Yamaha R1 5th Gen (2009-2014) “Crossplane” Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals

This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the 2009-2014 Yamaha R1, with the fabled “crossplane” crank (which Yamaha has kept to today). The crossplane crank was new for 2009, keeping the ride-by-wire additions of the 2007-2008 Yamaha R1.

Here are all the Yamaha YZF-R1 maintenance schedules in case you’re looking for one of those:

The Yamaha R1 is also known as the Yamaha YZF-R1. It has evolved a lot since its early days in 1998, but one thing has remained fundamental — its spirit of “no compromises” that it shares with the R6.

The YZF-R1 is a track-first, everything else-second machine designed to go fast in straight lines and around corners.

The 2009+ Yamaha R1 is based on a liquid-cooled 998cc inline four-cylinder engine with a crossplane crankshaft. The crankshaft distinguishes it most significantly from the previous gen, even though it doesn’t mandate any specific differences in maintenance.

This maintenance schedule applies to the 2009-2014 Yamaha R1. During this period, the only significant change was in 2012 when the Yamaha R1 got traction control.

In 2015, the 6th generation R1 was massively updated with a six-axis IMU and a host of rider aids.

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Yamaha YZF-R1 Crossplane (2009-2014) Service Intervals

Like most modern liquid-cooled Yamaha sport motorcycles, service intervals for the Yamaha YZF-R1 “Crossplane” are every 4000 miles or 6000 km, or 6 months, in the US manual, or 10000 km / 12 months in the European / rest-of-world manual.

At every service, you do an oil change, plus check for leaks and lubrication of moving parts.

Every two services, Yamaha recommends you change the oil filter and spark plug. Valve clearances are wider — every 26600 miles (US) / 40000 km (Europe), Yamaha suggests you inspect the valves of the YZF-R1. The first adjustment is the most critical.

You should also keep the fluids up to date, regularly replacing the brake fluid and the coolant. The 2009-2014 YZF-R1 Crossplane has a clutch cable.

You can see more about the difference between Europe and US service intervals for Yamaha motorcycles here.

See below for items you’ll need to do a service on your YZF-R1, plus the full maintenance schedule.

What you need to service the 2009-2014 Yamaha R1

Below are the things you need to do a service on your YZF-R1 (2009-2014).

ItemYamaha Crossplane Spec
OilYamalube 10W-40 or Yamalube 10W-50 (if you ride in temps above 100 F or 40 C). The manual suggests it and it’s affordable on Amazon with a solid 5-star rating.

Youc an of course use a similar high-spec fully synthetic oil. A popular choice is Motul 7100 10W-40.

Don’t over-torque the bolt — use a torque wrench if you don’t have experience with how much torque is enough.
Yamaha engine oil recommendation chart
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 the Hiflofiltro HF204RC for a high-quality replacement.
Spark PlugsNGK LMAR9E-J. This is what the manual and mechanics suggest. Make sure it’s gapped correctly (get a gapping tool)
Engine coolantValvoline Zerex G05 meet’s Yamaha’s requirements for an ethylene-glycol anti-freeze with corrosion-prevention properties.Best coolant to use for Yamaha R1, recommended from the manual.
Air filterThe R1 uses an oil-coated paper element. Either get the stock one (part 14B-14451-00-00), or the K&N YA-1009.
Brake padsEither buy them OEM from Yamaha (2x 4C8-25805-00-00 for front, 1x 5VX-25806-00-00 for rear), or EBC double-sintered HH (2x part FA442/4HH for front, 1x FA174HH for rear). Here are some other brake pads for the Yamaha R1, including race-spec ones.
Brake fluidYamaha recommends a DOT-4 brake/clutch fluid, e.g. Castrol DOT 4. (The 2009-2014 Yamaha YZF-R1 has a clutch cable)
Chain lubricantA really popular chain lubricant that’s low-mess and highly effective is Motul chain paste.
Cable lubricantKeeping good clutch action depends on having a well-lubricated cable that’s in good condition. You can use engine oil, but Protect All Cable Life is an affordable and well-used staple of maintenance.
Mechanical greaseIt’s important to grease moving parts, like the sidestand and sometimes bearings, to keep them from getting notchy or seizing. Valvoline moly-fortified grease meets a lot of needs.
Consumables for 2009-2014 Yamaha R1
2012 Yamaha YZF-R1
2012 Yamaha R1 in red and white

2009-2014 Yamaha R1 Maintenance Schedule

Below is the maintenance schedule for the 2009-2014 Yamaha R1 “Crossplane”.

