
AFFIX DEALER
LABEL HERE

TABLE OF CONTENTS
SAFETY INFORMATION ...................1-1
Location of important labels .............1-5
DESCRIPTION ...................................2-1
Left view ...........................................2-1
Right view .........................................2-2
Controls and instruments..................2-3
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL
FUNCTIONS ........................................3-1
Main switch/steering lock .................3-1
Indicator lights .................................3-2
Multi-function display .......................3-3
Handlebar switches .........................3-4
Clutch lever ......................................3-5
Shift pedal ........................................3-5
Brake lever ......................................3-6
Brake pedal .....................................3-6
Fuel tank cap ...................................3-6
Fuel ..................................................3-7
Fuel cock .........................................3-8
Starter (choke) knob “ 1 ”.................3-9
Seat .................................................3-9
Helmet holder ................................3-10
Adjusting the shock absorber
assembly ....................................3-10
Sidestand .......................................3-12
Ignition circuit cut-off system .........3-12
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS ...............4-1
Pre-operation check list ...................4-2
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT
RIDING POINTS .................................. 5-1
Starting and warming up a cold
engine .......................................... 5-1
Starting a warm engine ................... 5-2
Shifting ............................................ 5-2
Engine break-in ............................... 5-4
Parking ............................................ 5-4
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR
REPAIR ............................................... 6-1
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE ............ 6-1
Owner’s tool kit ................................ 6-1
Periodic maintenance chart for the
emission control system .............. 6-3
General maintenance and lubrication
chart ............................................. 6-5
Removing and installing the cowling
and panels ................................... 6-9
Checking the spark plug ................ 6-11
Canister (for California only) ......... 6-13
Engine oil and oil filter element ..... 6-13
Replacing the air filter element and
cleaning the check hose ............ 6-16
Cleaning the spark arrester ........... 6-17
Carburetor ..................................... 6-18
Checking the engine idling
speed ......................................... 6-18
Checking the throttle cable free
play ............................................ 6-19
Valve clearance ............................. 6-19
Tires .............................................. 6-19
Spoke wheels ............................... 6-21
Accessories and replacement
parts ........................................... 6-22
Adjusting the clutch lever free
play ............................................ 6-22
Adjusting the brake lever free
play ............................................ 6-23
Adjusting the rear brake light
switch ......................................... 6-24
Checking the front and rear brake
pads ........................................... 6-24
Checking the brake fluid level ....... 6-25
Changing the brake fluid ............... 6-26
Drive chain slack ........................... 6-26
Cleaning and lubricating the drive
chain .......................................... 6-27
Checking and lubricating the
cables ........................................ 6-28
Checking and lubricating the throttle
grip and cable ............................ 6-28
Checking and lubricating the brake
and shift pedals ......................... 6-28
Checking and lubricating the brake
and clutch levers ........................ 6-29
Checking and lubricating the
sidestand ................................... 6-30
Lubricating the rear suspension .... 6-30
Checking the front fork .................. 6-30
Checking the steering ................... 6-31
Checking the wheel bearings ........ 6-32

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Battery ...........................................6-32
Replacing the fuse .........................6-33
Replacing the headlight bulb .........6-34
Replacing the tail/brake light
bulb ............................................6-35
Replacing a turn signal light
bulb ............................................6-36
Supporting the motorcycle .............6-37
Front wheel ....................................6-37
Rear wheel ....................................6-38
Troubleshooting .............................6-40
Troubleshooting chart ....................6-41
MOTORCYCLE CARE AND
STORAGE ...........................................7-1
Matte color caution ..........................7-1
Care .................................................7-1
Storage ............................................7-3
SPECIFICATIONS ..............................8-1
CONSUMER INFORMATION ..............9-1
Identification numbers .....................9-1
Reporting safety defects ..................9-3
Motorcycle noise regulation .............9-4
Maintenance record .........................9-5
YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION,
U.S.A. STREET AND ENDURO
MOTORCYCLE LIMITED
WARRANTY .................................9-7
YAMAHA EXTENDED SERVICE
(Y.E.S.) ........................................ 9-9

