PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-13
610. 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 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.
EAU46801
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.
3. If the coolant is at or below theminimum level mark, remove the
coolant reservoir breather hose
from the guide, and then remove
the coolant reservoir cap.1. Coolant reservoir
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
1
2
3
U20SE3E0.book Page 13 Monday, April 23, 2012 10:47 AM
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-14
6
4. Add coolant to the maximum level
mark, and then install the coolant
reservoir cap. WARNING! Re-
move only the coolant reservoir
cap. Never attempt to remove
the radiator cap when the en-
gine is hot.
[EWA15161]
NOTICE: If
coolant is not available, use dis-
tilled water or soft tap water in-
stead. Do not use hard water or
salt water since it is harmful to
the engine. If water has been
used instead of coolant, replace
it with coolant as soon as possi-
ble, otherwise the cooling sys-
tem will not be protected against frost and corrosion. If
water has been added to the
coolant, have a Yamaha dealer
check the antifreeze content of
the coolant as soon as possible,
otherwise the effectiveness of
the coolant will be reduced.
[ECA10472]
5. Route the coolant reservoir breath-
er hose through the guide as
shown.
EAU46822
To change the coolant1. Place the vehicle on a level sur- face and let the engine cool if nec-
essary.
2. Remove cowling A and panel B. (See page 6-8.)
3. Place a container under the engine to collect the used coolant.
4. Remove the radiator cap retaining bolt, radiator cap retainer and radi-
ator cap. WARNING! Never at-
tempt to remove the radiator
cap when the engine is hot.
[EWA10381]
1. Coolant reservoir cap
2. Coolant reservoir breather hose
3. Guide
3
1
2
Coolant reservoir capacity (up to
the maximum level mark):0.25 L (0.26 US qt, 0.22 Imp.qt)
1. Coolant reservoir breather hose
2. Guide
2
1
1. Radiator cap
2. Radiator cap retaining bolt
3. Radiator cap retainer
2
1
3
U20SE3E0.book Page 14 Monday, April 23, 2012 10:47 AM
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-17
6
EAU34425
Replacing the air filter element The air filter element should be re-
placed at the intervals specified in the
periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart. Replace the air filter element
more frequently if you are riding in un-
usually wet or dusty areas.1. Remove the seat. (See page 3-18.)
2. Remove the fuel tank bolts, and then lift the fuel tank away from the
air filter case.
3. Remove the air filter case cover by removing the screws. NOTICE:
When removing the air filter case cover, be careful not to al-
low foreign objects to drop into
the air intake manifold.
[ECA12881]
4. Pull the air filter element out.
5. Insert a new air filter element into
the air filter case. NOTICE: Make
sure that the air filter element is
properly seated in the air filter
case. The engine should never
be operated without the air filter
element installed, otherwise the
piston(s) and/or cylinder(s) may
become excessively worn.
[ECA10481]
6. Install the air filter case cover by in- stalling the screws.
7. Place the fuel tank in its original position. Make sure that the fuel
hoses are properly connected and
routed, and are not pinched. Be
sure to place the hoses in their
original position. WARNING! Be-
fore placing the fuel tank in the
original position, make sure that
all hoses (i.e., fuel hose, fuel
tank breather hose, fuel tank
overflow hose) are not dam-
aged, that they are properly con-
nected and routed, and that they
are not pinched. If any hose is
damaged, have a Yamaha dealer
replace the hose before starting
1. Fuel tank bolt
1
1. Air filter case cover
2. Screw
1. Air filter element
2. Air intake manifold
12
2
2
2
1
U20SE3E0.book Page 17 Monday, April 23, 2012 10:47 AM
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-19
6
EAU21384
Checking the throttle grip free
play The throttle grip free play should mea-
sure 3.0–5.0 mm (0.12–0.20 in) at the
inner edge of the throttle grip. Periodi-
cally check the throttle grip free play
and, if necessary, have a Yamaha deal-
er adjust it.
EAU21401
Valve clearance The valve clearance changes with use,
resulting in improper air-fuel mixture
and/or engine noise. To prevent this
from occurring, the valve clearance
must be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer
at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.
EAU21776
Tires Tires are the only contact between the
vehicle and the road. Safety in all con-
ditions of riding depends on a relatively
small area of road contact. Therefore, it
is essential to maintain the tires in good
condition at all times and replace them
at the appropriate time with the speci-
fied tires.
Tire air pressure
The tire air pressure should be checked
and, if necessary, adjusted before each
ride.
WARNING
EWA10503
Operation of this vehicle with im-
proper tire pressure may cause se-
vere injury or death from loss of
control.●
The tire air pressure must be
checked and adjusted on cold
tires (i.e., when the temperature
of the tires equals the ambient
temperature).
●
The tire air pressure must be ad-
justed in accordance with the
riding speed and with the total
1. Throttle grip free playU20SE3E0.book Page 19 Monday, April 23, 2012 10:47 AM
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-20
6
weight of rider, passenger, car-
go, and accessories approved
for this model.
WARNING
EWA10511
Never overload your vehicle. Opera-
tion of an overloaded vehicle could
cause an accident.Tire inspection
The tires must be checked before each
ride. If the center tread depth reaches
the specified limit, if the tire has a nail or
glass fragments in it, or if the sidewall is
cracked, have a Yamaha dealer re-
place the tire immediately.
