Yamaha YZF-R3 (2015-2021) — Maintenance Specs

The YZF-R3 is Yamaha's 321 cc twin entry-level sportbike, introduced in 2015 to fight the Kawasaki Ninja 300 and refreshed in 2019 with inverted forks and new styling (2020-2021 carried it over with ABS standard in the US). The 2017 owner's manual - applicable across the 2015-2021 run - shows a modest 2.1 L oil capacity with the filter, conventional NGK CR8E plugs at a 0.7-0.8 mm gap, a light 20 N·m drain bolt and narrow 110/70-17 front rubber at just 29 psi. The 35-45 mm chain slack and 42,000 km valve-check interval mirror Yamaha's bigger bikes. Its small GTZ8V battery is a common winter failure point.

Quick specs

Oil capacity (with filter) 2.1 Lwith oil filter cartridge replacement

Oil capacity (without filter) 1.8 Lwithout oil filter cartridge replacement

Oil type Yamalube (recommended brand), API SG or higher, JASO MA

Oil viscosity SAE 10W-40, 10W-50, 15W-40, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (Yamalube, API SG or higher, JASO MA)

Front tire pressure (solo) 29 psi200 kPa, up to 90 kg load

Rear tire pressure (solo) 36 psi250 kPa, up to 90 kg load

Spark plug NGK CR8Especified spark plug

Spark plug gap 0.7-0.8 mm

Maintenance schedule

Specification	Value	Source
Engine oil & filter	initial 600 mi (1,000 km), then every 4,000 mi (7,000 km) or 6 months	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library)
Valve clearance check	every 26,600 mi (42,000 km)	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library)
Brake fluid change	every 2 years	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library)

Fluids & capacities

Specification	Value	Source
Oil capacity (with filter)	2.1 Lwith oil filter cartridge replacement	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library)
Oil capacity (without filter)	1.8 Lwithout oil filter cartridge replacement	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library)
Oil type	Yamalube (recommended brand), API SG or higher, JASO MA	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library)
Oil viscosity	SAE 10W-40, 10W-50, 15W-40, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (Yamalube, API SG or higher, JASO MA)	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library)
Coolant capacity	0.96 Lradiator incl. all routes, plus 0.25 L reservoir	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library)
Brake fluid type (DOT)	DOT 4	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library)
Fuel capacity	14 L	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library)

Torque specs

Specification	Value	Source
Oil drain plug	20 Nu00b7mengine oil drain bolt	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library)
Spark plug	13 Nu00b7m	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library)

Electrical

Specification	Value	Source
Battery	GTZ8V, 12V 7.0 Ah	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library)
Headlight bulb	12V 55 W x 2	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library)
Spark plug	NGK CR8Especified spark plug	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library)
Spark plug gap	0.7-0.8 mm	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library)

Tires & wheels

Specification	Value	Source
Front tire size	110/70-17M/C (54H)	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library)
Rear tire size	140/70-17M/C (66H)	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library)
Front tire pressure (solo)	29 psi200 kPa, up to 90 kg load	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library)
Rear tire pressure (solo)	36 psi250 kPa, up to 90 kg load	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library)

Official manual

Owner's manual on Yamaha official site

Opens the manufacturer’s official website in a new tab.

Frequently asked questions

How much oil does a Yamaha R3 take?

1.80 L without the filter, 2.10 L (2.22 US qt) with the oil filter cartridge, per the official manual.

What is the R3 tire pressure?

29 psi front (200 kPa) and 36 psi rear (250 kPa) for loads up to 90 kg.

What spark plug does an R3 use?

NGK CR8E with a 0.7-0.8 mm gap, torqued to 13 Nu00b7m.

What battery does an R3 use?

A GTZ8V 12V 7.0 Ah sealed battery.

Sources

Value	Source	Checked
Oil capacity (with filter): 2.1 L	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library) (p. Specifications 9-1; Periodic maintenance 7-x)	2026-11-03
Oil capacity (without filter): 1.8 L	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library) (p. Specifications 9-1; Periodic maintenance 7-x)	2026-11-03
Oil type: Yamalube (recommended brand), API SG or higher, JASO MA	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library) (p. Specifications 9-1 (recommended engine oil))	2026-11-03
Oil viscosity: SAE 10W-40, 10W-50, 15W-40, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (Yamalube, API SG or higher, JASO MA)	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library) (p. Specifications 9-1; Periodic maintenance 7-x)	2026-11-03
Coolant capacity: 0.96 L	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library) (p. Specifications 9-1; Periodic maintenance 7-x)	2026-11-03
Brake fluid type (DOT): DOT 4	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library) (p. Specifications 9-1; Periodic maintenance 7-x)	2026-11-03
Fuel capacity: 14 L	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library) (p. Specifications 9-1; Periodic maintenance 7-x)	2026-11-03
Engine oil & filter: initial 600 mi (1,000 km), then every 4,000 mi (7,000 km) or 6 months	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library) (p. Specifications 9-1; Periodic maintenance 7-x)	2026-11-03
Valve clearance check: every 26,600 mi (42,000 km)	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library) (p. Specifications 9-1; Periodic maintenance 7-x)	2026-11-03
Brake fluid change: every 2 years	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library) (p. Specifications 9-1; Periodic maintenance 7-x)	2026-11-03
Oil drain plug: 20 Nu00b7m	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library) (p. Specifications 9-1; Periodic maintenance 7-x)	2026-11-03
Spark plug: 13 Nu00b7m	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library) (p. Specifications 9-1; Periodic maintenance 7-x)	2026-11-03
Battery: GTZ8V, 12V 7.0 Ah	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library) (p. Specifications 9-1; Periodic maintenance 7-x)	2026-11-03
Headlight bulb: 12V 55 W x 2	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library) (p. Specifications 9-1; Periodic maintenance 7-x)	2026-11-03
Spark plug: NGK CR8E	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library) (p. Specifications 9-1; Periodic maintenance 7-x)	2026-11-03
Spark plug gap: 0.7-0.8 mm	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library) (p. Specifications 9-1; Periodic maintenance 7-x)	2026-11-03
Front tire size: 110/70-17M/C (54H)	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library) (p. Specifications 9-1; Periodic maintenance 7-x)	2026-11-03
Rear tire size: 140/70-17M/C (66H)	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library) (p. Specifications 9-1; Periodic maintenance 7-x)	2026-11-03
Front tire pressure (solo): 29 psi	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library) (p. Specifications 9-1; Periodic maintenance 7-x)	2026-11-03
Rear tire pressure (solo): 36 psi	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library) (p. Specifications 9-1; Periodic maintenance 7-x)	2026-11-03
Chain Slack: 35-45 mm	2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor official library) (p. Specifications 9-1; Periodic maintenance 7-x)	2026-11-03

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