Yamaha R1 and R1M 6th Gen (2015+) Simplified Maintenance Schedule

This is the simplified maintenance schedule and service intervals for the 2015+ Yamaha YZF-R1, known among fans as simply the Yamaha R1.

In 2015, Yamaha revamped the iconic Yamaha R1, making it more track-focused.

Like previous generations, the 2015+ Yamaha YZF-R1 is based on a 998cc liquid-cooled inline 4-cylinder engine with DOHC, 16 valves, and a compression ratio of 13.0:1. The 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1 retains the crossplane crank of the previous gen.

With the 2015+ Yamaha R1, the engine was improved with higher power across the powerband and higher peak power (nearly 200 hp!), and a lot more electronics was added — the R1 became the first Japanese superbike to get a full 6-axis IMU with lean angle-aware torque control and ABS.

This Yamaha R1 maintenance schedule applies to the 2015+ Yamaha R1 and R1M. Yes, the R1M is a higher-spec bike, but the maintenance schedule is the same.

If you’re looking for other Yamaha superbikes, check out our full page of resources. There’s some overlap, but there are also a lot of commonalities between the maintenance schedules.

This was originally published on April 1, 2020, but it has since been updated significantly.

This site has links for things like oil and spark plugs from which we earn a commission (which unfortunately nobody can save, not even us). If you appreciate this work, then please use those links. Thanks!

Yamaha YZF-R1 Service Intervals

Like most modern liquid-cooled Yamaha sport motorcycles, service intervals for the Yamaha YZF-R1 are every 4000 miles or 6000 km, or 6 months (or different for Europe / Asia / Oceania-spec bikes).

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

Every two services, Yamaha recommends you change the oil filter and spark plug. And every 26600 miles, Yamaha suggests you inspect the valves of the YZF-R1.

You should also keep the fluids up to date, regularly replacing the brake fluid and the coolant.

The service intervals in Europe for the Yamaha YZF-R1 are a little different. Yamaha Europe recommends 10000 km or 6000 mile service intervals, and 40000 km service intervals for the valves (which is basically the same).

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

Aside from those major items of maintenance, you need to regularly replace the coolant and brake fluid (more often if you’re racing your R1), and also take care of your chain and sprockets.

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 2015+ Yamaha R1

To service the Yamaha R1, you need the right tools and consumables, aside from ordinary motorcycle maintenance tools.

Luckily most tools are pretty standard. But the consumables need to be the right ones.

Here are the recommended consumables for the 2015+ Yamaha R1, according to the manual, mechanics, and enthusiasts.

Part	2015+ Yamaha YZF-R1 spec
Oil	Yamalube 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. Don’t over-torque the bolt — use a torque wrench if you don’t have experience with how much torque is enough. An alternative is another high-grade race-spec 10W-40 or 10W-50 oil, like Motul 300V 10W-40.
Oil filter	Needs 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 HF204RC, a high-quality replacement filter.
Spark Plugs	NGK LMAR9E-J. This is what the manual and mechanics suggest. Make sure it’s gapped correctly (get a gapping tool)
Engine coolant	Yamaha recommends “Yamacool”, but use any 50/50 mixture of ethylene glycol and water. You can either use pre-mix or concentrate. I usually recommend this Valvolene 50/50 ethylene glycol pre-mix.
Air filter	The R1 uses an oil-coated paper element. Either get the stock one (part 2CR144510100 (superseding -0000), or the K&N YA-1015.
Brake pads	Either buy them OEM from Yamaha (they’re hard to buy online), or EBC double-sintered HH (2x part FA380HH for front, FA436HH for rear). R1 owners recommend EBC brakes highly (among other brands). Here are some other brake pads for the Yamaha R1, including race-spec ones.
Brake Fluid	Yamaha recommends DOT-4 brake fluid. Castrol Dot 4 full synthetic is well-regarded.
Chain lubricant	The chain needs to be lubricated every 800 km/500 miles (or more, if it gets wet/dirty), with variations recommended between manufacturers. Motul chain paste is affordable, portable, and high quality.
Cable lubricant	Remember to lubricate your control cables with a cable lubricant. Protect All Cable Life is a good general-purpose lubricant.
Grease	Get a good lithium soap based grease for lubricating major components like your side stand, centre stand, and bearings.

