YAMAHA YFZ450 2013 Owner's Guide

4-4
4
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 throttle lever is re-
leased.
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.
EBU18323Speed limiter Your ATV is equipped with an adjustable speed
limiter. The speed limiter keeps the throttle from
fully opening, even when the throttle lever is
pushed to the maximum.
1. Loosen the locknut.
2. To increase the maximum engine power avail- able and the maximum speed of the ATV, turn
the adjusting screw in direction (a). To de-
crease the maximum engine power available
and the maximum speed of the ATV, turn the
adjusting screw in direction (b). Do not turn
the adjusting screw out more than 12 mm
(0.47 in) or the throttle cable could be dam-
aged. Always make sure the throttle lever free
play is adjusted to 2.0–4.0 mm (0.08–0.16 in).
(See page 8-31.) WARNING! Improper ad-
justment of the speed limiter and throttle
could cause throttle cable damage or im-
proper throttle operation. You could lose
control, resulting in an accident.
[EWB00241]
1. Throttle leverU1PD61E0.book Page 4 Tuesday, February 14, 2012 10:06 AM

4-5
43. Tighten the locknut.
EBU18382Clutch lever The clutch lever is located on the left handlebar
and the ignition circuit cut-off system is incorporat-
ed in the clutch lever holder. To disengage the
clutch, pull the clutch lever toward the handlebar
grip. To engage the clutch, release the clutch lever.
The clutch lever should be pulled rapidly and re-
leased slowly for smooth clutch operation. (See
page 6-1 for a description of the ignition circuit cut-
off system.)
EBU18411Brake lever The brake lever is located at the right handlebar
grip. To apply the front brake, pull the brake lever
toward the handlebar grip.
1. Locknut
2. Adjusting screw
3. No more than 12 mm (0.47 in)
3 1
2
(a)(b)
1. Clutch lever
U1PD61E0.book Page 5 Tuesday, February 14, 2012 10:06 AM

4-6
4
EBU18432Brake pedal The brake pedal is located on the right side of the
ATV. To apply the rear brake, push down on the
brake pedal.
EBU18520Parking brake lever Use the parking brake before starting the engine or
parking the ATV, especially on a slope. To apply
the parking brake, move the parking brake lever in
direction (a). To release the parking brake, move
the parking brake lever in direction (b).
1. Brake lever
1
1. Brake pedal
1
U1PD61E0.book Page 6 Tuesday, February 14, 2012 10:06 AM

4-7
4
WARNING
EWB00220●Always set the parking brake before starting
the engine. The ATV could start moving un-
expectedly if the parking brake is not ap-
plied. This could cause loss of control or a
collision.●Always be sure you have released the park-
ing brake before you begin to ride. The brake
could overheat if you ride the ATV without re-
leasing the parking brake. You could lose
braking performance which could cause an
accident. You could also wear out the brakes
prematurely.EBU18530Shift pedal This ATV is equipped with a constant-mesh 5-
speed transmission. The shift pedal is located on
the left side of the engine and is used in combina-
tion with the clutch when shifting.
1. Parking brake lever (locked position)
1. Parking brake lever (unlocked position)U1PD61E0.book Page 7 Tuesday, February 14, 2012 10:06 AM

4-8
4
EBU18720Fuel tank cap Remove the fuel tank cap by turning it counter-
clockwise.
EBU18814Fuel Make sure there is sufficient gasoline in the tank.
WARNING
EWB02521Gasoline and gasoline vapors are extremely
flammable. To avoid fires and explosions and
to reduce the risk of injury when refueling, fol-
low these instructions.1. Before refueling, turn off the engine and besure that no one is sitting on the vehicle. Nev-
er refuel while smoking, or while in the vicinity
1. Shift pedal
1
1. Fuel tank cap
1
U1PD61E0.book Page 8 Tuesday, February 14, 2012 10:06 AM

