2015 YAMAHA YZF-R6 Owners Manual

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-46
6
En
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 down 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.
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MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
7-1
7
EAU37834
Matte color cautionNOTICE
ECA15193
Some models are equipped with
matte colore d finishe d parts. Be
sure to consult a Yamaha d ealer for
a d vice on what prod ucts to use be-
fore cleanin g the vehicle. Usin g a
b rush, harsh chemical prod ucts or
cleanin g compoun ds when cleanin g
these parts will scratch or damag e
their surface. Wax also shoul d not
b e applied to any matte colore d fin-
ishe d parts.
EAU54721
CareWhile the open design of a motorcycle
reveals the attractiveness of the tech-
nology, it also makes it more vulnera-
ble. Rust and corrosion can develop
even if high-quality components are
used. A rusty exhaust pipe may go un-
noticed on a car, however, it detracts
from the overall appearance of a mo-
torcycle. Frequent and proper care
does not only comply with the terms of
the warranty, but it will also keep your
motorcycle looking good, extend its
life and optimize its performance.
Before cleanin g
1. Cover the muffler outlet with a plastic bag after the engine has
cooled down.
2. Make sure that all caps and cov- ers as well as all electrical cou-
plers and connectors, including
the spark plug caps, are tightly in-
stalled.
3. Remove extremely stubborn dirt, like oil burnt onto the crankcase,
with a degreasing agent and a
brush, but never apply such prod- ucts onto seals, gaskets, sprock-
ets, the drive chain and wheel
axles. Always rinse the dirt and
degreaser off with water.
Cleanin g
NOTICE
ECA11143
Avoi d usin g stron g aci dic wheel
cleaners, especially on spoke d
wheels. If such pro ducts are
use d on har d-to-remove dirt, do
not leave the cleaner on the af-
fected area any lon ger than in-
structe d. Also, thorou ghly rinse
the area off with water, imme di-
ately dry it, an d then apply a cor-
rosion protection spray.
 Improper cleanin g can d amage
plastic parts (such as cowlin gs,
panels, win dshiel ds, hea dlig ht
lenses, meter lenses, etc.) an d
the mufflers. Use only a soft,
clean cloth or spon ge with wa-
ter to clean plastic. However, if
the plastic parts cannot b e thor-
ou ghly cleaned with water, di-
lute d mil d d eter gent with water
may be used . Be sure to rinse
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MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE7-2
7
off any
deter gent resi due usin g
plenty of water, as it is harmful
to plastic parts.
 Do not use any harsh chemical
prod ucts on plastic parts or the
muffler. Be sure to avoi d usin g
cloths or spon ges which have
b een in contact with stron g or
a b rasive cleanin g prod ucts, sol-
vent or thinner, fuel ( gasoline),
rust removers or inhi bitors,
b rake flui d, antifreeze or elec-
trolyte.
 Do not use hi gh-pressure wash-
ers or steam-jet cleaners since
they cause water seepag e and
d eterioration in the followin g ar-
eas: seals (of wheel an d swin g-
arm bearin gs, fork an d b rakes),
stora ge compartments, electric
components (couplers, connec-
tors, instruments, switches an d
li g hts), breather hoses an d
vents.
 For motorcycles equippe d with
a win dshiel d: Do not use stron g
cleaners or har d spon ges as
they will cause dullin g or
sc

ratchin g. Some cleanin gcompoun
ds for plastic may
leave scratches on the win d-
shiel d. Test the pro duct on a
small hi dden part of the win d-
shiel d to make sure that it does
not leave any marks. If the win d-
shiel d is scratche d, use a quality
plastic polishin g compoun d af-
ter washing .
After normal useRemove dirt with warm water, a mild
detergent, and a soft, clean sponge,
and then rinse thoroughly with clean
water. Use a toothbrush or bottlebrush
for hard-to-reach areas. Stubborn dirt
and insects will come off more easily if
the area is covered with a wet cloth for
a few minutes before cleaning.
