engine YAMAHA YZF-R125 2021 Owner's Manual

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
6-1
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.
UB5GE2E0.book Page 1 Thursday, July 30, 2020 3:08 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-3
6
EAU71021
TIP The annual checks must be performe d every year, except if a distance- based maintenance is performe d in-
stea d.
 From 30000 km (17500 mi), repeat the maintenance intervals starting from 6000 km (3500 mi).
 Items marked with an asterisk should be performed by a Yamaha dealer as they require special tools, data and tech-
nical skills.
EAU71041
Perio dic maintenance chart for the emission control systemNO. 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 *Fuel line • Check fuel hoses for cracks or
damage.
• Replace if necessary. √√√√√
2 *Spark plu g • Check condition.
• Adjust gap and clean.
√√
•Replace. √√
3 *Valve clearance • Check and adjust. √√√√
4 *Fuel injection • Check and adjust engine idle
speed. √√√√√√
5 *Exhaust system • Check for leakage.
• Tighten if necessary.
• Replace gasket if necessary. √√√√√
6 *Evaporative emis-
sion control system • Check control system for dam-
age.
• Replace if necessary. √√
UB5GE2E0.book Page 3 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
6-9
6
Cowlin
g B
To remove the cowling
Remove the quick fastener, screws
and bolt, and then take the cowling off.
To install the cowlingPlace the cowling in the original posi-
tion, and then install the bolt, screws
and quick fastener.
Cowlin g C
To remove the cowling1. Remove the cowling B. (See page 6-8.) 2. Remove the quick fastener and
screws, and then take the cowling
off.
To install the cowling
1. Place the cowling in the original position, and then install the
screws and quick fastener.
2. Install the cowling B. (See page 6-8.)
EAU19623
Checkin g the spark plu gThe spark plug is an important engine
component, which should be checked
periodically, preferably by a Yamaha
dealer. Since heat and deposits will
cause any spark plug to slowly erode,
it should be removed and checked in
accordance with the periodic mainte-
nance and lubrication chart. In addi-
tion, the condition of the spark plug
can reveal the condition of the engine.
The porcelain insulator around the
center electrode of the spark plug
should be a medium-to-light tan (the
ideal color when the vehicle is ridden
normally). If the spark plug shows a
distinctly different color, the engine
could be operating improperly. Do not
attempt to diagnose such problems
yourself. Instead, have a Yamaha deal-
er check the vehicle.
If the spark plug shows signs of elec-
trode erosion and excessive carbon or
other deposits, it should be replaced.
1. Screw
2. Quick fastener
3. Cowling B
4. BoltZAUM1618
1
1. Cowling C
2. Screw
3. Quick fastenerZAUM1619
21
Specified spark plu g:
NGK/MR8E9
UB5GE2E0.book Page 9 Thursday, July 30, 2020 3:08 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-11
6
EAUM4051
En gine oil an d oil filter ele-
mentThe engine oil level should be checked
before each ride. In addition, the oil
must be changed and the oil filter ele-
ment replaced at the intervals specified
in the periodic maintenance and lubri-
cation chart.
To check the en gine oil level
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur- face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion. A slight tilt to the side can
result in a false reading.
2. Start the engine, warm it up for several minutes, and then turn it
off.
3. Wait a few minutes until the oil set- tles, remove the oil filler cap, wipe
the dipstick clean, insert it back
into the oil filler hole (without
screwing it in), and then remove it
again to check the oil level.
NOTICE: Do not operate the ve-
hicle until you know that the en-
g ine oil level is sufficient.
[ECA10012]
TIPThe engine oil should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks.
4. If the engine oil is below the mini-
mum level mark, add sufficient oil
of the recommended type to raise
it to the correct level.
5. Install the oil filler cap.
To chan ge the en gine oil (with or
without oil filter element replace-
ment) 1. Remove cowling A. (See page 6-8.)
2. Start the engine, warm it up for several minutes, and then turn it
off.
3. Place an oil pan under the engine to collect the used oil.
4. Remove the engine oil filler cap and the drain bolt along with the
O-ring, compression spring, and
engine oil strainer, to drain the oil
from the crankcase. NOTICE:
When removin g the eng ine oil
d rain bolt, the O-ring , compres-
sion sprin g, an d oil strainer will
fall out. Take care not to lose
these parts.
[ECA11002]
1. Engine oil filler cap
1. Dipstick
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level markZAUM1610
1
2
3
ZAUE1300
UB5GE2E0.book Page 11 Thursday, July 30, 2020 3:08 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-12
6
5. Clean the engine oil strainer withsolvent.
TIPSkip to step 9 when only changing
the oil.
