ABS YAMAHA YFZ450R 2009 Owners Manual

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 lights ............... 4-2
Handlebar switches ................................... 4-3
Throttle lever ............................................. 4-4
Speed limiter ............................................. 4-5
Clutch lever ............................................... 4-6
Brake lever ................................................ 4-6
Brake pedal ............................................... 4-7
Parking brake lever ................................... 4-7
Shift pedal ................................................. 4-8
Fuel tank cap ............................................. 4-8
Fuel ........................................................... 4-9
Seat ......................................................... 4-10Adjusting the front shock absorber
assemblies ............................................. 4-11
Adjusting the rear shock absorber
assembly ................................................4-16
Handlebar position ................................... 4-24
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS ..........................5-1
Pre-operation check list ............................. 5-1
Fuel ............................................................ 5-4
Engine oil ................................................... 5-4
Coolant ...................................................... 5-4
Front and rear brakes ................................ 5-4
Throttle lever .............................................. 5-5
Drive chain ................................................. 5-5
Tires ........................................................... 5-5
Measuring the tire pressure ....................... 5-6
Tire wear limit ............................................ 5-7
Chassis fasteners ...................................... 5-8
Instruments, lights and switches ................ 5-8
OPERATION...................................................6-1
Starting the engine ..................................... 6-1
Shifting ....................................................... 6-2
Engine break-in .......................................... 6-4
Parking ....................................................... 6-4
Parking on a slope ..................................... 6-5

3-1
1
23
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

EBU17680
DESCRIPTION
EBU17690
Left view
EBU17700
Right view
1. Front shock absorber assembly compression damping
force adjusting bolt (for fast compression damping)
2. Front shock absorber assembly compression damping
force adjusting screw (for slow compression damping)
3. Headlights
4. Front shock absorber assembly spring preload adjusting nut
5. Engine oil tank filler cap
6. Tail/brake light
7. Shift pedal
8. Coolant reservoir
9. Front shock absorber assembly rebound damping force
adjusting screw
6
7 8 934 1
5
2

1. Spark arrester
2. Fuse
3. Seat
4. Rear shock absorber assembly spring preload adjusting nut
5. Rear shock absorber assembly compression damping
force adjusting bolt (for fast compression damping)
6. Rear shock absorber assembly compression damping
force adjusting screw (for slow compression damping)
7. Radiator cap
8. Oil filter element
9. Brake pedal
10. Rear shock absorber assembly rebound damping force
adjusting screw
7
8 9 10 1
2
3
4
5
6

4-11
1
2
34
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
TIP

Make sure that the seat is securely fitted.
EBU29301
Adjusting the front shock absorber
assemblies
These shock absorber assemblies are equipped
with a spring preload adjusting nut, a rebound
damping force adjusting screw, with a compres-
sion damping force adjusting bolt (for fast com-
pression damping), and a compression damping
force adjusting screw (for slow compression damp-ing).
WARNING

EWB00410
These shock absorber assemblies contain
highly pressurized nitrogen gas. Read and un-
derstand the following information before han-
dling the shock absorber assemblies.

Do not tamper with or attempt to open the
cylinder assemblies.

Do not subject the shock absorber assem-
blies to an open flame or other high heat
source. This may cause the unit to explode
due to excessive gas pressure.

Do not deform or damage the cylinders in
any way. Cylinder damage will result in poor
damping performance.

Do not dispose of a damaged or worn out
shock absorber assembly yourself. Take the
shock absorber assembly to a Yamaha deal-
er for any service.
Spring preload
1. Loosen the locknut.
2. Turn the adjusting nut in direction (a) to in-
crease the spring preload and thereby harden
the suspension, and in direction (b) to de-
1. Projection
2. Seat holder
1
2

