Yamaha YZF-R6 (2006-2016) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals

This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the Yamaha YZF-R6 gen, made between 2006 and 2016. The Yamaha R6 is formally known as the Yamaha YZF-R6.

Here are all the generations of Yamaha YZF-R6 for which we have maintenance schedules:

The Yamaha R6 made between 2006 and 2016 is the most recent generation of the R6 before the last one, launched in 2017, which added ram air, bigger forks and brakes, ABS, traction control, and a stunning visual redesign — while keeping weight at the same levels (I’m a fan of the latest one!). After that generation, the YZF-R6 was retired from street duty, becoming track-exclusive.

The most important changes for the 3rd gen Yamaha R6 are revised fuel injection and YCC-T (Yamaha Computer Controlled Throttle respectively), and standard upside-down forks across the range. Yamaha implemented YCC-I (variable-length intakes) in 2008, with revised tuning to suit, but the maintenance schedule didn’t change.

Originally published July 22, 2020, but significantly updated since.

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Yamaha YZF-R6 Service Intervals

Like many Yamaha motorcycles, the service intervals for the R6 differ depending on whether you consult a US or a European manual.

Generally speaking, there’s either a 4000 mile / 6-month (US) or 10000 km / annual (Europe / APAC) oil change due on the YZF-R6, and a valve service every 26600 miles or 40000 km.

ModelUS manualEurope manual
Minor service intervals4000 mi / 6000 km
6 months
10000 km / 6000 mi
12 months
Major service interval (valves)26600 mi / 42000 km40000 km / 24000 mi
US / Europe service intervals (4000 mi / 10000 km)

The R6 has a hydraulic brake so make sure you keep the brake fluid fresh irrespective of miles. And keep the clutch cable lubricated.

You also need to regularly attend to the coolant for the YZF-R6, making sure it’s fresh. It is convenient to do a coolant flush when checking the valves, as radiator access makes the job easier.

What you need to service the Yamaha YZF-R6 3rd gen (2006-2016)

If you’re servicing the Yamaha R6, you at least need some basic motorcycle maintenance tools — things like an oil catch pan, a paddock stand, and so on

For the Yamaha R6, the manual recommends the following specific consumables.

PartYamaha YZF-R6 (2006-2016)
Engine oilYamalube 10W-50 (manual says 15W-50, which is more expensive). The manual suggests it and it’s affordable on Amazon with a solid 5-star rating. Don’t over-torque the bolt (spec is 42 Nm/31 lb-ft for the oil drain bolt per the manual) — use a torque wrench if you don’t have experience with how much torque is enough.

If you prefer full synthetic oil, Motul 7100 15W-50 is a popular option.
Oil filterNeeds to be changed every time you change the oil. Either get a stock one (part 5GH-13440-50-00, used for many Yamaha products) or Hiflofiltro HF204RC, preferred over the K&N version. These are correct for all R6 models ever. Torque for the oil filter is 16 Nm/12 lb-ft.
Engine coolantYamaha always recommends Yamacool, but any 50/50 ethylene glycol pre-mix meets the spec.
Spark PlugsNGK CR10EK. This is what the manual and mechanics suggest for all R6 models. Make sure it’s gapped correctly to 0.6-0.7mm (get a gapping tool) and torqued to 18 Nm/13 lb-ft (new) or 13Nm/10 lb-ft (after checking).
Air filterYamaha part number for the correct air filter from for the R6 from 2008 onward is 13S-14450-30-00. You can also get the K&N equivalent, YA-6008.
Brake padsIf you need brake pads, your choices are many, but it’s best to go with either OEM for street use, or EBC for street + track use (they give more life, and better brake feel, especially under duress).
Front brake part numbers: 2 x OEM 2C0-25805-00-00 or EBC FA380HH
Rear brake part numbers: 1 x OEM 5SL-W0046-00-00 or EBC FA174HH
Chain maintenanceUse Motul chain paste or a full motul chain care kit to take care of your chain. There are other options, but these two are well liked.
CableKeep your cables lubricated! Use Protect all cable life, a cheap and effective cable lube.
Oil, filters, coolant, plugs, and brake pads for the Yamaha R6 (2006-2016)

2012 Yamaha R6 3rd gen, blue
2012 Yamaha YZF-R6

2006-2016 Yamaha R6 3rd Gen Maintenance Schedule

Below is the maintenance schedule for the 2006-2016 Yamaha YZF-R6.

Notes on reading this maintenance schedule

  • After the end of the maintenance schedule, keep following it in the pattern below.
  • The break-in service is omitted (as these bikes are all broken in).
  • Items marked with an asterisk require (according to Yamaha) special tools, data and technical skills, have a Yamaha dealer perform the service (or do it yourself!)
  • Don’t clean the air-filter with compressed air.

