2011 YAMAHA YZF-R1 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.
EAU17083
0–1000 km (0–600 mi)
Avoid prolonged operation above 6900
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 8300
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.
TIPDuring and after the engine break-in
period, the exhaust heat may cause
discoloration of the exhaust pipe, but
this is normal.
U14BE2E0.book Page 3 Friday, June 18, 2010 8:47 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-6
6
21*Shock absorber as-
semblyCheck operation and shock ab-
sorber for oil leakage.√√√√
22*Rear suspension re-
lay arm and con-
necting arm
pivoting pointsCheck operation.√√√√
23 Engine oilChange.
Check oil level and vehicle for oil
leakage.√√√√√√
24Engine oil filter car-
tridgeReplace.√√√
25*Cooling systemCheck coolant level and vehicle
for coolant leakage.√√√√√
Change. Every 3 years
26*Front and rear brake
switchesCheck operation.√√√√√√
27Moving parts and
cablesLubricate.√√√√√
28*Throttle gripCheck operation.
Check throttle grip free play, and
adjust if necessary.
Lubricate cable and grip housing.√√√√√
29*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)U14BE2E0.book Page 6 Friday, June 18, 2010 8:47 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-8
6
EAU18712
Removing and installing cowl-
ings and panels The cowlings and panels shown need
to be removed to perform some of the
maintenance jobs described in this
chapter. Refer to this section each time
a cowling or panel needs to be re-
moved and installed.
EAU47252
Cowlings A and B
To remove a cowling1. Remove the quick fastener screws
and the quick fasteners, and then
take the cowling off.
2. Disconnect the turn signal light
lead coupler.
1. Panel A
2. Cowling A
3. Cowling C1
2
3
1. Panel B
2. Cowling B
3. Cowling D
1
2
3
1. Quick fastener screw
1. Cowling A
2. Cowling B
3. Quick fastener1
1
1
3
2
3
U14BE2E0.book Page 8 Friday, June 18, 2010 8:47 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-9
6 To install a cowling
1. Connect the turn signal light lead
coupler.
2. Fit the projections on the cowling
into the slots as shown.3. Install the quick fasteners and the
quick fastener screws.
EAU47243
Cowlings C and D
To remove a cowling1. Remove cowling A (if removing
cowling C) or cowling B (if remov-
ing cowling D). (See page 6-8.)
2. Remove the quick fastener
screws.3. Slide the cowling forward to un-
hook its projection from the slot,
and then pull the cowling off.
1. Turn signal light lead coupler
1. Slot
2. Projection
1
2
1
1. Slot
2. Projection
1
2
1. Cowling C
2. Quick fastener screw
1. Slot
2. Projection
22
2 2
1
1
2
U14BE2E0.book Page 9 Friday, June 18, 2010 8:47 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
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.
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.NOTICE
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, twist
it back and forth while pushing it in.
Specified spark plug:
NGK/LMAR9E-J
1. Spark plug gap
Spark plug gap:
0.6–0.7 mm (0.024–0.028 in)
Tightening torque:
Spark plug:
13 Nm (1.3 m·kgf, 9.4 ft·lbf)
1
1
U14BE2E0.book Page 11 Friday, June 18, 2010 8:47 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-12
6
EAU47281
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. 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, and then check the oil level
through the check window located
at the bottom-right side of the
crankcase.TIPThe engine oil should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks.
4. If the engine oil is at or below the
minimum level mark, add sufficient
oil of the recommended type to
raise it to the correct level.
To change the engine oil (with or
without oil filter cartridge replace-
ment)
1. Remove cowlings C and D. (See
page 6-8.)
2. Start the engine, warm it up for
several minutes, and then turn it
off.
3. Place an oil pan under the engine
to collect the used oil.4. Remove the engine oil filler cap,
the engine oil drain bolt and its
gasket to drain the oil from the
crankcase.
TIPSkip steps 5–7 if the oil filter cartridge is
not being replaced.5. Remove the oil filter cartridge with
an oil filter wrench.
1. Engine oil level check window
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
4. Engine oil filler cap
2 4
13
1. Engine oil drain bolt
2. Gasket
12
U14BE2E0.book Page 12 Friday, June 18, 2010 8:47 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-14
6
TIPBe sure to wipe off spilled oil on any
parts after the engine and exhaust sys-
tem have cooled down.NOTICE
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-
fication 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.
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 the
oil level is sufficient.NOTICE
ECA10401
If the oil level warning light flickers
or remains on even if the oil level is
correct, immediately turn the engine
off and have a Yamaha dealer check
the vehicle.11. Turn the engine off, wait a few min-
utes until the oil settles, and then
check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
12. Install the cowlings.
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.
EAU38173
To check the coolant level
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion.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 the
side can result in a false reading.
2. Check the coolant level in the cool-
ant reservoir.TIPThe coolant should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks.
Recommended engine oil:
See page 8-1.
Oil quantity:
Without oil filter cartridge replace-
ment:
3.73 L (3.94 US qt, 3.28 Imp.qt)
With oil filter cartridge replacement:
3.93 L (4.15 US qt, 3.46 Imp.qt)
U14BE2E0.book Page 14 Friday, June 18, 2010 8:47 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-23
6 braking performance, which may re-
sult in loss of control and an acci-
dent.
EAU22273
Brake light switches The brake light, which is activated by
the brake pedal and brake lever, should
come on just before braking takes ef-
fect. If necessary, adjust the rear brake
light switch as follows, but the front
brake light switch should be adjusted
by a Yamaha dealer.
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).
EAU22392
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.
EAU43062
Front brake pads
The front brake calipers are equipped
with two sets of brake pads.
Each front brake pad is provided with
one or two wear indicator grooves,
which allow you to check the brake pad
wear without having to disassemble the
brake. To check the brake pad wear,
check the wear indicator grooves. If a
brake pad has worn to the point that a
1. Rear brake light switch
2. Rear brake light switch adjusting nut
1
(a)
(b) 2
1. Brake pad wear indicator groove
1
1
U14BE2E0.book Page 23 Friday, June 18, 2010 8:47 AM