2019 YAMAHA YZF-R6 suspension

Safety information
1-3
1Avoi
d Car bon Monoxi de Poisonin g
All engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide, a deadly gas. Breathing
carbon monoxide can cause head-
aches, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea,
confusion, and eventually death.
Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odor-
less, tasteless gas which may be pres-
ent even if you do not see or smell any
engine exhaust. Deadly levels of car-
bon monoxide can collect rapidly and
you can quickly be overcome and un-
able to save yourself. Also, deadly lev-
els of carbon monoxide can linger for
hours or days in enclosed or poorly
ventilated areas. If you experience any
symptoms of carbon monoxide poi-
soning, leave the area immediately, get
fresh air, and SEEK MEDICAL TREAT-
MENT.  Do not run engine indoors. Even if
you try to ventilate engine exhaust
with fans or open windows and
doors, carbon monoxide can rap-
idly reach dangerous levels.
 Do not run engine in poorly venti-
lated or partially enclosed areas
such as barns, garages, or car-
ports. 
Do not run engine outdoors where
engine exhaust can be drawn into
a building through openings such
as windows and doors.
Loa din g
Adding accessories or cargo to your
motorcycle can adversely affect stabil-
ity and handling if the weight distribu-
tion of the motorcycle is changed. To
avoid the possibility of an accident, use
extreme caution when adding cargo or
accessories to your motorcycle. Use
extra care when riding a motorcycle
that has added cargo or accessories.
Here, along with the information about
accessories below, are some general
guidelines to follow if loading cargo to
your motorcycle:
The total weight of the operator, pas-
senger, accessories and cargo must
not exceed the maximum load limit.
Operation of an overloa ded vehicle
coul d cause an acci dent. When loading within this weight limit,
keep the following in mind:
 Cargo and accessory weight
should be kept as low and close to
the motorcycle as possible. Se-
curely pack your heaviest items as
close to the center of the vehicle
as possible and make sure to dis-
tribute the weight as evenly as
possible on both sides of the mo-
torcycle to minimize imbalance or
instability.
 Shifting weights can create a sud-
den imbalance. Make sure that
accessories and cargo are se-
curely attached to the motorcycle
before riding. Check accessory
mounts and cargo restraints fre-
quently.
• Properly adjust the suspension for your load (suspension-ad-
justable models only), and
check the condition and pres-
sure of your tires.
• Never attach any large or heavy items to the handlebar, front
fork, or front fender. These
items, including such cargo as
sleeping bags, duffel bags, or
Maximum loa d:
185 kg (408 lb)
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Safety information
1-4
1
tents, can create unstable han-
dling or a slow steering re-
sponse.
 This vehicle is not desi gne d to
pull a trailer or to be attached to
a si decar.
Genuine Yamaha Accessories
Choosing accessories for your vehicle
is an important decision. Genuine
Yamaha accessories, which are avail- able only from a Yamaha dealer, have
been designed, tested, and approved
by Yamaha for use on your vehicle.
Many companies with no connection
to Yamaha manufacture parts and ac-
cessories or offer other modifications
for Yamaha vehicles. Yamaha is not in
a position to test the products that
these aftermarket companies produce.
Therefore, Yamaha can neither en-
dorse nor recommend the use of ac-
cessories not sold by Yamaha or
modifications not specifically recom-
mended by Yamaha, even if sold and
installed by a Yamaha dealer. Aftermarket Parts, Accessories, an
d
Mo difications
While you may find aftermarket prod-
ucts similar in design and quality to
genuine Yamaha accessories, recog-
nize that some aftermarket accesso-
ries or modifications are not suitable
because of potential safety hazards to
you or others. Installing aftermarket
products or having other modifications
performed to your vehicle that change
any of the vehicle’s design or operation
characteristics can put you and others
at greater risk of serious injury or
death. You are responsible for injuries
related to changes in the vehicle.
Keep the following guidelines in mind,
as well as those provided under “Load-
ing” when mounting accessories.  Never install accessories or carry
cargo that would impair the per-
formance of your motorcycle.
Carefully inspect the accessory
before using it to make sure that it
does not in any way reduce
ground clearance or cornering
clearance, limit suspension travel, steering travel or control opera-
tion, or obscure lights or reflec-
tors.
• Accessories fitted to the han- dlebar or the front fork area can
create instability due to improp-
er weight distribution or aerody-
namic changes. If accessories
are added to the handlebar or
front fork area, they must be as
lightweight as possible and
should be kept to a minimum.
• Bulky or large accessories may seriously affect the stability of
the motorcycle due to aerody-
namic effects. Wind may at-
tempt to lift the motorcycle, or
the motorcycle may become
unstable in cross winds. These
accessories may also cause in-
stability when passing or being
passed by large vehicles.
• Certain accessories can dis- place the operator from his or
her normal riding position. This
improper position limits the
freedom of movement of the
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Safety information
1-5
1operator and may limit control
ability, therefore, such accesso-
ries are not recommended.
