2018 YAMAHA NIKEN battery

Table of contents
Checking and lubricating the
sidestand ...................................6-27
Lubricating the swingarm pivots ...6-27
Checking the front fork..................6-28
Checking the steering ...................6-28
Lubricating the steering bearings .....................................6-29
Checking the wheel bearings ........6-29
Battery ...........................................6-29
Replacing the fuses .......................6-31
Vehicle lights .................................6-33
Stability bar ...................................6-33
Troubleshooting ............................6-33
Troubleshooting charts .................6-35
Motorcycle care an d stora ge ..........7-1
Matte color caution .........................7-1
Care .................................................7-1
Storage ............................................7-3
Specifications ....................................8-1
Consumer information .....................9-1
Identification numbers .....................9-1
Diagnostic connector ......................9-2
Vehicle data recording ....................9-2
In dex ................................................10-1
UBD5E0E0.book Page 2 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 2:23 PM

Description
2-1
2
EAU10411
Left view
1
2,3
4
5
6
7
8
9
1. Battery (page 6-29)
2. Storage compartment (page 3-29)
3. Tool kit (page 6-2)
4. Seat lock (page 3-27)
5. Spring preload adjuster (page 3-31)
6. Rebound damping force adjuster (page 3-31)
7. Shift pedal (page 3-19)
8. Engine oil drain bolt (page 6-11)9. Engine oil filter cartridge (page 6-11)
UBD5E0E0.book Page 1 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 2:23 PM

Instrument and control functions
3-2
3
EAU10474
Main switch/steerin g lockThe main switch/steering lock controls
the ignition and lighting systems, and is
used to lock the steering. The various
positions are described below.TIPBe sure to use the standard key (black
bow) for regular use of the vehicle. To
minimize the risk of losing the code re-
registering key (red bow), keep it in a
safe place and only use it for code re-
registering.
EAU84031
ON
All electrical circuits are supplied with
power and the vehicle lights are turned
on. The engine can be started. The key
cannot be removed.TIP The headlight(s) will turn on when
the engine is started.
 To prevent battery drain, do not
leave the key in the on position
without the engine running.
EAU10662
OFF
All electrical systems are off. The key
can be removed.
WARNING
EWA10062
Never turn the key to “OFF” or
“LOCK” while the vehicle is movin g.
Otherwise the electrical systems will
b e switched off, which may result in
loss of control or an acci dent.
EAU1068B
LOCK
The steering is locked and all electrical
systems are off. The key can be re-
moved.
To lock the steering1. Turn the handlebars all the way to
the left.
2. With the key in the “OFF” position, push the key in and turn it to
“LOCK”.
3. Remove the key.
P
ON
OFF
LOCK
1. Push.
2. Turn.
1
2
UBD5E0E0.book Page 2 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
6-29
6
EAU84960
Lu bricatin g the steerin g b ear-
in gsThe steering bearings must be lubricat-
ed by a Yamaha dealer at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
chart.
EAU84970
Checkin g the wheel bearin gsThe front and rear wheel bearings must
be checked by a Yamaha dealer at the
intervals specified in the periodic main-
tenance chart.
EAU50212
BatteryThe battery is located under the rider
seat. (See page 3-27.)
This model is equipped with a VRLA
(Valve Regulated Lead Acid) battery.
There is no need to check the electro-
lyte or to add distilled water. However,
the battery lead connections need to
be checked and, if necessary, tight-
ened.
WARNING
EWA10761
 Electrolyte is poisonous an d
d an gerous since it contains sul-
furic aci d, which causes severe
Recommen ded lu bricant:
Urea grease
1. Battery
2. Positive battery lead (red)
3. Negative battery lead (black)2 1
3
UBD5E0E0.book Page 29 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 2:23 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-30
6 b
urns. Avoi d any contact with
skin, eyes or clothin g an d al-
ways shiel d your eyes when
workin g near b atteries. In case
of contact, ad minister the fol-
lowin g FIRST AID.
EXTERNAL: Flush with plenty of water.
INTERNAL: Drink lar ge quan-
tities of water or milk an d im-
me diately call a physician.
EYES: Flush with water for 15 minutes an d seek prompt
me dical attention.
 Batteries pro duce explosive hy-
d ro gen gas. Therefore, keep
sparks, flames, ci garettes, etc.,
away from the battery an d pro-
vi de sufficient ventilation when
char gin g it in an enclose d
space.
 KEEP THIS AND ALL BATTER-
IES OUT OF THE REACH OF
CHILDREN.
To char ge the battery
Have a Yamaha dealer charge the bat-
tery as soon as possible if it seems to
have discharged. Keep in mind that the battery tends to discharge more quick-
ly if the vehicle is equipped with op-
tional electrical accessories.
NOTICE
ECA16522
To char
ge a VRLA (Valve Re gulate d
Lea d Aci d) battery, a special (con-
stant-volta ge) battery char ger is re-
quire d. Usin g a conventional battery
char ger will damag e the b attery.To store the battery
1. If the vehicle will not be used for more than one month, remove the
battery, fully charge it, and then
place it in a cool, dry place.
NOTICE: When removin g the
b attery, be sure to turn the main
switch off, then disconnect the
ne gative lea d before discon-
nectin g the positive lea d.
[ECA16304]
2. If the battery will be stored for
more than two months, check it at
least once a month and fully
charge it if necessary.
3. Fully charge the battery before in- stallation. NOTICE: When install-
in g the b attery, be sure to turn
the main switch off, then con- nect the positive lea
d before
connectin g the ne gative lea d.
[ECA16842]
4. After installation, make sure that
the battery leads are properly con-
nected to the battery terminals.NOTICE
ECA16531
Always keep the b attery charged .
Storin g a d ischar ged battery can
cause permanent battery damag e.
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-35
6
EAU42505
Trou bleshootin g chartsStartin g prob lems or poor en gine performance
Check the fuel level in
the fuel tank.1. Fuel
There is enough fuel.
There is no fuel.
Check the battery.
Supply fuel.
The engine does not start.
Check the battery.
Remove the spark plugs
and check the electrodes.3. Ignition
Wipe off with a dry cloth and correct the
spark plug gaps, or replace the spark plugs.
Have a Yamaha dealer check the vehicle.
Operate the electric starter.4. Compression
There is compression.
There is no compression.
The engine does not start.
Have a Yamaha dealer check the vehicle.Have a Yamaha dealer check the vehicle.
The engine does not start.
Check the compression.
Operate the electric starter.2. Battery
The engine turns over
quickly.
The engine turns over
slowly.
The engine does not start.
Check the ignition.
The battery is good.Check the battery lead connections,
and have a Yamaha dealer charge
the battery if necessary.
DryWet
Operate the electric starter.
UBD5E0E0.book Page 35 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 2:23 PM

