engine YAMAHA NIKEN 2018 Owners Manual

Table of contentsSafety information ............................ 1-1
Description ....................................... 2-1
Left view ......................................... 2-1
Right view ....................................... 2-2
Controls and instruments ............... 2-3
Instrument an d control functions ... 3-1
Immobilizer system......................... 3-1
Main switch/steering lock............... 3-2
Handlebar switches ........................ 3-3
Indicator lights and warning lights............................................ 3-5
Cruise control system..................... 3-8
Multi-function meter unit .............. 3-11
D-mode (drive mode).................... 3-18
Clutch lever .................................. 3-18
Shift pedal .................................... 3-19
Quick shift system ........................ 3-19
Brake lever.................................... 3-20
Brake pedal .................................. 3-20
ABS .............................................. 3-20
Traction control system ................ 3-21
Fuel tank cap ................................ 3-23
Fuel ............................................... 3-24
Fuel tank overflow hose ............... 3-26
Catalytic converter ....................... 3-26
Seats ............................................ 3-27
Helmet holding cable.................... 3-28
Storage compartment .................. 3-29
Rear view mirrors.......................... 3-30 Adjusting the front fork ................. 3-30
Adjusting the shock absorber
assembly.................................... 3-31
Auxiliary DC jack ........................... 3-33
Auxiliary DC connector ................. 3-34
Sidestand ...................................... 3-34
Ignition circuit cut-off system ....... 3-35
For your safety – pre-operation
checks ............................................... 4-1
Operation an d important ri din g
points ................................................. 5-1
Starting the engine .......................... 5-1
Shifting ............................................ 5-2
Tips for reducing fuel consumption ................................ 5-3
Engine break-in ............................... 5-3
Parking ............................................ 5-4
Perio dic maintenance an d
a d justment ........................................ 6-1
Tool kit ............................................ 6-2
Periodic maintenance charts .......... 6-3
Periodic maintenance chart for the emission control system .............. 6-3
General maintenance and lubrication chart ........................... 6-5
Removing and installing the
panel ............................................ 6-9
Checking the spark plugs ............. 6-10 Canister ........................................ 6-11
Engine oil ...................................... 6-11
Coolant ......................................... 6-13
Air filter element ............................ 6-15
Checking the engine idling
speed ........................................ 6-15
Checking the throttle grip free play ............................................ 6-15
Valve clearance............................. 6-16
Tires .............................................. 6-16
Cast wheels .................................. 6-18
Adjusting the clutch lever free play ............................................ 6-19
Checking the brake lever free
play ............................................ 6-19
Brake light switches ..................... 6-20
Checking the front and rear brake pads ................................ 6-20
Checking the brake fluid level ...... 6-21
Changing the brake fluid .............. 6-23
Drive chain slack........................... 6-23
Cleaning and lubricating the drive chain ................................. 6-24
Checking and lubricating the cables ........................................ 6-25
Checking and lubricating the
throttle grip and cable ............... 6-25
Checking and lubricating the brake and shift pedals............... 6-26
Checking and lubricating the brake and clutch levers ............. 6-26UBD5E0E0.book Page 1 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 2:23 PM

Safety information
1-2
1

Many accidents involve inexperi-
enced operators. In fact, many op-
erators who have been involved in
accidents do not even have a cur-
rent motorcycle license.
• Make sure that you are qualified and that you only lend your mo-
torcycle to other qualified oper-
ators.
• Know your skills and limits. Staying within your limits may
help you to avoid an accident.
• We recommend that you prac- tice riding your motorcycle
where there is no traffic until you
have become thoroughly famil-
iar with the motorcycle and all of
its controls.
 Many accidents have been
caused by error of the motorcycle
operator. A typical error made by
the operator is veering wide on a
turn due to excessive speed or un-
dercornering (insufficient lean an-
gle for the speed).
• Always obey the speed limit and never travel faster than warrant-
ed by road and traffic condi-
tions. • Always signal before turning or
changing lanes. Make sure that
other motorists can see you.
 The posture of the operator and
passenger is important for proper
control.
• The operator should keep both hands on the handlebar and
both feet on the operator foot-
rests during operation to main-
tain control of the motorcycle.
• The passenger should always hold onto the operator, the seat
strap or grab bar, if equipped,
with both hands and keep both
feet on the passenger footrests.
Never carry a passenger unless
he or she can firmly place both
feet on the passenger footrests.
 Never ride under the influence of
alcohol or other drugs.