 Use caution when adding electri-
cal accessories. If electrical ac-
cessories exceed the capacity of
the motorcycle’s electrical sys-
tem, an electric failure could re-
sult, which could cause a
dangerous loss of lights or engine
power.
Aftermarket Tires an d Rims
The tires and rims that came with your
motorcycle were designed to match
the performance capabilities and to
provide the best combination of han-
dling, braking, and comfort. Other
tires, rims, sizes, and combinations
may not be appropriate. See page 7-21
for tire specifications and for informa-
tion on servicing and replacing your
tires.
Transportin g the Motorcycle
Be sure to observe following instruc-
tions before transporting the motorcy-
cle in another vehicle. 
Remove all loose items from the
motorcycle.
 Check that the fuel cock (if
equipped) is in the off position and
that there are no fuel leaks.
 Shift the transmission into gear
(for models with a manual trans-
mission).
 Secure the motorcycle with tie-
downs or suitable straps that are
attached to solid parts of the mo-
torcycle, such as the frame or up-
per front fork triple clamp (and not,
for example, to rubber-mounted
handlebars or turn signals, or
parts that could break). Choose
the location for the straps carefully
so the straps will not rub against
painted surfaces during transport.
 The suspension should be com-
pressed somewhat by the tie-
downs, if possible, so that the mo-
torcycle will not bounce exces-
sively during transport.
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Instrument and control functions
4-24
4
EAU79923
A djustin g the front forkThis model is equipped with adjustable
suspension. The spring preload, re-
bound damping force, and compres-
sion damping force of each leg can be
adjusted.
WARNING
EWA10181
Always a djust both fork le gs equally,
otherwise poor han dlin g an d loss of
sta bility may result.NOTICE
ECA24120
 Use extra care to avoi d scratch-
in g the ano dize d finish of the
a d justin g nuts an d b olts when
makin g suspension ad just-
ments.
 To avoi d d amag ing the suspen-
sion’s internal mechanisms, do
not attempt to turn beyon d the
maximum or minimum settin gs.Sprin g preloa d
Turn the adjusting nut in direction (a) to
increase the spring preload. Turn the adjusting nut in direction (b) to
decrease the spring preload.
To set the spring preload, turn the ad-
juster in direction (b) until it stops, and
then count the turns in direction (a).
TIPWhen turning the spring preload ad-
juster in direction (a), it may turn be-
yond the stated specifications,
however such adjustments are ineffec-
tive and may damage the suspension.Re
boun d d ampin g force
Turn the adjusting bolt in direction (a)
to increase the rebound damping
force.
Turn the adjusting bolt in direction (b)
to decrease the rebound damping
force.
To set the rebound damping force, turn
the adjuster in direction (a) until it
stops, and then count the clicks in di-
rection (b).
1. Spring preload adjusting nut
Sprin g preloa d settin g:
Minimum (soft): 0 turn(s) in direction (a)
Standard: 6 turn(s) in direction (a)
Maximum (hard):
15 turn(s) in direction (a)(a)
(b)
1
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Instrument and control functions
4-25
4
TIP When turning the damping force
adjuster in direction (a), the 0 click
position and the 1 click position
may be the same.
 When turning the damping force
adjuster in direction (b), it may
click beyond the stated specifica- tions, however such adjustments
are ineffective and may damage
the suspension.
Compression
dampin g force
Turn the adjusting bolt in direction (a)
to increase the compression damping
force.
Turn the adjusting bolt in direction (b)
to decrease the compression damping
force.
To set the compression damping
force, turn the adjuster in direction (a)
until it stops, and then count the clicks
in direction (b).
TIP When turning the damping force
adjuster in direction (a), the 0 click
position and the 1 click position
may be the same.
 When turning the damping force
adjuster in direction (b), it may
click beyond the stated specifica-
tions, however such adjustments
are ineffective and may damage
the suspension.
1. Rebound damping force adjusting boltReboun d d ampin g setting :
Minimum (soft): 14 click(s) in direction (b)
Standard: 7 click(s) in direction (b)
Maximum (hard):
1 click(s) in direction (b)
(a)
(b)
1
1. Compression damping force adjusting bolt
(b)
(a)
1
Compression dampin g settin g:
Minimum (soft):
23 click(s) in direction (b)
Standard:
14 click(s) in direction (b)
Maximum (hard): 1 click(s) in direction (b)
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Instrument and control functions
4-26
4
EAU79933
A djustin g the shock a bsor ber
assem blyThis model is equipped with adjustable
suspension. The spring preload, re-
bound damping force, fast compres-
sion damping force, and slow
compression damping force can be
adjusted.NOTICE
ECA10102
To avoi d d amag ing the mechanism,
d o not attempt to turn b eyond the
maximum or minimum settin gs.Sprin g preloa d
1. Loosen the locknut.
2. Turn the adjusting nut in direction (a) to increase the spring preload.
Turn the adjusting nut in direction
(b) to decrease the spring preload.
