2021 YAMAHA YZF-R125 Rear

Operation and important ri din g points
5-3
5
EAU16674
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.TIPTo shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position ( ), press the shift pedal
down repeatedly until it reaches the
end of its travel, and then slightly raise
it.
NOTICE
ECA10261
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.
 Always use the clutch while
chan gin g g ears to avoi d d am-
a g in g the en gine, transmission,
an d d rive train, which are not
d esi gne d to withstan d the
shock of forced shifting.
EAU85370
To start out an d accelerate
1. Pull the clutch lever to disengage the clutch.
2. Shift the transmission into first gear. The neutral indicator light
should go out.
3. Open the throttle gradually, and at the same time, release the clutch
lever slowly. 4. After starting out, close the throt-
tle, and at the same time, quickly
pull the clutch lever in.
5. Shift the transmission into second gear. (Make sure not to shift the
transmission into the neutral posi-
tion.)
6. Open the throttle part way and gradually release the clutch lever.
7. Follow the same procedure when shifting to the next higher gear.
EAU85380
To decelerate
1. Release the throttle and apply both the front and the rear brakes
smoothly to slow the motorcycle.
2. As the vehicle decelerates, shift to a lower gear.
3. When the engine is about to stall or runs roughly, pull the clutch le-
ver in, use the brakes to slow the
motorcycle, and continue to
downshift as necessary.
4. Once the motorcycle has stopped, the transmission can be
shifted into the neutral position.
1. Neutral position
2. Shift pedalZAUM1592
1 2 3 4 5
6
1
2
N
UB5GE2E0.book Page 3 Thursday, July 30, 2020 3:08 PM

Operation and important rid ing points
5-4
5 The neutral indicator light should
come on and then the clutch lever
can be released.
WARNING
EWA17380

Improper brakin g can cause
loss of control or traction. Al-
ways use b oth brakes an d apply
them smoothly.
 Make sure that the motorcycle
and the en gine have sufficiently
slowe d b efore shiftin g to a low-
er gear. En gag in g a lower gear
when the vehicle or en gine
speed is too hi gh coul d make
the rear wheel lose traction or
the en gine to over-rev. This
coul d cause loss of control, an
acci dent an d injury. It coul d also
cause en gine or drive train dam-
a g e.
EAU16811
Tips for re ducin g fuel con-
sumptionFuel consumption depends largely on
your riding style. Consider the follow-
ing tips to reduce fuel consumption:
 Shift up swiftly, and avoid high en-
gine speeds during acceleration.
 Do not rev the engine while shift-
ing down, and avoid high engine
speeds with no load on the en-
gine.
 Turn the engine off instead of let-
ting it idle for an extended length
of time (e.g., in traffic jams, at traf-
fic lights or at railroad crossings).
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 an d 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 grass or other
flammab le materials which
mi ght catch fire.
UB5GE2E0.book Page 4 Thursday, July 30, 2020 3:08 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-4
6
EAU71342
General maintenance an d lu brication chartNO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOB ODOMETER READING
ANNUAL
CHECK
1000 km
(600 mi) 6000 km
(3500 mi) 12000 km
(7000 mi) 18000 km
(10500 mi) 24000 km
(14000 mi)
1 *Dia
gnostic system
check • Perform dynamic inspection us-
ing Yamaha diagnostic tool.
• Check the error codes. √√√√√√
2 *Air filter element • Replace. √√
3 Air filter case check
hose • Clean.
√√√√√
4Clutch • Check operation.
•Adjust.
√√√√√
5 *Front brake • Check operation, fluid level, and
for fluid leakage.
• Replace brake pads if necessary. √√√√√√
6 *Rear brake • Check operation, fluid level, and
for fluid leakage.
• Replace brake pads if necessary. √√√√√√
7 *Brake hoses • Check for cracks or damage.
√√√√√
• Replace. Every 4 years
8 *Brake flui d • Change. Every 2 years
9 *Wheels • Check runout and for damage.
• Replace if necessary. √√√√
10 *Tires • Check tread depth and for dam-
age.
• Replace if necessary.
• Check air pressure.
• Correct if necessary. √√√√√
UB5GE2E0.book Page 4 Thursday, July 30, 2020 3:08 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-6
6
20 Si destan d • Check operation.
• Lubricate with lithium-soap-
based grease. √√√√√
21 *Sidestan d switch • Check operation and replace if
necessary. √√√√√√
22 *Front fork • Check operation and for oil leak-
age.
• Replace if necessary. √√√√
23 *Shock a
bsor ber as-
sem bly • Check operation and for oil leak-
age.
• Replace if necessary. √√√√
24 *Rear suspension re-
lay arm an
d con-
nectin g arm
pivotin g points • Check operation.
√√√√
• Lubricate with lithium-soap- based grease. √√
25 En gine oil • Change (warm engine before
draining).
• Check oil level and vehicle for oil leakage. At the initial interval and
every 3000 km (1800 mi) thereafter. √
26 En
gine oil filter ele-
ment • Replace.
√√√√√
27 *Coolin g system • Check coolant level and vehicle
for coolant leakage. √√√√√
• Change. Every 3 years
28 *Front an
d rear
b rake switches • Check operation.
√√√√√√
29 *Movin
g parts an d
cab les • Lubricate.
√√
√√√
NO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOB
ODOMETER READING
ANNUAL
CHECK
1000 km
(600 mi) 6000 km
(3500 mi) 12000 km
(7000 mi) 18000 km
(10500 mi) 24000 km
(14000 mi)
UB5GE2E0.book Page 6 Thursday, July 30, 2020 3:08 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-18
6 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 overloa ded vehicle coul d
cause an acci dent.
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 dealer replace
excessively worn tires. Besi des
b ein g ille gal, operatin g the vehi-
cle with excessively worn tires
d ecreases rid ing sta bility an d
can lead 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 dge an d experience to do so.
 Ride at mo derate speed s after
chan gin g a tire since the tire
surface must first be “ broken
in” for it to develop its optimal
characteristics.
Col d tire air pressure:
1 person: Front:200 kPa (2.00 kgf/cm², 29 psi)
Rear: 220 kPa (2.20 kgf/cm², 32 psi)
2 persons:
Front:200 kPa (2.00 kgf/cm², 29 psi)
Rear:
220 kPa (2.20 kgf/cm², 32 psi)
Maximum loa d:
Vehicle:
175 kg (387 lb)
The vehicle’s maximum load is the
combined weight of the rider, pas-
senger, cargo, and any accessories.
1. Tire sidewall
2. Tire tread depthMinimum tire trea d d epth (front an d
rear): 1.6 mm (0.06 in)
UB5GE2E0.book Page 18 Thursday, July 30, 2020 3:08 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-19
6
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
EWA16101

