2008 YAMAHA YZF-R6 Owners Manual

SAFETY INFORMATION
1-2
1 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-
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.


This motorcycle is designed for on-
road use only. It is not suitable for
off-road use.
Protective apparel
The majority of fatalities from motor-
cycle accidents are the result of head
injuries. The use of a safety helmet is
the single most critical factor in the pre-
vention 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 cancause burns. Always wear protec-
tive clothing that covers your legs,
ankles, and feet.


A passenger should also observe
the above precautions.
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
motorcycle 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:
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SAFETY INFORMATION
1-3
1Loading
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:

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 sleepingbags, 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-
Maximum load:
190 kg (419 lb)
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SAFETY INFORMATION
1-4
1 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
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 motor-
cycle, 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. If the motorcycle
should lean over, gasoline may
leak out of the 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 immediately.
If any gasoline spills on your skinor clothing, immediately wash the
affected area with soap and water
and change your clothes.
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DESCRIPTION
2-1
2
EAU10410
Left view1. Fuse box 2 (page 6-34)
2. Front fork spring preload adjusting bolt (page 3-21)
3. Front fork rebound damping force adjusting screw (page 3-21)
4. Shock absorber assembly spring preload adjusting ring (page 3-23)
5. Shock absorber assembly compression damping force adjusting bolt
(for fast compression damping) (page 3-23)
6. Shock absorber assembly compression damping force adjusting bolt
(for slow compression damping) (page 3-23)
7. Owner’s tool kit (page 6-1)8. Shock absorber assembly rebound damping force adjusting screw
(page 3-23)
9. Shift pedal (page 3-15)
10.Engine oil filter cartridge (page 6-12)
11.Engine oil drain bolt (page 6-12)
12.Front fork compression damping force adjusting bolt (for fast compres-
sion damping) (page 3-21)
13.Front fork compression damping force adjusting bolt (for slow com-
pression damping) (page 3-21)U13SE0E0.book Page 1 Monday, August 27, 2007 4:53 PM

DESCRIPTION
2-2
2
EAU10420
Right view1. Luggage strap holder (page 3-26)
2. Helmet holder (page 3-20)
3. Fuse box 1 (page 6-34)
4. Main fuse (page 6-34)
5. Fuel injection system fuse (page 6-34)
6. Battery (page 6-32)
7. Air filter element (page 6-19)
8. Front brake fluid reservoir (page 6-25)9. Radiator cap (page 6-15)
10.Coolant reservoir (page 6-15)
11.Engine oil filler cap (page 6-12)
12.Coolant drain bolt (page 6-16)
13.Dipstick (page 6-12)
14.Brake pedal (page 3-16)
15.Rear brake light switch (page 6-24)
16.Rear brake fluid reservoir (page 6-25)
U13SE0E0.book Page 2 Monday, August 27, 2007 4:53 PM

DESCRIPTION
2-3
2
EAU10430
Controls and instruments1. Clutch lever (page 3-15)
2. Left handlebar switches (page 3-14)
3. Main switch/steering lock (page 3-2)
4. Multi-function meter unit (page 3-7)
5. Right handlebar switches (page 3-14)
6. Brake lever (page 3-16)
7. Throttle grip (page 6-19)U13SE0E0.book Page 3 Monday, August 27, 2007 4:53 PM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-1
3
EAU10974
Immobilizer system This vehicle is equipped with an immo-
bilizer system to help prevent theft by
re-registering codes in the standard
keys. This system consists of the fol-
lowing.

a code re-registering key (with a
red bow)


two standard keys (with a black
bow) that can be re-registered with
new codes


a transponder (which is installed in
the code re-registering key)


an immobilizer unit


an ECU (Electronic Control Unit)


an immobilizer system indicator
light (See page 3-4.)
The key with the red bow is used to reg-
ister codes in each standard key. Since
re-registering is a difficult process, take
the vehicle along with all three keys to
a Yamaha dealer to have them re-reg-
istered. Do not use the key with the red
bow for driving. It should only be used
for re-registering the standard keys. Al-
ways use a standard key for driving.
CAUTION:
ECA11821


DO NOT LOSE THE CODE RE-
REGISTERING KEY! CONTACT
YOUR DEALER IMMEDIATELY
IF IT IS LOST! If the code re-reg-
istering key is lost, registering
new codes in the standard keys
is impossible. The standard
keys can still be used to start
the vehicle, however if code re-
registering is required (i.e., if a
new standard key is made or all
keys are lost) the entire immobi-
lizer system must be replaced.
Therefore, it is highly recom-mended to use either standard
key and keep the code re-regis-
tering key in a safe place.


Do not submerse any key in wa-
ter.


Do not expose any key to exces-
sively high temperatures.


Do not place any key close to
magnets (this includes, but not
limited to, products such as
speakers, etc.).


Do not place items that transmit
electrical signals close to any
key.


Do not place heavy items on any
key.


Do not grind any key or alter its
shape.


Do not disassemble the plastic
part of any key.


Do not put two keys of any im-
mobilizer system on the same
key ring.


Keep the standard keys as well
as keys of other immobilizer
systems away from this vehi-
cle’s code re-registering key.
1. Code re-registering key (red bow)
2. Standard keys (black bow)
U13SE0E0.book Page 1 Monday, August 27, 2007 4:53 PM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-2
3


Keep other immobilizer system
keys away from the main switch
as they may cause signal inter-ference.
EAU10471
Main switch/steering lock The main switch/steering lock controls
the ignition and lighting systems, and is
used to lock the steering.NOTE:Be sure to use the standard key (black
bow) for regular use of the vehicle. To
minimize the risk of losing the code re-
registering key (red bow), keep it in a
safe place and only use it for code re-registering.
EAU38530
ON
All electrical circuits are supplied with
power; the meter lighting, taillight, li-
cense plate light and auxiliary light
come on, and the engine can be start-
ed. 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 ifthe engine stalls.
EAU10660
OFF
All electrical systems are off. The key
can be removed.
EAU10680
LOCK
The steering is locked, and all electrical
systems are off. The key can be re-
moved.
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