2015+ Yamaha YZF-R1 Maintenance Schedule

Below is the maintenance schedule for the 2015+ Yamaha R1.

Important note: the Europe and US manuals both have miles and kilometers, but they’re different in random ways. Both are included below

Other notes

• At the end of the schedule, continue it in the pattern shown.
• When a distance- and time-based interval are shown, follow the earlier of the two. Note that some items have just distance-based intervals (e.g. valve clearance), and some just have time-based intervals (e.g. brake fluid)
• Yamaha recommends only maintaining the chain, changing the oil, and greasing the major lubrication points yourself, and leaving everything else to the dealer or a mechanic.

Yamaha YZF-R1 6th gen — US maintenance schedule

Below is the maintenance schedule for the Yamaha R1 6th gen (2015+) from the US manual.

mi x 1000	0.6	4	8	12	16	20
km x 1000	1	7	13	19	25	31
Months	1	6	12	18	24	30	Every
Change engine oil (Yamalube 10W-50). Check vehicle for oil leaks.	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Adjust fuel injection synchronization	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Replace oil filter (HF204RC)	✓		✓		✓
Check spark plugs, clean, and re-gap		✓		✓		✓
Replace spark plugs (NGK LMAR9E-J)			✓		✓
Replace air filter (YA-1015) (do not clean with compressed air)					✓		More often if riding in dusty/rain
Check and adjust valve clearance							26600 mi / 42000 km
Change brake fluid (Castrol DOT 4)							2 years
Change rubber parts of brake master cylinder and calipers							2 years
Check radiator coolant level and vehicle for coolant leakage.		✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Change radiator coolant (ethylene glycol-based coolant)							2 years
Check fuel hoses for cracks or damage		✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Replace brake hoses							4 years, or sooner if cracked/damaged
Check front brake operation (including switches), fluid level, for fluid leakage.	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Replace front brake pads as needed (2 pairs EBC FA380HH)	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check rear brake operation including switches), fluid level, and for fluid leakage.	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Replace rear brake pads as needed (EBC FA436HH)	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check muffler screw clamp(s) for looseness	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check the air induction cut-off valve, reed valve, and hose for damage (replace as necessary)		✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check and adjust clutch operation	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check brake hoses for cracks or damage, and for correct routing and clamping		✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check wheels for runout and for damage		✓	✓	✓	✓
Check tires for tread depth and for damage. Replace if necessary.		✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check wheel bearings for looseness or damage		✓	✓	✓	✓
Check swingarm operation and for excessive play.		✓	✓	✓	✓
Moderately repack swingarm bearings with lithium soap-based grease.							32000 mi / 50000 km
Check steering bearing play and steering for roughness	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Lubricate steering bearings (lithium soap-based grease)							16000 mi / 25000 km
Check steering damper for operation and for oil leakage		✓	✓	✓	✓
Make sure that all chassis nuts, bolts and screws are properly tightened.		✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Lubricate brake pedal (silicone grease)		✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Lubricate brake pedal, shift pedal, and clutch lever with lithium soap-based grease		✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check sidestand operation, including of switch. Lubricate with lithium soap-based grease.		✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check fork operation and for oil leaks		✓	✓	✓	✓
Check shock absorber and linkage operation and shock for oil leakage.		✓	✓	✓	✓
Check EXUP system operation, cable free play and pulley position.	✓						12000 mi / 19000 km
Lubricate moving parts and cables (lithium soap-based grease, and Protect all cable life)		✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check and adjust throttle grip free play. Lubricate grip housing (Protect all cable life)		✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check lights, signals, switches, and horn operation.	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Adjust headlight beam.	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓

