parking brake YAMAHA YFZ450R 2009 Owners Manual

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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 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

Accessories and loading ........................... 6-5
RIDING YOUR ATV ...................................... 7-1
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR ATV.............. 7-2
RIDE WITH CARE AND GOOD
JUDGEMENT ...........................................7-2
BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU RIDE ............ 7-8
TURNING YOUR ATV ............................. 7-12
CLIMBING UPHILL .................................. 7-14
RIDING DOWNHILL................................. 7-16
CROSSING A SLOPE.............................. 7-17
CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW
WATER .................................................. 7-18
RIDING OVER ROUGH TERRAIN .......... 7-20
SLIDING AND SKIDDING ........................ 7-20
WHAT TO DO IF... ................................... 7-21
WHAT TO DO... ....................................... 7-21
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR
REPAIR .......................................................... 8-1
Owner’s manual and tool kit ...................... 8-1
Periodic maintenance chart for the
emission control system .......................... 8-3
General maintenance and lubrication
chart ........................................................ 8-4
Removing and installing panels ................ 8-8
Checking the spark plug .......................... 8-13
Engine oil and oil filter element ............... 8-14
Coolant .................................................... 8-19Cleaning the air filter element .................. 8-23
Cleaning the spark arrester ..................... 8-27
Adjusting the throttle cable free play ........ 8-28
Valve clearance ....................................... 8-29
Checking the front and rear brake
pads .......................................................8-29
Checking the brake fluid level .................. 8-30
Changing the brake fluid .......................... 8-32
Checking the front brake lever free
play ........................................................ 8-32
Checking the brake pedal position ........... 8-33
Adjusting the parking brake free play ...... 8-34
Brake light switches ................................. 8-35
Adjusting the clutch lever free play .......... 8-36
Drive chain slack ...................................... 8-37
Lubricating the drive chain ....................... 8-39
Checking and lubricating the cables ........ 8-40
Checking and lubricating the brake and
clutch levers ........................................... 8-40
Checking the shift pedal .......................... 8-41
Checking and lubricating the brake
pedal ......................................................8-41
Checking the wheel hub bearings ............ 8-42
Lubricating the swingarm pivots .............. 8-42
Lubricating the upper and lower arm
pivots .....................................................8-42
Battery ..................................................... 8-43
Replacing the fuse ................................... 8-46
Replacing a headlight bulb ...................... 8-46

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Controls and instruments
TIP

The ATV you have purchased may differ slightly
from the figures shown in this manual.
1. Clutch lever
2. Parking brake lever
3. Left handlebar switches
4. Fuel tank cap
5. Main switch
6. Throttle lever
7. Brake lever
2
1
3
6
5
7
4

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6
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Brake pedal
The brake pedal is located on the right side of the
ATV. To apply the rear brake, push down on the
brake pedal.
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Parking 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 pedal
1

1. Parking brake lever (locked position)
1. Parking brake lever (unlocked position)

4-8
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WARNING

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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.
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Shift 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.
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Fuel tank cap
Remove the fuel tank cap by turning it counter-
clockwise.
1. Shift pedal
1

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

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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.
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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

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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!
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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.
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To start out and accelerate
1. Release the throttle lever, and then release
the parking brake.
NOTICE

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Always close the throttle before shifting gears,
1. Shift pedal
2. Neutral position
1 22 3
4 5
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not designed to withstand the shock of
forced shifting and can be damaged by shift-
ing without using the clutch.
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Engine break-in
TIP


For ATVs equipped with an odometer or an hour
meter, follow the figures given in km (mi) or the
figures given in hours.

For ATVs not equipped with an odometer or
hour meter, follow the figures given in hours.
There is never a more important period in the life of
your engine than the first 320 km (200 mi) or 20
hours of riding. For this reason, you should read
the following material carefully.
Since the engine is brand new, do not put an ex-
cessive load on it for the first 320 km (200 mi) or 20
hours. The various parts in the engine wear and
polish themselves to the correct operating clear-
ances. During this period, prolonged full-throttle
operation or any condition that might result in en-
gine overheating must be avoided.
0–160 km (0–100 mi) or 0–10 hours
Avoid prolonged operation above 1/2 throttle. Vary
the speed of the ATV regularly. Do not operate it at
one set throttle position.
160–320 km (100–200 mi) or 10–20 hours
Avoid prolonged operation above 3/4 throttle. Rev
the engine through the gears freely, but do not use
full throttle at any time.
320 km (200 mi) or 20 hours and beyond
The ATV can now be operated normally.NOTICE

ECB00220
If any engine trouble should occur during the
engine break-in period, immediately have a
Yamaha dealer check the ATV.
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Parking
When parking the ATV, stop the engine, shift into
first gear, and then apply the parking brake.

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Parking on a slope
WARNING

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Avoid parking on hills or other inclines. Park-
ing on a hill or other incline could cause the
ATV to roll out of control, increasing the
chance of an accident. If you must park on an
incline, place the ATV transversely across the
incline, shift into first gear, stop the engine, ap-
ply the parking brake, and then block the front
and rear wheels with rocks or other objects.
Do not park the ATV at all on hills that are so
steep you could not walk up them easily.
1. Bring the ATV to a stop by applying the brakes
in first gear.
2. Stop the engine and release the clutch lever.
3. With the rear brake applied, apply the parking
brake and slowly release the brake pedal.
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Accessories and loading
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Accessories
Accessories can affect the handling and control of
your ATV. Keep the following in mind when consid-
ering an accessory or operating an ATV which has
accessories.
1. Locked position
1

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WARNING

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Always mount a caution flag on the ATV to
make you more visible when operating in areas
where you might not be seen by other vehicles.
Watch carefully for other vehicles.
Do not ride in areas posted “no trespassing”.
Do not ride on private property without getting per-
mission.Select a large, flat, unpaved area to become famil-
iar with your ATV. Make sure that this area is free
of obstacles and other riders. You should practice
control of the throttle, brakes, shifting procedures,
and turning techniques in this area before trying
more difficult terrain. Always avoid riding on paved
surfaces: the ATV is designed for use on unpaved
surfaces only, and handling maneuvers are more
difficult to perform on pavement.
Set the parking brake and follow the instruction on
page 6-1 to start the engine. Once it has warmed
up you are ready to begin riding your ATV. As you
get on the ATV, be sure not to accidentally move
the shift pedal. Remember that the engine and ex-
haust pipe will be hot when riding and afterwards;
do not allow skin or clothing to come in contact with