Page 43 of 102

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-2
5
NOTICE
ECA11831
If a warning or indicator light does
not go off, see page 3-4 for the corre-
sponding warning and indicatorlight circuit check.
2. Shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position. (See page 5-2.) The
neutral indicator light should come
on. If not, ask a Yamaha dealer to
check the electrical circuit.
3. Start the engine by pushing the
start switch. NOTICE: For maxi-
mum engine life, never acceler-
ate hard when the engine is
cold!
[ECA11041]
If the engine fails to start, release
the start switch, wait a few sec-
onds, and then try again. Each
starting attempt should be as short
as possible to preserve the bat-
tery. Do not crank the engine more
than 10 seconds on any one at-
tempt.
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.TIPTo 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.
NOTICE
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
1 N2 3
4
5
6
1
2
U36CE0E0.book Page 2 Friday, December 5, 2008 2:33 PM
Page 44 of 102

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.
EAU17093
0–1000 km (0–600 mi)
Avoid prolonged operation above 5800
r/min. NOTICE: After 1000 km (600
mi) of operation, the engine oil must
be changed and the oil filter car-
tridge or element replaced.
[ECA10302]
1000–1600 km (600–1000 mi)
Avoid prolonged operation above 7000
r/min.1600 km (1000 mi) and beyond
The vehicle can now be operated nor-
mally.
NOTICE
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.
U36CE0E0.book Page 3 Friday, December 5, 2008 2:33 PM
Page 50 of 102

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-5
6
EAU18680
TIP
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.
21 Engine oilChange.
Check oil level and vehicle for oil
leakage.√√√√√√
22Engine oil filter car-
tridgeReplace.√√√
23*Cooling systemCheck coolant level and vehicle
for coolant leakage.√√√√√
Change. Every 3 years
24*Front and rear brake
switchesCheck operation.√√√√√√
25Moving parts and
cablesLubricate.√√√√√
26*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.√√√√√
27*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)U36CE0E0.book Page 5 Friday, December 5, 2008 2:33 PM
Page 54 of 102

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-9
63. Disconnect the turn signal light
lead connectors.
To install the cowling
1. Connect the turn signal light lead
connectors.2. Place the cowling in the original
position, and then install the bolts
and the quick fastener.
3. Install panel B or C.
EAU19642
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.
1. Cowling B
2. Bolt
3. Quick fastener
1. Turn signal light lead connector
3
1
21
Specified spark plug:
NGK/CR9E
U36CE0E0.book Page 9 Friday, December 5, 2008 2:33 PM
Page 55 of 102

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-10
6 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.
TIPIf 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.
EAU47550
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 the center-
stand. A slight tilt to the side can
result in a false 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.
1. Spark plug gapSpark plug gap:
0.7–0.8 mm (0.028–0.031 in)
Tightening torque:
Spark plug:
12.5 Nm (1.25 m·kgf, 9.0 ft·lbf)
U36CE0E0.book Page 10 Friday, December 5, 2008 2:33 PM
Page 58 of 102

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-13
6addition, do not use oils labeled
“ENERGY CONSERVING II” or
higher.
Make sure that no foreign mate-rial enters the crankcase.
10. 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.
TIPAfter the engine is started, the engine
oil level warning light should go off if theoil level is sufficient.
NOTICE
ECA10400
If the oil level warning light flickers
or remains on, immediately turn the
engine off and have a Yamaha dealercheck the vehicle.
11. Turn the engine off, and then
check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
12. 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.
EAU47560
To check the coolant level
1. Place the vehicle on the center-
stand.TIP
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.
TIPThe coolant should be between theminimum and maximum level marks.
1.“CD” specification
2.“ENERGY CONSERVING II”
1
2
U36CE0E0.book Page 13 Friday, December 5, 2008 2:33 PM
Page 68 of 102

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-23
6
TIPIf the specified clutch lever free play
cannot be obtained as describedabove, proceed as follows.
1. Fully turn the adjusting bolt at the
clutch lever in direction (a) to loos-
en the clutch cable.
2. Remove cowling B. (See page
6-7.)
3. Loosen the locknut further down
the clutch cable.
4. To increase the clutch lever free
play, turn the clutch lever free play
adjusting nut in direction (a). To
decrease the clutch lever free play,
turn the adjusting nut in direction
(b).5. Tighten the locknut.
6. Install the cowling.
EAU22272
Adjusting the rear brake light
switch The rear brake light, which is activated
by the brake pedal, should come on just
before braking takes effect. If neces-
sary, adjust the rear brake light switch
as follows.
Turn the rear brake light switch adjust-
ing 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).
1. Locknut (clutch cable)
2. Clutch lever free play adjusting nut (clutch
cable)
1
2
(a)
(b)
1. Rear brake light switch
2. Rear brake light switch adjusting nut
1
2(a)
(b)
U36CE0E0.book Page 23 Friday, December 5, 2008 2:33 PM
Page 79 of 102
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-34
6 XJ6S XJ6SA XJ6SA
If a fuse is blown, replace it as follows.
1. Turn the key to “OFF” and turn off
the electrical circuit in question.
2. Remove the blown fuse, and then
install a new fuse of the specified
amperage. WARNING! Do not
use a fuse of a higher amperage
1. Taillight fuse
2. Spare fuse
3. Headlight fuse
4. Ignition fuse
5. Signaling system fuse
6. Backup fuse (for odometer, clock and immo-
bilizer system)
7. Fuel injection system fuse
8. Radiator fan fuse
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1. Starter relay cover
2. Main fuse
3. Spare main fuse
4. Fuse box
2
4 3 1
1. Taillight fuse
2. ABS control unit fuse
3. ABS solenoid fuse
4. ABS motor fuse
5. Spare fuse
6. Headlight fuse
7. Ignition fuse
8. Signaling system fuse
9. Backup fuse (for odometer, clock and immo-
bilizer system)
10.Fuel injection system fuse
11.Radiator fan fuse
1
5
56
7
8
9
10
11 234
U36CE0E0.book Page 34 Friday, December 5, 2008 2:33 PM