2018 YAMAHA NIKEN Owners Manual

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-15
6
EAU36765
Air filter elementThe air filter element must be replaced
at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.
Have a Yamaha dealer replace the air
filter element.
EAU44735
Checkin g the en gine i dlin g
spee dCheck the engine idling speed and, if
necessary, have it corrected by a
Yamaha dealer.
EAU21386
Checkin g the throttle grip free
playMeasure the throttle grip free play as
shown.
Periodically check the throttle grip free
play and, if necessary, have a Yamaha
dealer adjust it.
En gine i dlin g spee d:
1100–1300 r/min
1. Throttle grip free play
Throttle grip free play:
3.0–5.0 mm (0.12–0.20 in)
1
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-16
6
EAU21403
Valve clearanceThe valves are an important engine
component, and since valve clearance
changes with use, they must be
checked and adjusted at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
chart. Unadjusted valves can result in
improper air-fuel mixture, engine
noise, and eventually engine damage.
To prevent this from occurring, have
your Yamaha dealer check and adjust
the valve clearance at regular intervals.TIPThis service must be performed when
the engine is cold.
EAU64412
TiresTires 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
EWA10504
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 a djuste d on col d
tires (i.e., when the temperature
of the tires equals the am bient
temperature).
 The tire air pressure must be
a d juste d in accor dance with the
ri din g speed and with the total wei
ght of ri der, passen ger, car-
g o, an d accessories approve d
for this mo del.
WARNING
EWA10512
Never overloa d your vehicle. Opera-
tion of an overload ed vehicle coul d
cause an acci dent.Col d tire air pressure:
1 person: Front:225 kPa (2.25 kgf/cm², 33 psi)
Rear: 290 kPa (2.90 kgf/cm², 42 psi)
2 persons:
Front:225 kPa (2.25 kgf/cm², 33 psi)
Rear:
290 kPa (2.90 kgf/cm², 42 psi)
Maximum load :
Vehicle:
195 kg (430 lb)
The vehicle’s maximum load is the
combined weight of the rider, pas-
senger, cargo, and any accessories.
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-17
6
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 side-
wall is cracked, have a Yamaha dealer
replace the tire immediately.
TIPThe tire tread depth limits may differ
from country to country. Always com-
ply with the local regulations.
WARNING
EWA10472

Have a Yamaha d ealer replace
excessively worn tires. Besi des
b ein g ille gal, operatin g the vehi-
cle with excessively worn tires
d ecreases ri din g sta bility an d
can lea d to loss of control.
 The replacement of all wheel
and b rake-relate d parts, inclu d-
in g the tires, shoul d b e left to a
Yamaha dealer, who has the
necessary professional knowl-
e dg e an d experience to do so.
 Ride at mo derate spee ds after
chan gin g a tire since the tire
surface must first be “ broken
in” for it to d evelop its optimal
characteristics.
Tire information
This model is equipped with tubeless
tires and tire air valves.
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
EWA10902
 The front an d rear tires shoul d
b e of the same make an d d e-
si gn, otherwise the han dlin g
1. Tire sidewall
2. Tire tread depthMinimum tire trea d d epth (front an d
rear): 1.6 mm (0.06 in)
1. Tire air valve
2. Tire air valve core
3. Tire air valve cap with seal
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-18
6 characteristics of the motorcy-
cle may
be different, which
coul d lea d to an acci dent.
 Always make sure that the valve
caps are securely installe d to
prevent air pressure leaka ge.
 Use only the tire valves an d
valve cores listed below to
avoi d tire d eflation durin g a ri de.
After extensive tests, only the tires list-
ed below have been approved for this
model by Yamaha.
WARNING
EWA10601
This motorcycle is fitte d with super-
hi gh-spee d tires. Note the followin g
points in or der to make the most ef-
ficient use of these tires.  Use only the specified replace-
ment tires. Other tires may run
the dan ger of burstin g at super
hi gh spee ds.
 Bran d-new tires can have a rel-
atively poor g rip on certain roa d
surfaces until they have been
“ b roken in”. Therefore, it is a d-
visa ble before doin g any hi gh-
speed ridin g to ri de conserva-
tively for approximately 100 km
(60 mi) after installin g a new tire.
 The tires must be warme d up
b efore a hi gh-spee d run.
 Always a djust the tire air pres-
sure accor din g to the operating
con ditions.
EAU61160
Cast wheelsTo maximize the performance, durabil-
ity, and safe operation of your vehicle,
note the following points regarding the
specified wheels.
