2014 YAMAHA YZF-R6 tow

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-15
3
EAU12734
Hazard switch “ ”
With the key in the “ON” or “ ” posi-
tion, use this switch to turn on the haz-
ard lights (simultaneous flashing of all
turn signal lights).
The hazard lights are used in case of an
emergency or to warn other drivers
when your vehicle is stopped where it
might be a traffic hazard.NOTICE
ECA10062
Do not use the hazard lights for an
exten ded len gth of time with the en-
g ine not runnin g, otherwise the bat-
tery may dischar ge.
EAU12821
Clutch leverThe clutch lever is located at the left
handlebar grip. To disengage the
clutch, pull the lever toward the han-
dlebar grip. To engage the clutch, re-
lease the lever. The lever should be
pulled rapidly and released slowly for
smooth clutch operation.
The clutch lever is equipped with a
clutch switch, which is part of the igni-
tion circuit cut-off system. (See page
3-28.)
EAU12872
Shift pe dalThe shift pedal is located on the left
side of the motorcycle and is used in
combination with the clutch lever when
shifting the gears of the 6-speed con-
stant-mesh transmission equipped on
this motorcycle.
1. Clutch lever
1. Shift pedal
U2CXE0E0.book Page 15 Monday, July 29, 2013 2:02 PM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-16
3
EAU33854
Brake leverThe brake lever is located on the right
side of the handlebar. To apply the
front brake, pull the lever toward the
throttle grip.
The brake lever is equipped with a
brake lever position adjusting knob. To
adjust the distance between the brake
lever and the throttle grip, turn the ad-
justing knob while holding the lever
pushed away from the throttle grip.
When the desired position is obtained,be sure to set it by aligning a groove on
the adjusting knob with the “ ” mark
on the brake lever.
EAU12942
Brake pe
dalThe brake pedal is on the right side of
the motorcycle. To apply the rear
brake, press down on the brake pedal.
1. Brake lever
2. Distance between brake lever and throttle
grip
3. “ ” mark
4. Brake lever position adjusting knob
2 1
3
4
1. Brake pedal
U2CXE0E0.book Page 16 Monday, July 29, 2013 2:02 PM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-2
5
NOTICE
ECA11834
If a warning or in dicator li ght does
not come on initially when the key is
turne d to “ON”, or if a warnin g or in-
d icator li ght remains on, see pa ge
3-4 for the correspon din g warnin g
an d in dicator li ght circuit check.2. Shift the transmission into the
neutral position. The neutral indi-
cator light should come on. If not,
ask a Yamaha dealer to check the
electrical circuit.
3. Start the engine by pushing the start switch.
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
battery. Do not crank the engine
more than 10 seconds on any one
attempt.NOTICE
ECA11043
For maximum en gine life, never ac-
celerate har d when the en gine is
col d!
EAU16672
Shiftin gShifting 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 its
travel, and then slightly raise it.
NOTICE
ECA10261
Even with the transmission in
the neutral position, d o not
coast for lon g period s of time
with the en gine off, an d d o not
tow the motorcycle for lon g d is-
tances. The transmission is
properly lu bricated only when
the en gine is runnin g. Ina de-
quate lu brication may d amage
the transmission.
 Always use the clutch while
chan gin g g ears to avoi d d am-
a g in g the en gine, transmission,
an d d rive train, which are not
d esi gne d to withstan d the
shock of force d shiftin g.
1. Shift pedal
2. Neutral position
U2CXE0E0.book Page 2 Monday, July 29, 2013 2:02 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-47
6En
gine overheatin g
WARNING
EWAT1041
Do not remove the ra diator cap when the en gine an d ra diator are hot. Scal din g hot flui d an d steam may be
b lown out un der pressure, which coul d cause serious injury. Be sure to wait until the en gine has coole d.
 Place a thick ra g, like a towel, over the ra diator cap, an d then slowly rotate the cap counterclockwise to the
d etent to allow any resi dual pressure to escape. When the hissin g soun d has stoppe d, press d own on the cap
while turnin g it counterclockwise, an d then remove the cap.TIPIf coolant is not available, tap water can be temporarily used instead, provided that it is changed to the recommended cool-
ant as soon as possible.
Wait until the
engine has cooled.
Check the coolant level in the
reservoir and radiator.
The coolant level
is OK.The coolant level is low.
Check the cooling system
for leakage.
Have a Yamaha dealer checkand repair the cooling system.Add coolant. (See TIP.)
Start the engine. If the engine overheats again,
have a
Yamaha dealer check
and repair the cooling system.
There is
leakage.
There is
no leakage.
U2CXE0E0.book Page 47 Monday, July 29, 2013 2:02 PM

MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE7-3
7
windshield. Before using them, make a
test by polishing an area which does
not affect your visibility.
Cleaning the titanium muffler
This model is equipped with a titanium
muffler, which requires the following
special care.
 Use only a soft, clean cloth or
sponge with mild detergent and
water to clean the titanium muffler.
However, if the muffler cannot be
thoroughly cleaned with mild de-
tergent, alkaline products and a
soft brush may be used.
 Never use compounds or other
special treatments to clean the ti-
tanium muffler, as they will remove
the finish on the outer surface of
the muffler.
 Even the smallest amounts of oil,
such as from oily towels or finger-
prints, will leave stains on the tita-
nium muffler, which can be
removed with a mild detergent. 
Note that the thermally induced
discoloring of the portion of the
exhaust pipe leading into the tita-
nium muffler is normal and cannot
be removed.
After cleanin g
1. Dry the motorcycle with a chamois or an absorbing cloth.
2. Immediately dry the drive chain and lubricate it to prevent it from
rusting.
3. Use a chrome polish to shine chrome, aluminum and stainless-
steel parts.
4. To prevent corrosion, it is recom- mended to apply a corrosion pro-
tection spray on all metal,
including chrome- and nickel-plat-
ed, surfaces.
5. Use spray oil as a universal clean- er to remove any remaining dirt.
6. Touch up minor paint damage caused by stones, etc.
7. Wax all painted surfaces.
8. Let the motorcycle dry completely before storing or covering it.
WARNING
EWA11132
Contaminants on the brakes or tires
can cause loss of control.  Make sure that there is no oil or
wax on the brakes or tires.
 If necessary, clean the brake
d iscs an d b rake linin gs with a
re gular brake disc cleaner or
acetone, an d wash the tires with
warm water an d a mil d d eter-
g ent. Before ri din g at hi gher
speed s, test the motorcycle’s
b rakin g performance an d cor-
nering b ehavior.NOTICE
ECA10801
 Apply spray oil an d wax spar-
in gly an d make sure to wipe off
any excess.
 Never apply oil or wax to any
rubber an d plastic parts, but
treat them with a suita ble care
pro duct.
 Avoi d using abrasive polishin g
compoun ds as they will wear
away the paint.
U2CXE0E0.book Page 3 Monday, July 29, 2013 2:02 PM