INTRODUCTION
EAU10102
Welcome to the Yamaha world of motorcycling!
As the owner of the YZF-R6, you are benefiting from Yamaha’s vast experience and newest technology regarding the design
and manufacture of high-quality products, which have earned Yamaha a reputation for dependability.
Please take the time to read this manual thoroughly, so as to enjoy all advantages of your YZF-R6. The Owner’s Manual
does not only instruct you in how to operate, inspect and maintain your motorcycle, but also in how to safeguard yourself and
others from trouble and injury.
In addition, the many tips given in this manual will help keep your motorcycle in the best possible condition. If you have any
further questions, do not hesitate to contact your Yamaha dealer.
The Yamaha team wishes you many safe and pleasant rides. So, remember to put safety first!
Yamaha continually seeks advancements in product design and quality. Therefore, while this manual contains the most cur-
rent product information available at the time of printing, there may be minor discrepancies between your motorcycle and this
manual. If there is any question concerning this manual, please consult a Yamaha dealer.
WARNING
EWA10031
Please read this manual carefully and completely before operating this motorcycle.
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IMPORTANT MANUAL INFORMATION
EAU10132
Particularly important information is distinguished in this manual by the following notations:
This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential personal injury
hazards. Obey all safety messages that follow this symbol to avoid possible injury
or death.
A WARNING indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in
death or serious injury.
A NOTICE indicates special precautions that must be taken to avoid damage to the
vehicle or other property.
A TIP provides key information to make procedures easier or clearer.
WARNING
NOTICETIP
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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 ..........................................3-19
Catalytic converters ......................3-19
Seats ............................................3-20
Helmet holding cable ....................3-21
Adjusting the front fork ..................3-22
Adjusting the shock absorber
assembly ...................................3-24
Luggage strap holders ..................3-27
EXUP system ...............................3-27Sidestand ..................................... 3-28
Ignition circuit cut-off system ........ 3-28
FOR YOUR SAFETY –
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
ADJUSTMENT................................... 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 ........................... 6-18
Checking the engine idling
speed ........................................ 6-18
Checking the throttle cable free
play ........................................... 6-19Valve clearance ........................... 6-19
Tires ............................................. 6-19
Cast wheels ................................. 6-22
Adjusting the clutch lever free
play ........................................... 6-22
Adjusting the rear brake light
switch ....................................... 6-23
Checking the front and rear brake
pads .......................................... 6-23
Checking the brake fluid level ...... 6-24
Changing the brake fluid .............. 6-25
Drive chain slack .......................... 6-25
Cleaning and lubricating the
drive chain ................................ 6-27
Checking and lubricating the
cables ....................................... 6-27
Checking and lubricating the
throttle grip and cable ............... 6-28
Checking and lubricating the
brake and shift pedals .............. 6-28
Checking and lubricating the
brake and clutch levers ............ 6-29
Checking and lubricating the
sidestand .................................. 6-29
Lubricating the swingarm
pivots ........................................ 6-30
Checking the front fork ................. 6-30
Checking the steering .................. 6-31
Checking the wheel bearings ....... 6-31
Battery ......................................... 6-31
Replacing the fuses ..................... 6-33U13SE1E0.book Page 1 Monday, July 7, 2008 1:43 PM
1-1
1
SAFETY INFORMATION
EAU10283
Be a Responsible Owner
As the vehicle’s owner, you are respon-
sible for the safe and proper operation
of your motorcycle.
Motorcycles are single-track vehicles.
Their safe use and operation are de-
pendent upon the use of proper riding
techniques as well as the expertise of
the operator. Every operator should
know the following requirements before
riding this motorcycle.
He or she should:
Obtain thorough instructions from
a competent source on all aspects
of motorcycle operation.
Observe the warnings and mainte-
nance requirements in this Own-
er’s Manual.
Obtain qualified training in safe
and proper riding techniques.
Obtain professional technical ser-
vice as indicated in this Owner’s
Manual and/or when made neces-
sary by mechanical conditions.Safe Riding
Perform the pre-operation checks each
time you use the vehicle to make sure it
is in safe operating condition. Failure to
inspect or maintain the vehicle properly
increases the possibility of an accident
or equipment damage. See page 4-1
for a list of pre-operation checks.
