Page 1 of 104
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
YAMAHA MOTOR CO., LTD.
PRINTED IN JAPAN
2003.08-1.1×1 CR
(E)5SL-28199-E1
YZF-R6
OWNER’S MANUAL
Page 2 of 104
EAU26941
DECLARATION of CONFORMITY
We
Hereby declare that the product:
is in compliance with following norm(s) or documents: Type-designation:
5SL-00, 5VS-00, 5VX-00, 3HT-00, 5UX-00, 5UX-10, 5KS-00 and 5KS-10
R&TTE Directive(1999/5/EC)
EN300 330-2 v1.1.1(2001-6), EN60950(2000)
Two or Three-Wheel Motor Vehicles Directive(97/24/EC: Chapter 8, EMC)
Place of issue: Shizuoka, Japan
Date of issue: Aug. 1
st 2002 Kind of equipment: IMMOBILIZER Address: 1450-6 Mori Mori-Machi Shuchi-gun Shizuoka 437-0292 Japan Company: MORIC CO., LTD.
Kazuji Kawai
representative name and signature
5SLE1.book Page 1 Friday, August 1, 2003 4:09 PM
Page 3 of 104
INTRODUCTION
EAU10100
Welcome to the Yamaha world of motorcycling!
As the owner of the YZF-R6, you are benefiting from Yamaha’s vast experience and newest technology regarding the design
and manufacture of high-quality products, which have earned Yamaha a reputation for dependability.
Please take the time to read this manual thoroughly, so as to enjoy all advantages of your YZF-R6. The owner’s manual does
not only instruct you in how to operate, inspect and maintain your motorcycle, but also in how to safeguard yourself and oth-
ers from trouble and injury.
In addition, the many tips given in this manual will help keep your motorcycle in the best possible condition. If you have any
further questions, do not hesitate to contact your Yamaha dealer.
The Yamaha team wishes you many safe and pleasant rides. So, remember to put safety first!
5SLE1.book Page 1 Friday, August 1, 2003 4:09 PM
Page 4 of 104

IMPORTANT MANUAL INFORMATION
EAU10150
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 motorcycleand this manual. If you have any questions concerning this manual, please consult your Yamaha dealer.WARNING
EWA10030
PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY AND COMPLETELY BEFORE OPERATING THIS MOTORCYCLE.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 motor-
cycle 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 motor-
cycle.
A NOTE provides key information to make procedures easier or clearer.
WARNING
CAUTION:
NOTE:
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Page 5 of 104
IMPORTANT MANUAL INFORMATION
EAU10200
YZF-R6
OWN ER’S MANUAL
©2003 by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
1st edition, July 2003
All rights reserved.
Any reprinting or unauthorized use
without the written permission of
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
is expressly prohibited.
Printed in Japan.
5SLE1.book Page 2 Friday, August 1, 2003 4:09 PM
Page 6 of 104

TABLE OF CONTENTSSAFETY INFORMATION ..................1-1
DESCRIPTION ..................................2-1
Left view ..........................................2-1
Right view ........................................2-2
Controls and instruments.................2-3
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL
FUNCTIONS.......................................3-1
Immobilizer system .........................3-1
Main switch/steering lock ................3-2
Indicator and warning lights ............3-3
Tachometer ....................................3-8
Multi-function display ......................3-8
Anti-theft alarm (optional) .............3-12
Handlebar switches ......................3-12
Clutch lever ...................................3-14
Shift pedal .....................................3-14
Brake lever ...................................3-14
Brake pedal ..................................3-15
Fuel tank cap ................................3-15
Fuel ...............................................3-16
Fuel tank breather hose ................3-17
Catalytic converter ........................3-17
Seats ............................................3-17
Helmet holders .............................3-18
Storage compartment ...................3-19
Adjusting the front fork ..................3-20
Adjusting the shock absorber
assembly ...................................3-22
Luggage strap holders ..................3-23Sidestand ..................................... 3-24
Ignition circuit cut-off system ........ 3-24
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS............. 4-1
Pre-operation check list .................. 4-2
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT
RIDING POINTS................................. 5-1
Starting the engine ......................... 5-1
Shifting ........................................... 5-2
Tips for reducing fuel
consumption ............................... 5-3
Engine break-in .............................. 5-3
Parking ........................................... 5-4
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE
AND MINOR REPAIR........................ 6-1
Owner’s tool kit ............................... 6-1
Periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart .......................... 6-2
Removing and installing
cowlings and panels ................... 6-6
Checking the spark plugs ............... 6-8
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge ..... 6-9
Coolant ......................................... 6-12
Checking the air filter element ...... 6-16
Air intake duct .............................. 6-18
Adjusting the engine idling
speed ........................................ 6-18
Adjusting the throttle cable
free play .................................... 6-19Adjusting the valve clearance ...... 6-19
Tires ............................................. 6-19
Cast wheels ................................. 6-22
Adjusting the clutch lever
free play .................................... 6-22
Adjusting the brake pedal
position ..................................... 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
Lubricating the drive chain ........... 6-28
Checking and lubricating the
cables ....................................... 6-28
Checking and lubricating the
throttle grip and cable ............... 6-29
Checking and lubricating the
brake and shift pedals .............. 6-29
Checking and lubricating the
brake and clutch levers ............ 6-30
Checking and lubricating the
sidestand .................................. 6-30
Checking the front fork ................. 6-31
Checking the steering .................. 6-31
Checking the wheel bearings ....... 6-32
Battery ......................................... 6-32
Replacing the fuses ..................... 6-33
Replacing a headlight bulb .......... 6-355SLE1.book Page 1 Friday, August 1, 2003 4:09 PM
Page 7 of 104
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Tail/brake light .............................. 6-36
Replacing a turn signal light
bulb ........................................... 6-36
Replacing the license plate light
bulb ........................................... 6-37
Replacing an auxiliary light
bulb ........................................... 6-37
Supporting the motorcycle ............ 6-38
Front wheel ................................... 6-39
Rear wheel ................................... 6-41
Troubleshooting ............................ 6-42
Troubleshooting charts ................. 6-43
MOTORCYCLE CARE AND
STORAGE.......................................... 7-1
Care ................................................ 7-1
Storage ...........................................7-3
SPECIFICATIONS ............................. 8-1
CONSUMER INFORMATION............. 9-1
Identification numbers .................... 9-1
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Page 8 of 104

1-1
1
SAFETY INFORMATION
EAU10280
MOTORCYCLES ARE SINGLE
TRACK VEHICLES. THEIR SAFE USE
AND OPERATION ARE DEPENDENT
UPON THE USE OF PROPER RIDING
TECHNIQUES AS WELL AS THE EX-
PERTISE OF THE OPERATOR. EV-
ERY OPERATOR SHOULD KNOW
THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS
BEFORE RIDING THIS MOTOR-
CYCLE.
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 MANUALAND/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 you are
approaching and passing
through intersections, since in-
tersections are the most likely
places for motorcycle accidents
to occur.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
motorcycle to other qualified op-
erators.
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
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