Yamaha XSR700 - Owner's Manual > Washing

1. Rinse off any degreaser and spray down the vehicle with a garden hose. Use only enough pressure to do the job. Avoid spraying water directly into the muffler, instrument panel, air inlet, or other inner areas such as underseat storage compartments.

2. Wash the vehicle with a quality automotive- type detergent mixed with cool water and a soft, clean towel or sponge. Use an old toothbrush or plastic-bristle brush for hard-to-reach places. NOTICE: Use cold water if the vehicle has been exposed to salt. Warm water will increase salt's corrosive properties. 3. For windshield-equipped vehicles: Clean the windshield with a soft towel or sponge dampened with water and a pH neutral detergent.

If necessary, use a high-quality windshield cleaner or polish for motorcycles. NOTICE: Never use any strong chemicals to clean the windshield. Additionally, some cleaning compounds for plastic may scratch the windshield, so be sure to test all cleaning products before general application. 4. Rinse off thoroughly with clean water. Be sure to remove all detergent residues, as they can be harmful to plastic parts.

After washing

1. Dry the vehicle with a chamois or absorbent towel, preferably microfiber terrycloth.

2. For drive chain-equipped models: Dry and then lubricate the drive chain to prevent rust.

3. Use a chrome polish to shine chrome, aluminum, and stainless steel parts. Often the thermally induced discoloring of stainless steel exhaust systems can be removed through polishing.

4. Apply a corrosion protection spray on all metal parts including chrome or nickel-plated surfaces.

WARNING! Do not apply silicone or oil spray to seats, hand grips, rubber foot pegs or tire treads. Otherwise these parts will become slippery, which could cause loss of control.

Thoroughly clean the surfaces of these parts before operating the vehicle.

5. Treat rubber, vinyl, and unpainted plastic parts with a suitable care product.

6. Touch up minor paint damage caused by stones, etc.

7. Wax all painted surfaces using a non-abrasive wax or use a detail spray for motorcycles.

8. When finished cleaning, start the engine and let it idle for several minutes to help dry any remaining moisture.

9. If the headlight lens has fogged up, start the engine and turn on the headlight to help remove the moisture.

10. Let the vehicle dry completely before storing or covering it.

NOTICE

• Do not apply wax to rubber or unpainted plastic parts.
• Do not use abrasive polishing compounds as they will wear away the paint.
• Apply sprays and wax sparingly.

  Wipe off excess afterwards.

WARNING

Contaminants left on the brakes or tires can cause loss of control.

• Make sure there is no lubricant or wax on the brakes or tires.
• If necessary, wash the tires with warm water and a mild detergent.
• If necessary, clean the brake discs and pads with brake cleaner or acetone.
• Before riding at higher speeds, test the vehicle's braking performance and cornering behavior.

Storage

Always store the vehicle in a cool, dry place. If necessary, protect it against dust with a porous cover. Be sure the engine and the exhaust system are cool before covering the vehicle. If the vehicle often sits for weeks at a time between uses, the use of a quality fuel stabilizer is recommended after each fill-up.

NOTICE

• Storing the vehicle in a poorly ventilated room or covering it with a tarp, while it is still wet, will allow water and humidity to seep in and cause rust.
• To prevent corrosion, avoid damp cellars, stables (because of the presence of ammonia) and areas where strong chemicals are stored.

Long term storage

Before storing the vehicle long term (60 days or more):

1. Make all necessary repairs and perform any outstanding maintenance.

2. Follow all instructions in the Care section of this chapter.

3. Fill up the fuel tank, adding fuel stabilizer according to product instructions.

Run the engine for 5 minutes to distribute treated fuel through the fuel system.

4. For vehicles equipped with a fuel cock: Turn the fuel cock lever to the off position.

5. For vehicles with a carburetor: To prevent fuel deposits from building up, drain the fuel in the carburetor float chamber into a clean container. Retighten the drain bolt and pour the fuel back into the fuel tank.

6. Use a quality engine fogging oil according to product instructions to protect internal engine components from corrosion. If engine fogging oil is not available, perform the following steps for each cylinder:

a. Remove the spark plug cap and spark plug.

b. Pour a teaspoonful of engine oil into the spark plug bore.

c. Install the spark plug cap onto the spark plug, and then place the spark plug on the cylinder head so that the electrodes are grounded. (This will limit sparking during the next step.) d. Turn the engine over several times with the starter. (This will coat the cylinder wall with oil.)

WARNING! To prevent damage or injury from sparking, make sure to ground the spark plug electrodes while turning the engine over.

e. Remove the spark plug cap from the spark plug, and then install the spark plug and the spark plug cap.

7. Lubricate all control cables, pivots, levers and pedals, as well as the sidestand and centerstand (if equipped).

8. Check and correct the tire air pressure, and then lift the vehicle so that all wheels are off the ground. Otherwise, turn the wheels a little once a month in order to prevent the tires from becoming degraded in one spot.

9. Cover the muffler outlet with a plastic bag to prevent moisture from entering it.

10. Remove the battery and fully charge it, or attach a maintenance charger to keep the battery optimally charged. NOTICE: Confirm that the battery and its charger are compatible. Do not charge a VRLA battery with a conventional charger.

TIP

• If the battery will be removed, charge it once a month and store it in a temperate location between 0-30 ºC (32-90 ºF).
• For more information on charging and storing the battery.

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