2008 YAMAHA YZF-R6 engine

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-2
5 serve the battery. Do not crank the en-
gine more than 10 seconds on any one
attempt.CAUTION:
ECA11040
For maximum engine life, never ac-
celerate hard when the engine iscold!
EAU16671
Shifting Shifting gears lets you control the
amount of engine power available for
starting off, accelerating, climbing hills,
etc.
The gear positions are shown in the il-
lustration.NOTE:To shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position, press the shift pedal down
repeatedly until it reaches the end of itstravel, and then slightly raise it.
CAUTION:
ECA10260


Even with the transmission in
the neutral position, do not
coast for long periods of time
with the engine off, and do not
tow the motorcycle for long dis-
tances. The transmission is
properly lubricated only when
the engine is running. Inade-
quate lubrication may damage
the transmission.


Always use the clutch while
changing gears to avoid damag-
ing the engine, transmission,
and drive train, which are not
designed to withstand theshock of forced shifting.
1. Shift pedal
2. Neutral position
U13SE0E0.book Page 2 Monday, August 27, 2007 4:53 PM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-3
5
EAU16810
Tips for reducing fuel con-
sumption Fuel consumption depends largely on
your riding style. Consider the following
tips to reduce fuel consumption:

Shift up swiftly, and avoid high en-
gine speeds during acceleration.


Do not rev the engine while shifting
down, and avoid high engine
speeds with no load on the engine.


Turn the engine off instead of let-
ting it idle for an extended length of
time (e.g., in traffic jams, at traffic
lights or at railroad crossings).
EAU16841
Engine break-in There is never a more important period
in the life of your engine than the period
between 0 and 1600 km (1000 mi). For
this reason, you should read the follow-
ing material carefully.
Since the engine is brand new, do not
put an excessive load on it for the first
1600 km (1000 mi). The various parts in
the engine wear and polish themselves
to the correct operating clearances.
During this period, prolonged full-throt-
tle operation or any condition that might
result in engine overheating must be
avoided.
EAU17081
0–1000 km (0–600 mi)
Avoid prolonged operation above 8300
r/min.
1000–1600 km (600–1000 mi)
Avoid prolonged operation above 9900
r/min.
CAUTION:
ECA10301
After 1000 km (600 mi) of operation,
the engine oil must be changed and
the oil filter cartridge or element re-placed.
1600 km (1000 mi) and beyond
The vehicle can now be operated nor-
mally.CAUTION:
ECA10310


Keep the engine speed out of
the tachometer red zone.


If any engine trouble should oc-
cur during the engine break-in
period, immediately have a
Yamaha dealer check the vehi-cle.
NOTE:During and after the engine break-in
period, the exhaust heat may cause
discoloration of the exhaust pipe, butthis is normal.
U13SE0E0.book Page 3 Monday, August 27, 2007 4:53 PM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-4
5
EAU17212
Parking When parking, stop the engine, and
then remove the key from the main
switch.
WARNING
EWA10310


Since the engine and exhaust
system can become very hot,
park in a place where pedestri-
ans or children are not likely to
touch them.