1-1
1
SAFETY INFORMATION
EAU10311
MOTORCYCLES ARE SINGLE
TRACK VEHICLES. THEIR SAFE
USE AND OPERATION ARE DEPEN-
DENT UPON THE USE OF PROPER
RIDING TECHNIQUES AS WELL AS
THE EXPERTISE OF THE OPERA-
TOR. EVERY OPERATOR SHOULD
KNOW THE FOLLOWING REQUIRE-
MENTS BEFORE RIDING THIS MO-
TORCYCLE.
HE OR SHE SHOULD:
● OBTAIN THOROUGH INSTRUC-
TIONS FROM A COMPETENT
SOURCE ON ALL ASPECTS OF
MOTORCYCLE OPERATION.
● OBSERVE THE WARNINGS
AND MAINTENANCE REQUIRE-
MENTS IN THE OWNER’S MAN-
UAL.
● OBTAIN QUALIFIED TRAINING
IN SAFE AND PROPER RIDING
TECHNIQUES.
● OBTAIN PROFESSIONAL TECH-
NICAL SERVICE AS INDICATED
BY THE OWNER’S MANUAL
AND/OR WHEN MADE NECES-
SARY BY MECHANICAL CONDI-
TIONS.
Safe riding
● Always make pre-operation
checks. Careful checks may help
prevent an accident.
● This motorcycle is designed to car-
ry the operator and a passenger.
● The failure of motorists to detect
and recognize motorcycles in traf-
fic is the predominating cause of
automobile/motorcycle accidents.
Many accidents have been caused
by an automobile driver who did
not see the motorcycle. Making
yourself conspicuous appears to
be very effective in reducing the
chance of this type of accident.
● Therefore:
● Wear a brightly colored jacket.
● Use extra caution when ap-
proaching and passing through
intersections, since intersec-
tions are the most likely places
for motorcycle accidents to oc-
cur.
● Ride where other motorists can
see you. Avoid riding in another
motorist’s blind spot.
● Many accidents involve inexperi-
enced operators. In fact, many op-
erators who have been involved in
accidents do not even have a cur-
rent motorcycle license.
● Make sure that you are qualified
and that you only lend your mo-
torcycle to other qualified opera-
tors.
● Know your skills and limits.
Staying within your limits may
help you to avoid an accident.
● We recommend that you prac-
tice riding your motorcycle
where there is no traffic until you
have become thoroughly famil-
iar with the motorcycle and all of
its controls.
● Many accidents have been caused
by error of the motorcycle opera-
tor. A typical error made by the op-
erator is veering wide on a turn
due to EXCESSIVE SPEED or un-
dercornering (insufficient lean an-
gle for the speed).
● Always obey the speed limit and
never travel faster than warrant-

SAFETY INFORMATION
1-2
1
ed by road and traffic conditions.
● Always signal before turning or
changing lanes. Make sure that
other motorists can see you.
● The posture of the operator and
passenger is important for proper
control.
● The operator should keep both
hands on the handlebar and
both feet on the operator foot-
rests during operation to main-
tain control of the motorcycle.
● The passenger should always
hold onto the operator, the seat
strap or grab bar, if equipped,
with both hands and keep both
feet on the passenger footrests.
● Never carry a passenger unless
he or she can firmly place both
feet on the passenger footrests.
● Never ride under the influence of
alcohol or other drugs.
Protective apparel
The majority of fatalities from motorcy-
cle accidents are the result of head in-
juries. The use of a safety helmet is the
single most critical factor in the preven-
tion or reduction of head injuries.
● Always wear an approved helmet.
● Wear a face shield or goggles.
Wind in your unprotected eyes
could contribute to an impairment
of vision that could delay seeing a
hazard.
● The use of a jacket, heavy boots,
trousers, gloves, etc., is effective in
preventing or reducing abrasions
or lacerations.
● Never wear loose-fitting clothes,
otherwise they could catch on the
control levers, footrests, or wheels
and cause injury or an accident.
● Never touch the engine or exhaust
system during or after operation.
They become very hot and can
cause burns. Always wear protec-
tive clothing that covers your legs,
ankles, and feet.
● Passengers should also observe
the precautions mentioned above.
Modifications
Modifications made to this motorcycle
not approved by Yamaha, or the re-
moval of original equipment, may ren-
der the motorcycle unsafe for use and
may cause severe personal injury.
Modifications may also make your mo-
torcycle illegal to use.
Loading and accessories
Adding accessories or cargo to your
motorcycle can adversely affect stabili-
ty and handling if the weight distribution
of the motorcycle is changed. To avoid
the possibility of an accident, use ex-
treme caution when adding cargo or
accessories to your motorcycle. Use
extra care when riding a motorcycle
that has added cargo or accessories.
Here are some general guidelines to
follow if loading cargo or adding acces-
sories to your motorcycle:
Loading
The total weight of the operator, pas-
senger, accessories and cargo must
not exceed the maximum load limit.
When loading within this weight limit,
keep the following in mind:
Maximum load:
160 kg (353 lb)