 Perform steps 6–8 when replacing
the oil filter element.6. Remove the oil filter element cover
by removing the bolts. 7. Remove and replace the oil filter
element and O-ring. 8. Install the oil filter element cover
by installing the bolts, then tight-
ening them to the specified
torque.
TIPMake sure that the O-ring is properly
seated.9. Install the engine oil strainer, com-pression spring, O-ring and the
engine oil drain bolt, and then
tighten it to the specified torque.
NOTICE: Before installin g the
en gine oil d rain bolt, do not for-
g et to install the O-rin g, com-
pression sprin g, an d oil strainer
in position.
[ECA10422]
1. Engine oil drain bolt
2. O-ring
3. Compression spring
4. Strainer
5. Oil pan
2 3 4
5 1
ZAUE0672
1. Bolt
2. Oil filter element cover
1. Oil filter element
2. O-ring
Ti
ghtenin g torques:
Oil filter element cover bolt: 10 N·m (1.0 kgf·m, 7.4 lb·ft)
Ti ghtenin g torques:
Engine oil drain bolt: 32 N·m (3.2 kgf·m, 24 lb·ft)
UB5GE2E0.book Page 12 Thursday, July 30, 2020 3:08 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-13
6
10. Refill with the specified amount of
the recommended engine oil, and
then install and tighten the oil filler
cap.
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 additives. Do
not use oils with a diesel speci-
fication of “CD” or oils of a hi gh-
er quality than specifie d. In
a ddition, do not use oils lab eled
“ENERGY CONSERVING II” or
hi gher.
 Make sure that no forei gn mate-
rial enters the crankcase.
11. Start the engine, and then let it idle for several minutes while checking
it for oil leakage. If oil is leaking,
immediately turn the engine off
and check for the cause.
12. Turn the engine off, and then check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
EAU85450
Why Yamalu beYAMALUBE oil is a Genuine YAMAHA
Part born of the engineers’ passion
and belief that engine oil is an impor-
tant liquid engine component. We form
teams of specialists in the fields of me-
chanical engineering, chemistry, elec-
tronics and track testing, and have
them develop the engine together with
the oil it will use. Yamalube oils take full
advantage of the base oil’s qualities
and blend in the ideal balance of addi-
tives to make sure the final oil clears
our performance standards. Thus,
Yamalube mineral, semisynthetic and
synthetic oils have their own distinct
characters and value. Yamaha’s expe-
rience gained over many years of re-
search and development into oil since
the 1960’s helps make Yamalube the
best choice for your Yamaha engine.
Recommen ded en gine oil:
See page 8-1.
Oil quantity: Oil change:
0.85 L (0.90 US qt, 0.75 Imp.qt)
With oil filter removal: 0.95 L (1.00 US qt, 0.84 Imp.qt)
UB5GE2E0.book Page 13 Thursday, July 30, 2020 3:08 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-14
6
EAUS1203
CoolantThe coolant level should be checked
regularly. In addition, the coolant must
be changed at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance chart.TIPIf genuine Yamaha coolant is not avail-
able, use an ethylene glycol antifreeze
containing corrosion inhibitors for alu-
minum engines and mix with distilled
water at a 1:1 ratio.
EAUE3460
To check the coolant level
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur- face.
2. Remove cowling C of left side. (See page 6-8.)
3. Hold the vehicle in an upright po- sition.
TIPThe coolant level must be
checked on a cold engine since
the level varies with engine tem-
perature.
 Make sure that the vehicle is posi-
tioned straight up when checking
the coolant level. A slight tilt to the
side can result in a false reading.4. Check the coolant level in the
coolant reservoir.TIPThe coolant should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks.
5. If the coolant is at or below theminimum level mark, remove the
coolant reservoir cap.
6. Add coolant to the maximum level mark, and then install the coolant
reservoir cap. WARNING! Re-
move only the coolant reservoir
cap. Never attempt to remove
the ra diator cap when the en-
g ine is hot.
[EWA15162]
NOTICE: If
coolant is not availa ble, use dis-
tille d water or soft tap water in-
stead . Do not use har d water or
salt water since it is harmful to
the en gine. If water has been
use d instead of coolant, replace
it with coolant as soon as possi-
b le, otherwise the coolin g sys-
Recommen ded coolant:
YAMALUBE coolant
Coolant quantity: Coolant reservoir (max level mark):0.15 L (0.16 US qt, 0.13 Imp.qt)
Radiator (including all routes): 0.49 L (0.52 US qt, 0.43 Imp.qt)
1. Coolant reservoir
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
1
2
3
FULL
LOW
ZAUE3384
1. Coolant reservoir cap
1ZAUE3385
UB5GE2E0.book Page 14 Thursday, July 30, 2020 3:08 PM