2012 YAMAHA XJ6-S suspension

SAFETY INFORMATION
1-3
1the possibility of an accident, use ex-
treme caution when adding cargo or
accessories to your motorcycle. Use
extra care when riding a motorcycle
that has added cargo or accessories.
Here, along with the information about
accessories below, are some general
guidelines to follow if loading cargo to
your motorcycle:
The total weight of the operator, acces-
sories and cargo must not exceed the
maximum load limit.
Operation of an
overloaded vehicle could cause an
accident.
When loading within this weight limit,
keep the following in mind:
●
Cargo and accessory weight
should be kept as low and close to
the motorcycle as possible. Se-
curely pack your heaviest items as
close to the center of the vehicle as
possible and make sure to distrib-
ute the weight as evenly as possi- ble on both sides of the motorcycle
to minimize imbalance or instabili-
ty.
●
Shifting weights can create a sud-
den imbalance. Make sure that ac-
cessories and cargo are securely
attached to the motorcycle before
riding. Check accessory mounts
and cargo restraints frequently.
Properly adjust the suspension for your load (suspension-ad-
justable models only), and
check the condition and pres-
sure of your tires.
Never attach any large or heavy items to the handlebar, front
fork, or front fender. These
items, including such cargo as
sleeping bags, duffel bags, or
tents, can create unstable han-
dling or a slow steering re-
sponse.
●
This vehicle is not designed to
pull a trailer or to be attached to
a sidecar. Genuine Yamaha Accessories
Choosing accessories for your vehicle
is an important decision. Genuine
Yamaha accessories, which are avail- able only from a Yamaha dealer, have
been designed, tested, and approved
by Yamaha for use on your vehicle.
Many companies with no connection to
Yamaha manufacture parts and acces- sories or offer other modifications for
Yamaha vehicles. Yamaha is not in a position to test the products that these
aftermarket companies produce.
Therefore, Yamaha can neither en-
dorse nor recommend the use of ac-
cessories not sold by Yamaha or
modifications not specifically recom-
mended by Yamaha, even if sold and
installed by a Yamaha dealer.
Aftermarket Parts, Accessories, and
Modifications
While you may find aftermarket prod-
ucts similar in design and quality to
genuine Yamaha accessories, recog-
nize that some aftermarket accessories
or modifications are not suitable be-
cause of potential safety hazards to you
or others. Installing aftermarket prod-
Maximum load: 184 kg (406 lb)
U1PWEAE0.book Page 3 Tuesda y, February 7, 2012 4:21 PM

SAFETY INFORMATION
1-4
1
ucts or having other modifications per-
formed to your vehicle that change any
of the vehicle’s design or operation
characteristics can put you and others
at greater risk of serious injury or death.
You are responsible for injuries related
to changes in the vehicle.
Keep the following guidelines in mind,
as well as those provided under “Load-
ing” when mounting accessories.
●
Never install accessories or carry
cargo that would impair the perfor-
mance of your motorcycle. Care-
fully inspect the accessory before
using it to make sure that it does
not in any way reduce ground
clearance or cornering clearance,
limit suspension travel, steering
travel or control operation, or ob-
scure lights or reflectors.
Accessories fitted to the handle- bar or the front fork area can
create instability due to improper
weight distribution or aerody-
namic changes. If accessories
are added to the handlebar or
front fork area, they must be as
lightweight as possible and
should be kept to a minimum. Bulky or large accessories may
seriously affect the stability of
the motorcycle due to aerody-
namic effects. Wind may at-
tempt to lift the motorcycle, or
the motorcycle may become un-
stable in cross winds. These ac-
cessories may also cause
instability when passing or being
passed by large vehicles.
Certain accessories can dis- place the operator from his or
her normal riding position. This
improper position limits the free-
dom of movement of the opera-
tor and may limit control ability,
therefore, such accessories are
not recommended.
●
Use caution when adding electri-
cal accessories. If electrical acces-
sories exceed the capacity of the
motorcycle’s electrical system, an
electric failure could result, which
could cause a dangerous loss of
lights or engine power. Aftermarket Tires and Rims
The tires and rims that came with your
motorcycle were designed to match the
performance capabilities and to provide
the best combination of handling, brak-
ing, and comfort. Other tires, rims, siz-
es, and combinations may not be
appropriate. Refer to page 6-20 for tire
specifications and more information on
replacing your tires.
Transporting the Motorcycle
Be sure to observe following instruc-
tions before transporting the motorcy-
cle in another vehicle.
●
Remove all loose items from the
motorcycle.
●
Check that the fuel cock (if
equipped) is in the “OFF” position
and that there are no fuel leaks.
●
Point the front wheel straight
ahead on the trailer or in the truck
bed, and choke it in a rail to pre-
vent movement.
●
Shift the transmission in gear (for
models with a manual transmis-
sion).
U1PWEAE0.book Page 4 Tuesda
y, February 7, 2012 4:21 PM

