2008 YAMAHA YZF-R6 light

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.
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-5
6
EAU18680
NOTE:

Air filter
This model’s air filter is equipped with a disposable oil-coated paper element, which must not be cleaned with com-
pressed air to avoid damaging it.
The air filter element needs to be replaced more frequently when riding in unusually wet or dusty areas.


Hydraulic brake service
Regularly check and, if necessary, correct the brake fluid level.
29*Front and rear brake
switchesCheck operation.√√√√√√
30Moving parts and
cablesLubricate.√√√√√
31*Throttle grip hous-
ing and cableCheck operation and free play.
Adjust the throttle cable free play
if necessary.
Lubricate the throttle grip housing
and cable.√√√√√
32*Air induction sys-
temCheck the air cut-off valve, reed
valve, and hose for damage.
Replace any damaged parts if
necessary.√√√√√
33*Muffler and exhaust
pipeCheck the screw clamp for loose-
ness.√√√√√
34*Lights, signals and
switchesCheck operation.
Adjust headlight beam.√√√√√√ 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 5 Monday, August 27, 2007 4:53 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-8
6
2. Remove the projection on cowling
A from the hole in cowling B as
shown.3. Remove the forward-most projec-
tion from the slot, slide the cowling
forward, and then remove the re-
maining projections from the slots
as shown.
4. Disconnect the turn signal light
lead coupler.
1. Quick fastener screw
2. Quick fastener
1. Cowling B
2. Bolt
3. Quick fastener
1. Quick fastener
1. Quick fastener screw
2. Quick fastener
1. Cowling A
2. Cowling B
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-9
6
To install the cowling
1. Connect the turn signal light lead
coupler.2. Fit the projections into the slots,
slide the cowling rearward, and
then fit the forward-most projection
into the slot.3. Fit the projection on cowling A into
the hole in cowling B as shown.
4. Install the bolts, quick fasteners,
and quick fastener screw.
EAU39092
Cowling C
To remove the cowling1. Remove cowling B and panel B.
(See page 6-7.)
2. Unfasten the wire harness by
pressing on the projection to open
the plastic fastener.
1. Cowling A
2. Turn signal light lead coupler
1. Cowling B
2. Turn signal light lead coupler
1. Cowling A
2. Turn signal light lead coupler
1. Cowling B
2. Turn signal light lead coupler
1. Cowling A
2. Cowling B
U13SE0E0.book Page 9 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
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-15
6fication of “CD” or oils of a high-
er quality than specified. In
addition, do not use oils labeled
“ENERGY CONSERVING II” or
higher.


Make sure that no foreign mate-rial enters the crankcase.
15. Start the engine, and then let it idle
for several minutes while checking
it for oil leakage. If oil is leaking, im-
mediately turn the engine off and
check for the cause.
NOTE:After the engine is started, the engine
oil level warning light should go off if theoil level is sufficient.CAUTION:
ECA10400
If the oil level warning light flickers
or remains on, immediately turn the
engine off and have a Yamaha dealercheck the vehicle.
16. Turn the engine off, and then
check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
17. Install the cowling.
EAU20070
Coolant The coolant level should be checked
before each ride. In addition, the cool-
ant must be changed at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
EAU39084
To check the coolant level
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion.NOTE:

The coolant level must be checked
on a cold engine since the level
varies with engine temperature.


Make sure that the vehicle is posi-
tioned straight up when checking
the coolant level. A slight tilt to theside can result in a false reading.
2. Check the coolant level in the cool-
ant reservoir.
NOTE:The coolant should be between theminimum and maximum level marks.
1.“CD” specification
2.“ENERGY CONSERVING II”
1
2
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-24
6
EAU22270
Adjusting the rear brake light
switch The rear brake light switch, which is ac-
tivated by the brake pedal, is properly
adjusted when the brake light comes
on just before braking takes effect. If
necessary, adjust the brake light switch
as follows.
Turn the adjusting nut while holding the
rear brake light switch in place. To
make the brake light come on earlier,
turn the adjusting nut in direction (a). To
make the brake light come on later, turn
the adjusting nut in direction (b).
EAU22390
Checking the front and rear
brake pads The front and rear brake pads must be
checked for wear at the intervals spec-
ified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart.
EAU36890
Front brake pads
Each front brake pad is provided with
wear indicators, which allows you to
check the brake pad wear without hav-
ing to disassemble the brake. To check
the brake pad wear, check the position
of the wear indicators while applying
the brake. If a brake pad has worn tothe point that a wear indicator almost
touches the brake disc, have a Yamaha
dealer replace the brake pads as a set.
EAU22500
Rear brake pads
Check each rear brake pad for damage
and measure the lining thickness. If a
brake pad is damaged or if the lining
thickness is less than 1.0 mm (0.04 in),
have a Yamaha dealer replace the
brake pads as a set.
1. Rear brake light switch
2. Rear brake light switch adjusting nut
1. Brake pad wear indicator
1. Lining thickness
U13SE0E0.book Page 24 Monday, August 27, 2007 4:53 PM