2008 YAMAHA YZF-R6 maintenance

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 ............3-4
Multi-function meter unit .................3-7
Anti-theft alarm (optional) .............3-13
Handlebar switches ......................3-14
Clutch lever ...................................3-15
Shift pedal .....................................3-15
Brake lever ...................................3-16
Brake pedal ..................................3-16
Fuel tank cap ................................3-17
Fuel ...............................................3-17
Fuel tank breather/overflow
hose ..........................................3-18
Catalytic converters ......................3-19
Seats ............................................3-19
Helmet holding cable ....................3-20
Adjusting the front fork ..................3-21
Adjusting the shock absorber
assembly ...................................3-23
Luggage strap holders ..................3-26
EXUP system ...............................3-26Sidestand ..................................... 3-27
Ignition circuit cut-off system ........ 3-27
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 .................................. 6-7
Checking the spark plugs ............. 6-11
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge ... 6-12
Coolant ......................................... 6-15
Air filter element ........................... 6-19
Checking the engine idling
speed ........................................ 6-19
Checking the throttle cable free
play ........................................... 6-19
Valve clearance ............................ 6-20Tires ............................................. 6-20
Cast wheels ................................. 6-23
Adjusting the clutch lever free
play ........................................... 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
Cleaning and lubricating the drive
chain ......................................... 6-27
Checking and lubricating
the cables ................................. 6-28
Checking and lubricating
the throttle grip and cable ......... 6-28
Checking and lubricating
the brake and shift pedals ........ 6-29
Checking and lubricating
the brake and clutch levers ...... 6-29
Checking and lubricating
the sidestand ............................ 6-30
Lubricating the swingarm
pivots ........................................ 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 ..................... 6-34
Replacing a headlight bulb .......... 6-35U13SE0E0.book Page 1 Monday, August 27, 2007 4:53 PM

1-1
1
SAFETY INFORMATION
EAU10281
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
U13SE0E0.book Page 1 Monday, August 27, 2007 4:53 PM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-18
3
CAUTION:
ECA10070
Immediately wipe off spilled fuel
with a clean, dry, soft cloth, since
fuel may deteriorate painted surfac-es or plastic parts.
EAU13390
CAUTION:
ECA11400
Use only unleaded gasoline. The use
of leaded gasoline will cause severe
damage to internal engine parts,
such as the valves and piston rings,as well as to the exhaust system.
Your Yamaha engine has been de-
signed to use premium unleaded gaso-
line with a research octane number of
95 or higher. If knocking (or pinging) oc-curs, use a gasoline of a different
brand. Use of unleaded fuel will extend
spark plug life and reduce maintenance
costs.
EAU39450
Fuel tank breather/overflow
hose Before operating the motorcycle:

Check the fuel tank breather/over-
flow hose connection.


Check the fuel tank breather/over-
flow hose for cracks or damage,
and replace it if damaged.


Make sure that the end of the fuel
tank breather/overflow hose is not
blocked, and clean it if necessary.
Recommended fuel:
PREMIUM UNLEADED GASOLINE
ONLY
Fuel tank capacity:
17.3 L (4.57 US gal) (3.81 Imp.gal)
Fuel reserve amount (when the fuel
level warning light comes on):
3.5 L (0.92 US gal) (0.77 Imp.gal)
1. Fuel tank breather/overflow hose
U13SE0E0.book Page 18 Monday, August 27, 2007 4:53 PM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-19
3
EAU13442
Catalytic converters This vehicle is equipped with catalytic
converters in the exhaust system.
WARNING
EWA10860
The exhaust system is hot after op-
eration. Make sure that the exhaust
system has cooled down before do-ing any maintenance work.CAUTION:
ECA10700
The following precautions must be
observed to prevent a fire hazard or
other damages.

Use only unleaded gasoline.
The use of leaded gasoline will
cause unrepairable damage to
the catalytic converter.


Never park the vehicle near pos-
sible fire hazards such as grass
or other materials that easily
burn.


