2018 YAMAHA NIKEN clutch

Operation and important ri din g points
5-1
5
EAU15952
Read the Owner’s Manual carefully to
become familiar with all controls. If
there is a control or function you do not
understand, ask your Yamaha dealer.
WARNING
EWA10272
Failure to familiarize yourself with
the controls can lead to loss of con-
trol, which coul d cause an acci dent
or injury.
EAUM3632
TIPThis model is equipped with:  a lean angle sensor. This sensor
stops the engine in case of a vehi-
cle turnover. If this happens, the
engine trouble warning light will
come on, but this is not a malfunc-
tion. Turn the vehicle power off
and then back on again to cancel
the warning light. Failing to do so
will prevent the engine from start-
ing even though the engine will
crank when pushing the start
switch.
 an engine auto-stop system. The
engine stops automatically if left
idling for 20 minutes. If the engine
stops, simply push the start
switch to restart the engine.
EAU84620
Startin g the en gineUnder normal conditions, shift the
transmission into neutral before start-
ing the engine. To start the engine with
the transmission in gear, the sidestand
must be up and the clutch lever pulled.
To start the engine1. Set the engine stop switch to “ ”.
2. Turn the main switch to “ ”.
3. Confirm the following lights per-
form a circuit check. Coolant temperature warning
light
 Oil level warning light
 Engine trouble warning light
 ABS warning light
 Traction control system indi-
cator light
 Cruise control indicator lights
 Shift indicator light
 Immobilizer system indicator
lightTIP The ABS warning light should go
off after reaching a speed of 10
km/h (6 mi/h) or higher.
UBD5E0E0.book Page 1 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 2:23 PM