SAFETY INFORMATION
1-3
1
● Cargo and accessory weight
should be kept as low and close to
the motorcycle as possible. Make
sure to distribute the weight as
evenly as possible on both sides of
the motorcycle to minimize imbal-
ance or instability.
● Shifting weights can create a sud-
den imbalance. Make sure that ac-
cessories and cargo are securely
attached to the motorcycle before
riding. Check accessory mounts
and cargo restraints frequently.
● Never attach any large or heavy
items to the handlebar, front fork,
or front fender. These items, in-
cluding such cargo as sleeping
bags, duffel bags, or tents, can
create unstable handling or a slow
steering response.
Accessories
Genuine Yamaha accessories have
been specifically designed for use on
this motorcycle. Since Yamaha cannot
test all other accessories that may be
available, you must personally be re-
sponsible for the proper selection, in-
stallation and use of non-Yamaha
accessories. Use extreme caution
when selecting and installing any ac-
cessories.
Keep the following guidelines in mind,
as well as those provided under “Load-
ing”when mounting accessories.
● Never install accessories or carry
cargo that would impair the perfor-
mance of your motorcycle. Care-
fully inspect the accessory before
using it to make sure that it does
not in any way reduce ground
clearance or cornering clearance,
limit suspension travel, steering
travel or control operation, or ob-
scure lights or reflectors.
● Accessories fitted to the handle-
bar or the front fork area can
create instability due to improper
weight distribution or aerody-
namic changes. If accessories
are added to the handlebar or
front fork area, they must be as
lightweight as possible and
should be kept to a minimum.
● Bulky or large accessories may
seriously affect the stability of
the motorcycle due to aerody-
namic effects. Wind may at-
tempt to lift the motorcycle, or
the motorcycle may become un-
stable in cross winds. These ac-
cessories may also cause
instability when passing or being
passed by large vehicles.
● Certain accessories can dis-
place the operator from his or
her normal riding position. This
improper position limits the free-
dom of movement of the opera-
tor and may limit control ability,
therefore, such accessories are
not recommended.
● Use caution when adding electri-
cal accessories. If electrical acces-
sories exceed the capacity of the
motorcycle’s electrical system, an
electric failure could result, which
could cause a dangerous loss of
lights or engine power.
Gasoline and exhaust gas
● GASOLINE IS HIGHLY FLAMMA-
BLE:
● Always turn the engine off when

SAFETY INFORMATION
1-4
1
refueling.
● Take care not to spill any gaso-
line on the engine or exhaust
system when refueling.
● Never refuel while smoking or in
the vicinity of an open flame.
● Never start the engine or let it run
for any length of time in a closed
area. The exhaust fumes are poi-
sonous and may cause loss of
consciousness and death within a
short time. Always operate your
motorcycle in an area that has ad-
equate ventilation.
● Always turn the engine off before
leaving the motorcycle unattended
and remove the key from the main
switch. When parking the motorcy-
cle, note the following:
● The engine and exhaust system
may be hot, therefore, park the
motorcycle in a place where pe-
destrians or children are not like-
ly to touch these hot areas.
● Do not park the motorcycle on a
slope or soft ground, otherwise it
may fall over.
● Do not park the motorcycle near
a flammable source (e.g., a ker-
osene heater, or near an open
flame), otherwise it could catch
fire.
● When transporting the motorcycle
in another vehicle, make sure that
it is kept upright and that the fuel
cock(s) are turned to “ON”or
“RES”(for vacuum type)/“OFF”
(for manual type). If the motorcycle
should lean over, gasoline may
leak out of the carburetor or fuel
tank.
● If you should swallow any gaso-
line, inhale a lot of gasoline vapor,
or allow gasoline to get into your
eyes, see your doctor immediate-
ly. If any gasoline spills on your
skin or clothing, immediately wash
the affected area with soap and
water and change your clothes.

