engine YAMAHA YFZ450 2009 Owners Manual

EBU29120
Read this manual carefully before operating this vehicle. This manual should stay with this ve-
hicle if it is sold.
EC Declaration of Conformityconforming to Directive
98/37/EC
(
Make, model)
to which this declaration applies, conforms to the essential health
and safety requirements of Directive 98
/37/EC,
and to the other relevant Directives of EEC
89/336/EEC or 2004
/108/EC
(
Title and
/or number and date of issue of the other Directives of EEC)
(
If applicable)
(
If applicable)To e
ffect correct
application
of the
essential
health
and safety
requirements
stated in the Directives of EEC, the
following-standards and
/or technical
specifications were consulted:
EN292 ANSI
/SVIA 1-2007
(
Title and
/or number and date of issue of standards and
/or specifications)
General Manager
RV Engineering Division
RV Company Signature
Date of Issue
Shinya Shimada2 March, 2008
YAMAHA MOTOR EUROPE N.V.
Koolhovenlaan 101, 1119NC Schiphol-Rijk, The Netherlands
We, YAMAHA MOTOR CO., LTD. 2500 Shingai, Iwata, Japan,
Authorized Representativedeclare in sole responsibility, that the product
YFZ450 (
JY4AJ20W080008601
~ )

EBU17420
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SAFETY INFORMATION .............................. 1-1
LOCATION OF THE WARNING AND
SPECIFICATION LABELS ............................ 2-1
DESCRIPTION .............................................. 3-1
Left view ..................................................... 3-1
Right view................................................... 3-1
Controls and instruments ........................... 3-2
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL
FUNCTIONS .................................................. 4-1
Main switch ............................................... 4-1
Indicator light and warning light ................. 4-1
Handlebar switches ................................... 4-2
Throttle lever ............................................. 4-3
Speed limiter ............................................. 4-4
Clutch lever ............................................... 4-5
Brake lever ................................................ 4-5
Brake pedal ............................................... 4-6
Parking brake lever ................................... 4-6
Shift pedal ................................................. 4-7
Fuel tank cap ............................................. 4-7
Fuel ........................................................... 4-8
Fuel cock ................................................... 4-9Starter (choke) “ ” ................................. 4-10
Seat ......................................................... 4-11
Adjusting the front shock absorber
assemblies ............................................. 4-12
Adjusting the rear shock absorber
assembly ................................................ 4-17
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS ..........................5-1
Pre-operation check list ............................. 5-1
Fuel ............................................................ 5-3
Engine oil ................................................... 5-3
Coolant ...................................................... 5-3
Front and rear brakes ................................ 5-3
Throttle lever .............................................. 5-4
Drive chain ................................................. 5-4
Tires ........................................................... 5-4
Measuring the tire pressure ....................... 5-5
Tire wear limit ............................................ 5-6
Chassis fasteners ...................................... 5-7
Instruments, lights and switches ................ 5-7
OPERATION...................................................6-1
Starting a cold engine ................................ 6-1
Starting a warm engine .............................. 6-3
Shifting ....................................................... 6-3
Engine break-in .......................................... 6-5

Parking ...................................................... 6-5
Parking on a slope .................................... 6-6
Accessories and loading ........................... 6-6
RIDING YOUR ATV ...................................... 7-1
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR ATV.............. 7-2
RIDE WITH CARE AND GOOD
JUDGEMENT ........................................... 7-2
BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU RIDE ............ 7-8
TURNING YOUR ATV ............................. 7-12
CLIMBING UPHILL .................................. 7-14
RIDING DOWNHILL................................. 7-16
CROSSING A SLOPE.............................. 7-17
CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW
WATER .................................................. 7-18
RIDING OVER ROUGH TERRAIN .......... 7-20
SLIDING AND SKIDDING ........................ 7-20
WHAT TO DO IF... ................................... 7-21
WHAT TO DO... ....................................... 7-21
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR
REPAIR .......................................................... 8-1
Owner’s manual and tool kit ...................... 8-1
Periodic maintenance chart for the
emission control system .......................... 8-3
General maintenance and lubrication
chart ........................................................ 8-5
Removing and installing the panel ............ 8-9
Checking the spark plug .......................... 8-10Engine oil and oil filter element ................ 8-14
Coolant .................................................... 8-20
Cleaning the air filter element .................. 8-24
Cleaning the spark arrester ..................... 8-28
Adjusting the carburetor ........................... 8-29
Checking the engine idling speed ............ 8-30
Adjusting the throttle cable free play ........ 8-30
Valve clearance ....................................... 8-31
Checking the front and rear brake
pads ....................................................... 8-31
Checking the brake fluid level .................. 8-32
Changing the brake fluid .......................... 8-35
Checking the front brake lever free
play ........................................................ 8-36
Checking the brake pedal position ........... 8-36
Adjusting the parking brake free play ...... 8-37
Brake light switches ................................. 8-39
Adjusting the clutch lever free play .......... 8-39
Drive chain slack ...................................... 8-41
Lubricating the drive chain ....................... 8-43
Checking and lubricating the cables ........ 8-43
Checking and lubricating the brake and
clutch levers ........................................... 8-44
Checking and lubricating the brake and
shift pedals ............................................. 8-45
Checking the wheel hub bearings ............ 8-45
Lubricating the swingarm pivots .............. 8-45
Lubricating the upper and lower arm
pivots ..................................................... 8-46