Notes:

  1. Yamaha recommends that you get a dealer or mechanic to service everything other than the brakes, chain, and lubricating the controls (but we know you won’t…)
  2. There is a maintenance schedule from the US manual, and one from the European manual. The US manual has 4000 mile / 6 month service intervals, where as the European one has 10000 km / 12 month service intervals.
  3. After the last maintenance interval, continue repeating every second column (and some items like air filter need to be changed less regularly)
  4. The break-in service is not shown (as this bike is no longer sold new, so they’re all broken in).

Yamaha R1 Crossplane (2009-2014) Maintenance Schedule — North America

Below is the North American maintenance schedule with 4000 mile / 6000 km maintenance intervals.

See below for the Europe/Oceania maintenance schedule.

mi x 100048121620
km x 1000713192531
months612182430Every
Check fuel hoses for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary
Check spark plug condition. Adjust gap and clean
Replace spark plugs (NGK LMAR9E-J)
Check and adjust valve clearance26.6K mi (42K km)
Check crankcase breather hose for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary
Adjust fuel injection synchronization
Check exhaust for leakage. Tighten if necessary. Replace gasket(s) if necessary
Check evap control system for damage. Replace if necessary
Check the air induction cut-off valve, reed valve, and hose for damage. Replace any damaged parts if necessary
Replace air filter24K mi (37K km), more often when riding in dust/wet
Check clutch operation. Adjust or replace cable.
Check front brake operation, fluid level, and for fluid leakage. Replace brake pads if necessary.
Check rear brake operation, fluid level, and for fluid leakage. Replace brake pads if necessary.
Check brake hoses for cracks or damage, and for correct routing and clamping
Replace brake hoses4 years
Replace brake fluid (Castrol DOT 4) and internal parts of caliper and master cylinders2 years
Check wheels for runout and for damage. Replace if necessary.
Check tire tread depth and for damage. Replace 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 with lithium soap-based grease30K mi / 50K km
Check chain slack, alignment and condition. Adjust and lubricate chain (Motul chain paste)Every 500 mi (800 km), or after riding in rain/wet
Check steering bearing assemblies for looseness
Repack steering bearings with lithium-soap based grease
Check steering damper operation and for oil leakage
Check all chassis fitting and fasteners. Correct 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. Apply 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 pivot operation. Correct if necessary.
Change engine oil (Motul 7100 10W-40)
Replace oil filter cartridge (HF204RC)
Check cooling hoses for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary.
Change coolant (Valvoline Zerex G05)
Check front and rear brake switch operation
Apply lubricant thoroughly to control cables (Protect all cable life)
Check throttle operation and free play. Adjust the throttle cable free play if necessary. Lubricate the throttle grip housing and cable.
Check operation of lights, signals, and switches. Adjust headlight beam
Yamaha R1 (2009-2014) maintenance schedule

Yamaha R1 Crossplane (2009-2014) Maintenance Schedule — Europe/Oceania

Below is the European / Australian / New Zealand / Asian maintenance schedule with 10000 km / 6000 mile or 12 month service intervals.