4-14
1
2
34
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

Compression damping force
Compression damping force (for fast compression
damping)To increase the compression damping force and
thereby harden the compression damping, turn the
adjusting bolt in direction (a). To decrease the
compression damping force and thereby soften
the compression damping, turn the adjusting bolt
in direction (b).
TIP
Make sure that the position indicator marks are
aligned when the shock absorber assembly is set
to the standard setting.
Compression damping force (for slow compres-sion damping)To increase the compression damping force and
thereby harden the compression damping, turn the
adjusting screw in direction (a). To decrease the
compression damping force and thereby soften
the compression damping, turn the adjusting
screw in direction (b).
1. Compression damping force adjusting bolt (for fast com-
pression damping)
2. Position indicator marks
(a)
(b)
1
1
2

Compression damping setting (for fast com-
pression damping):
Minimum (soft):
2 turn(s) out from the fully turned in position
Standard:
1 turn(s) out from the fully turned in position
Maximum (hard):
Fully turned in

4-15
1
2
34
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
NOTICE

ECB00090
Never turn an adjusting mechanism beyond
the minimum and maximum settings.
TIP
Although the total number of clicks of a damping
force adjusting mechanism may not exactly match
the above specifications due to small differences in
production, the actual number of clicks always rep-
resents the entire adjusting range. To obtain a pre-
cise adjustment, it would be advisable to check the
number of clicks of each damping force adjusting
mechanism and to modify the specifications as
necessary.
WARNING

EWB02490

Suspension components become hot during
operation. Never touch the compression
damping force adjusting bolt and screw, the
rebound damping force adjusting screw or
the oil reservoir with your bare hand or skin
until suspension components have cooled.

Always adjust the shock absorber assem-
blies on the left and right side to the same
setting.
1. Compression damping force adjusting screw (for slow
compression damping)
Compression damping setting (for slow com-
pression damping):
Minimum (soft):
18 click(s) in direction (b)*
Standard:
10 click(s) in direction (b)*
Maximum (hard):
1 click(s) in direction (b)*
* With the adjusting screw fully turned in di-
rection (a)
(a)
(b)
1

4-16
1
2
34
5
6
7
8
9
10
11


Uneven adjustment can cause poor handling
and loss of stability, which could lead to an
accident.
EBU29522
Adjusting the rear shock absorber
assembly
This shock absorber assembly is equipped with a
spring preload adjusting nut, a rebound damping
force adjusting screw, with a compression damp-
ing force adjusting bolt (for fast compression
damping), and a compression damping force ad-
justing screw (for slow compression damping).
WARNING

EWB00430
This shock absorber assembly contains highly
pressurized nitrogen gas. Read and under-
stand the following information before han-
dling the shock absorber assembly.

Do not tamper with or attempt to open the
cylinder assembly.

Do not subject the shock absorber assembly
to an open flame or other high heat source.
This may cause the unit to explode due to ex-
cessive gas pressure.

Do not deform or damage the cylinder in anyway. Cylinder damage will result in poor
damping performance.

Do not dispose of a damaged or worn out
shock absorber assembly yourself. Take the
shock absorber assembly to a Yamaha deal-
er for any service.
Spring preload
1. Remove panel C. (See page 8-8.)
2. Loosen the clamp screw at the throttle body
side, and then disconnect the air intake duct
from the throttle body.
3. Disconnect the coupler.
1. Clamp screw
1

4-22
1
2
34
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
TIP

Make sure that the position indicator marks are
aligned when the shock absorber assembly is set
to the standard setting.
Compression damping force
Panels A and D need to be removed to make this
adjustment. (See page 8-8.)
Compression damping force (for fast compression
damping)To increase the compression damping force and
thereby harden the compression damping, turn the
adjusting bolt in direction (a). To decrease the
compression damping force and thereby soften
the compression damping, turn the adjusting bolt
in direction (b).

1. Compression damping force adjusting bolt (for fast com-
pression damping)
2. Position indicator marks
Compression damping setting (for fast com-
pression damping):
Minimum (soft):
2 turn(s) out from the fully turned in position
Standard:
1 turn(s) out from the fully turned in position
Maximum (hard):
Adjusting bolt fully turned in
1
2(a) (b)1

4-23
1
2
34
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

Compression damping force (for slow compres-
sion damping)To increase the compression damping force and
thereby harden the compression damping, turn the
adjusting screw in direction (a). To decrease the
compression damping force and thereby soften
the compression damping, turn the adjusting
screw in direction (b).
NOTICE

ECB00090
Never turn an adjusting mechanism beyond
the minimum and maximum settings.TIP

Make sure that the position indicator marks are
aligned when the shock absorber assembly is
set to the standard setting(s).