Operation and important rid ing points
5-2
5 
The neutral position indicator light
should be on when the transmis-
sion is in neutral.
NOTICE
ECA24110
If a warnin g or in dicator li ght does
not work as d escribed a bove, have a
Yamaha dealer check the vehicle.4. Push the start switch “ ”.
Release the start switch when the
engine starts, or after 5 seconds.
Wait 10 seconds before pressing
the switch again to allow battery
voltage to restore.NOTICE
ECA11043
For maximum en gine life, never ac-
celerate har d when the en gine is
col d!
EAU84370
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.TIPTo shift the transmission into the
neutral position ( ), press the
shift pedal down repeatedly until it
reaches the end of its travel, and
then slightly raise it. 
This model is equipped with a
quick shift system. (See page
3-19.)
NOTICE
ECA23990
Even with the transmission in
the neutral position, do not
coast for lon g period s of time
with the eng ine off, and 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 damag e
the transmission.
 Except when upshiftin g with the
quick shift system, always use
the clutch while chan gin g g ears
to avoi d d amag ing the en gine,
transmission, an d drive train,
which are not desi gne d to with-
stan d the shock of forced shift-
in g.
1. Gear positions
2. Shift pedal
2
1
1
N 2 3 4
5
6
UBD5E0E0.book Page 2 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 2:23 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-5
6
EAU71352
General maintenance an d lu brication chartNO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOB ODOMETER READING
ANNUAL
CHECK
1000 km
(600 mi) 10000 km
(6000 mi) 20000 km
(12000 mi) 30000 km
(18000 mi) 40000 km
(24000 mi)
1 *Dia
gnostic system
check • Perform dynamic inspection us-
ing Yamaha diagnostic tool.
• Check the error codes. √√√√√√
2 *Air filter element • Replace. Every 40000 km (24000 mi)
3Clutch • Check operation.
•Adjust. √√√√√
4 *Front brake • Check operation, fluid level, and
for fluid leakage.
• Replace brake pads if necessary. √√√√√√
5 *Rear brake • Check operation, fluid level, and
for fluid leakage.
• Replace brake pads if necessary. √√√√√√
6 *Brake hoses • Check for cracks or damage.
√√√√√
• Replace. Every 4 years
7 *Brake flui d • Change. Every 2 years
8 *Wheels • Check runout and for damage.
• Replace if necessary.
√√√√
• Balance the front wheels. Whenever the tires or wheels have been changed or replaced.
9 *Tires • Check tread depth and for dam-
age.
• Replace if necessary.
• Check air pressure.
• Correct if necessary. √√√√√
10 *Wheel bearin gs • Check bearing for looseness or
damage. √√√√
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-6
6
11 *Steerin g system • Check bearing play and steering
for roughness. √√ √
• Lubricate with urea grease. √√
12 *Swin
garm pivot
b earin gs • Check operation and for exces-
sive play. √√√√
• Lubricate with lithium-soap- based grease. Every 50000 km (30000 mi)
13 Drive chain • Check chain slack, alignment and
condition.
• Adjust and lubricate chain with a special O-ring chain lubricant
thoroughly. Every 1000 km (600 mi) and after washing the motorcycle, riding in the rain or
riding in wet areas
14 *Chassis fasteners • Make sure that all nuts, bolts and
screws are properly tightened. √√√√√
15 Brake lever pivot
shaft • Lubricate with silicone grease.
√√√√√
16 Brake ped
al pivot
shaft • Lubricate with lithium-soap-
based grease. √√√√√
17 Clutch lever pivot
shaft • Lubricate with lithium-soap-
based grease. √√√√√
18 Shift pe
dal pivot
shaft • Lubricate with lithium-soap-
based grease. √√√√√
19 Si destan d • Check operation.
• Lubricate with lithium-soap-
based grease. √√√√√
20 *Sidestan d switch • Check operation and replace if
necessary. √√√√√√
NO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOB
ODOMETER READING
ANNUAL
CHECK
1000 km
(600 mi) 10000 km
(6000 mi) 20000 km
(12000 mi) 30000 km
(18000 mi) 40000 km
(24000 mi)UBD5E0E0.book Page 6 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 2:23 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-11
6
EAU36112
CanisterThis model is equipped with a canister
to prevent the discharging of fuel vapor
into the atmosphere. Before operating
this vehicle, make sure to check the
following:
 Check each hose connection.
 Check each hose and canister for
cracks or damage. Replace if
damaged.
 Make sure that the canister
breather is not blocked, and if
necessary, clean it.
EAU1990E
Engine oilThe engine oil level should be checked
regularly. In addition, the oil must be
changed and the oil filter cartridge re-
placed at the intervals specified in the
periodic maintenance chart.NOTICE
ECA11621
 In or der to prevent clutch slip-
pa ge (since the en gine oil also
lu bricates the clutch), do not
mix any chemical add itives. Do
not use oils with a diesel speci-
fication of “CD” or oils of a hi gh-
er quality than specified . In
a dd ition, do not use oils lab eled
“ENERGY CONSERVING II” or
hi gher.
 Make sure that no forei gn mate-
rial enters the crankcase.
To check the en gine oil level
1. After warming up the engine, wait a few minutes for the oil to settle.
2. With the vehicle on a level surface, hold it upright for an accurate
reading.
3. Look at the check window located at the bottom-right side of the
crankcase.TIPThe engine oil should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks.
1. Canister
2. Canister breather
1
2
Recommen ded en gine oil:
See page 8-1.
Oil quantity: Oil change:2.40 L (2.54 US qt, 2.11 Imp.qt)
With oil filter removal: 2.70 L (2.85 US qt, 2.38 Imp.qt)
1. Engine oil filler cap
2. O-ring
3. Engine oil level check window
4. Maximum level mark
5. Minimum level mark
21
3
45
UBD5E0E0.book Page 11 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 2:23 PM

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
UBD5E0E0.book Page 19 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 2:23 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-26
6
EAU44276
Checkin g an d lu bricatin g the
b rake an d shift pe dalsThe operation of the brake and shift
pedals should be checked before each
ride, and the pedal pivots should be lu-
bricated if necessary.
Brake pe dal
Shift pe dal
EAU23144
Checkin g an d lu bricatin g the
b rake an d clutch leversThe operation of the brake and clutch
levers should be checked before each
ride, and the lever pivots should be lu-
bricated if necessary.
Brake lever
Clutch lever
Recommen ded lu bricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
UBD5E0E0.book Page 26 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 2:23 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-27
6
EAU23203
Checkin g an d lu bricatin g the
si destan dThe operation of the sidestand should
be checked before each ride, and the
sidestand pivot and metal-to-metal
contact surfaces should be lubricated
if necessary.
WARNING
EWA10732
If the sid estand d oes not move up
an d d own smoothly, have a Yamaha
d ealer check or repair it. Otherwise,
the si destan d coul d contact the
g roun d an d d istract the operator, re-
sultin g in a possi ble loss of control.
EAUM1653
Lu bricatin g the swin garm piv-
otsThe swingarm pivots must be lubricat-
ed by a Yamaha dealer at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
Recommen ded lu bricants:
Brake lever:
Silicone grease
Clutch lever:
Lithium-soap-based grease
Recommen ded lu bricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
Recommen ded lu bricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
UBD5E0E0.book Page 27 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 2:23 PM