2018 YAMAHA NIKEN warning

For your safety – pre-operation checks
4-1
4
EAU15599
Inspect your vehicle each time you use it to make sure the vehicle is in safe operating condition. Always follow the inspection
and maintenance procedures and schedules described in the Owner’s Manual.
WARNING
EWA11152
Failure to inspect or maintain the vehicle properly increases the possibility of an acci dent or equipment damag e.
Do not operate the vehicle if you fin d any pro blem. If a pro blem cannot be corrected b y the proce dures provi ded in
this manual, have the vehicle inspecte d b y a Yamaha dealer.Before using this vehicle, check the following points:
ITEM CHECKS PAGE
Fuel • Check fuel level in fuel tank.
• Refuel if necessary.
• Check fuel line for leakage.
• Check fuel tank overflow hose for obstructions, cracks or damage, and check
hose connection. 3-24, 3-26
En gine oil • Check oil level in engine.
• If necessary, add recommended oil to specified level.
• Check vehicle for oil leakage. 6-11
Coolant • Check coolant level in reservoir.
• If necessary, add recommended coolant to specified level.
• Check cooling system for leakage. 6-13
Front brake • Check operation.
• If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed hydraulic system.
• Check brake pads for wear.
• Replace if necessary.
• Check fluid level in reservoir.
• If necessary, add specified brake fluid to specified level.
• Check hydraulic system for leakage. 6-20, 6-21
UBD5E0E0.book Page 1 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 2:23 PM

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
5-4
5
EAU17214
Parkin gWhen parking, stop the engine, and
then remove the key from the main
switch.
WARNING
EWA10312
Since the en gine an d exhaust
system can become very hot,
park in a place where pe destri-
ans or chil dren are not likely to
touch them and b e burne d.
 Do not park on a slope or on soft
groun d, otherwise the vehicle
may overturn, increasin g the
risk of a fuel leak an d fire.
 Do not park near g rass or other
flammab le materials which
mi ght catch fire.
UBD5E0E0.book Page 4 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 2:23 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-1
6
EAU17246
Periodic inspection, adjustment, and
lubrication will keep your vehicle in the
safest and most efficient condition
possible. Safety is an obligation of the
vehicle owner/operator. The most im-
portant points of vehicle inspection,
adjustment, and lubrication are ex-
plained on the following pages.
The intervals given in the periodic
maintenance charts should be simply
considered as a general guide under
normal riding conditions. However, de-
pending on the weather, terrain, geo-
graphical location, and individual use,
the maintenance intervals may need to
be shortened.
WARNING
EWA10322
Failure to properly maintain the vehi-
cle or performin g maintenance ac-
tivities incorrectly may increase
your risk of injury or death during
service or while usin g the vehicle. If
you are not familiar with vehicle ser-
vice, have a Yamaha d ealer perform
service.
WARNING
EWA15123
Turn off the en gine when performin g
maintenance unless otherwise
specified .
 A runnin g en gine has movin g
parts that can catch on b ody
parts or clothin g an d electrical
parts that can cause shocks or
fires.
 Runnin g the eng ine while ser-
vicin g can lead to eye injury,
b urns, fire, or car bon monoxi de
poisonin g – possi bly lea din g to
d eath. See pag e 1-3 for more in-
formation a bout car bon monox-
i d e.
WARNING
EWA15461
Brake discs, calipers, drums, an d
linin gs can b ecome very hot during
use. To avoi d possi ble burns, let
b rake components cool before
touching them.
EAU17303
Emission controls not only function to
ensure cleaner air, but are also vital to
proper engine operation and maximum
performance. In the following periodic
maintenance charts, the services relat-
ed to emissions control are grouped
separately. These services require
specialized data, knowledge, and
equipment. Maintenance, replace-
ment, or repair of the emission control
devices and systems may be per-
formed by any repair establishment or
individual that is certified (if applicable).
Yamaha dealers are trained and
equipped to perform these particular
services.
UBD5E0E0.book Page 1 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 2:23 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-14
6 2. With the vehicle in an upright posi-
tion, look at the coolant level in the
reservoir.
3. If the coolant is at or below the minimum level mark, remove the
coolant reservoir cap. WARNING!
Remove only the coolant reser-
voir cap. Never attempt to re-
move the ra diator cap when the
en gine is hot.
[EWA15162]
4. Add coolant to the maximum level
mark. NOTICE: If coolant is not
availa ble, use d istilled water or
soft tap water instea d. Do not
use har d water or salt water
since it is harmful to the en gine.
If water has been used instead
of coolant, replace it with cool-
ant as soon as possi ble, other-
wise the coolin g system will not
b e protecte d a gainst frost an d
corrosion. If water has been
a dde d to the coolant, have a
Yamaha dealer check the anti-
freeze content of the coolant as
soon as possi ble, otherwise the
effectiveness of the coolant will
b e re duce d.
[ECA10473]
5. Install the coolant reservoir cap.
EAU33032
Chan gin g the coolant
The coolant must be changed at the in-
tervals specified in the periodic main-
tenance and lubrication chart. Have a
Yamaha dealer change the coolant.
WARNING! Never attempt to remove the ra diator cap when the en gine is
hot.
[EWA10382]
1. Coolant reservoir
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
2
3
1
1. Coolant reservoir cap
1
UBD5E0E0.book Page 14 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 2:23 PM

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)
UBD5E0E0.book Page 18 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 2:23 PM