Yamaha SCR950 (2017-2021) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals
This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the Yamaha SCR950 made from 2017, but discontinued by 2021.
The Yamaha SCR950 is a “Scrambler”-style motorcycle based on the Yamaha Bolt XVS950. As such, the SCR950 is based on a 942cc SOHC 4 valve per cylinder 60-degree air-cooled V-twin.
What’s unique about the Yamaha SCR950 against the other “Scrambler” motorcycles is that the SCR950 is powered by an air-cooled engine with a low compression ratio of 9.0:1.
Thus, power is modest at 51 hp (38 kW) at 5500 rpm, but this bike peaks in torque at 3000 rpm with a considerable 57 ft-lb (80 Nm).
Final drive for the SCR950 is via belt — belying the cruiser base of the SCR.
Originally published July 30, 2020, but significantly revised.
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Yamaha SCR950 Service Intervals
The Yamaha SCR950 has different service intervals depending on the market.
- US Maintenance Schedule — intervals of 4000 miles / 6000 km or 6 months
- European/Asian maintenance schedule — service intervals of 10000 km (6000 miles) or 12 months
Some other items have similar intervals, but they’re not quite the same. See here for more information about how the metric and US maintenance schedules for Yamaha motorcycles differ.
Regardless, at every service interval, change the oil and oil filter, and do a series of checks on the engine, looking for leaks, worn components, and parts in need of lubrication.
The major valve clearance service interval comes at either 16000 miles in the US or 20000 km in Europe or elsewhere.
Since the SCR950 has an air-cooled engine, there’s no coolant to change. And the belt does require inspection tension but is relatively low-maintenance compared to a chain.
What you need to maintain the Yamaha SCR950
Thankfully, the SCR950 (like everything else built on the Bolt platform) is a pretty straightforward motorcycle.
If you’re planning on maintaining it yourself — maybe you’re just changing the oil or plugs — then you’ll need the following consumables.
Firstly, you need to see if you have the basic motorcycle maintenance tools — nothing shocking, just things like a paddock stand, oil filter wrench, and so on.
| Product | Description |
|---|---|
| Oil | The manual suggests Yamalube 10W-40, or any other oil that has API service SG type or higher, JASO standard MA. |
| Oil filter | Replace the oil filter every time you change the oil. Standard Yamaha part is 5GH-1344061-00, or you can use a HF204RC from HifloFiltro. The benefit of the aftermarket filter is you don’t need a special tool to remove it (you can use a regular wrench). |
| Spark plugs | Use NGK spark plugs with code CPR7EA-9 (sold individually). Make sure they’re gapped to 0.8-0.9mm with an appropriate spark plug gapping tool, and tightened to 9.4 lb-ft (13 Nm) with an appropriate torque wrench. |
| Air filter | Standard Yamaha part number is 1TP-14451-00-00. You can also use the K&N part YA-9514 which is more available. |
| Brake pads | The front brake pads have parts code 5S7-W0045-00-00, and the rear brake pads have parts code 1D7-W0046-00-00. You can also use EBC FA179HH for the front and FA319/2HH for the rear. |
| Brake Fluid | You can use any DOT 4 brake fluid (the one we recommend is a high-grade synthetic one) |
| Cable lube | Protect all Cable Life — for lubricating cables and the controls. |
Yamaha SCR950 Maintenance Schedule
Below is the maintenance schedule for the Yamaha SCR950. There are two maintenance schedules, one for the US and the one for Europe/Australia/Asia/New Zealand etc.
We’ve separated out the maintenance schedule for the SCR950 into two parts:
- The recurring service schedule of major maintenance items, like oil, spark plugs, and valves, and
- The standard “inspection checklist” to do at every service.
Notes:
- For higher mileage, continue this maintenance schedule in the pattern indicated, repeating it by maintenance interval.
- Don’t clean the air filter with compressed air, to avoid damaging it.
- Since the SCR950 is no longer sold new, the break-in schedule is omitted (but it was mostly an oil change plus most of the regular maintenance items)
Yamaha SCR950 — US Service Schedule
Below is the US maintenance schedule for the Yamaha SCR950 with 4000 mile / 6000 km or 6-month service intervals.
