light YAMAHA YFZ450R 2009 User Guide

5-8
1
2
3
45
6
7
8
9
10
11

EBU19840
Chassis fasteners
Make sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are prop-
erly tightened.
EBU19850
Instruments, lights and switches
Check that all instruments, lights and switches are
working properly. Correct if necessary.
1. Tire wear limit

6-1
1
2
3
4
56
7
8
9
10
11

EBU19880
OPERATION
EBU19900
Read the Owner’s Manual carefully before riding
the ATV.
WARNING

EWB00630
Read the Owner’s Manual carefully to become
familiar with all controls in order to help pre-
vent any loss of control, which could cause an
accident or injury. If there is a control or func-
tion you do not understand, ask your Yamaha
dealer.
EBU29482
Starting the engine
WARNING

EWB00640
Always make sure all control cables work
smoothly before you begin riding in cold
weather. If the control cables are frozen or do
not work smoothly, you could be unable to
control the ATV, which could lead to an acci-
dent or collision.NOTICE
ECB00150
See the “Engine break-in” section on page 6-4
prior to operating the engine for the first time.
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the key to “ON” and the engine stop
switch to “ ”.
NOTICE

ECB00950
The coolant temperature warning light, fuel
level warning light and engine trouble warning
light should come on, then go off.
If a warning light does not go off, see page 4-2
for the corresponding warning light circuit
check.
3. Shift the transmission into neutral. The neutral
indicator light should come on, if it does not
come on, have a Yamaha dealer check the
electrical circuit.
TIP

This model is equipped with an ignition circuit cut-
off system. The engine can be started under the

6-2
1
2
3
4
56
7
8
9
10
11

following conditions.

The transmission is in neutral.

The clutch is disengaged with the transmission
in gear. However, it is recommended to shift into
neutral before starting the engine.
4. Completely close the throttle lever and start
the engine by pushing the start switch.
TIP

If the engine fails to start, release the start switch,
then push it again. Pause a few seconds before
the next attempt. Each cranking should be as short
as possible to preserve battery energy. Do not
crank the engine more than 10 seconds on each
attempt.
NOTICE

ECB00161
For maximum engine life, never accelerate
hard when the engine is cold!
EBU20520
Shifting
This ATV has a 5-speed forward transmission. The
transmission allows you to control the amount of
power you have available at a given speed or for
starting, accelerating, climbing hills, etc.To shift into neutral, return the throttle lever to the
closed position, apply the clutch, and then repeat-
edly depress the shift pedal until it stops.
When it stops, it will be in first gear. Raise the pedal
slightly to reach the neutral position.
EBU20590
To start out and accelerate
1. Release the throttle lever, and then release
the parking brake.
NOTICE

ECB00200
Always close the throttle before shifting gears,
1. Shift pedal
2. Neutral position
1 22 3
4 5
N1

7-13
1
2
3
4
5
67
8
9
10
11

used to allow the ATV to make turns quickly and
easily. It is essential that this skill be learned first at
low speed.
WARNING

EWB01570
Always follow proper procedures for turning
as described in this Owner’s Manual. Practice
turning at low speeds before attempting to turn
at faster speeds. Do not turn at speeds too fast
for your skills or the conditions.
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 out-
side of the turn (opposite your desired direction)
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 unpaved 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
1. Lean towards inside of turn.
2. Support your weight on the outer footrest.

7-18
1
2
3
4
5
67
8
9
10
11

steering when riding on loose surfaces by pointing
the front wheels slightly uphill. When riding on
slopes, be sure not to make sharp turns either up
or down hill.
If your ATV does begin to tip over, gradually steer
in the downhill direction if there are no obstacles in
your path. As you regain proper balance, gradually
steer again in the direction you wish to travel.
WARNING

EWB01631
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 possible.
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.CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW WATER
The ATV can be used to cross slow moving, shal-
low water of up to a maximum of 35 cm (14 in) in
depth. Before entering the water, choose your path
carefully. Enter where there is no sharp drop off,
and avoid rocks or other obstacles which may be
slippery or upset the ATV. Drive slowly and care-
fully.
WARNING
EWB01640
Never operate this ATV in fast flowing water or

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

20 Engine oil

Change.

Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary.
√ √√√
21Engine oil filter ele-
ment

Replace.
√√√
22 Cooling system

Check coolant level and ATV for coolant leakage,
and correct if necessary.
√√√√√

Replace coolant. Every 2 years
23
*
Moving parts and
cables

Lubricate.
√√√√
24
*
Throttle lever hous-
ing and cable


Check operation and correct if necessary.

Check throttle cable free play and adjust if neces-
sary.

Lubricate throttle lever housing and cable.
√√√√√
25
*
Front and rear brake
switches

Check operation and correct if necessary.
√√√√√
26
*
Lights and switches

Check operation and correct if necessary.