Do not park on a slope or on soft
ground, otherwise the vehiclemay overturn.
CAUTION:
ECA10380
Never park in an area where there
are fire hazards such as grass orother flammable materials.
U13SE0E0.book Page 4 Monday, August 27, 2007 4:53 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-4
6
17Brake pedal pivot
shaftLubricate with lithium-soap-based
grease.√√√√√
18Clutch lever pivot
shaftLubricate with lithium-soap-based
grease.√√√√√
19Shift pedal pivot
shaftLubricate with lithium-soap-based
grease.√√√√√
20 SidestandCheck operation.
Lubricate.√√√√√
21*Sidestand switchCheck operation.√√√√√√
22*Front forkCheck operation and for oil leak-
age.√√√√
23*Shock absorber as-
semblyCheck operation and shock ab-
sorber for oil leakage.√√√√
24*Rear suspension re-
lay arm and con-
necting arm
pivoting pointsCheck operation.√√√√
25*Fuel injection sys-
temAdjust synchronization.√√√√√
26 Engine oilChange.
Check oil level and vehicle for oil
leakage.√√√√√√
27Engine oil filter car-
tridgeReplace.√√√
28*Cooling systemCheck coolant level and vehicle
for coolant leakage.√√√√√
Change. Every 3 years NO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOBODOMETER READING
ANNUAL
CHECK 1000 km
(600 mi)10000 km
(6000 mi)20000 km
(12000 mi)30000 km
(18000 mi)40000 km
(24000 mi)
U13SE0E0.book Page 4 Monday, August 27, 2007 4:53 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-11
6
EAU19652
Checking the spark plugs The spark plugs are important engine
components, which should be checked
periodically, preferably by a Yamaha
dealer. Since heat and deposits will
cause any spark plug to slowly erode,
they should be removed and checked
in accordance with the periodic mainte-
nance and lubrication chart. In addition,
the condition of the spark plugs can re-
veal the condition of the engine.
The porcelain insulator around the cen-
ter electrode of each spark plug should
be a medium-to-light tan (the ideal color
when the vehicle is ridden normally),
and all spark plugs installed in the en-
gine should have the same color. If any
spark plug shows a distinctly different
color, the engine could be operating im-
properly. Do not attempt to diagnose
such problems yourself. Instead, have
a Yamaha dealer check the vehicle.
If a spark plug shows signs of electrode
erosion and excessive carbon or other
deposits, it should be replaced.Before installing a spark plug, the spark
plug gap should be measured with a
wire thickness gauge and, if necessary,
adjusted to specification.
Clean the surface of the spark plug
gasket and its mating surface, and then
wipe off any grime from the spark plug
threads.
NOTE:If a torque wrench is not available when
installing a spark plug, a good estimate
of the correct torque is 1/4–1/2 turn
past finger tight. However, the spark
plug should be tightened to the speci-fied torque as soon as possible.CAUTION:
ECA10840
Do not use any tools to remove or in-
stall the spark plug cap, otherwise
the ignition coil coupler may get
damaged. The spark plug cap may
be difficult to remove because the
rubber seal on the end of the cap fits
tightly. To remove the spark plug
cap, simply twist it back and forth
while pulling it out; to install it, twistit back and forth while pushing it in.
Specified spark plug:
NGK/CR10EK
1. Spark plug gapSpark plug gap:
0.6–0.7 mm (0.024–0.028 in)
Tightening torque:
Spark plug:
12.5 Nm (1.25 m·kgf, 9.0 ft·lbf)
U13SE0E0.book Page 11 Monday, August 27, 2007 4:53 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-12
6
EAU38995
Engine oil and oil filter car-
tridge The engine oil level should be checked
before each ride. In addition, the oil
must be changed and the oil filter car-
tridge replaced at the intervals speci-
fied in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart.
To check the engine oil level
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion.NOTE:
Make sure that the vehicle is positioned
straight up when checking the oil level.
A slight tilt to the side can result in afalse reading.
2. Start the engine, warm it up for
several minutes, and then turn it
off.
3. Wait a few minutes until the oil set-
tles.4. Remove the engine oil dipstick and
wipe it clean, insert it back into the
hole (without screwing it in), and
then remove it again to check the
oil level.
NOTE:The engine oil should be between theminimum and maximum level marks.
5. If the engine oil is at or below the
minimum level mark, remove the
oil filler cap, and then add sufficient
oil of the recommended type to
raise it to the correct level.6. Insert and tighten the engine oil
dipstick, and then install and tight-
en the oil filler cap.
To change the engine oil (with or
without oil filter cartridge replace-
ment)
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face.
2. Remove cowling A. (See page
6-7.)
3. Start the engine, warm it up for
several minutes, and then turn it
off.
4. Place an oil pan under the engine
to collect the used oil.1. Dipstick
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
1. Engine oil filler cap
U13SE0E0.book Page 12 Monday, August 27, 2007 4:53 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-13
65. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and drain bolt to drain the oil from
the crankcase.
NOTE:
Skip steps 6–12 if the oil filter cartridgeis not being replaced.
6. Remove the shift arm by removing
the bolt and pulling it off its shaft.
7. Remove the fuel tank breath-
er/overflow hoses from the guides.8. Remove the oil filter cartridge with
an oil filter wrench.
NOTE:An oil filter wrench is available at aYamaha dealer.
9. Apply a thin coat of engine oil to
the O-ring of the new oil filter car-
tridge.NOTE:Make sure that the O-ring is properlyseated.
10. Install the new oil filter cartridge
with an oil filter wrench, and then
tighten it to the specified torque
with a torque wrench.
1. Engine oil drain bolt
1. Bolt
2. Shift arm
3. Engine oil filter cartridge
4. Guide
5. Fuel tank breather/overflow hose
1. Oil filter wrench
1. O-ring
U13SE0E0.book Page 13 Monday, August 27, 2007 4:53 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-14
6 11. Install the fuel tank breather/over-
flow hoses into the guides, then
place them in their original posi-
tion.
12. Install the shift arm by aligning the
match mark on the shift arm with
the match mark on the shift shaft
and installing the bolt, then tighten-
ing it to the specified torque.
CAUTION:
ECA15341
Be sure to align the match marks to
ensure proper shifting.If the match marks are not aligned,
the shift arm will not move correctly
and you may not be able to shift up
or down.
13. Install the engine oil drain bolt, and
then tighten it to the specified
torque.NOTE:Check the washer for damage and re-place it if necessary.14. Refill with the specified amount of
the recommended engine oil, and
then install and tighten the oil filler
cap.
NOTE:
Be sure to wipe off spilled oil on any
parts after the engine and exhaust sys-tem have cooled down.CAUTION:
ECA11620


In order to prevent clutch slip-
page (since the engine oil also
lubricates the clutch), do not
mix any chemical additives. Do
not use oils with a diesel speci-
1. Torque wrenchTightening torque:
Oil filter cartridge:
17 Nm (1.7 m·kgf, 12 ft·lbf)
1. Bolt
2. Shift shaft
3. Match marks
4. Shift arm
Tightening torque:
Shift arm bolt:
10 Nm (1.0 m·kgf, 7.2 ft·lbf)
Tightening torque:
Engine oil drain bolt:
43 Nm (4.3 m·kgf, 31 ft·lbf)
Recommended engine oil:
See page 8-1.
Oil quantity:
Without oil filter cartridge replace-
ment:
2.40 L (2.54 US qt) (2.11 Imp.qt)
With oil filter cartridge replacement:
2.60 L (2.75 US qt) (2.29 Imp.qt)
U13SE0E0.book Page 14 Monday, August 27, 2007 4:53 PM