warning YAMAHA YZF-R6 2018 Owner's Guide

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-18
7
EAU33032Chan gin g the coolant
The coolant must be changed at the in-
tervals specified in the periodic mainte-
nance and lubrication chart. Have a
Yamaha dealer change the coolant.
WARNING! Never attempt to remove the ra diator cap when the en gine is
hot.
[EWA10382] EAU36765
Air filter element
The air filter element must be replaced
at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.
Have a Yamaha dealer replace the air
filter element.
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-20
7
EAU21403
Valve clearance
The valves are an important engine
component, and since valve clearance
changes with use, they must be
checked and adjusted at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
chart. Unadjusted valves can result in
improper air-fuel mixture, engine
noise, and eventually engine damage.
To prevent this from occurring, have
your Yamaha dealer check and adjust
the valve clearance at regular intervals.
TIP
This service must be performed when
the engine is cold.
EAU70961
Tires
Tires are the only contact between the
vehicle and the road. Safety in all con-
ditions of riding depends on a relatively
small area of road contact. Therefore, it
is essential to maintain the tires in good
condition at all times and replace them
at the appropriate time with the speci-
fied tires.
Tire air pressure
The tire air pressure should be
checked and, if necessary, adjusted
before each ride.
WARNING
EWA18370
 Operation of this vehicle with
improper tire air pressure may
cause severe injury or d eath
from loss of control.
 The tire air pressure must b e
checked and a djuste d on col d
tires (i.e., when the temperature
of the tires equals the am bient
temperature).
WARNING
EWA10512
Never overloa d your vehicle. Opera-
tion of an overloa ded vehicle coul d
cause an acci dent.
Col d tire air pressure:
Front: 250 kPa (2.50 kgf/cm², 36 psi)
Rear:
290 kPa (2.90 kgf/cm², 42 psi)
Maximum loa d*:
185 kg (408 lb)
* Total weight of rider, passenger, car- go and accessories
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-21
7 Tire inspection
The tires should 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 sidewall is cracked, have a Yamaha
dealer replace the tire immediately.
TIP
The 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 ri din g 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 spee ds after
chan gin g a tire since the tire
surface must first b e “broken
in” for it to develop its optimal
characteristics.
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 should be
checked by tire specialists to ascertain
their suitability for further use.
WARNING
EWA10482
 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 motorcy-
cle may b e 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 leakag e.
1. Tire sidewall
2. Tire tread depth
Minimum tire tread d epth (front an d
rear): 1.6 mm (0.06 in)
1. Tire air valve
2. Tire air valve core
3. Tire air valve cap with seal
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-22
7

Use only the tire valves an d
valve cores liste d below to
avoi d tire d eflation during a
hi gh-spee d ri de.
After extensive tests, only the tires list-
ed below are approved for this model
by Yamaha.
WARNING
EWA10601
This motorcycle is fitte d with super-
hi gh-spee d tires. Note the followin g
points in or der to make the most ef-
ficient use of these tires.  Use only the specified replace-
ment tires. Other tires may run
the dan ger of bursting at super
hi gh spee ds.
 Bran d-new tires can have a rel-
atively poor g rip on certain roa d
surfaces until they have been
“ b roken in”. Therefore, it is a d-
visa ble before doin g any hi gh-
speed ridin g to ri de conserva-
tively for approximately 100 km
(60 mi) after installin g a new tire. 
The tires must be warme d up
b efore a hi gh-spee d run.
 Always a djust the tire air pres-
sure accor din g to the operating
con ditions.
Front tire:
Size:
120/70ZR17M/C (58W)
Manufacturer/model: DUNLOP/SPORTMAX D214F
BRIDGESTONE/BATTLAX S21F
Rear tire: Size:
180/55ZR17M/C(73W)
Manufacturer/model: DUNLOP/SPORTMAX D214
BRIDGESTONE/BATTLAX S21R
FRONT an d REAR:
Tire air valve:
TR412
Valve core: #9100 (original)
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-24
7
4. To increase the clutch lever free
play, turn the clutch lever free play
adjusting nut in direction (a). To
decrease the clutch lever free
play, turn the adjusting nut in di-
rection (b).
5. Tighten the locknut.
6. Install the cowling and the panel.
EAU37914
Checkin g the brake lever free
play
There should be no free play at the
brake lever end. If there is free play,
have a Yamaha dealer inspect the
brake system.
WARNING
EWA14212
A soft or spon gy feelin g in the brake
lever can in dicate the presence of
air in the hy draulic system. If there is
air in the hy draulic system, have a
Yamaha dealer blee d the system b e-
fore operatin g the vehicle. Air in the
hy draulic system will diminish the
b rakin g performance, which may re-
sult in loss of control an d an acci-
d ent.