Although the total number of clicks of a damping
force adjusting mechanism may not exactly
match the above specifications due to small dif-
ferences in production, the actual number of
clicks always represents the entire adjusting
range. To obtain a precise adjustment, it would
1. Compression damping force adjusting screw (for slow
compression damping)
(a)
(b) 1

Compression damping setting (for slow com-
pression damping):
Minimum (soft):
18 click(s) in direction (b)*
Standard:
8 click(s) in direction (b)*
Maximum (hard):
1 click(s) in direction (b)*
* With the adjusting screw fully turned in di-
rection (a)

8-5
1
2
3
4
5
6
78
9
10
11

10
*
Swingarm pivots

Check operation and for excessive play, and
replace bearings if necessary.

Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease.
√√√
11
*
Upper and lower
arm pivots


Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease.
√√√
12 Drive chain

Check chain slack and adjust if necessary.

Check rear wheel alignment and correct if neces-
sary.

Clean and lubricate.
√√√√√
13
*
Drive chain rollers


Check for wear and replace if necessary.
√√√
14
*
Chassis fasteners


Make sure that all nuts, bolts, and screws are
properly tightened.
√√√√√
15
*
Shock absorber
assemblies


Check operation and correct if necessary.

Check for oil leakage and replace if necessary.
√√√
16
*
Rear suspension
relay arm and con-
necting arm pivot-
ing points


Check operation and correct if necessary.
√√√√
17
*
Steering shaft


Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease.
√√√
18
*
Steering system


Check operation and repair or replace if damaged.

Check toe-in and adjust if necessary.
√√√√√
19
*
Engine mount


Check for cracks or other damage, and replace if
necessary.
√√√
NO. ITEMCHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOBINITIAL EVERY
Whichev-
er comes
firstmonth 1 3 6 6 12
km
(mi)320
(200)1300
(800)2500
(1600)2500
(1600)5000
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320

9-1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
89
10
11

EBU25860
CLEANING AND STORAGE
EBU25900
Cleaning
Frequent, thorough cleaning of your ATV will not
only enhance its appearance but will improve its
general performance and extend the useful life of
many components.
1. Before cleaning the ATV:
a. Block off the end of the exhaust pipe to
prevent water entry. A plastic bag and
strong rubber band may be used.
b. Make sure the spark plug and all filler caps
are properly installed.
2. If the engine case is excessively greasy, apply
degreaser with a paint brush. Do not apply de-
greaser to the chain, sprockets or wheel ax-
les.
3. Rinse the dirt and degreaser off with a garden
hose. Use only enough pressure to do the job.
NOTICE

ECB00710
Excessive water pressure may cause water
seepage and deterioration of wheel bearings,
brakes, transmission seals and electrical de-
vices. Many expensive repair bills have result-ed from improper high-pressure detergent
applications such as those available in coin-
operated car washers.
4. Once most of the dirt has been hosed off,
wash all surfaces with warm water and mild,
detergent-type soap. An old toothbrush or bot-
tle brush is handy for hard-to-reach places.
5. Rinse the ATV off immediately with clean wa-
ter and dry all surfaces with a chamois, clean
towel or soft absorbing cloth.
6. Dry the chain and lubricate it to prevent it from
rusting.
7. Clean the seat with a vinyl upholstery cleaner
to keep the cover pliable and glossy.
8. Automotive type wax may be applied to all
painted and chrome plated surfaces. Avoid
combination cleaner-waxes. Many contain
abrasives which may mar the paint or protec-
tive finish. When finished cleaning, start the
engine and let it idle for several minutes.
WARNING

EWB02310
Wet brakes may have reduced stopping ability,