warning YAMAHA YZF-R6 2008 Owners Manual

IMPORTANT MANUAL INFORMATION
EAU10151
Particularly important information is distinguished in this manual by the following notations:NOTE:

This manual should be considered a permanent part of this motorcycle and should remain with it even if the motorcycle
is subsequently sold.


Yamaha continually seeks advancements in product design and quality. Therefore, while this manual contains the most
current product information available at the time of printing, there may be minor discrepancies between your motorcycleand this manual. If you have any questions concerning this manual, please consult your Yamaha dealer.WARNING
EWA10030
PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY AND COMPLETELY BEFORE OPERATING THIS MOTORCYCLE.
*Product and specifications are subject to change without notice.The Safety Alert Symbol means ATTENTION! BECOME ALERT! YOUR SAFETY IS
INVOLVED!
Failure to follow WARNING instructions could result in severe injury or death
to the
motorcycle operator, a bystander, or a person inspecting or repairing the motor-
cycle.
A CAUTION indicates special precautions that must be taken to avoid damage to
the motorcycle.
A NOTE provides key information to make procedures easier or clearer.
WARNING
CAUTION:
NOTE:
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TABLE OF CONTENTSSAFETY INFORMATION ..................1-1
DESCRIPTION ..................................2-1
Left view ..........................................2-1
Right view ........................................2-2
Controls and instruments.................2-3
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL
FUNCTIONS.......................................3-1
Immobilizer system .........................3-1
Main switch/steering lock ................3-2
Indicator and warning lights ............3-4
Multi-function meter unit .................3-7
Anti-theft alarm (optional) .............3-13
Handlebar switches ......................3-14
Clutch lever ...................................3-15
Shift pedal .....................................3-15
Brake lever ...................................3-16
Brake pedal ..................................3-16
Fuel tank cap ................................3-17
Fuel ...............................................3-17
Fuel tank breather/overflow
hose ..........................................3-18
Catalytic converters ......................3-19
Seats ............................................3-19
Helmet holding cable ....................3-20
Adjusting the front fork ..................3-21
Adjusting the shock absorber
assembly ...................................3-23
Luggage strap holders ..................3-26
EXUP system ...............................3-26Sidestand ..................................... 3-27
Ignition circuit cut-off system ........ 3-27
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS............. 4-1
Pre-operation check list .................. 4-2
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT
RIDING 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
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND
MINOR REPAIR................................. 6-1
Owner’s tool kit ............................... 6-1
Periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart .......................... 6-2
Removing and installing cowlings
and panels .................................. 6-7
Checking the spark plugs ............. 6-11
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge ... 6-12
Coolant ......................................... 6-15
Air filter element ........................... 6-19
Checking the engine idling
speed ........................................ 6-19
Checking the throttle cable free
play ........................................... 6-19
Valve clearance ............................ 6-20Tires ............................................. 6-20
Cast wheels ................................. 6-23
Adjusting the clutch lever free
play ........................................... 6-23
Adjusting the rear brake light
switch ....................................... 6-24
Checking the front and rear brake
pads .......................................... 6-24
Checking the brake fluid level ...... 6-25
Changing the brake fluid .............. 6-26
Drive chain slack .......................... 6-26
Cleaning and lubricating the drive
chain ......................................... 6-27
Checking and lubricating
the cables ................................. 6-28
Checking and lubricating
the throttle grip and cable ......... 6-28
Checking and lubricating
the brake and shift pedals ........ 6-29
Checking and lubricating
the brake and clutch levers ...... 6-29
Checking and lubricating
the sidestand ............................ 6-30
Lubricating the swingarm
pivots ........................................ 6-30
Checking the front fork ................. 6-31
Checking the steering .................. 6-31
Checking the wheel bearings ....... 6-32
Battery ......................................... 6-32
Replacing the fuses ..................... 6-34
Replacing a headlight bulb .......... 6-35U13SE0E0.book Page 1 Monday, August 27, 2007 4:53 PM

1-1
1
SAFETY INFORMATION
EAU10281
MOTORCYCLES ARE SINGLE
TRACK VEHICLES. THEIR SAFE USE
AND OPERATION ARE DEPENDENT
UPON THE USE OF PROPER RIDING
TECHNIQUES AS WELL AS THE EX-
PERTISE OF THE OPERATOR. EV-
ERY OPERATOR SHOULD KNOW
THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS
BEFORE RIDING THIS MOTOR-
CYCLE.
HE OR SHE SHOULD:

OBTAIN THOROUGH INSTRUC-
TIONS FROM A COMPETENT
SOURCE ON ALL ASPECTS OF
MOTORCYCLE OPERATION.