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EBU17430
SAFETY INFORMATION

SAFETY INFORMATION

EBU17592
AN ATV IS NOT A TOY AND CAN BE HAZARD-
OUS TO OPERATE.

An ATV handles differently from other vehicles, in-
cluding motorcycles and cars. A collision or roll-
over can occur quickly, even during routine
maneuvers such as turning and riding on hills or
over obstacles, if you fail to take proper precau-
tions.
SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH can result if you do
not follow these instructions:

Read this manual and all labels carefully and fol-
low the operating procedures described.

Never operate an ATV without proper training or
instruction.

Always follow the age recommendation:
– A child under 16 years old should never oper-
ate an ATV with engine size greater than 90 cc.

Never allow a child under age 16 to operate an
ATV without adult supervision, and never allowcontinued use of an ATV by a child if he or she
does not have the abilities to operate it safely.

Never carry a passenger on an ATV.

Always avoid operating an ATV on any paved
surfaces, including sidewalks, driveways, park-
ing lots and paved streets.

Never operate an ATV on any paved street,
paved road or motorway.

Watch carefully for other vehicles when operat-
ing on unpaved public streets or roads. Make
sure you know your country’s laws and regula-
tions before you ride on unpaved public streets
or roads.

Never operate an ATV without wearing an ap-
proved motorcycle helmet that fits properly. You
should also wear eye protection (goggles or face
shield), gloves, boots, a long-sleeved shirt or a
jacket, and long pants.

Never consume alcohol or drugs before or while
operating this ATV.

Never operate at speeds too fast for your skills

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backwards when climbing a hill. To avoid stall-
ing, use the proper gear and maintain a steady
speed when climbing a hill. If you stall or roll
backwards, follow the special procedure for
braking described in this manual. Dismount on
the uphill side or to a side if pointed straight up-
hill. Turn the ATV around and remount, following
the procedure described in this manual.

Always check for obstacles before operating in a
new area.

Never attempt to operate over large obstacles,
such as large rocks or fallen trees. Always follow
proper procedures when operating over obsta-
cles as described in this manual.

Always be careful when skidding or sliding.
Learn to safely control skidding or sliding by
practicing at low speeds and on level, smooth
terrain. On extremely slippery surfaces, such as
ice, go slowly and be very cautious in order to re-
duce the chance of skidding or sliding out of con-
trol.

Never operate an ATV in fast flowing water or in
water deeper than that recommended in this
manual. Remember that wet brakes may have
reduced stopping ability. Test your brakes after
leaving water. If necessary, apply them severaltimes to let friction dry out the linings.

Always use the size and type of tires specified in
this manual.

Always maintain proper tire pressure as de-
scribed in this manual.

Never modify an ATV through improper installa-
tion or use of accessories.

Never exceed the stated load capacity for an
ATV. Cargo should be properly distributed and
securely attached. Reduce speed and follow in-
structions in this manual for carrying cargo or
pulling a trailer. Allow greater distance for brak-
ing.
WARNING

EWB00061

Always turn off the engine when refueling.

Do not refuel right after the engine has been
running and is still very hot.