Adjust headlight beams.
√√√√√
NO. ITEMCHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOBINITIAL EVERY
Whichev-
er comes
firstmonth136612
km
(mi)320
(200)1300
(800)2500
(1600)2500
(1600)5000
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320

8-13
1
2
3
4
5
6
78
9
10
11

EBU29440
Checking the spark plug
The spark plug is an important engine component,
which should be checked periodically, preferably
by a Yamaha dealer. Since heat and deposits will
cause any spark plug to slowly erode, the spark
plug should be removed and checked in accor-
dance with the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart. In addition, the condition of the spark
plug can reveal the condition of the engine.
The porcelain insulator around the center elec-
trode of the spark plug should be a medium-to-light
tan (the ideal color when the vehicle is ridden nor-
mally). If the spark plug shows a distinctly different
color, the engine could be operating improperly.
Do not attempt to diagnose such problems your-
self. Instead, have a Yamaha dealer check the ve-
hicle.
If a spark plug shows signs of electrode erosion
and excessive carbon or other deposits, it should
be replaced.
Before installing a spark plug, the spark plug gap
should be measured with a wire thickness gaugeand, if necessary, adjusted to specification.
Clean the surface of the spark plug gasket and its
mating surface, and then wipe off any grime from
the spark plug threads.
Specified spark plug:
NGK/CR8E
1. Spark plug gap
Spark plug gap:
0.7–0.8 mm (0.028–0.031 in)
Tightening torque:
Spark plug:
12.5 Nm (1.3 m·kgf, 9.4 ft·lbf)

8-27
1
2
3
4
5
6
78
9
10
11

EBU27701
Cleaning the spark arrester
Select a well-ventilated area free of combustible
materials and make sure the exhaust and muffler
are cool.
1. Remove the bolt.
2. Remove the tailpipe by pulling it out of the
muffler.
3. Tap the tailpipe lightly, and then use a wire
brush to remove any carbon deposits from the
spark arrester portion of the tailpipe and inside
of the tailpipe housing.4. Insert the tailpipe into the muffler and align the
bolt holes.
5. Install the bolt and tighten it to the specified
torque.
6. Remove the purging bolt.
1. Bolt
1

1. Tailpipe
2. Spark arrester
Tightening torque:
Tailpipe bolt:
8 Nm (0.8 m·kgf, 5.8 ft·lbf)
1
2

8-35
1
2
3
4
5
6
78
9
10
11

6. Turn in the adjusting bolt at the rear brake cal-
iper until it feels tight, then turn it out 1/8 turn
and tighten its locknut to the specified torque.
NOTICE

ECB00520
When tightening the locknut, hold the adjust-
ing bolt with a wrench so that it does not turn
together with the locknut.
WARNING

EWB02090
Operating with improperly serviced or adjust-
ed brakes could cause the brakes to malfunc-
tion, resulting in reduced braking
performance. This could increase the chance
of a collision or accident. After adjusting the
parking brake free play, block the rear of the
ATV off the ground and spin the rear wheels.
Check to make sure there is no brake drag. If
brake drag is noticed, perform the adjustment
again.
EBU24740
Brake light switches
The operation of the brake light switches must be
checked and, if necessary, adjusted at the inter-
vals specified in the periodic maintenance and lu-
brication chart.
The brake light switch for the brake pedal can be
adjusted as follows, but the other brake light
switches should be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer.
TIP

The brake light switch is properly adjusted when
the brake light comes on just before braking takes
effect.
Turn the adjusting nut while holding the brake light
switch in place. To make the brake light come on
earlier, turn the adjusting nut in direction (a). To
make the brake light come on later, turn the adjust-
ing nut in direction (b). Tightening torque:
Locknut (rear brake caliper):
16 Nm (1.6 m·kgf, 11 ft·lbf)

8-36
1
2
3
4
5
6
78
9
10
11

EBU29541
Adjusting the clutch lever free play
The clutch lever free play must be checked and, if
necessary, adjusted at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrication chart.
The clutch lever free play should measure 8.0–
13.0 mm (0.31–0.51 in) as shown. If the free play
is incorrect, adjust it as follows.1. To increase the clutch lever free play, turn the
adjusting nut at the clutch lever in direction (a),
and to decrease it, turn the nut in direction (b).
If the specified free play cannot be obtained,
proceed with the following steps.
2. Fully turn the adjusting nut at the clutch lever
in direction (a) to loosen the clutch cable.
3. Loosen the locknut at the crankcase.
4. To increase the clutch lever free play, turn the
adjusting nut at the crankcase in direction (a),
and to decrease it, turn the nut in direction (b).
1. Brake light switch
2. Brake light switch adjusting nut
1
2(a)(b)

1. Clutch lever free play
2. Clutch lever free play adjusting nut
1
(a)
(b)
2