Yamaha YZF-R1 6th gen — Europe/APAC maintenance schedule

Below is the maintenance schedule for the Yamaha R1 6th gen (2015+) from the Europe / APAC manual. Note the different service intervals in distance (10000 km) and time (many items are annual).

km x 1000	1	10	20	30	40
mi x 1000	0.6	6	12	18	24	Every
Change engine oil (Yamalube 10W-50). Check vehicle for oil leaks.	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Replace oil filter (HF204RC)	✓		✓		✓
Check spark plugs. Adjust gap and clean		✓		✓
Replace spark plugs (NGK LMAR9E-J)			✓		✓
Replace air filter (YA-1015) (do not clean with compressed air)					✓	More often if riding in dusty/rain
Check and adjust valve clearance						40000 km / 24000 mi
Adjust fuel injection synchronization	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Change brake fluid (Castrol DOT 4)						2 years
Change rubber parts of brake master cylinder and calipers						2 years
Check radiator coolant level and vehicle for coolant leakage.		✓	✓	✓	✓
Change radiator coolant (ethylene glycol-based coolant)						3 years
Check fuel hoses for cracks or damage		✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Check brake hoses for cracks or damage, and for correct routing and clamping		✓	✓	✓	✓
Replace brake hoses						4 years, or sooner if cracked/damaged
Check front brake operation (including switches), fluid level, for fluid leakage.	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Replace front brake pads as needed (2 pairs EBC FA380HH)	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Check rear brake operation including switches), fluid level, and for fluid leakage.	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Replace rear brake pads as needed (EBC FA436HH)	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Check exhaust for leakage. Tighten clamps / replace gaskets as necessary	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check the air induction cut-off valve, reed valve, and hose for damage (replace as necessary)		✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Check and adjust clutch operation	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check wheels for runout and for damage		✓	✓	✓	✓
Check tires for tread depth and for damage. Replace if necessary.		✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Check wheel bearings for looseness or damage		✓	✓	✓	✓
Check swingarm operation and for excessive play.		✓	✓	✓	✓
Moderately repack swingarm bearings with lithium soap-based grease.						50000 km / 30000 mi
Check steering bearing play and steering for roughness	✓	✓		✓
Lubricate steering bearings (lithium soap-based grease)			✓		✓
Check steering damper for operation and for oil leakage		✓	✓	✓	✓
Make sure that all chassis nuts, bolts and screws are properly tightened.		✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Lubricate brake pedal (silicone grease)		✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Lubricate brake pedal, shift pedal, and clutch lever with lithium soap-based grease		✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Check sidestand operation, including of switch. Lubricate with lithium soap-based grease.		✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Check fork operation and for oil leaks		✓	✓	✓	✓
Check shock absorber and linkage operation and shock for oil leakage		✓	✓	✓	✓
Check EXUP system operation, cable free play and pulley position	✓		✓		✓
Lubricate moving parts and cables (Protect all cable life)		✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Check and adjust throttle grip free play. Lubricate grip housing (Protect all cable life)		✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Check lights, signals, switches, and horn operation	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Adjust headlight beam	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	Year

Maintaining Your Chain on the Yamaha YZF-R1

It’s important to maintain your chain on the YZF-R1, 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 Target slack: 30-40mm

Naturally, if you track or race your Yamaha YZF-R1, then attend to your chain more often.

The slack of the YZF-R1 is defined as the free movement of the chain in a vertical position. You can have the bike on its kickstand and with no load on it, and in neutral. Check the slack in multiple places.

To adjust the slack, loosen the axle and lock nuts. Tighten or loosen the slack adjusting bolt son both sides (paying attention to the alignment marks, keeping them in equal positions), until the right chain slack is obtained, then tighten it up. The axle is tightened to 150 Nm (108 lb-ft), and the lock nuts to 16 Nm (12 lb-ft).

Tire specs for the Yamaha YZF-R1 (2015+)

The Yamaha R1 ships with street sport tyres, like Bridgestone Battlax Racing Street or Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa tyres.