km x 100010203040
mi x 10006121824Every
Check fuel hoses for cracks or damage. Replace if necessaryYear
Check spark plug condition. Adjust gap and clean
Replace spark plugs (NGK LMAR9E-J)
Check and adjust valve clearance40K km (24K mi)
Adjust fuel injection synchronizationYear
Check mufflers/exhaust pipes for looseness. Tighten if necessary.
Check the air induction cut-off valve, reed valve, and hose for damage. Replace any damaged parts if necessaryYear
Replace air filterMore often when riding in dust/wet
Check clutch operation. Adjust or replace cable.
Check front brake operation, fluid level, and for fluid leakage. Replace brake pads if necessary.Year
Check rear brake operation, fluid level, and for fluid leakage. Replace brake pads if necessary.Year
Check brake hoses for cracks or damage, and for correct routing and clampingYear
Replace brake hoses4 years
Replace brake fluid (Castrol DOT 4) and internal parts of caliper and master cylinders2 years
Check wheels for runout and for damage. Replace if necessary.
Check tire tread depth and for damage. Replace if necessary.Year
Check wheel bearings for looseness or damage.
Check swingarm pivot bearing operation and for excessive play.
Lubricate swingarm pivot bearing with with lithium soap-based grease 50K km / 30K mi
Check chain slack, alignment and condition. Adjust and lubricate chain (Motul chain paste)Every 800 km (500 mi), or after riding in rain/wet
Check steering bearings play and for roughness.
Lubricate steering bearings with lithium-soap based grease
Check steering damper operation and for oil leakage
Check all chassis fitting and fasteners. Correct 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. Apply 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 operation of rear suspension relay arm and connecting arm pivot points.
Change engine oil (Motul 7100 10W-40)Year
Replace oil filter cartridge (HF204RC)
Check coolant level and vehicle for coolant leakage.Year
Change coolant (Valvoline Zerex G05) 3 years
Check front and rear brake switch operationYear
Apply lubricant thoroughly to moving parts and cables (Protect all cable life)Year
Check throttle operation and free play. Adjust the throttle cable free play if necessary. Lubricate the throttle grip housing and cable.Year
Check operation of lights, signals, and switches. Adjust headlight beam.Year
Yamaha R1 (2009-2014) maintenance schedule (Europe/Oceania)

About the 2009-2014 Yamaha R1 “Crossplane”

2009-2011 Yamaha YZF-R1 wheelie on track

The 2009 Yamaha YZF-R1 was the latest in the line of Yamaha R1 motorcycles — liter-class superbikes that had taken things to a new level when Yamaha dropped its first 1998 Yamaha YZF-R1.

This latest generation, the 2009 generation, was all-new again… and this was arguably the biggest update since the first launch of the R1 in 1998.

The 2009 Yamaha R1 brought with it the “Crossplane crank” engine. The crossplane crankshaft is unique in that it delivers an off-beat firing order that is designed to optimise inertia and traction, the engine never being at a standstill. It also means the 2009+ Yamaha R1 (as with the 2015+ Yamaha MT-10/FZ-10) delivers a ferocious sound reminiscent of a V4 engine.

Note that even though the 2009-2014 models often have “Crossplane” on the livery, the same engine design is carried onward to the later generations, too. In simpler terms, all Yamaha R1s from 2009 onward are “crossplane”.

The 2009 Yamaha YZF-R1 is otherwise the same fundamental kind of motorcycle. It’s based on a liquid-cooled 998cc inline four-cylinder engine that has dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder.

The 2009 Crossplane Yamaha R1 model produces 133.9 kW (182 hp) at 12500 rpm, and peak torque of 115.5 Nm (85.2 ft-lb) of torque at 10000 rpm. This is a huge amount of power — so Yamaha introduced sevel-level traction control in the same model in 2012 to help reign it in.

Interestingly, even though the sensor rings are the same as those used in modern ABS systems, Yamaha didn’t introduce ABS until the 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1 6th gen.

The 2009 Crossplane Yamaha R1 already has incredible traction characteristics. The Crossplane crankshaft and ride-by-wire throttle (introduced on the previous gen) both let riders manage the rear wheel more than many other sport bikes, according to the riders.

But the 2012 traction control system improved traction even further, taking rpm, throttle, and gear position data, then combining it with front wheel speed data, to modulate power to the rear wheel.

As far as suspension is concerned, the Yamaha YZF-R1 is packed with a front, fully adjustable 43mm inverted fork and a rear 4-way adjustable single shock. The rear shock is adjustable for both high and low-speed compression damping.

Braking on the 2009 Yamaha R1 is via 310mm discs and Sumitomo six-piston calipers — which were lightened to four-piston calipers in the 2015 model.

Manual for the 2009-2014 Yamaha YZF-R1

The above information was gleaned from the 2009-2014 Yamaha YZF-R1 manuals from both US and Europe. Both are pictured below.

2014 Yamaha YZF-R1 Maintenance schedule screenshot from manual
North America maintenance intervals for Yamaha R1 – every 4,000 mi
European maintenance schedule for the 2009-2014 Yamaha R1
European maintenance intervals – every 10,000 km

You can download the manual for the Yamaha R1 from Yamaha’s website here.

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