SAFETY INFORMATION
1-5
1
●
Secure the motorcycle with tie-
downs or suitable straps that are
attached to solid parts of the mo-
torcycle, such as the frame or up-
per front fork triple clamp (and not,
for example, to rubber-mounted
handlebars or turn signals, or parts
that could break). Choose the lo-
cation for the straps carefully so
the straps will not rub against
painted surfaces during transport.
●
The suspension should be com-
pressed somewhat by the tie-
downs, if possible, so that the mo-
torcycle will not bounce excessive-
ly during transport.
U1PWEAE0.book Page 5 Tuesday, February 7, 2012 4:21 PM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-21
3
EAU47000
Adjusting the shock absorber
assembly This shock absorber assembly is
equipped with a spring preload adjust-
ing ring.NOTICE
ECA10101
To avoid damaging the mechanism,
do not attempt to turn beyond the
maximum or minimum settings.Adjust the spring preload as follows.
To increase the spring preload and
thereby harden the suspension, turn
the adjusting ring in direction (a). To de-
crease the spring preload and thereby
soften the suspension, turn the adjust-
ing ring in direction (b).●
Align the appropriate notch in the
adjusting ring with the position in-
dicator on the shock absorber.
●
Use the special wrench and exten-
sion bar included in the owner’s
tool kit to make the adjustment.
WARNING
EWA10221
This shock absorber assembly con-
tains highly pressurized nitrogen
gas. Read and understand the fol-
lowing information before handling
the shock absorber assembly.
●
Do not tamper with or attempt to
open the cylinder assembly.
●
Do not subject the shock ab-
sorber assembly to an open
flame or other high heat source.
This may cause the unit to ex-
plode due to excessive gas
pressure.
●
Do not deform or damage the
cylinder in any way. Cylinder
damage will result in poor
damping performance.
●
Do not dispose of a damaged or
worn-out shock absorber as-
sembly yourself. Take the shock
absorber assembly to a Yamaha
dealer for any service.
1. Extension bar
2. Special wrench
3. Spring preload adjusting ring
4. Position indicatorSpring preload setting:Minimum (soft):1
Standard: 3
Maximum (hard):
7
12
3
(a)
(b)
4
U1PWEAE0.book Page 21 Tuesday, February 7, 2012 4:21 PM

SPECIFICATIONS
8-2
8
2nd:1.947 (37/19)
3rd: 1.556 (28/18)
4th:
1.333 (32/24)
5th: 1.190 (25/21)
6th: 1.083 (26/24)
Chassis:Frame type:Diamond
Caster angle: 26.00 °
Trail:
103 mm (4.1 in)Front tire:Type:Tubeless
Size:
120/70 ZR17M/C (58W)
Manufacturer/model: BRIDGESTONE/BT021Rear tire:Type:
Tubeless
Size: 160/60 ZR17M/C (69W)
Manufacturer/model: BRIDGESTONE/BT021Loading:Maximum load: 184 kg (406 lb) (Total weight of rider, cargo and
accessories)
Tire air pressure (measured on cold
tires):Loading condition:
0–90 kg (0–198 lb)
Front:250 kPa (2.50 kgf/cm², 36 psi)
Rear:
290 kPa (2.90 kgf/cm², 42 psi)
Loading condition: 90–184 kg (198–406 lb)
Front:250 kPa (2.50 kgf/cm², 36 psi)
Rear:
290 kPa (2.90 kgf/cm², 42 psi)
High-speed riding: Front:
250 kPa (2.50 kgf/cm², 36 psi)
Rear: 290 kPa (2.90 kgf/cm², 42 psi)Front wheel:Wheel type:
Cast wheel
Rim size: 17M/C x MT3.50Rear wheel:Wheel type:
Cast wheel
Rim size: 17M/C x MT4.50Front brake:Type:
Dual disc brake Operation:
Right hand operation
Specified brake fluid: DOT 4
Rear brake:Type:Single disc brake
Operation: Right foot operation
Specified brake fluid:
DOT 4Front suspension:Type:Telescopic fork
Spring/shock absorber type:
Coil spring/oil damper
Wheel travel: 130.0 mm (5.12 in)Rear suspension:Type:
Swingarm
Spring/shock absorber type: Coil spring/gas-oil damper
Wheel travel: 130.0 mm (5.12 in)Electrical system:Ignition system:TCI
Charging system: AC magnetoBattery:Model:GT12B-4
U1PWEAE0.book Page 2 Tuesda y, February 7, 2012 4:21 PM