Below are the factory recommended tyre sizes and pressures. Of course play with the pressures as you best see fit depending on your use case.

Wheel	Tyre (Tire) size	Tyre (Tire) pressure (cold)
Front	120/70 ZR 17 M/C (58W)	2.5 bar / 250 kPa / 36 psi
Rear	190/55 ZR 17 M/C (75W)	2.9 bar / 290 kPa / 42 psi

About the 2015+ Yamaha YZF-R1

The Yamaha YZF-R1 has been one of the top liter bikes since its inception.

Like all former examples of the R1, the 2015+ Yamaha YZF-R1 is a track-focused sports bike with an aggressive riding position, high-power and high-rpm-focused engine, and a chassis that’s optimised for quick cornering.

The YZF-R1 was one of the very early contenders in the Japanese literbike scene, along with the early FireBlades (which weren’t quite literbikes, but nobody was looking at displacement that closely). But a lot has changed since 1998 and the first generation Yamaha YZF-R1.

Along the way, Yamaha has dramatically updated the engine with fuel injection (2002), ride by wire (2007), and rider aids (2012). And since 2015, the Yamaha YZF-R1 has had a six-axis IMU that grants the R1 cornering ABS, and traction control that modulates based on ride characteristics.

The latest generation Yamaha R1 is what it has been for a while — a street-legal MotoGP machine. The 998cc engine makes a claimed 147.1 kW (200 PS / 197 bhp) at the crank, with a huge plateau of torque from around 8000 rpm after the EXUP valve has opened up.

The Yamaha R1 unquestionably a track-focused bike. It would be hard to imagine a place on public roads where you could get the most out of a bike like the Yamaha YZF-R1. But that’s not to say you can’t try — it has lots of torque in its midrange, and mirrors and turn signals, after all.

The IMU gives inputs to the ECU that let it modulate both braking and traction control. So depending on the ride mode, the 2015+ Yamaha YZF-R1 senses when you are doing a wheelie, when the rear wheel is sliding out, or if the rear wheel is spinning, and modulates power and braking accordingly to make sure things don’t go too far sideways.

On the standard Yamaha R1, there are KYB front and rear suspension units with full adjustability. The R1M gets Öhlins electronic racing suspension that automatically adjusts damping characteristics on the fly.

Both the R1 and R1M have 320mm front discs and 4-piston calipers.

Yamaha updated the YZF-R1 slightly in 2020, though it kept the same engine and ride components. The main changes were:

• Revised engine internals (cylinder head, injectors, finger-follower rocker arms, camshaft profiles)
• A new APS with grip ride-by-wire system to eliminate the throttle cable
• A new electronics package, incorporating brake control selection
• R1 (non-M): New KYB fork with revised internal shim stack design, and a revised KYB rear shock
• R1M: Improved suspension internals to the Öhlins electronic racing suspension — new NPS pressurised fork internals, and revised shock internals.
• Redesigned bodywork
• New compact LED headlights
• New brake friction material

Maintaining the Yamaha R1 is much like maintaining former generations, or any superbike. The air filter specification has changed since 2020, but Yamaha retro-actively applied that new part number to former Yamaha YZF-R1 models as well (from 2015 onward).

Maintaining the Yamaha YZF-R1 is similar to other high-end Yamaha sportbikes.

• Every 4000 mi (US) or 10000 km (Europe), change the oil and make a number of other checks.
• Check the spark plugs one service, and change the spark plugs the next.
• Periodically replace fluids and rubber parts (brake fluid, coolant) per a time-based interval.
• Every 26600 mi (US) or 40000 km (Europe / APAC), inspect the valve clearances.

More details are above in the full maintenance schedule.

Screenshots from the Manual for the 2015+ Yamaha R1

The above information was gleaned from the owner’s manual for the Yamaha YZF-R1, downloaded from the Yamaha Motorsports website.

You can see below screenshots from both US and European manuals with the different maintenance schedule specifications.