See further below for the Europe schedule in kilometres.
| mi x 1000 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km x 1000 | 7 | 13 | 19 | 25 | 31 | |
| Months | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 | Every |
| Perform standard service checklist (see below) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| [Dealers] Perform dynamic inspection using Yamaha diagnostic tool. Check the error codes. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Change engine oil while engine warm (Yamalube 10W-40) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Replace oil filter (HF204RC) | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Check spark plug condition. Adjust gap and clean. Replace | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Replace the spark plugs (CPR7EA-9) | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Check and adjust valve clearances | ✓* | 16000 mi / 25000 km *No time interval | ||||
| Replace air filter (YA-1307) | 24000 mi / 37000 km, or more often if riding in dust/rain | |||||
| Change brake fluid (Castrol DOT 4) and rubber parts of brake master cylinder and calipers. | 2 years | |||||
| Replace brake hoses | 4 years | |||||
| Check clutch operation. Adjust or replace cable. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check wheels for damage. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check wheel bearings for smooth operation. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check steering bearing assemblies for looseness. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Moderately repack steering bearings with lithium soap-based grease. | ✓ | 12000 mi / 19000 km | ||||
| Check swingarm pivot bearing operation and for excessive play. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Moderately repack swingarm pivot bearing with lithium soap-based grease. | 32000 mi / 50000 km | |||||
| Check evap control system for damage (if fitted). Replace if necessary. | ✓ | ✓ |
Yamaha SCR950 — Europe maintenance schedule (kilometres)
Below is the maintenance schedule for the Yamaha SCR950 from Europe.
Note that the maintenance intervals are every 10000 km or 6000 miles, or annual.
| km x 1000 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mi x 1000 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | Every |
| Perform standard service checklist (see below) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| [Dealers] Perform dynamic inspection using Yamaha diagnostic tool. Check the error codes. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Change engine oil while engine warm (Yamalube 10W-40) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Replace oil filter (HF204RC) | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Check spark plug condition. Adjust gap and clean. | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Replace the spark plug (CPR7EA-9) | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Check and adjust valve clearance. | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Replace brake hoses | 4 years | ||||
| Change brake fluid (Castrol DOT 4) and rubber parts of brake master cylinder and calipers. | 2 years | ||||
| Replace air filter (YA-1307) | ✓ | More often if riding in dust/rain | |||
| Check clutch operation. Adjust or replace cable. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check wheels for damage. Replace if necessary. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check wheel bearings for smooth operation. Replace if necessary. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check swingarm pivot bearing operation and for excessive play. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Lubricate swingarm pivot bearing with lithium soap-based grease. | 50000 km | ||||
| Check steering bearing assemblies for roughness and looseness. | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Lubricate steering bearings with lithium soap-based grease. | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Check evap control system for damage. Replace if necessary. | ✓ | ✓ |
Standard maintenance checklist
Below is the checklist of items to check on the SCR950 at every service (per the schedules above).
| Standard service checklist |
|---|
| Check and adjust fuel injection synchronization. |
| Check brake hoses for cracks or damage, and for correct routing and clamping. |
| Check front brake operation, fluid level, and for fluid leakage. Replace brake pads if necessary (FA179HH) |
| Check rear brake operation, fluid level, and for fluid leakage. Replace brake pads if necessary (FA319/2HH). |
| Check side stand switch operation. |
| Check operation of front and rear brake switches. |
| Lubricate control cables with cable lubricant thoroughly. |
| Check lights, signals, and switch operation. Adjust headlight beam. |
| Check exhaust system for leakage. Tighten and/or replace gaskets as necessary. |
| Check throttle grip operation and free play, and adjust if necessary. Lubricate cable and grip housing. Throttle free play: 4-6 mm |
| Check fuel hoses for cracks or damage. |
| Check tire tread depth and for damage. Check pressure and adjust. |
| Check all chassis fitting and fasteners for tightness, and tighten if necessary. |
| Lubricate brake lever pivot shaft with silicone grease lightly. |
| Lubricate brake pedal, clutch lever, and shift pedal with lithium soap-based grease lightly. |
| Check side stand operation for smooth operation. If necessary, apply lithium soap-based grease lightly. |
| Check front fork operation and for rust, damage, or oil leakage. |
| Check rear shock absorber operation and for rust, damage, or oil leakage. |
| Check crankcase breather hose for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary. |
Drive belt maintenance
Since the SCR950 has a belt final drive, you have to maintain the belt! This is easier than maintaining a chain but still requires work.