The maintenance schedule for the Yamaha YZF-R6 3rd gen is slightly different in the US and European/Australia/NZ manuals. Both are shown below.

US Yamaha R6 3rd gen (2006-2016) maintenance schedule

Below is the maintenance schedule for the Yamaha YZF-R6 in miles. See below for the one in Km for the European/Australian/NZ markets.

mi x 100048121620
months612182430Every
Change engine oil (Motul 7100 15W-50) (warm engine before draining)
Replace oil filter (HF204RC)
* Check spark plug condition. Adjust gap and clean
* Replace (R) with NGK CR10EK
RR
Check and adjust valve clearance 26600 mi
Adjust fuel injection synchronization
Check the air induction cut valve and reed valve, and hose for damage. Replace any damaged parts.
Replace air filter (YA-6008)24000 mi, or more often if riding in dusty conditions
Check clutch operation. Adjust or replace cable.
Check front brake operation, fluid level, and for fluid leakage. Replace brake pads if necessary (FA380HH)
Check rear brake operation, fluid level, and for fluid leakage. Replace brake pads if necessary (FA174HH)
Check brake hoses for cracks or damage, and for correct routing and clamping
Replace brake hoses4 years
Change brake fluid (Castrol DOT 4), and rubber parts of brake calipers and master cylinder.2 years
Check wheels for runout and for damage. Replace if necessary.
* Check tire tread depth and for damage. Replace if necessary.
* Check air pressure. Correct if necessary.
Check wheel bearings for smooth operation. Replace if necessary.
Check swingarm pivot bearing operation and for excessive play
Moderately repack swingarm pivot bearing with lithium soap-based grease.32000 mi
Check steering bearing assemblies for looseness.
Moderately repack steering bearings with lithium soap-based grease.12000 mi
Check all chassis fitting and fasteners. Tighten/repair if necessary.
Lubricate brake lever pivot shaft with silicone grease lightly
Lubricate brake pedal, clutch lever, and shift pedal pivot shafts with lithium soap-based grease lightly.
Check sidestand pivot operation, and lubricate with lithium soap-based grease lightly.
Check sidestand switch operation and replace if necessary.
Check front fork operation and for oil leakage. Rebuild/replace if necessary.
Check shock absorber operation and for oil leakage. Replace if necessary.
Check rear suspension link operation. Correct if necessary.
Check cooling system hoses for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary.
Change coolant (Pro Honda Coolant)
Check operation of front and rear brake switches.
Lubricate control cables thoroughly (e.g. Protect all cable life)
* Check throttle grip operation and play, and adjust if necessary.
* Lubricate cable and grip housing
Check fuel hoses for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary
Check crankcase breather hose for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary
Check evap control system for damage. Fix/replace if necessary
Check exhaust system for leakage. Tighten and/or replace gasket(s) if necessary
* Check lights, signals, and switches.
* Adjust headlight beam
US Yamaha R6 3rd Gen (2006-2016) maintenance schedule

Europe Yamaha R6 (2006-2016) maintenance schedule

Below is the maintenance schedule for the Yamaha R6 from the European manual in km. Maintenance intervals are 10000 km or 12 months.

km x 100010203040Every
Change engine oil (Motul 7100 15W-50) (warm engine before draining)Year
Replace oil filter (HF204RC)
* Check spark plug condition. Adjust gap and clean
* Replace (R) with NGK CR10EK
RR
Check and adjust valve clearance 40000 km
Adjust fuel injection synchronizationYear
Check the air induction cut valve and reed valve, and hose for damage. Replace any damaged parts.Year
Replace air filter (YA-6008)More often if riding in dust/rain.
Check clutch operation. Adjust or replace cable.
Check front brake operation, fluid level, and for fluid leakage. Replace brake pads if necessary (FA380HH)Year
Check rear brake operation, fluid level, and for fluid leakage. Replace brake pads if necessary (FA174HH)Year
Check brake hoses for cracks or damage, and for correct routing and clampingYear
Replace brake hoses4 years
Change brake fluid (Castrol DOT 4), and rubber parts of brake calipers and master cylinder.2 years
Check wheels for runout and for damage. Replace if necessary.
* Check tire tread depth and for damage. Replace if necessary.
* Check air pressure. Correct if necessary.
Year
Check wheel bearings for smooth operation. Replace if necessary.
Check swingarm pivot bearing operation and for excessive play
Moderately repack swingarm pivot bearing with lithium soap-based grease.50000 km
Check steering bearing assemblies for looseness.
Lubricate steering bearings with lithium soap-based grease.20000 km
Check all chassis fitting and fasteners. Tighten/repair if necessary.Year
Lubricate brake lever pivot shaft with silicone grease lightlyYear
Lubricate brake pedal, clutch lever, and shift pedal pivot shafts with lithium soap-based grease lightly.Year
Check sidestand pivot operation, and lubricate with lithium soap-based grease lightly.Year
Check sidestand switch operation and replace if necessary.Year
Check front fork operation and for oil leakage. Rebuild/replace if necessary.
Check shock absorber operation and for oil leakage. Replace if necessary.
Check rear suspension link operation. Correct if necessary.
Check cooling system hoses for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary.Year
Change coolant (Pro Honda Coolant) 3 years
Check operation of front and rear brake switches.Year
Lubricate control cables thoroughly (e.g. Protect all cable life)Year
* Check throttle grip operation and play, and adjust if necessary.
* Lubricate cable and grip housing
Year
Check exhaust system for leakage. Tighten and/or replace gasket(s) if necessary
Check fuel hoses for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary
* Check lights, signals, and switches.
* Adjust headlight beam
Year
European Yamaha R6 3rd Gen (2006-2016) maintenance schedule