4-9
4of sparks, open flames, or other sources of ig-
nition such as the pilot lights of water heaters
and clothes dryers.
2. Do not overfill the fuel tank. When refueling, be sure to insert the pump nozzle into the fuel
tank filler hole. Stop filling when the fuel reach-
es the bottom of the filler tube. Because fuel
expands when it heats up, heat from the en-
gine or the sun can cause fuel to spill out of
the fuel tank.
3. Wipe up any spilled fuel immediately.NOTICE: Immediately wipe off spilled fuel
with a clean, dry, soft cloth, since fuel may
deteriorate painted surfaces or plastic
parts.
[ECB00981]
4. Turn the fuel tank cap fully clockwise to make sure it is securely closed.
WARNING
EWB02531Gasoline is poisonous and can cause injury or
death. Handle gasoline with care. Never siphon
gasoline by mouth. If you should swallow
some gasoline or inhale a lot of gasoline vapor,
or get some gasoline in your eyes, see your
1. Maximum fuel level
2. Fuel tank filler tube
Recommended fuel:PREMIUM UNLEADED GASOLINE ONLY
For Europe: PREMIUM UNLEADED GASO-
LINE ONLY with a research octane number
of 97 or higher
Fuel tank capacity: 10.0 L (2.64 US gal, 2.20 Imp.gal)
Fuel reserve amount: 1.9 L (0.50 US gal, 0.42 Imp.gal)
U1PD61E0.book Page 9 Tuesday, February 14, 2012 10:06 AM

4-10
4
doctor immediately. If gasoline spills on your
skin, wash with soap and water. If gasoline
spills on your clothing, change your clothes.
NOTICEECB00070Use only unleaded gasoline. The use of leaded
gasoline will cause severe damage to internal
engine parts, such as the valves and piston
rings, as well as to the exhaust system.Your Yamaha engine has been designed to use
premium unleaded gasoline with a research oc-
tane number of 97 or higher. If knocking (or ping-
ing) occurs, use a gasoline of a different brand.
Use of unleaded fuel will extend spark plug life and
reduce maintenance costs.EBU18820Fuel cock The fuel cock supplies fuel from the tank to the car-
buretor while also filtering it.
The fuel cock lever positions are explained as fol-
lows and shown in the illustrations. OFF
With the fuel cock lever in this position, fuel will not
flow. Always turn the fuel cock lever to this position
when the engine is not running.
1. Arrow mark positioned over “OFF”
1
U1PD61E0.book Page 10 Tuesday, February 14, 2012 10:06 AM

4-11
4ON
With the fuel cock lever in this position, fuel flows
to the carburetor. Turn the fuel cock lever to this
position when starting the engine and riding. RES
This indicates reserve. With the fuel cock lever in
this position, the fuel reserve is made available.
Turn the fuel cock lever to this position if you run
out of fuel while riding. When this occurs, refuel as
soon as possible and be sure to turn the fuel cock
lever back to “ON”!
EBU18840Starter (choke) Starting a cold engine requires a richer air-fuel mix-
ture, which is supplied by the starter (choke).
Move the starter (choke) in direction (a) to turn on
the starter (choke).
1. Arrow mark positioned over “ON”
1
1. Arrow mark positioned over “RES”
1
U1PD61E0.book Page 11 Tuesday, February 14, 2012 10:06 AM

4-12
4
Move the starter (choke) in direction (b) to turn off
the starter (choke).
See the “Starting a cold engine” section on page
6-1 for proper operation.
EBU18892Seat To remove the seat
Insert your hand under the rear fender near the
rear of the seat, pull the seat lock lever and pull up
the seat at the rear. To install the seat
Insert the projections on the front of the seat into
the seat holders and push down on the seat at the
rear. Make sure that the seat is securely fitted.1. Starter (choke)
1(a)
(b)
1. Seat lock lever
1
U1PD61E0.book Page 12 Tuesday, February 14, 2012 10:06 AM

4-13
4
EBU18993Adjusting the front shock absorber as-
semblies The spring preload can be adjusted to suit the rid-
er’s weight and the riding conditions.
WARNING
EWB00400Always adjust the shock absorber assemblies
on the left and right side to the same setting.
Uneven adjustment can cause poor handling
and loss of stability, which could lead to an ac-
cident.
Adjust the spring preload as follows.
Turn the spring preload adjusting ring in direction
(a) to increase the spring preload and thereby
harden the suspension, and in direction (b) to de-
crease the spring preload and thereby soften the
suspension.
Align the appropriate notch in the adjusting ring
with the position indicator on the shock absorber.TIPA special wrench can be obtained at a Yamaha
dealer to make this adjustment.
1. Projection
2. Seat holder
1
2
1. Spring preload adjusting ring
2. Special wrench
3. Position indicator
1 2 3
4 5
(a)
(b) 1
2
3
U1PD61E0.book Page 13 Tuesday, February 14, 2012 10:06 AM