SAFETY INFORMATION
1-5
1
EAU10381
Location of important labels
Please read the following important labels carefully before operating this vehicle.
21 3

SAFETY INFORMATION
1-6
1
3
CARB.
FROM
FUEL TANK
CANISTER
TO ATMOSPHERE
4YN-21686-00
1 California only
WARNING
BEFORE YOU OPERATE THIS VEHICLE, READ
THE OWNER’S MANUAL AND ALL LABELS.
ALWAYS WEAR AN APPROVED MOTORCYCLE
HELMET, eye protection, and protective clothing.
5GK-2118K-00
2
3TT-21668-00

SAFETY INFORMATION
1-7
1
12

SAFETY INFORMATION
1-8
1
2
1
WARNING
8
8
This unit contains high pressure nitrogen gas.
Mishandling can cause explosion.
Read owner's manual for instructions.
Do not incinerate, puncture or open.
4AA-22259-80

2-1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
DESCRIPTION
EAU10410
Left view
1 2 43
1. Fuel cock (page 3-8)
2. Starter (choke) knob (page 3-9)
3. Air filter element (page 6-16)
4. Helmet holder (page 3-10)

DESCRIPTION
2-2
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
EAU10420
Right view
23 4
5
6
1
1. Spark arrester (page 6-17)
2. Battery (page 6-32)
3. Fuse (page 6-33)
4. Owner’s tool kit (page 6-1)
5. Engine oil level check window (page 6-13)
6. Engine oil filler cap (page 6-13)

DESCRIPTION
2-3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
EAU10430
Controls and instruments
12 6 83 5 7
9
4
1. Clutch lever (page 3-5)
2. Left handlebar switch (page 3-4)
3. Indicator lights (page 3-2)
4. Main switch/steering lock (page 3-1)
5. Multi-function display (page 3-3)
6. Right handlebar switches (page 3-4)
7. Front brake lever (page 3-6)
8. Throttle grip (page 6-19)
9. Fuel tank cap (page 3-6)

3-1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
EAU10460
Main switch/steering lock
The main switch/steering lock controls
the ignition and lighting systems, and is
used to lock the steering. The various
positions are described below.
EAU10580
ON
All electrical circuits are supplied with
power, and the meter lighting, taillight
and position lights come on, and the
engine can be started. The key cannot
be removed.
NOTE:
The headlight comes on automatically
when the engine is started and stays on
until the key is turned to “OFF”, even if
the engine stalls.
EAU10660
OFF
All electrical systems are off. The key
can be removed.
EAU10690
LOCK
The steering is locked, and all electrical
systems are off. The key can be re-
moved.
To lock the steering
1. Turn the handlebars all the way to
the left or right.
2. Push the key in from the “OFF”po-
sition, and then turn it to “LOCK”
while still pushing it.
3. Remove the key.
To unlock the steering
Push the key into the main switch, and
then turn it to “OFF”while still pushing
it.
WARNING
EWA10060
Never turn the key to “OFF”or
“LOCK”while the vehicle is moving,
otherwise the electrical systems will
be switched off, which may result in
loss of control or an accident. Make
1. Push.
2. Turn.
1
2
1. Push.
2. Turn.
1
2

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
sure that the vehicle is stopped be-
fore turning the key to “OFF”or
“LOCK”.
EAU10980
Indicator lights
EAU11020
Turn signal indicator light “”
This indicator light flashes when the
turn signal switch is pushed to the left or
right.
EAU11060
Neutral indicator light “”
This indicator light comes on when the
transmission is in the neutral position.
EAU11080
High beam indicator light “”
This indicator light comes on when the
high beam of the headlight is switched
on.
1. High beam indicator light “”
2. Turn signal indicator light “”
3. Neutral indicator light “”
1 2 3