TIPThe tire tread depth limits may differ
from country to country. Always comply
with the local regulations.
WARNING
EWA10471
●
Have a Yamaha dealer replace
excessively worn tires. Besides
being illegal, operating the vehi-
cle with excessively worn tires
decreases riding stability and
can lead to loss of control.
●
The replacement of all wheel
and brake-related parts, includ-
ing the tires, should be left to a
Yamaha dealer, who has the necessary professional knowl-
edge and experience to do so.
●
Ride at moderate speeds after
changing a tire since the tire
surface must first be “broken
in” for it to develop its optimal
characteristics.
Tire air pressure (measured on cold
tires): 0–90 kg (0–198 lb):Front:
225 kPa (2.25 kgf/cm², 33 psi)
Rear: 250 kPa (2.50 kgf/cm², 36 psi)
XJ6N 90–195 kg (198–430 lb)
XJ6NA 90–190 kg (198–419 lb): Front:
250 kPa (2.50 kgf/cm², 36 psi)
Rear: 290 kPa (2.90 kgf/cm², 42 psi)
High-speed riding: Front: 225 kPa (2.25 kgf/cm², 33 psi)
Rear: 250 kPa (2.50 kgf/cm², 36 psi)
Maximum load*:
XJ6N 195 kg (430 lb)
XJ6NA 190 kg (419 lb)
* Total weight of rider, passenger, car-
go and accessories
1. Tire sidewall
2. Tire tread depth
Minimum tire tread depth (front and
rear): 1.6 mm (0.06 in)
U20SE3E0.book Page 20 Monday, April 23, 2012 10:47 AM
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-21
6Tire information
This motorcycle is equipped with tube-
less tires, tire air valves and cast
wheels.
Tires age, even if they have not been
used or have only been used occasion-
ally. Cracking of the tread and sidewall
rubber, sometimes accompanied by
carcass deformation, is an evidence of
ageing. Old and aged tires shall be
checked by tire specialists to ascertain
their suitability for further use.
WARNING
EWA10481
●
The front and rear tires should
be of the same make and de-
sign, otherwise the handling
characteristics of the motorcy-
cle may be different, which
could lead to an accident.
●
Always make sure that the valve
caps are securely installed to
prevent air pressure leakage.
●
Use only the tire valves and
valve cores listed below to
avoid tire deflation during a
high-speed ride.
After extensive tests, only the tires list-
ed below have been approved for this
model by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
WARNING
EWA10600
This motorcycle is fitted with super-
high-speed tires. Note the following
points in order to make the most ef-
ficient use of these tires.●
Use only the specified replace-
ment tires. Other tires may run
the danger of bursting at super
high speeds.
●
Brand-new tires can have a rela-
tively poor grip on certain road
surfaces until they have been
1. Tire air valve
2. Tire air valve core
3. Tire air valve cap with seal
Front tire:
Size:
120/70 ZR17M/C (58W)
Manufacturer/model:
BRIDGESTONE/BT021
DUNLOP/ROADSMART
Rear tire:
Size:160/60 ZR17M/C (69W)
Manufacturer/model:
BRIDGESTONE/BT021
DUNLOP/ROADSMART
FRONT and REAR:
Tire air valve:TR412
Va l ve c o r e :
#9100 (original)
U20SE3E0.book Page 21 Monday, April 23, 2012 10:47 AM
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-23
6
TIPIf the specified clutch lever free play
cannot be obtained as described
above, proceed as follows.1. Fully turn the adjusting bolt at theclutch lever in direction (a) to loos-
en the clutch cable.
2. Loosen the locknut further down the clutch cable.
3. 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).
4. Tighten the locknut.
EAU37913
Checking the brake lever free
play There should be no free play at the
brake lever end. If there is free play,
have a Yamaha dealer inspect the
brake system.
WARNING
EWA14211
A soft or spongy feeling in the brake
lever can indicate the presence of air
in the hydraulic system. If there is air
in the hydraulic system, have a
Yamaha dealer bleed the system be- fore operating the vehicle. Air in the
hydraulic system will diminish the braking performance, which may re-
sult in loss of control and an acci-
dent.
1. Locknut
2. Clutch lever free play adjusting nut
1
2
(b) (a)
1. No brake lever free play
1
U20SE3E0.book Page 23 Monday, April 23, 2012 10:47 AM
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-25
6indicator groove has almost disap-
peared, have a Yamaha dealer replace
the brake pads as a set.
EAU46291
Rear brake pads
Each rear brake pad is provided with
wear indicator grooves, which allow
you to check the brake pad wear with-
out 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 wear
indicator groove almost appears, have
a Yamaha dealer replace the brake
pads as a set.
EAU39372
Checking the brake fluid level Before riding, check that the brake fluid
is above the minimum level mark.
Check the brake fluid level with the top
of the reservoir level. Replenish the
brake fluid if necessary.
Front brake
Rear brake
TIPThe rear brake fluid reservoir is located
behind panel A. (See page 6-8.)
WARNING
EWA15990
Improper maintenance can result in
loss of braking ability. Observe
these precautions:●
Insufficient brake fluid may al-
low air to enter the brake sys-
tem, reducing braking
performance.
1. Brake pad wear indicator groove1
1
1. Minimum level mark
1. Minimum level markSpecified brake fluid:
DOT 4
1
U20SE3E0.book Page 25 Monday, April 23, 2012 10:47 AM