After riding in the rain, near the sea oron salt-sprayed roadsSince sea salt or salt sprayed on roads
during winter are extremely corrosive
in combination with water, carry out
the following steps after each ride in
the rain, near the sea or on salt-
sprayed roads.
TIPSalt sprayed on roads in the winter
may remain well into spring.1. Clean the motorcycle with cold
water and a mild detergent, after
the engine has cooled down.
NOTICE: Do not use warm wa-
ter since it increases the corro-
sive action of the salt.
[ECA10792]
2. After drying the motorcycle, apply a corrosion protection spray on all
metal, including chrome- and
nickel-plated, surfaces (except the
titanium muffler) to prevent corro-
sion.
Cleaning the windshieldAvoid using any alkaline or strong acid
cleaner, gasoline, brake fluid, or any
other solvent. Clean the windshield
with a cloth or sponge dampened with
a neutral detergent, and after cleaning,
thoroughly wash it off with water. For
additional cleaning, use Yamaha Wind-
shield Cleaner or other quality cleaner.
Some cleaning compounds for plastics
may leave scratches on surfaces of the
U2CXE1E0.book Page 2 Friday, July 25, 2014 11:05 AM

MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
7-3
7windshield. 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 cleaning 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-
nerin g 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 suitab le care
prod uct.
 Avoi d usin g a brasive polishin g
compoun ds as they will wear
away the paint.
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MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE7-4
7
TIPConsult a Yamaha dealer for ad-
vice on what products to use.
 Washing, rainy weather or humid
climates can cause the headlight
lens to fog. Turning the headlight
on for a short period of time will
help remove the moisture from the
lens.
EAU26183
Stora geShort-term
Always store your motorcycle in a cool,
dry place and, if necessary, protect it
against dust with a porous cover. Be
sure the engine and the exhaust sys-
tem are cool before covering the mo-
torcycle.NOTICE
ECA10811
 Storin g the motorcycle in a
poorly ventilated room or cover-
in g it with a tarp, while it is still
wet, will allow water an d humi d-
ity to seep in an d cause rust.
 To prevent corrosion, avoi d
d amp cellars, sta bles ( because
of the presence of ammonia)
an d areas where stron g chemi-
cals are store d.Lon g-term
Before storing your motorcycle for sev-
eral months: 1. Follow all the instructions in the “Care” section of this chapter. 2. Fill up the fuel tank and add fuel
stabilizer (if available) to prevent
the fuel tank from rusting and the
fuel from deteriorating.
3. Perform the following steps to protect the cylinders, piston rings,
etc. from corrosion.a. Remove the spark plug caps and spark plugs.
b. Pour a teaspoonful of engine oil into each spark plug bore.
c. Install the spark plug caps onto the spark plugs, and then
place the spark plugs on the
cylinder head so that the elec-
trodes are grounded. (This will
limit sparking during the next
step.)
d. Turn the engine over several times with the starter. (This will
coat the cylinder walls with oil.)
WARNING! To prevent dam-
a g e or injury from sparkin g,
make sure to groun d the
spark plu g electro des while
turnin g the en gine over.
[EWA10952]
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MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
7-5
7e. Remove the spark plug caps
from the spark plugs, and then
install the spark plugs and the
spark plug caps.
4. Lubricate all control cables and the pivoting points of all levers and
pedals as well as of the side-
stand/centerstand.
5. Check and, if necessary, correct the tire air pressure, and then lift
the motorcycle so that both of its
wheels are off the ground. Alterna-
tively, turn the wheels a little every
month in order to prevent the tires
from becoming degraded in one
spot.
6. Cover the muffler outlet with a plastic bag to prevent moisture
from entering it.
7. Remove the battery and fully charge it. Store it in a cool, dry
place and charge it once a month.
Do not store the battery in an ex-
cessively cold or warm place [less
than 0 °C (30 °F) or more than 30
°C (90 °F)]. For more information
on storing the battery, see page
6-34.
TIPMake any necessary repairs before
storing the motorcycle.