The spring preload setting is de-
termined by measuring distance
A. The longer distance A is, the
higher the spring preload; the
shorter distance A is, the lower the
spring preload. 
Use the special wrench and
the extension bar included in
the tool kit to make the ad-
justment.
3. Tighten the locknut to the speci-fied torque. NOTICE: Always
ti ghten the locknut ag ainst the
a d justin g nut, an d then ti ghten
the locknut to the specifie d
torque.
[ECA10122]
Re boun d d ampin g force
Turn the adjusting bolt in direction (a)
to increase the rebound damping
force.
Turn the adjusting bolt in direction (b)
to decrease the rebound damping
force.
To set the rebound damping force, turn
the adjuster in direction (a) until it
stops, and then count the clicks in di-
rection (b).
1. Locknut
2. Spring preload adjusting nut
3. Special wrench
4. Extension bar
1. Distance A
1
3
4
2
(a)
(b)
1
Sprin g preloa d:
Minimum (soft):
Distance A = 84.9 mm (3.34 in)
Standard:
Distance A = 89.9 mm (3.54 in)
Maximum (hard): Distance A = 92.9 mm (3.66 in)
Ti ghtenin g torque:
Locknut:
28 N·m (2.8 kgf·m, 21 lb·ft)
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Instrument and control functions
4-27
4
TIP When turning the damping force
adjuster in direction (a), the 0 click
position and the 1 click position
may be the same.
 When turning the damping force
adjuster in direction (b), it may
click beyond the stated specifica- tions, however such adjustments
are ineffective and may damage
the suspension.
Compression
dampin g force
Fast compression damping forceTurn the adjusting bolt in direction (a)
to increase the compression damping
force.
Turn the adjusting bolt in direction (b)
to decrease the compression damping
force.
To set the compression damping
force, turn the adjuster in direction (a)
until it stops, and then count the turns
in direction (b).
TIPWhen turning the damping force ad-
juster in direction (b), it may turn be-
yond the stated specifications,
however such adjustments are ineffec-
tive and may damage the suspension.Slow compression damping forceTurn the adjusting bolt in direction (a)
to increase the compression damping
force.
Turn the adjusting bolt in direction (b)
to decrease the compression damping
force.
To set the compression damping
force, turn the adjuster in direction (a)
until it stops, and then count the clicks
in direction (b).
1. Rebound damping force adjusting boltRe boun d d ampin g setting :
Minimum (soft): 23 click(s) in direction (b)
Standard: 12 click(s) in direction (b)
Maximum (hard):
1 click(s) in direction (b)
1
(a)
(b)
1. Fast compression damping force adjusting
bolt
1
(a)
(b)
Fast compression dampin g settin g
Minimum (soft):
5.5 turn(s) in direction (b)
Standard:
3 turn(s) in direction (b)
Maximum (hard): 0 turn(s) in direction (b)
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Instrument and control functions
4-28
4
TIP When turning the damping force
adjuster in direction (a), the 0 click
position and the 1 click position
may be the same.
 When turning the damping force
adjuster in direction (b), it may
click beyond the stated specifica- tions, however such adjustments
are ineffective and may damage
the suspension.
WARNING
EWA10222
This shock ab
sorber assem bly con-
tains hig hly pressurize d nitro gen
g as. Rea d an d un derstan d the fol-
lowin g information before han dlin g
the shock ab sorber assem bly.
 Do not tamper with or attempt
to open the cylin der assem bly.
 Do not su bject the shock a b-
sor ber assem bly to an open
flame or other hi gh heat source.
This may cause the unit to ex-
plod e due to excessive gas
pressure.
 Do not deform or damag e the
cylin der in any way. Cylin der
d amag e will result in poor
d ampin g performance.
 Do not dispose of a damag ed or
worn-out shock a bsor ber
as-
sem bly yourself. Take the shock
a b sor ber assem bly to a Yamaha
d ealer for any service.
EAU15283
EXUP systemThis model is equipped with Yamaha’s
EXUP (EXhaust Ultimate Power valve)
system. This system boosts engine
power by means of a valve that regu-
lates the inner diameter of the exhaust
pipe. The EXUP system valve is con-
stantly adjusted in accordance with the
engine speed by a computer-con-
trolled servomotor.NOTICE
ECA10192
 The EXUP system has been set
an d extensively teste d at the
Yamaha factory. Chan gin g
these settin gs without sufficient
technical knowle dge may result
in poor performance of or dam-
a g e to the en gine.
 If the EXUP system cannot be
hear d when the main switch is
turne d on, have a Yamaha d eal-
er check it.
1. Slow compression damping force adjusting boltSlow compression dampin g setting
Minimum (soft): 18 click(s) in direction (b)
Standard: 14 click(s) in direction (b)
Maximum (hard):
1 click(s) in direction (b)
1
(a)
(b)
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