Yes, having a belt calls into question whether an SCR950 can “Scramble” — but it can, as long as you do take care of that belt.
Yamaha recommends that every 2500 miles / 4000 km you service the belt by doing the following things.
- Check belt condition and replace if it’s damaged.
- Check belt tension / slack and adjust as necessary.
- Make sure the rear wheel is aligned (using the alignment markings).
To check belt condition, you check the belt for cracks, missing teeth, or other signs of wear. A visual inspection is sufficient.
To check the drive belt slack / tension, you need a belt tension tool. Follow these steps.
- Put the motorcycle on its side stand and in neutral on a level surface.
- Look through the belt check hole on the side of the belt, and note the current position relative to the notch marks. The notch marks are 5mm apart.
- Apply 45 N / 10 lb of force with a belt tension tool upwards and note the new position in the belt check hole.
- Calculate the drive belt slack by comparing the two positions.
Target belt deflection with 10 lb / 45 N of force: 6.0-8.0 mm (about 1.2 to 1.6 notches in the belt check hole)
If the belt tension is out, you need to adjust the belt tension.
To tighten the belt tension, you follow a similar procedure to adjusting drive chain tension on chain-driven motorcycles.
- Loosen the belt tension adjuster locknuts on either side of the swingarm at the rear.
- Loosen the rear axle bolt (no need to remove the axle).
- Adjust belt tension using the belt tension adjuster bolts. You only need to make small adjustments. Make sure you tighten them by the same amount on both sides, to keep belt alignment.
- Tighten the rear axle bolt (108 lb-ft / 146 Nm)
- Tighten the belt tension adjuster bolts.
If you feel unsure of that procedure, or think the alignment might be out, see a mechanic.
About the Yamaha SCR950
The SCR950 is the Yamaha “Scrambler” version of its classic Bolt layout, originally based on the platform of the Yamaha V Star 950 cruiser.
This puts it in competition with the Triumph Scrambler, particularly the earlier EFI 865 cc air/oil-cooled Triumph Scrambler.
Yamaha first introduced the SCR950 to American audiences, a more obvious target market. It was a hit, and Europeans loved the idea, and so Yamaha brought it to the European market. It has its share of fans, but Yamaha discontinued the model shortly afterwards.
Yamaha kept things simple and light in the Yamaha SCR950 with air/oil cooling for the engine, and a simple internal design with a single overhead cam to actuate the four valves per cylinder.
The motor runs a modest 9.0:1 compression ratio, meaning it’s never over-stressed, producing a lazy 38 kW / 51 hp at 5500 rpm, and peaking in torque at 3000 rpm.
While the power specs are unimpressive, riding the SCR950 (much like the Bolt) is a very different experience from reading about it on paper. It has absolutely no problem doing 80 mph or more — if you can stand the windblast — and it gets up there very quickly. Though you might have to shift a few times.
Highway passing is no problem, even in top gear. Just don’t expect to be passing sportbikes at high speed!
The drivetrain on the Yamaha SCR950 is also simple. It has a five-speed transmission and a belt drive (which itself isn’t ideally suited to off-road work, indicating that the Scrambler denomination is more a styling exercise than a description).
At the front there’s a single disc — a 298 mm unit, same as the rear. Given that the bike weighs a fairly hefty 248 kg wet and that the position is upright, the balanced braking gives a clue to the intended audience, who won’t ride it too hard.
But as with the engine, the brakes are totally capable of skidding you to a stop (there’s no ABS). They just won’t stand up to repeated abuse.
The front forks are non-adjustable, but the twin rear piggyback shocks are adjustable for preload, using a wrench. It’s still comfortable for all-day riding.
The Yamaha SCR950, like most standard bikes, is fine on gravel or dirt roads. But in mud or over rocks, its weight and choice of tires might become a sticking point.
The Yamaha SCR950 isn’t a traditional scrambler. Low pipes, belt drive, and heavy in weight… it breaks a lot of “rules”. But people who ride it enjoy it.
Yamaha discontinued the SCR950 after a few years (depending on market), but still sells the very similar Yamaha Bolt.
Manual for the Yamaha SCR950
The above information was gleaned from the owner’s manual for the 2017 Yamaha SCR950.
You can download it from Yamaha’s website here.
Below is a screenshot of the Yamaha SCR950’s manual from Europe.