 This motorcycle is designed for
on-road use only. It is not suitable
for off-road use. Protective Apparel
The majority of fatalities from motorcy-
cle accidents are the result of head in-
juries. The use of a safety helmet is the
single most critical factor in the pre-
vention or reduction of head injuries.
 Always wear an approved helmet.
 Wear a face shield or goggles.
Wind in your unprotected eyes
could contribute to an impairment
of vision that could delay seeing a
hazard.
 The use of a jacket, heavy boots,
trousers, gloves, etc., is effective
in preventing or reducing abra-
sions or lacerations.
 Never wear loose-fitting clothes,
otherwise they could catch on the
control levers, footrests, or wheels
and cause injury or an accident.
 Always wear protective clothing
that covers your legs, ankles, and
feet. The engine and exhaust sys-
tem become very hot during or af-
ter operation and can cause
burns.
 A passenger should also observe
the above precautions.
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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 fenders. These
items, including such cargo as
sleeping bags, duffel bags, or
Maximum loa d:
195 kg (430 lb)
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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 6-16
for tire specifications and for informa-
tion on servicing and replacing your
tires.
Transportin g the Motorcycle
Be sure to observe the following in-
structions before transporting the mo-
torcycle in another vehicle. 
Remove all loose items from the
motorcycle.
 Confirm there are no fuel or oil
leaks.
 Shift the transmission into gear.
 Secure with suitable straps that
are attached to solid parts of the
motorcycle, such as the frame or
upper front fork triple clamp. Do
not attach to turn signals, cowl-
ings and fairings, or any other
parts that can break. Choose the
location for the straps carefully so
the straps will not rub against
painted surfaces during transport.
 The suspension should be partial-
ly compressed by the tie-down
straps so that the motorcycle will
not bounce excessively during
transport.
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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)
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Description
2-2
2
EAU10421
Right view
2
1
1
4
3
6
7
8
9
5
1. Fuses (page 6-31)
2. Rear brake fluid reservoir (page 6-21)
3. Fuel tank cap (page 3-23)
4. Rebound damping force adjuster (page 3-30)
5. Compression damping force adjuster (page 3-30)
6. Coolant reservoir (page 6-13)
7. Engine oil level check window (page 6-11)
8. Engine oil filler cap (page 6-11) 9. Brake pedal (page 3-20)UBD5E0E0.book Page 2 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
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Instrument and control functions
3-4
3
Ri
ght
EAU73921
Dimmer/Pass switch “ / /PASS”
Set this switch to “ ” for the high
beam and to “ ” for the low beam.
To flash the high beam, push the pass
side “PASS” of the switch while the
headlights are on low beam.
EAU66040
Turn si gnal switch “ / ”
To signal a right-hand turn, push this
switch to “ ”. To signal a left-hand
turn, push this switch to “ ”. When
released, the switch returns to the cen- ter position. To cancel the turn signal
lights, push the switch in after it has re-
turned to the center position.
EAU66030
Horn switch “ ”
Press this switch to sound the horn.
EAU66060
Stop/Run/Start switch “ / / ”
To crank the engine with the starter,
set this switch to “ ”, and then push
the switch down towards “ ”. See
page 5-1 for starting instructions prior
to starting the engine.
Set this switch to “ ” to stop the en-
gine in case of an emergency, such as
when the vehicle overturns or when the
throttle cable is stuck.
EAU66010
Hazar
d switch “ ”
With the key in the “ON” or “ ” posi-
tion, use this switch to turn on the haz-
ard lights (simultaneous flashing of all
turn signal lights).
The hazard lights are used in case of an
emergency or to warn other drivers
when your vehicle is stopped where it
might be a traffic hazard.
NOTICE
ECA10062
Do not use the hazar d lig hts for an
exten ded len gth of time with the en-
g ine not runnin g, otherwise the bat-
tery may d ischarge.
EAU84250
Cruise control switches
See page 3-8 for an explanation of the
cruise control system.
EAU84520
“MENU” switch
This switch is used to set the clock,
display brightness, and shift indicator
light. (See page 3-11.)
EAU84530
“SELECT” switch
This switch is used to make setting
changes within the multi-function me-
ter unit. (See page 3-11.)
EAU84260
Drive mo de switch “MODE”
See page 3-18 for an explanation of
the drive mode.
