YAMAHA FZ8 N 2012 Owner's Guide

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-14
3
EAU12944
Brake pedalThe brake pedal is located on the right
side of the motorcycle. To apply the
rear brake, press down on the brake
pedal.
EAU51802
ABS (for ABS mo dels)The Yamaha ABS (Anti-lock Brake
System) features a dual electronic con-
trol system, which acts on the front and
rear brakes independently.
Operate the brakes with ABS as you
would conventional brakes. If the ABS
is activated, a pulsating sensation may
be felt at the brake lever or brake ped-
al. In this situation, continue to apply
the brakes and let the ABS work; do
not “pump” the brakes as this will re-
duce braking effectiveness.
WARNING
EWA16051
Always keep a sufficient d istance
from the vehicle ahead to match the
ri din g speed even with ABS.
 The ABS performs best with
lon g b rakin g d istances.
 On certain surfaces, such as
rou gh or g ravel roa ds, the b rak-
in g d istance may be lon ger with
the ABS than without.The ABS is monitored by an ECU,
which will revert the system to conven-
tional braking if a malfunction occurs.
TIP The ABS performs a self-diagno-
sis test each time the vehicle first
starts off after the key is turned to
“ON” and the vehicle has traveled
at a speed of 10 km/h (6 mi/h) or
higher. During this test, a “click-
ing” noise can be heard from un-
der the seat, and if the brake lever
or brake pedal is even slightly ap-
plied, a vibration can be felt at the
lever and pedal, but these do not
indicate a malfunction.
 This ABS has a test mode which
allows the owner to experience
the pulsation at the brake lever or
brake pedal when the ABS is op-
erating. However, special tools are
required, so please consult your
Yamaha dealer.NOTICE
ECA16121
Keep any type of mag nets (including
ma gnetic pick-up tools, mag netic
screw drivers, etc.) away from the
front an d rear wheel hu bs, otherwise
the ma gnetic rotors equippe d in the
1. Brake pedal
1
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-15
3wheel hu
bs may b e damag ed , re-
sultin g in improper performance of
the ABS system.
EAU13075
Fuel tank capTo open the fuel tank cap
Open the fuel tank cap lock cover, in-
sert the key into the lock, and then turn
it 1/4 turn clockwise. The lock will be
released and the fuel tank cap can be
opened.
To close the fuel tank cap 1. Push the fuel tank cap into posi- tion with the key inserted in the
lock.
2. Turn the key counterclockwise to the original position, remove it,
and then close the lock cover.
TIPThe fuel tank cap cannot be closed un-
less the key is in the lock. In addition,
the key cannot be removed if the cap is
not properly closed and locked.
WARNING
EWA11092
Make sure that the fuel tank cap is
properly close d after fillin g fuel.
Leakin g fuel is a fire hazar d.
1. Rear wheel hub
2. Front wheel hub1
2
1. Fuel tank cap lock cover
2. Unlock.
2 1
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-16
3
EAU13222
FuelMake sure there is sufficient gasoline in
the tank.
WARNING
EWA10882
Gasoline and gasoline vapors are
extremely flammab le. To avoid fires
an d explosions an d to re duce the
risk of injury when refueling , follow
these instructions.1. Before refueling, turn off the en- gine and be sure that no one is sit-
ting on the vehicle. Never refuel
while smoking, or while in the vi-
cinity of sparks, open flames, or
other sources of ignition such as
the pilot lights of water heaters
and clothes dryers.
2. Do not overfill the fuel tank. When refueling, be sure to insert the
pump nozzle into the fuel tank filler
hole. Stop filling when the fuel
reaches the bottom of the filler
tube. Because fuel expands when
it heats up, heat from the engine or
the sun can cause fuel to spill out
of the fuel tank. 3. Wipe up any spilled fuel immedi-
ately. NOTICE: Immediately
wipe off spille d fuel with a clean,
d ry, soft cloth, since fuel may
d eteriorate painte d surfaces or
plastic parts.
[ECA10072]
4. Be sure to securely close the fuel tank cap.
WARNING
EWA15152
Gasoline is poisonous an d can
cause injury or d eath. Handle gaso-
line with care. Never siphon gasoline
b y mouth. If you shoul d swallow
some gasoline or inhale a lot of gas-
oline vapor, or g et some gasoline in
your eyes, see your doctor imme di- ately. If g
asoline spills on your skin,
wash with soap an d water. If gaso-
line spills on your clothin g, chan ge
your clothes.
