weight YAMAHA YFZ450 2005 Owners Manual

2-7

Never operate on excessively rough, slippery
or loose terrain until you have learned and
practiced the skills necessary to control the
ATV on such terrain. Always be especially cau-
tious on these kinds of terrain.


Always follow proper procedures for turning as
described in this manual. Practice turning at
low speeds before attempting to turn at faster
speeds. Do not turn at excessive speed.


Never operate the ATV on hills too steep for the
ATV or for your abilities. Practice on smaller
hills before attempting larger hills.


Always follow proper procedures for climbing
hills as described in this manual. Check the ter-
rain carefully before you start up any hill. Never
climb hills with excessively slippery or loose
surfaces. Shift your weight forward. Never
open the throttle suddenly or make sudden
gear changes. Never go over the top of a hill at
high speed.
U5TG61.book Page 7 Friday, April 2, 2004 11:28 AM

2-9

Always follow proper procedures for going
down hills and for braking on hills as described
in this manual. Check the terrain carefully be-
fore you start down any hill. Shift your weight
backward. Never go down a hill at high speed.
Avoid going down a hill at an angle that would
cause the vehicle to lean sharply to one side.
Go straight down the hill where possible.


Always follow proper procedures for crossing
the side of a hill as described in this manual.
Avoid hills with excessively slippery or loose
surfaces. Shift your weight to the uphill side of
the ATV. Never attempt to turn the ATV around
on any hill until you have mastered the turning
technique described in this manual on level
ground. Avoid crossing the side of a steep hill if
possible.
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4-29
EBU14082
Front shock absorber adjustment
The spring preload, rebound damping and com-
pression damping forces of the front shock ab-
sorbers can be adjusted to suit the rider’s weight
and the riding conditions.
WARNING
_ These shock absorbers contain highly pres-
surized nitrogen gas. Read and understand the
following information before handling the
shock absorbers.

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


Do not subject the shock absorbers 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 cylinders in
any way. Cylinder damage will result in
poor damping performance.


Take the shock absorbers to a Yamaha
dealer for any service.
_
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4-39
EBU14102
Rear shock absorber adjustment
The spring preload, rebound damping and com-
pression damping forces of the rear shock absorb-
er can be adjusted to suit the rider’s weight and the
riding conditions.
WARNING
_ This shock absorber contains highly pressur-
ized nitrogen gas. Read and understand the
following information before handling the
shock absorber.

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


Do not subject the shock absorber 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
any way. Cylinder damage will result in
poor damping performance.


Take the shock absorber to a Yamaha deal-
er for any service.
_
U5TG61.book Page 39 Friday, April 2, 2004 11:28 AM

6-33

Never exceed the weight limits shown. An
overloaded ATV can be unstable.


Load cargo on the carriers as close to the cen-
ter of the vehicle as possible. Put cargo at the
rear of the front carrier and at the front of the
rear carrier. Center the load from side to side.


Tie down cargo securely to the carriers. Make
sure cargo in the trailer cannot move around. A
shifting load can cause an accident.


Make sure the load does not interfere with con-
trols or your ability to see where you are going. MAXIMUM LOADING LIMIT
Vehicle loading limit (total weight of rider,
cargo and accessories):
100 kg
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6-35

Ride more slowly than you would without a
load. The more weight you carry, the slower
you should go. Although conditions vary, it is
good practice not to exceed 2nd gear whenev-
er you are carrying heavier loads or when tow-
ing a trailer.


Allow more braking distance. A heavier vehicle
takes longer to stop.


Avoid making sharp turns unless at very slow
speeds.


Avoid hills and rough terrain. Choose terrain
carefully. Added weight affects the stability and
handling of the ATV.WARNING
_ Never exceed the stated load capacity for this
ATV. Overloading this ATV or carrying or tow-
ing cargo improperly could cause changes in
vehicle handling which could lead to an acci-
dent. Cargo should be properly distributed and
securely attached. Reduce speed when carry-
ing cargo or pulling a trailer. Allow greater dis-
tance for braking. _
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7-19
WARNING
_

Never exceed the stated load capacity for
this ATV.


Cargo should be properly distributed and
securely attached.


Reduce speed when carrying cargo or pull-
ing a trailer. Allow greater distance for
braking.


Always follow the instructions in your
Owner’s Manual for carrying cargo or pull-
ing a trailer.
_
MAXIMUM LOADING LIMIT
Vehicle loading limit (total weight of rider,
cargo and accessories):
100 kg
U5TG61.book Page 19 Friday, April 2, 2004 11:28 AM

7-43 1. Lean towards inside of turn.
2. Support your weight on the outer footboard.
1. Se pencher vers l’intérieur du virage.
2. S’appuyer sur le repose- pied extérieur.
1. Inclínese hacia el interior del giro.
2. Descanse su peso en el descansapie exterior.
As you approach a curve, slow down and begin to
turn the handlebars in the desired direction. As
you do so, put your weight on the footboard to the
outside of the turn (opposite your desired direc-
tion) and lean your upper body into the turn. Use
the throttle to maintain an even speed through the
turn. This maneuver will let the wheel on the inside
of the turn slip slightly, allowing the ATV to make
the turn properly.
This procedure should be practiced at slow speed
many times in a large off-road area with no obsta-
cles. If an incorrect technique is used, your ATV
may continue to go straight. If the ATV doesn’t
turn, come to a stop and then practice the proce-
dure again. If the riding surface is slippery or loose,
it may help to position more of your weight over the
front wheels by moving forward on the seat. Once
you have learned this technique you should be
able to perform it at higher speeds or in tighter
curves.
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7-49
It is important when climbing a hill to make sure
that your weight is transferred forward on the ATV.
This can be accomplished by leaning forward and,
on steeper inclines, standing on the footboards
and leaning forward over the handlebars.
WARNING
_

Always follow proper procedures for
climbing hills as described in this Owner’s
Manual.


Always check the terrain carefully before
you start up any hill.


Never climb hills with excessively slippery
or loose surfaces.


Shift your weight forward.


Never open the throttle suddenly or make
sudden gear changes. The ATV could flip
over backwards.


Never go over the top of any hill at high
speed. An obstacle, a sharp drop, or anoth-
er vehicle or person could be on the other
side of the hill.
_
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7-51
If you are climbing a hill and you find that you have
not properly judged your ability to make it to the
top, you should turn the ATV around while you still
have forward motion (provided you have the room
to do so) and go down the hill.
WARNING
_ Never attempt to turn the ATV around on any
hill until you have mastered the turning tech-
nique as described in the Owner’s Manual on
level ground. Be very careful when turning on
any hill.
Avoid crossing the side of a steep hill if possi-
ble.
When crossing the side of a hill:

Always follow proper procedures as de-
scribed in the Owner’s Manual.


Avoid hills with excessively slippery or
loose surfaces.


Shift your weight to the uphill side of the
ATV.
_
U5TG61.book Page 51 Friday, April 2, 2004 11:28 AM