OBSERVE THE WARNINGS AND
MAINTENANCE REQUIRE-
MENTS IN THE OWNER’S MAN-
UAL.


OBTAIN QUALIFIED TRAINING
IN SAFE AND PROPER RIDING
TECHNIQUES.


OBTAIN PROFESSIONAL TECH-
NICAL SERVICE AS INDICATED
BY THE OWNER’S MANUALAND/OR WHEN MADE NECES-
SARY BY MECHANICAL CONDI-
TIONS.
Safe riding


Always make pre-operation
checks. Careful checks may help
prevent an accident.


This motorcycle is designed to car-
ry the operator and a passenger.


The failure of motorists to detect
and recognize motorcycles in traf-
fic is the predominating cause of
automobile/motorcycle accidents.
Many accidents have been caused
by an automobile driver who did
not see the motorcycle. Making
yourself conspicuous appears to
be very effective in reducing the
chance of this type of accident.
Therefore:
Wear a brightly colored jacket.
Use extra caution when you are
approaching and passing
through intersections, since in-
tersections are the most likely
places for motorcycle accidents
to occur.Ride where other motorists can
see you. Avoid riding in another
motorist’s blind spot.


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
motorcycle to other qualified op-
erators.
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 opera-
tor. A typical error made by the op-
erator is veering wide on a turn
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-3
3 To lock the steering
1. Turn the handlebars all the way to
the left.
2. Push the key in from the “OFF” po-
sition, and then turn it to “LOCK”
while still pushing it.
3. Remove the key.To unlock the steering
Push the key in, and then turn it to
“OFF” while still pushing it.
WARNING
EWA10060
Never turn the key to “OFF” or
“LOCK” while the vehicle is moving,
otherwise the electrical systems will
be switched off, which may result in
loss of control or an accident. Make
sure that the vehicle is stopped be-
fore turning the key to “OFF” or“LOCK”.
EAU34341
(Parking)
The steering is locked, and the taillight,
license plate light and auxiliary light are
on. The hazard lights and turn signal
lights can be turned on, but all other
electrical systems are off. The key can
be removed.
The steering must be locked before the
key can be turned to“”.
CAUTION:
ECA11020
Do not use the parking position for
an extended length of time, other-wise the battery may discharge.
1. Push.
2. Turn.
1. Push.
2. Turn.
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-4
3
EAU11003
Indicator and warning lights
EAU11030
Turn signal indicator lights“”
and“”
The corresponding indicator light flash-
es when the turn signal switch is
pushed to the left or right.
EAU11060
Neutral indicator light“”
This indicator light comes on when the
transmission is in the neutral position.
EAU11080
High beam indicator light“”
This indicator light comes on when the
high beam of the headlight is switched
on.
EAU11250
Oil level warning light“”
This warning light comes on when the
engine oil level is low.
The electrical circuit of the warning light
can be checked by turning the key to
“ON”.
If the warning light does not come on
for a few seconds, then go off, have a
Yamaha dealer check the electrical cir-
cuit.NOTE:

Even if the oil level is sufficient, the
warning light may flicker when
riding on a slope or during sudden
acceleration or deceleration, but
this is not a malfunction.