EAU49742
NOTICE
ECA11401
Use only unlea ded g asoline. The use
of lead ed g asoline will cause severe
d amag e to internal en gine parts,
such as the valves an d piston rin gs,
as well as to the exhaust system.Your Yamaha engine has been de-
signed to use regular unleaded gaso-
line with a research octane number of
95 or higher. If knocking (or pinging)
occurs, use a gasoline of a different
1. Fuel tank filler tube
2. Maximum fuel level
Recommen ded fuel:
Regular unleaded gasoline (Gasohol
(E10) acceptable)
Fuel tank capacity:
17.0 L (4.49 US gal, 3.74 Imp.gal)
Fuel reserve amount: 3.4 L (0.90 US gal, 0.75 Imp.gal)
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-17
3brand or premium unleaded fuel. Use
of unleaded fuel will extend spark plug
life and reduce maintenance costs.
Gasohol
There are two types of gasohol: gaso-
hol containing ethanol and that con-
taining methanol. Gasohol containing
ethanol can be used if the ethanol con-
tent does not exceed 10% (E10). Gas-
ohol containing methanol is not
recommended by Yamaha because it
can cause damage to the fuel system
or vehicle performance problems.
EAU55291
Fuel tank
breather hose an d
overflow hoseBefore operating the motorcycle:
 Check each hose connection.
 Check each hose for cracks or
damage, and replace if necessary.
 Make sure that the end of each
hose is not blocked, and clean if
necessary.
 Make sure that each hose is rout-
ed through the clamp.
 Make sure that the paint mark on
the fuel tank overflow hose is be-
low the clamp.
EAU13434
Catalytic converterThis model is equipped with a catalytic
converter in the exhaust system.
WARNING
EWA10863
The exhaust system is hot after op-
eration. To prevent a fire hazar d or
b urns:
 Do not park the vehicle near
possi ble fire hazard s such as
g rass or other materials that
easily burn.
 Park the vehicle in a place
where ped estrians or chil dren
are not likely to touch the hot
exhaust system.
 Make sure that the exhaust sys-
tem has coole d down before
d oin g any maintenance work.
 Do not allow the en gine to i dle
more than a few minutes. Lon g
i d lin g can cause a b uild-up of
heat.
1. Fuel tank overflow hose
2. Original position (paint mark)
3. Clamp
4. Fuel tank breather hose
12
43
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-18
3
NOTICE
ECA10702
Use only unleaded g asoline. The use
of lead ed g asoline will cause unre-
paira ble damag e to the catalytic
converter.
EAU49644
SeatsPassen ger seat
To remove the passenger seat1. Insert the key into the seat lock, and then turn it counterclockwise.
2. While holding the key in that posi- tion, lift the rear of the passenger
seat and pull it off. To install the passenger seat
1. Insert the projections on the front
of the passenger seat into the seat
holders as shown, and then push
the rear of the seat down to lock it
in place.
2. Remove the key.
Ri der seat
To remove the rider seatPull back the rear of the rider seat as
shown, remove the bolts, and then pull
the seat off.
1. Seat lock
2. Unlock.
1
2
1. Projection
2. Seat holder
12
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-19
3To install the rider seat
Insert the projection on the front of the
rider seat into the seat holder as
shown, place the seat in the original
position, and then install the bolts.
TIPMake sure that the seats are properly
secured before riding.
EAU14465
Stora ge compartmentThe storage compartment is located
under the passenger seat. (See page
3-18.)
When storing documents or other
items in the storage compartment, be
sure to wrap them in a plastic bag so
that they will not get wet. When wash-
ing the vehicle, be careful not to let any
water enter the storage compartment.
WARNING
EWA10962
 Do not exceed the load limit of 3
k g (7 l b) for the stora ge com-
partment.
1. Bolt
1. Projection
2. Seat holder
1
1
2
1. Storage compartment
1
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-20
3

Do not exceed the maximum
loa d of FZ8-N 199 k g (439 lb )
FZ8-NA 194 k g (428 lb ) for the
vehicle.
EAU55261
A djustin g the front fork
WARNING
EWA14671
Always a djust the sprin g preloa d on
b oth fork le gs equally, otherwise
poor han dlin g an d loss of sta bility
may result.Each front fork leg is equipped with a
spring preload adjusting bolt. The right
front fork leg is equipped with a re-
bound damping force adjusting screw
and compression damping force ad-
justing screw.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
To increase the spring preload and
thereby harden the suspension, turn
the adjusting bolt on each fork leg in di-
rection (a). To decrease the spring pre-
load and thereby soften the
suspension, turn the adjusting bolt on
each fork leg in direction (b). The spring preload setting is deter-
mined by measuring distance A,
shown in the illustration. The shorter
distance A is, the higher the spring pre-
load; the longer distance A is, the lower
the spring preload.