1. Locknut
2. Clutch lever free play adjusting nut
1
2(a)(b)
1. No brake lever free play
1
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-26
7
EAU46292Rear 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 a wear
indicator groove almost appears, have
a Yamaha dealer replace the brake
pads as a set.EAU40262
Checkin g the brake flui d level
Before 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 brake sys-
tem, re ducin g brakin g
performance.
1. Brake pad wear indicator groove
11
1. Minimum level mark
1. Minimum level mark
Specified b rake flui d:
DOT 4
1
1
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-30
7
EAU23098
Checkin g an d lu bricatin g the
ca bles
The operation of all control cables and
the condition of the cables should be
checked before each ride, and the ca-
bles and cable ends should be lubri-
cated if necessary. If a cable is
damaged or does not move smoothly,
have a Yamaha dealer check or re-
place it. WARNING! Dama ge to the
outer housin g of cab les may result
in internal rustin g an d cause inter-
ference with cab le movement. Re-
place dama ged cab les as soon as
possi ble to prevent unsafe con di-
tions.
[EWA10712] EAU23115
Checkin
g an d lu bricatin g the
throttle grip an d ca ble
The operation of the throttle grip
should be checked before each ride. In
addition, the cable should be lubricat-
ed by a Yamaha dealer at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
chart.
The throttle cable is equipped with a
rubber cover. Make sure that the cover
is securely installed. Even though the
cover is installed correctly, it does not
completely protect the cable from wa-
ter entry. Therefore, use care not to
pour water directly onto the cover or
cable when washing the vehicle. If the
cable or cover becomes dirty, wipe
clean with a moist cloth.
Recommen ded lu bricant:
Yamaha cable lubricant or other
suitable cable lubricant
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-32
7
EAU23203
Checkin g an d lu bricatin g the
si destan d
The operation of the sidestand should
be checked before each ride, and the
sidestand pivot and metal-to-metal
contact surfaces should be lubricated
if necessary.
WARNING
EWA10732
If the si destan d d oes not move up
an d d own smoothly, have a Yamaha
d ealer check or repair it. Otherwise,
the si destan d coul d contact the
g roun d an d d istract the operator, re-
sultin g in a possi ble loss of control.
EAUM1653
Lu bricatin g the swin garm piv-
ots
The swingarm pivots must be lubricat-
ed by a Yamaha dealer at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
Recommen ded lu bricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
Recommen ded lu bricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-33
7
EAU23273
Checkin g the front fork
The condition and operation of the
front fork must be checked as follows
at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.
To check the con dition
Check the inner tubes for scratches,
damage and excessive oil leakage.
To check the operation 1. Place the vehicle on a level surfa- ce and hold it in an upright posi-
tion. WARNING! To avoi d injury,
securely support the vehicle so
there is no dan ger of it fallin g
over.
[EWA10752]
2. While applying the front brake, push down hard on the handle-
bars several times to check if the
front fork compresses and re-
bounds smoothly.
NOTICE
ECA10591
If any d amage is foun d or the front
fork does not operate smoothly,
have a Yamaha dealer check or re-
pair it.
EAU23285
Checkin g the steerin g
Worn or loose steering bearings may
cause danger. Therefore, the operation
of the steering must be checked as fol-
lows at the intervals specified in the
periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.
1. Raise the front wheel off the ground. (See page 7-38.)
WARNING! To avoi d injury, se-
curely support the vehicle so
there is no dan ger of it fallin g
over.
[EWA10752]
2. Hold the lower ends of the front fork legs and try to move them for-
ward and backward. If any free
play can be felt, have a Yamaha
dealer check or repair the steer-
ing.
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-34
7
EAU23292
Checkin g the wheel b earings
The front and rear wheel bearings must
be checked at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart. If there is play in the wheel
hub or if the wheel does not turn
smoothly, have a Yamaha dealer
check the wheel bearings.
EAU50212
Battery
The battery is located under the rider
seat. (See page 4-23.)
This model is equipped with a VRLA
(Valve Regulated Lead Acid) battery.
There is no need to check the electro-
lyte or to add distilled water. However,
the battery lead connections need to
be checked and, if necessary, tight-
ened.
WARNING
EWA10761
 Electrolyte is poisonous an d
d an gerous since it contains sul-
furic aci d, which causes severe
b urns. Avoi d any contact with
skin, eyes or clothin g an d al-
ways shiel d your eyes when
workin g near b atteries. In case
of contact, ad minister the fol-
lowin g FIRST AID.
EXTERNAL: Flush with plenty of water.
INTERNAL: Drink lar ge quan-
tities of water or milk an d im-
me diately call a physician.
EYES: Flush with water for 15 minutes and seek prompt
me dical attention.
1. Battery
2. Positive battery lead (red)
3. Negative battery lead (black)
1
3
2
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