This model is also equipped with a
self-diagnosis device for the oil
level detection circuit. If the oil lev-
el detection circuit is defective, the
following cycle will be repeated un-
til the malfunction is corrected: The
oil level warning light will flash ten
times, then go off for 2.5 seconds.
If this occurs, have a Yamahadealer check the vehicle.
EAU11361
Fuel level warning light“”
This warning light comes on when the
fuel level drops below approximately
3.5 L (0.92 US gal) (0.77 Imp.gal).
When this occurs, refuel as soon as
possible.
The electrical circuit of the warning light
can be checked by turning the key to
“ON”.
If the warning light does not come on
for a few seconds, and then go off,
have a Yamaha dealer check the elec-
trical circuit.
1. Left turn signal indicator light“”
2. Neutral indicator light“”
3. High beam indicator light“”
4. Right turn signal indicator light“”
5. Fuel level warning light“”
6. Oil level warning light“”
7. Coolant temperature warning light“”
8. Shift timing indicator light
9. Engine trouble warning light“”
10.Immobilizer system indicator light
km/h
TRIP A
˚C
12 34 5
6
7
8
9 10
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-5
3
NOTE:This model is also equipped with a self-
diagnosis device for the fuel level de-
tection circuit. If the fuel level detection
circuit is defective, the following cycle
will be repeated until the malfunction is
corrected: The fuel level warning light
will flash eight times, and then go off for
3.0 seconds. If this occurs, have aYamaha dealer check the vehicle.
EAU11423
Coolant temperature warning
light“”
This warning light comes on when the
engine overheats. When this occurs,
stop the engine immediately and allow
the engine to cool.
The electrical circuit of the warning light
can be checked by turning the key to
“ON”.
If the warning light does not come on
for a few seconds, then go off, have a
Yamaha dealer check the electrical cir-
cuit.
CAUTION:
ECA10020
Do not operate the engine if it isoverheated.
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-6
3
Coolant
temperatureDisplay Conditions What to do
Under 39 °C
(Under 103 °F)Message “Lo” is displayed. OK. Go ahead with riding.
40–116 °C
(104–242 °F)Temperature is displayed. OK. Go ahead with riding.
117–134 °C
(243–274 °F)Temperature display flashes.
Warning light comes on.Stop the vehicle and allow it to idle until
the coolant temperature goes down.
If the temperature does not go down,
stop the engine. (See page 6-44.)
Above 135 °C
(Above 275 °F)Message “HI” flashes.
Warning light comes on.Stop the engine and allow it to cool.
(See page 6-44.)
TRIP A
˚C
TRIP A
˚C
TRIP A
˚C
TRIP A
˚C
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-7
3
EAU42770
Engine trouble warning light“”
This warning light comes on when an
electrical circuit monitoring the engine
is defective. When this occurs, have a
Yamaha dealer check the self-diagno-
sis system. (See page 3-7 for an expla-
nation of the self-diagnosis device.)
The electrical circuit of the warning light
can be checked by turning the key to
“ON”. If the warning light does not come
on for a few seconds, then go off, have
a Yamaha dealer check the electrical
circuit.
EAU11571
Shift timing indicator light
This indicator light can be set to come
on and go off at the desired engine
speeds and is used to inform the rider
when it is time to shift to the next higher
gear.
The electrical circuit of the indicator
light can be checked by turning the key
to “ON”.
If the indicator light does not come on
for a few seconds, then go off, have a
Yamaha dealer check the electrical cir-cuit. (See page 3-7 for a detailed expla-
nation of the function of this indicator
light and on how to set it.)
EAU38620
Immobilizer system indicator light
The electrical circuit of the indicator
light can be checked by turning the key
to “ON”.
If the indicator light does not come on
for a few seconds, then go off, have a
Yamaha dealer check the electrical cir-
cuit.
When the key is turned to “OFF” and 30
seconds have passed, the indicator
light will start flashing indicating the im-
mobilizer system is enabled. After 24
hours have passed, the indicator light
will stop flashing, however the immobi-
lizer system is still enabled.
This model is also equipped with a self-
diagnosis device for the immobilizer
system. (See page 3-7 for an explana-
tion of the self-diagnosis device.)
EAU39042
Multi-function meter unit
WARNING
EWA12421
Be sure to stop the vehicle before
making any setting changes to themulti-function meter unit.
The multi-function meter unit is
equipped with the following:1. Clock
2. Speedometer
3.“SELECT” button
4.“RESET” button
5. Tachometer
6. Coolant temperature display/air intake tem-
perature display
7. Odometer/tripmeters/fuel reserve tripme-
ter/stopwatch
8. Shift timing indicator light
U13SE0E0.book Page 7 Monday, August 27, 2007 4:53 PM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-8
3