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SPECIFICATIONS
8-1
8
Dimensions:Overall length:2040 mm (80.3 in)
Overall width:
705 mm (27.8 in)
Overall height: 1095 mm (43.1 in)
Seat height: 850 mm (33.5 in)
Wheelbase:
1375 mm (54.1 in)
Ground clearance: 130 mm (5.12 in)
Minimum turning radius: 3600 mm (141.7 in)Wei ght:Curb weight:
189 kg (417 lb)Engine:Engine type:
Liquid cooled 4-stroke, DOHC
Cylinder arrangement: Inline 4-cylinder
Displacement: 599 cm³
Bore × stroke:
67.0 × 42.5 mm (2.64 × 1.67 in)
Compression ratio: 13.1 : 1
Starting system: Electric starter
Lubrication system:
Wet sump
Engine oil:Recommended brand:
YAMALUBE
Type:
SAE 10W-40, 10W-50, 15W-40, 20W-40 or
20W-50
Recommended engine oil grade: API service SG type or higher, JASO
standard MA
Engine oil quantity:
Without oil filter cartridge replacement:2.40 L (2.54 US qt, 2.11 Imp.qt)
With oil filter cartridge replacement:
2.60 L (2.75 US qt, 2.29 Imp.qt)Coolant quantity:Coolant reservoir (up to the maximum level
mark):0.25 L (0.26 US qt, 0.22 Imp.qt)
Radiator (including all routes): 2.30 L (2.43 US qt, 2.02 Imp.qt)Air filter:Air filter element:Oil-coated paper element
Fuel:Recommended fuel:Premium unleaded gasoline (Gasohol (E10)
acceptable)
Fuel tank capacity: 17.3 L (4.57 US gal, 3.81 Imp.gal)
Fuel reserve amount:
3.5 L (0.92 US gal, 0.77 Imp.gal)Fuel injection:Throttle body:ID mark:13S1 00Spark plu g(s):Manufacturer/model:
NGK/CR10EK
Spark plug gap: 0.6–0.7 mm (0.024–0.028 in)Clutch:Clutch type:
Wet, multiple-discTransmission:Primary reduction ratio:2.073 (85/41)
Final drive:
Chain
Secondary reduction ratio: 2.813 (45/16)
Transmission type: Constant mesh 6-speed
Operation:
Left foot operation
Gear ratio: 1st:
2.583 (31/12)
–20 –10 0 1020 30 40 50 C
10 30 50 70 90 110
0 130 F
SAE 20W-50SAE 20W-40SAE 15W-40SAE 10W-40SAE 10W-50
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SPECIFICATIONS
8-2
8
2nd:2.000 (32/16)
3rd: 1.667 (30/18)
4th:
1.444 (26/18)
5th: 1.286 (27/21)
6th: 1.150 (23/20)
Chassis:Frame type:Diamond
Caster angle: 24.00 °
Trail:
97 mm (3.8 in)Front tire:Type:Tubeless
Size:
120/70 ZR17M/C (58W)
Manufacturer/model: BRIDGESTONE/BT016F F
Manufacturer/model: DUNLOP/Qualifier PT MRear tire:Type:Tubeless
Size: 180/55 ZR17M/C (73W)
Manufacturer/model:
BRIDGESTONE/BT016R F Manufacturer/model:
DUNLOP/Qualifier PT M
Loa din g:Maximum load:
186 kg (410 lb)
(Total weight of rider, passenger, cargo
and accessories)Tire air pressure (measure d on col d
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: 90–186 kg (198–410 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 MT5.50
Front brake:Type:
Dual disc brake
Operation: Right hand operation
Specified brake fluid: DOT 4Rear 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: 115 mm (4.5 in)Rear suspension:Type:
Swingarm (link suspension)
Spring/shock absorber type: Coil spring/gas-oil damper
Wheel travel: 120 mm (4.7 in)Electrical system:Ignition system:TCI
U2CXE1E0.book Page 2 Friday, July 25, 2014 11:05 AM