Do not allow the engine to idletoo long.
EAU39031
Seats Rider seat
To remove the rider seatPull back the rear of the rider seat as
shown, remove the bolts, and then pull
the seat off.
To install the rider seatInsert the projection on the front of the
rider seat into the seat holder as
shown, place the seat in the original po-
sition, and then install the bolts.Passenger seat
To remove the passenger seat
1. Insert the key into the seat lock,
and then turn it clockwise.
1. Bolt
1. Projection
2. Seat holder
1. Passenger seat lock
2. Unlock.
U13SE0E0.book Page 19 Monday, August 27, 2007 4:53 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-1
6
EAU17240
Safety is an obligation of the owner. Pe-
riodic inspection, adjustment and lubri-
cation will keep your vehicle in the
safest and most efficient condition pos-
sible. The most important points of in-
spection, adjustment, and lubrication
are explained on the following pages.
The intervals given in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart
should be simply considered as a gen-
eral guide under normal riding condi-
tions. However, DEPENDING ON THE
WEATHER, TERRAIN, GEOGRAPHI-
CAL LOCATION, AND INDIVIDUAL
USE, THE MAINTENANCE INTER-
VALS MAY NEED TO BE SHORT-
ENED.
WARNING
EWA10320
If you are not familiar with mainte-
nance work, have a Yamaha dealerdo it for you.
EAU17541
Owner’s tool kit The owner’s tool kit is located under the
passenger seat. (See page 3-19.)
The service information included in this
manual and the tools provided in the
owner’s tool kit are intended to assist
you in the performance of preventive
maintenance and minor repairs. How-
ever, additional tools such as a torque
wrench may be necessary to perform
certain maintenance work correctly.NOTE:If you do not have the tools or experi-
ence required for a particular job, havea Yamaha dealer perform it for you.
WARNING
EWA10350
Modifications not approved by
Yamaha may cause loss of perfor-
mance and render the vehicle un-
safe for use. Consult a Yamaha
dealer before attempting any chang-es.
1. Owner’s tool kit
U13SE0E0.book Page 1 Monday, August 27, 2007 4:53 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-2
6
EAU1770A
Periodic maintenance and lubrication chart NOTE:

The annual checks must be performed every year, except if a kilometer-based maintenance, or for the UK, a
mileage-based maintenance, is performed instead.


From 50000 km (30000 mi), repeat the maintenance intervals starting from 10000 km (6000 mi).


Items marked with an asterisk should be performed by a Yamaha dealer as they require special tools, data and technicalskills.
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)
1*Fuel lineCheck fuel hoses for cracks or
damage.√√√√√
2*Spark plugsCheck condition.
Clean and regap.√√
Replace.√√
3*ValvesCheck valve clearance.
Adjust.Every 40000 km (24000 mi)
4*Air filter elementReplace.√
5ClutchCheck operation.
Adjust.√√√√√
6*Front brakeCheck operation, fluid level and
vehicle for fluid leakage.√√√√√√
Replace brake pads. Whenever worn to the limit
7*Rear brakeCheck operation, fluid level and
vehicle for fluid leakage.√√√√√√
Replace brake pads. Whenever worn to the limit
U13SE0E0.book Page 2 Monday, August 27, 2007 4:53 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-3
6
8*Brake hosesCheck for cracks or damage.√√√√√
Replace. Every 4 years
9*WheelsCheck runout and for damage.√√√√
10*TiresCheck tread depth and for dam-
age.
Replace if necessary.
Check air pressure.
Correct if necessary.√√√√√
11*Wheel bearingsCheck bearing for looseness or
damage.√√√√
12*SwingarmCheck operation and for exces-
sive play.√√√√
Lubricate with lithium-soap-based
grease.Every 50000 km (30000 mi)
13 Drive chainCheck chain slack, alignment and
condition.
Adjust and lubricate chain with a
special O-ring chain lubricant
thoroughly. Every 800 km (500 mi) and after washing the motorcycle or riding in the rain
14*Steering bearingsCheck bearing play and steering
for roughness.√√√√√
Lubricate with lithium-soap-based
grease.Every 20000 km (12000 mi)
15*Chassis fastenersMake sure that all nuts, bolts and
screws are properly tightened.√√√√√
16Brake lever pivot
shaftLubricate with silicone grease.√√√√√ 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 3 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