warning YAMAHA YFZ450 2008 Owners Manual

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INTRODUCTION
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Congratulations on your purchase of the Yamaha YFZ450X/YFZ450SPX. This ATV represents the result
of many years of Yamaha experience in the production of fine sporting, touring, and pacesetting racing ma-
chines. With the purchase of this Yamaha, you can now appreciate the high degree of craftsmanship and
reliability that have made Yamaha a leader in these fields.
This manual will provide you with a good basic understanding of the features and operation of this ATV.
This manual includes important safety information. It provides information about special tech-
niques and skills necessary to ride the ATV.
It also includes basic maintenance and inspection proce-
dures. If you have any questions regarding the operation or maintenance of your ATV, please consult a
Yamaha dealer.
AN IMPORTANT SAFETY MESSAGE:


READ THIS MANUAL COMPLETELY BEFORE OPERATING YOUR ATV. MAKE SURE YOU UNDER-
STAND ALL INSTRUCTIONS.

PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE WARNING AND CAUTION LABELS ON THE ATV.

THIS ATV, AND ANY OTHER ATV OVER 90 cc, SHOULD NOT BE RIDDEN BY ANYONE UNDER 16
YEARS OF AGE.

THIS ATV IS A HIGH-PERFORMANCE ATV FOR OFF-ROAD USE ONLY, FOR SPORT-TYPE REC-
REATIONAL AND COMPETITIVE USE BY EXPERIENCED OPERATORS.

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IMPORTANT MANUAL INFORMATION
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FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE WARNINGS CONTAINED IN THIS MANUAL CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS IN-
JURY OR DEATH.
Particularly important information is distinguished in this manual by the following notations:
* Product and specifications are subject to change without notice.
The Safety Alert Symbol means ATTENTION! BECOME ALERT! YOUR
SAFETY IS INVOLVED!
Failure to follow WARNING instructions could result in se
vere injur
y
or death
to the ATV operator, a bystander, or a person inspecting or
repairing the ATV.
A CAUTION indicates special precautions that must be taken to avoid
damage to the ATV.
A NOTE provides key information to make procedures easier or clearer.
WARNING
CAUTION:NOTE:

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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 ............................................... 4-5
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 ............................................................ 5-4
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 a cold engine ................................ 6-1
Starting a warm engine .............................. 6-3
Shifting ....................................................... 6-3
Engine break-in .......................................... 6-5

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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 several
times 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-
cle, be sure it is kept upright and that the fuel

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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 engine
in a closed area. Exhaust fumes are poisonousand may cause loss of consciousness and
death within a short time.

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LOCATION OF THE WARNING AND SPECIFICATION LABELS
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677

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YAMAHA MOTOR CO., LTD.
SHIZUOKA JAPANp
4GB-2155A-00
For Europe
GB
D
E
F
I
NL
P
S
Before you operate this vehicle,
read the owner’s manual.Lesen Sie die Bedienungsanleitung
bevor Sie dieses Fahrzeug fahren.Antes de conducir este vehículo,
lea el Manual del Propietario.
Lire le manuel du propriétaire avantd’utiliser ce véhicule.Prima di usare il veicolo,
leggete il manuale di istruzioni.
Voor het gebruik van dit voertuigde handleiding met aandacht lezen.Antes de utilizar este veículo,
leia o manual do proprietário.
Innan du kör detta fordon,läs handboken.
5FK-21568-00
WARNING
Improper ATV use can result in SEVERE
INJURY or DEATH.ALWAYS USE
NEVER USE
NEVER CARRYNEVER USE
AN APPROVED ON PUBLIC PASSENGERS WITH DRUGS
HELMET AND ROADS
OR ALCOHOL
PROTECTIVE
GEAR
NEVER
operate :
9 without proper training or instruction.9 at speeds too fast for your skills or
the conditions.9 on public roads-a collision can occur
with another vehicle.9 with a passenger-passengers affect balance
and steering and increase risk
of losing control.ALWAYS :9 use proper riding techniques to avoid
vehicle overturns on hills and rough terrainand it turns.9 avoid paved surfaces-pavement mayseriously affect handling and control.LOCATE AND READ OWNER'S MANUAL.
FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS.
5FE-21568-11
For Europe For Oceania
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Use PREMIUM unleaded gasoline with min. 97 octane(RON).
Nur Super Bleifrei mit Mindestoktanzahl 97 (ROZ) tanken.
Utilice gasolina sin plomo que tenga como m’nimo 97 octanos (RON).
Utiliser une essence SUPER sans plomb dÕun indice
dÕoctane (RON) de min. 97.
Utilizzare benzina PREMIUM super senza piombo con almeno 97
ottani (RON).
Gebruik loodvrije SUPERBENZINE met een octaangetal (RON) van
minstens 97.Utilize gasolina sem chumbo com ’ndice de octano m’nimo de 97 (RON).AnvŠnd blyfri PREMIUMBENSIN av 97 oktan (RON) eller mer.
5TG-2415E-00
<
16
5FK-21697-00
WARNINGUNDER16
Operating this ATV if you are under
the age of16increases your chance
of severe injury or death.
NEVERoperate this ATV if you are
under age16.
5FE-21697-01
For EuropeFor Oceania
Use PREMIUM unleaded gasoline with min.
97 octane
(RON
).
5TG-2415E-10
For Oceania For Europe
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5FK-2151H-00
WARNINGNEVER ride as a
passenger.Passengers can causea loss of control,resulting in SEVEREINJURY or DEATH.5FE-2151H-01
5
For Europe For Oceania
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
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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.

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Indicator light and warning light
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Neutral indicator light “”
This indicator light comes on when the transmis-
sion is in the neutral position.
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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 “ ”
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