Do not spill gasoline on the engine or ex-
haust pipe/muffler when refueling. Never re-
fuel while smoking, or in the vicinity of
sparks, open flames, or other sources of ig-
nition such as the pilot lights of water heat-
ers and clothes dryers. Gasoline can catch
fire and you could be burned.

When transporting the ATV in another vehi-

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cle, be sure it is kept upright and that the fuel
cock is in the “OFF” position. Otherwise, fuel
may leak out of the carburetor or fuel tank.

Gasoline is poisonous. If you should swal-
low some gasoline or inhale a lot of gasoline
vapor, or get some gasoline in your eyes,
seek medical help immediately. If gasoline
spills on your skin, wash with soap and wa-
ter. If gasoline spills on your clothing,
change your clothes.
WARNING

EWB00070
Always operate your ATV in an area with ade-
quate ventilation. Never start or run the enginein a closed area. Exhaust fumes are poisonous
and may cause loss of consciousness and
death within a short time.

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EBU17680
DESCRIPTION
EBU17690
Left view
EBU17700
Right view
1. Headlights
2. Fuel cock
3. Starter (choke)
4. Throttle stop screw
5. Fuse
6. Tail/brake light
7. Coolant reservoir
8. Shift pedal
9. Engine oil tank
1
23456
7
8
9

1. Spark arrester
2. Seat
3. Fuel tank cap
4. Radiator cap
5. Oil filter element
6. Brake pedal
1
2
3
4
5 6

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EBU17732
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
EBU17740
Main switch
The positions of the main switch are as follows:
ON
All electrical systems are supplied with power, and
the engine can be started. The key cannot be re-
moved.
OFF
All electrical systems are off. The key can be re-
moved.

EBU17803
Indicator light and warning light
EBU17860
Neutral indicator light “”
This indicator light comes on when the transmis-
sion is in the neutral position.
EBU17930
Coolant temperature warning light “”
This warning light comes on when the engine over-
1. Main switch
OFF ON
1

1. Neutral indicator light “N”
2. Coolant temperature warning light “”
12

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heats. When this occurs during operation, stop the
engine as soon as it is safe to do so and allow it to
cool down for about 10 minutes.
The electrical circuit of the warning light can be
checked according to the following procedure.
1. Set the engine stop switch to “” and turn the
key to “ON”.
2. Shift the transmission into the neutral position
or pull the clutch lever.
3. Push the start switch. If the warning light does
not come on while the start switch is pushed,
have a Yamaha dealer check the electrical cir-
cuit.
NOTICE

ECB00010

The engine may overheat if the ATV is over-
loaded. In this case, reduce the load to spec-
ification.

Start the engine after making sure that the
warning light is out. Continuous use while
the warning light is on may cause damage to
the engine.
EBU18061
Handlebar switches
EBU18080
Engine stop switch “/”
Set this switch to “” before starting the engine.
The engine stop switch controls the ignition and
stops the engine when it is running. Use this switch
to stop the engine in an emergency situation. The
engine will not start or run when this switch is set
to “”.
1. Light switch “/ /OFF”
2. Engine stop switch “/”
3. Start switch “”
1
2
3

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EBU18100
Start switch “”
Push this switch to crank the engine with the start-
er.
NOTICE

ECB00050
See the starting instructions on page 6-1 prior
to starting the engine.
EBU18151
Light switch “/ /OFF”
Set this switch to “” to turn on the low beams
and the taillight. Set the switch to “” to turn on
the high beams and the taillight. Set the switch to
“OFF” to turn off all the lights.
NOTICE

ECB00040
Do not use the headlights with the engine
turned off for an extended period of time, oth-
erwise the battery may discharge to the point
that the starter motor will not operate properly.
If this should happen, remove the battery and
recharge it.
EBU18280
Throttle lever
Once the engine is running, movement of the throt-tle lever will increase the engine speed.
Regulate the speed of the ATV by varying the
throttle position. Because the throttle is spring-
loaded, the ATV will decelerate, and the engine will
return to an idle any time the hand is removed from
the throttle lever.
Before starting the engine, check the throttle to be
sure it is operating smoothly. Make sure it returns
to the idle position as soon as the lever is released.
WARNING

EWB00250
Malfunction of the throttle could make it diffi-
cult to speed up or slow down when you need
1. Throttle lever