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
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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.TIPBe 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.TIPThe headlight comes on automatically
when the engine is started and stays on
until the key is turned to “OFF”, even ifthe engine stalls.
EAU10661
OFF
All electrical systems are off. The key
can be removed.
WARNING
EWA10061
Never turn the key to “OFF” or
“LOCK” while the vehicle is moving.
Otherwise the electrical systems will
be switched off, which may result inloss of control or an accident.
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-4
3
EAU11003
Indicator and warning lights
EAU11030
Turn signal indicator lights“”
and“”
The corresponding indicator light flash-
es when the turn signal switch is
pushed to the left or right.
EAU11060
Neutral indicator light“”
This indicator light comes on when the
transmission is in the neutral position.
EAU11080
High beam indicator light“”
This indicator light comes on when the
high beam of the headlight is switched
on.
EAU11252
Oil level warning light“”
This warning light comes on if the en-
gine oil level is low.
The electrical circuit of the warning light
can be checked by turning the key to
“ON”.
If the warning light does not come on
for a few seconds, then go off, have a
Yamaha dealer check the electrical cir-
cuit.TIP
Even if the oil level is sufficient, the
warning light may flicker when
riding on a slope or during sudden
acceleration or deceleration, but
this is not a malfunction.
This model is also equipped with a
self-diagnosis device for the oil
level detection circuit. If a problem
is detected in the oil level detection
circuit, the following cycle will be
repeated until the malfunction is
corrected: The oil level warning
light will flash ten times, then go off
for 2.5 seconds. If this occurs,
have a Yamaha dealer check thevehicle.
EAU11363
Fuel level warning light“”
This warning light comes on when the
fuel level drops below approximately
3.5 L (0.92 US gal, 0.77 Imp.gal). When
this occurs, refuel as soon as possible.
The electrical circuit of the warning light
can be checked by turning the key to
“ON”.
If the warning light does not come on
for a few seconds, and then go off,
have a Yamaha dealer check the elec-
trical circuit.
1. Left turn signal indicator light“”
2. Neutral indicator light“”
3. High beam indicator light“”
4. Right turn signal indicator light“”
5. Fuel level warning light“”
6. Oil level warning light“”
7. Coolant temperature warning light“”
8. Shift timing indicator light
9. Engine trouble warning light“”
10.Immobilizer system indicator light
km/h
TRIP A
˚C
12 34 5
6
7
8
9 10
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-5
3
TIPThis model is also equipped with a self-
diagnosis device for the fuel level de-
tection circuit. If a problem is detected
in the fuel level detection circuit, the fol-
lowing cycle will be repeated until the
malfunction is corrected: The fuel level
warning light will flash eight times, and
then go off for 3.0 seconds. If this oc-
curs, have a Yamaha dealer check thevehicle.
EAU11425
Coolant temperature warning
light“”
This warning light comes on if the en-
gine overheats. If this occurs, stop the
engine immediately and allow the en-
gine to cool.
The electrical circuit of the warning light
can be checked by turning the key to
“ON”.
If the warning light does not come on
for a few seconds, then go off, have a
Yamaha dealer check the electrical cir-
cuit.
NOTICE
ECA10021
Do not continue to operate the en-gine if it is overheating.TIP
For radiator-fan-equipped vehi-
cles, the radiator fan(s) automati-
cally switch on or off according to
the coolant temperature in the ra-
diator.
If the engine overheats, see page6-43 for further instructions.
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-6
3
Coolant
temperatureDisplay Conditions What to do
Under 39 °C
(Under 103 °F)Message “Lo” is displayed. OK. Go ahead with riding.
40–116 °C
(104–242 °F)Temperature is displayed. OK. Go ahead with riding.
117–134 °C
(243–274 °F)Temperature display flashes.
Warning light comes on.Stop the vehicle and allow it to idle until
the coolant temperature goes down.
If the temperature does not go down,
stop the engine. (See page 6-43.)
Above 135 °C
(Above 275 °F)Message “HI” flashes.
Warning light comes on.Stop the engine and allow it to cool.
(See page 6-43.)
TRIP A
˚C
TRIP A
˚C
TRIP A
˚C
TRIP A
˚C
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