Motorcycle care and stora ge
7-4
7 1. Make all necessary repairs and
perform any outstanding mainte-
nance.
2. Follow all instructions in the Care section of this chapter.
3. Fill up the fuel tank, adding fuel stabilizer according to product in-
structions. Run the engine for 5
minutes to distribute treated fuel
through the fuel system.
4. For vehicles equipped with a fuel cock: Turn the fuel cock lever to
the off position.
5. For vehicles with a carburetor: To prevent fuel deposits from build-
ing up, drain the fuel in the carbu-
retor float chamber into a clean
container. Retighten the drain bolt
and pour the fuel back into the fuel
tank.
6. Use a quality engine fogging oil according to product instructions
to protect internal engine compo-
nents from corrosion. If engine
fogging oil is not available, per-
form the following steps for each
cylinder:a. Remove the spark plug cap and spark plug. b. Pour a teaspoonful of engine
oil into the spark plug bore.
c. Install the spark plug cap onto the spark plug, and then place
the spark plug on the cylinder
head so that the electrodes are
grounded. (This will limit spark-
ing during the next step.)
d. Turn the engine over several times with the starter. (This will
coat the cylinder wall with oil.)
WARNING! To prevent d am-
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]
e. Remove the spark plug cap
from the spark plug, and then
install the spark plug and the
spark plug cap.
7. Lubricate all control cables, piv- ots, levers and pedals, as well as
the sidestand and centerstand (if
equipped).
8. Check and correct the tire air pressure, and then lift the vehicle
so that all wheels are off the
ground. Otherwise, turn the wheels a little once a month in or-
der to prevent the tires from be-
coming degraded in one spot.
9. Cover the muffler outlet with a plastic bag to prevent moisture
from entering it.
10. Remove the battery and fully charge it, or attach a maintenance
charger to keep the battery opti-
mally charged. NOTICE: Confirm
that the battery an d its char ger
are compati ble. Do not char ge a
VRLA battery with a convention-
al char ger.
[ECA26330]
TIP If the battery will be removed,
charge it once a month and store
it in a temperate location between
0-30 °C (32-90 °F).
 See page 6-29 for more informa-
tion on charging and storing the
battery.
UBD5E0E0.book Page 4 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 2:23 PM