XJ550 Clymer manual error for coils check?

I don't know if this has ever been pointed out, or if I am just totally off base here. But doesn't the Clymer manual state an incorrect method for checking coils? I have Clymer manaul #M387 for the FJ600, XJ550 & XJ600 1981- 1992.

In the ignition section it shows diagrams for checking coils. The first one shows the leads of your meter being connected between the two wires that make up the connector. That is fine and I get approximately a 3 reading on the meter. But then it shows one lead going to one of the wires on the connector, and the other going to one of the spark plug wires. When I do this, I get no reading between either connector wire to either spark plug wire. Based on this, I bought new coils and when I checked out the new ones they read the same. Then I got the bright idea to check the resistance between the two spark plug wires themselves, and that is where I am getting the approximately 12K ohms reading. This looks like the proper secondary resistance reading.

So what gives? I bought new coils because the old ones "checked bad" according to the book. But the new ones read almost the same in all aspects and I doubt they are bad. The new ones were manufactured in late 2006 and the wires have a 2007 date on them.

By the way. The text also tells you to check the coils as described in the pictures, so it isn't just a matter of bad drawings.