a speedometer (which shows the
riding speed)


a tachometer (which shows engine
speed)


an odometer (which shows the to-
tal distance traveled)


two tripmeters (which show the
distance traveled since they were
last set to zero)


a fuel reserve tripmeter (which
shows the distance traveled since
the fuel level warning light came
on)


a stopwatch


a clock


a coolant temperature display


an air intake temperature display


a self-diagnosis device


a display brightness and shift tim-
ing indicator light control mode
NOTE:

Be sure to turn the key to “ON” be-
fore using the “SELECT” and “RE-
SET” buttons, except for setting
the display brightness and shift
timing indicator light control mode.


For the U.K. only: To switch the
speedometer and odometer/trip-
meter displays between kilometers
and miles, press the “SELECT”button for at least one second.
Tachometer
The electric tachometer allows the rider
to monitor the engine speed and keep it
within the ideal power range.
When the key is turned to “ON”, the ta-
chometer needle will sweep once
across the r/min range and then return
to zero r/min in order to test the electri-
cal circuit.
CAUTION:
ECA10031
Do not operate the engine in the ta-
chometer red zone.Red zone: 16500 r/min and above
Clock
To set the clock1. Turn the key to “ON”.
2. Push the “SELECT” button and
“RESET” button together for at
least two seconds.
3. When the hour digits start flashing,
push the “RESET” button to set the
hours.
4. Push the “SELECT” button, and
the minute digits will start flashing.
1. Tachometer
2. Tachometer red zone
2 1
1. Clock
km/h
TRIP A
1
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-9
3 5. Push the “RESET” button to set
the minutes.
6. Push the “SELECT” button and
then release it to start the clock.
Odometer, tripmeter, and stopwatch
modes
Push the “SELECT” button to switch
the display between the odometer
mode “ODO”, the tripmeter modes
“TRIP A” and “TRIP B” and the stop-
watch mode in the following order:
TRIP A → TRIP B → ODO → Stop-
watch → TRIP A
If the fuel level warning light comes on
(see page 3-4), the odometer display
will automatically change to the fuel re-serve tripmeter mode “F-TRIP” and
start counting the distance traveled
from that point. In that case, push the
“SELECT” button to switch the display
between the various tripmeter, odome-
ter, and stopwatch modes in the follow-
ing order:
F-TRIP → Stopwatch → TRIP A →
TRIP B → ODO → F-TRIP
To reset a tripmeter, select it by push-
ing the “SELECT” button, and then
push the “RESET” button for at least
one second. If you do not reset the fuel
reserve tripmeter manually, it will reset
itself automatically and the display will
return to the prior mode after refueling
and traveling 5 km (3 mi).
Stopwatch mode
To change the display to the stopwatch
mode, select it by pushing the “SE-
LECT” button. (The stopwatch digits
will start flashing.) Release the “SE-
LECT” button, and then push it again
for a few seconds until the stopwatch
digits stop flashing.Standard measurement
1. Push the “RESET” button to start
the stopwatch.
2. Push the “SELECT” button to stop
the stopwatch.
3. Push the “SELECT” button again
to reset the stopwatch.
Split-time measurement1. Push the “RESET” button to start
the stopwatch.
2. Push the “RESET” button or start
switch“” to measure split-times.
(The colon “:” will start flashing.)
3. Push the “RESET” button or start
switch“” to display the final split-
time or push the “SELECT” button
to stop the stopwatch and display
total elapsed time.
4. Push the “SELECT” button to reset
the stopwatch.NOTE:To change the display back to the prior
mode, push the “SELECT” button for a
few seconds until the stopwatch digitsflash.
1. Odometer/tripmeters/fuel reserve tripme-
ter/stopwatch
TRIP A
˚C
1
U13SE0E0.book Page 9 Monday, August 27, 2007 4:53 PM