Maintaining Your Chain on the Yamaha YZF-R6 3rd gen

It’s important to maintain your chain on the YZF-R6, as on any chain-driven motorcycle. Use a good-quality chain lubricant like Motul chain paste, or a Motul chain care kit which comes with a couple of handy tools to maintain the chain.

Yamaha recommends you follow the following chain maintenance schedule every 500 mi / 800 km and after washing the motorcycle, riding in the rain, or riding in wet areas.

Chain maintenance item
Check drive chain lubrication condition, lubricating if necessary (Motul chain paste)
Check drive chain slack, alignment, and condition, adjusting / replacing if necessary
Chain maintenance — Yamaha YZF-R6

Naturally, if you track or race your R6, then attend to your chain more often.

About the 2006-2016 Yamaha R6

2016 Yamaha YZF-R6 anniversary
2006 Yamaha YZF-R6 anniversary edition

Yamaha’s YZF-R6 has been a class-leading track/race motorcycle since its first launch many years prior. It’s much more than just a “baby R1”; the R6 stands on its own as a uniquely berserk and fast bike.

The YZF-R6 has always been a 600 cc class motorcycle, powered by a 599cc liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder engine with dual overhead cams and sixteen valves.

Like most inline four 600cc-class bikes, the Yamaha YZF-R6 makes most of its torque and power over 8000 rpm. In fact, the YZF-R6 revs to over 16000 rpm!

In 2006, Yamaha significantly updated the YZF-R6 over the earlier 2003-2004 model, which had an interim update in 2005 (keeping the engine, but improving it, and adding inverted forks and radial-mounted calipers).

Since the 2005 Yamaha YZF-R6, Yamaha changed the engine, making it even more oversquare (67 x 42.5 bore and stroke, vs the 65.5 x 44.5 mm of previous years). Yamaha also added fly-by-wire (YCC-T), and revised gearing, with a 45 tooth rear sprocket (down from 48).

In 2007, Yamaha kept the YZF-R6 just as it was in 2006 in terms of specs.

In 2008, Yamaha added YCC-I (variable length intakes) and a re-tune, to help with emissions while keeping low-end power.

In 2009, Yamaha had to detune out quite a bit of power to satisfy the US EPA. Unfortunately, people didn’t like this. Turns out people prefer to go fast.

In 2010, Yamaha listened to the criticisms and did what they could to get the smoothest power curve with the most output out of the Yamaha R6. So the result is that they claimed most of the former glory, with a screaming four-cylinder engine that puts out most of its power above 10000 rpm.

The Yamaha YZF-R6 was kept mostly constant in the intervening years, with most updates being color changes.

Despite these changes, the fundamental motorcycle was kept the same between the 2006 and 2016 model years, and the maintenance schedule was constant throughout the period.

Service intervals for the YZF-R6 between 2006-2016 are every 4000 miles (US) or 10000 km (Europe / APAC). At every service you change the oil and do many other checks (fixing / replacing items as needed), and every second service you change the spark plugs.

The valve service interval for the YZF-R6 is every 26600 miles (US manual) or 40000 km (Europe / APAC manuals)

Finally, Yamaha heavily revised the Yamaha YZF-R6 in 2017, upgrading the brakes, suspension, ride electronics, and visual design.

Reference — Manual for the 2006-2016 Yamaha R6

The above information was gleaned from the owner’s manual for the 2016 Yamaha YZF-R6 3rd Gen.

We compared it to previous years to make sure the maintenance schedule was consistent.

You can also see below screenshots from the European manual for the Yamaha YZF-R6 to see the different prescribed service intervals.

You can download the manual from Yamaha’s website here.

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