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 characteristics of the vehicle
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 liste d below to
avoi d tire d eflation during a ride.
After extensive tests, only the tires list-
ed below have been approved for this
model by Yamaha.
EAU21963
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 wheel should be balanced
whenever either the tire or wheel
has been changed or replaced. An
unbalanced wheel can result in
poor performance, adverse han-
dling characteristics, and a short-
ened tire life.
1. Tire air valve
2. Tire air valve core
3. Tire air valve cap with seal
Front tire:
Size:100/80-17M/C 52S
Manufacturer/model: MICHELIN PILOT STREET
Tire air valve:
TR412
Valve core: V3002 (original)
Rear tire: Size:140/70-17M/C 66S
Manufacturer/model: MICHELIN PILOT STREET
Tire air valve:
TR412
Valve core: V3002 (original)
UB5GE2E0.book Page 19 Thursday, July 30, 2020 3:08 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-22
6 the motorcycle until the
brake sys-
tem has b een checked or repaired
b y a Yamaha dealer.
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.
EAU22421
Front brake pa ds
Each front brake pad is provided with a
wear indicator groove, which allows
you to check the brake pad wear with-
out having to disassemble the brake.
To check the brake pad wear, check
the wear indicator groove. If a brake
pad has worn to the point that the wear1. Wear indicator grooveZAUM1466
1
UB5GE2E0.book Page 22 Thursday, July 30, 2020 3:08 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-23
6
indicator groove has almost disap-
peared, have a Yamaha dealer replace
the brake pads as a set.
EAU36721
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 the wear
indicator grooves have almost disap-
peared, 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 Rear
brake
WARNING
EWA16011
Improper maintenance can result in
loss of b raking a bility. O bserve
these precautions:  Insufficient brake flui d may al-
low air to enter the b rake sys-
tem, re ducing brakin g
performance.
 Clean the filler cap before re-
moving . Use only DOT 4 b rake
flui d from a seale d container.
1. Wear indicator grooveZAUM1601
1
1
1. Minimum level mark
1
ZAUM1057
1. Minimum level mark
Specified b rake flui d:
DOT 4ZAUM1603
UB5GE2E0.book Page 23 Thursday, July 30, 2020 3:08 PM