1. Spring preload adjusting bolt
1. Distance A
1
1
(a)
(b)
(a)
(b)
1
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-21
3Reboun d d ampin g force
The rebound damping force is adjust-
ed on the right front fork leg only.
To increase the rebound damping
force and thereby harden the rebound
damping, turn the adjusting screw in
direction (a). To decrease the rebound
damping force and thereby soften the
rebound damping, turn the adjusting
screw in direction (b). Compression
dampin g force
The compression damping force is ad-
justed on the right front fork leg only.
To increase the compression damping
force and thereby harden the com-
pression damping, turn the adjusting
screw in direction (a). To decrease the
compression damping force and there-
by soften the compression damping,
turn the adjusting screw in direction (b).
TIPAlthough the total number of clicks of a
damping force adjusting mechanism
may not exactly match the above
specifications due to small differences
in production, the actual number of
clicks always represents the entire ad-
justing range. To obtain a precise ad-
Sprin g preloa d setting :
Minimum (soft):
Distance A = 14.0 mm (0.55 in)
Standard:
Distance A = 11.0 mm (0.43 in)
Maximum (hard): Distance A = 4.0 mm (0.16 in)1. Rebound damping force adjusting screw
1
(a)
(b)
Re boun d d ampin g setting :
Minimum (soft):
11 click(s) in direction (b)*
Standard:
8 click(s) in direction (b)*
Maximum (hard): 1 click(s) in direction (b)*
* With the adjusting screw fully turned in direction (a)
1. Compression damping force adjusting
screwCompression dampin g settin g:
Minimum (soft): 13 click(s) in direction (b)*
Standard: 7 click(s) in direction (b)*
Maximum (hard):
1 click(s) in direction (b)*
* With the adjusting screw fully turned in direction (a)
1
(b)
(a)
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-22
3
justment, it would be advisable to
check the number of clicks of each
damping force adjusting mechanism
and to modify the specifications as
necessary.
EAU39346
A
djustin g the shock a bsor ber
assemb lyThis shock absorber assembly is
equipped with a spring preload adjust-
ing ring and a rebound damping force
adjusting screw.NOTICE
ECA10102
To avoid d amag ing the mechanism,
d o not attempt to turn b eyond the
maximum or minimum settin gs.Sprin g preloa d
To increase the spring preload and
thereby harden the suspension, turn
the adjusting ring in direction (a). To
decrease the spring preload and there-
by soften the suspension, turn the ad-
justing ring in direction (b). 
Align the appropriate notch in the
adjusting ring with the position in-
dicator on the shock absorber.
 Use the special wrench and the
extension bar included in the own-
er’s tool kit to make the adjust-
ment.
1. Spring preload adjusting ring
2. Special wrench
3. Extension bar
4. Position indicator
Sprin g preloa d settin g:
Minimum (soft): 1
Standard: 5
Maximum (hard):
912 34 56 789
4
1 (a)
(b)
2
3
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-23
3Re
boun d d ampin g force
To increase the rebound damping
force and thereby harden the rebound
damping, turn the adjusting screw in
direction (a). To decrease the rebound
damping force and thereby soften the
rebound damping, turn the adjusting
screw in direction (b).
TIPTo obtain a precise adjustment, it is
advisable to check the actual total
number of clicks or turns of the damp-
ing force adjusting mechanism. This
adjustment range may not exactly
match the specifications listed due to
small differences in production.
WARNING
EWA10222
This shock ab sorber assem bly con-
tains hi ghly pressurize d nitro gen
g as. Rea d an d un derstan d the fol-
lowin g information b efore handlin g
the shock a bsor ber 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-
plo de due to excessive gas
pressure.
 Do not deform or d amage the
cylin der in any way. Cylin der
d amag e will result in poor
d ampin g performance. 
Do not d ispose 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.
1. Rebound damping force adjusting screwRe boun d d ampin g setting :
Minimum (soft): 20 click(s) in direction (b)*
Standard: 12 click(s) in direction (b)*
Maximum (hard):
3 click(s) in direction (b)*
* With the adjusting screw fully turned in direction (a)
1
(b)
(a)
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