 The wheel rims should be
checked for cracks, bends, warp-
age or other damage before each
ride. If any damage is found, have
a Yamaha dealer replace the
wheel. Do not attempt even the
smallest repair to the wheel. A de-
formed or cracked wheel must be
replaced.
 The front wheels should be bal-
anced whenever either the tires or
wheels have been changed or re-
placed. An unbalanced wheel can
result in poor performance, ad-
verse handling characteristics,
and a shortened tire life.
Front tire:
Size:120/70 R 15 M/C 56V
Manufacturer/model: BRIDGESTONE/A41F M
Rear tire:
Size:190/55 R 17 M/C 75V
Manufacturer/model:
BRIDGESTONE/A41R M
FRONT an d REAR:
Tire air valve:
TR412
Valve core: #9100 (original)
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-19
6
EAU22083
A djustin g the clutch lever free
playMeasure the clutch lever free play as
shown.
Periodically check the clutch lever free
play and, if necessary, adjust it as fol-
lows.
To increase the clutch lever free play,
turn the clutch lever free play adjusting
bolt in direction (a). To decrease the
clutch lever free play, turn the adjusting
bolt in direction (b).
TIPIf the specified free play cannot be ob-
tained as described above or if the
clutch does not operate correctly, have
a Yamaha dealer check the internal
clutch mechanism.
EAU37914
Checkin g the brake lever free
playThere should be no free play at the
brake lever end. If there is free play,
have a Yamaha dealer inspect the
brake system.
WARNING
EWA14212
A soft or spon gy feelin g in the b rake
lever can in dicate the presence of
air in the hy draulic system. If there is
air in the hy draulic system, have a
Yamaha dealer blee d the system be-
fore operatin g the vehicle. Air in the
hy draulic system will diminish the
1. Clutch lever free play adjusting bolt
2. Clutch lever free playClutch lever free play:
10.0–15.0 mm (0.39–0.59 in)
1 (a)
(b)
2
1. No brake lever free play
1
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-20
6 b
rakin g performance, which may re-
sult in loss of control and an acci-
d ent.
EAU36505
Brake li ght switchesThe brake light should come on just
before braking takes effect. The brake
light is activated by switches connect-
ed to the brake lever and brake pedal.
Since the brake light switches are
components of the anti-lock brake sys-
tem, they should only be serviced by a
Yamaha dealer.
EAU22393
Checkin g the front an d rear
b rake pa dsThe front and rear brake pads must be
checked for wear at the intervals spec-
ified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart.
EAU22433
Front brake pa ds 1. Brake pad wear indicator groove
1
1
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-21
6
Each front 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 the wear
indicator grooves have almost disap-
peared, have a Yamaha dealer replace
the brake pads as a set.
EAU46292
Rear
brake pa ds
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.
EAU40262
Checkin g the brake flui d levelBefore 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
1. Brake pad wear indicator groove
1
1
1. Brake pad wear indicator groove
1
1
1. Minimum level mark
1
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-22
6 Rear
brake
WARNING
EWA16011
Improper maintenance can result in
loss of brakin g a bility. O bserve
these precautions:  Insufficient brake flui d may al-
low air to enter the b rake sys-
tem, re ducin g brakin g
performance.
 Clean the filler cap before re-
moving . Use only DOT 4 b rake
flui d from a seale d container. 
Use only the specified b rake flu-
i d ; otherwise, the ru bber seals
may deteriorate, causin g leak-
a g e.
 Refill with the same type of
brake flui d. A ddin g a brake flui d
other than DOT 4 may result in a
harmful chemical reaction.
 Be careful that water or dust
d oes not enter the brake flui d
reservoir when refillin g. Water
will si gnificantly lower the boil-
in g point of the flui d an d may re-
sult in vapor lock, an d d ir
t may
clo g the ABS hy draulic unit
valves.
NOTICE
ECA17641
Brake flui d may damag e painted
surfaces or plastic parts. Always
clean up spille d flui d imme diately.As the brake pads wear, it is normal for
the brake fluid level to gradually go
down. A low brake fluid level may indi-
cate worn brake pads and/or brake
system leakage; therefore, be sure to
check the brake pads for wear and the
brake system for leakage. If the brake fluid level goes down suddenly, have a
Yamaha dealer check the cause before further riding.
1. Minimum level markSpecifie d b rake flui d:
DOT 4
1
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