1. Stop/Run/Start switch “ / / ”
2. Drive mode switch “MODE”
3. Hazard switch “ ”
1
3
2
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Instrument and control functions
3-5
3
EAU4939F
In dicator li ghts an d warnin g
li g hts
EAU11032
Turn si gnal in dicator li ghts “ ”
an d“”
Each indicator light will flash when its
corresponding turn signal lights are
flashing.
EAU11061
Neutral in dicator li ght “ ”
This indicator light comes on when the
transmission is in the neutral position.
EAU11081
Hi gh beam in dicator li ght “ ”
This indicator light comes on when the
high beam of the headlight is switched
on.
EAU11259
Oil level warnin g li ght “ ”
This warning light comes on when the
engine oil level is low. To prevent en-
gine damage, replenish the engine oil
as soon as possible.
Even if the oil level is sufficient, the
warning light may flicker when riding
on a slope or during sudden accelera-
tion or deceleration, but this is not a
malfunction. If a problem is detected in
the oil level detection circuit, the oil lev- el warning light will flash repeatedly. If
this occurs, have a Yamaha dealer
check the vehicle.
TIPWhen the vehicle is turned on, this light
will come on for a few seconds and
then go off. If the light does not come
on, or if the light remains on after con-
firming that the oil level is correct (see
page 6-11), have a Yamaha dealer
check the vehicle.
EAU58402
Cruise control in
dicator li ghts “ ”
an d “SET”
These indicator lights come on when
the cruise control system is activated.
(See page 3-8.)TIPWhen the vehicle is turned on, these
lights should come on for a few sec-
onds and then go off. If the lights do
not come on, have a Yamaha dealer
check the vehicle.
1. Coolant temperature warning light “ ”
2. Neutral indicator light “ ”
3. Left turn signal indicator light “ ”
4. High beam indicator light “ ”
5. Oil level warning light “ ”
6. Engine trouble warning light “ ”
7. Traction control system indicator light “ ”
8. Cruise control indicator lights “ ” “SET”
9. Right turn signal indicator light “ ”
10.Shift indicator light
11.ABS warning light “ ”
12.Immobilizer system indicator light “ ”123
654
118
910
78
12
ABS
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Instrument and control functions
3-6
3
EAU11448
Coolant temperature warnin g
lig ht “ ”
This warning light comes on when the
engine is overheating. If this occurs,
stop the engine immediately and allow
the engine to cool.
When the vehicle is turned on, the light
will come on for a few seconds, and
then go off. If the light does not come
on, or if the light remains on, have a
Yamaha dealer check the vehicle. TIP For vehicles with a radiator fan,
the radiator fan(s) automatically
switch on or off according to the
coolant temperature.
 If the engine overheats, see page
6-36 for further instructions.NOTICE
ECA10022
Do not continue to operate the en-
gine if it is overheatin g.
EAU79310
En gine trou ble warnin g li ght “ ”
This warning light comes on if a prob-
lem is detected in the engine. If this oc-
curs, have a Yamaha dealer check the
on-board diagnostic system.
The electrical circuit of the warning
light can be checked by turning the ve-
hicle power on. The warning light
should come on for a few seconds,
and then go off.
If the warning light does not come on at
all, or if the warning light remains on,
have a Yamaha dealer check the vehi-
cle.
EAU69892
ABS warnin g lig ht “ ”
This warning light comes on when the
vehicle is first turned on, and goes off
after starting riding. If the warning light
comes on while riding, the anti-lock
brake system may not work correctly.
(See page 3-20.)TIPIf the light does not come at all, or if the
light does not go off after traveling 10
km/h (6 mi/h), have a Yamaha dealer
check the vehicle.
WARNING
EWA16041
If the ABS warning light does not go
off after travelin g at a speed of 10
km/h (6 mi/h) or hi gher, or if the
warnin g lig ht comes on or flashes
while ri din g, the b rake system re-
verts to conventional brakin g. If ei-
ther of the a bove occurs, or if the
warnin g lig ht does not come on at
all, use extra caution to avoi d possi-
b le wheel lock durin g emer gency
b rakin g. Have a Yamaha d ealer
check the brake system an d electri-
cal circuits as soon as possi ble.
EAU73272
Traction control system in dicator
li g ht “ ”
In normal operation, this indicator light
is off. When traction control has en-
gaged, this indicator light will flash for
a few seconds and then go off.
When the traction control system is
turned off, this indicator light will come
on.
If the traction control system becomes
disabled while riding, or if a problem is
detected in the traction control system,
ABS
UBD5E0E0.book Page 6 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 2:23 PM