2008 YAMAHA YFZ450 wheel

Parking ...................................................... 6-5
Parking on a slope .................................... 6-6
Accessories and loading ........................... 6-6
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 ........................................................ 8-5
Removing and installing the panel ............ 8-9
Checking the spark plug .......................... 8-10Engine oil and oil filter element ................ 8-14
Coolant .................................................... 8-20
Cleaning the air filter element .................. 8-24
Cleaning the spark arrester ..................... 8-28
Adjusting the carburetor ........................... 8-29
Checking the engine idling speed ............ 8-30
Adjusting the throttle cable free play ........ 8-30
Valve clearance ....................................... 8-31
Checking the front and rear brake pads .. 8-31
Checking the brake fluid level .................. 8-32
Changing the brake fluid .......................... 8-35
Checking the front brake lever free
play ........................................................ 8-36
Checking the brake pedal position ........... 8-36
Adjusting the parking brake free play ...... 8-37
Brake light switches ................................. 8-39
Adjusting the clutch lever free play .......... 8-39
Lubricating the drive chain ....................... 8-41
Checking and lubricating the cables ........ 8-41
Checking and lubricating the brake and
clutch levers ........................................... 8-42
Checking and lubricating the brake and
shift pedals............................................. 8-43
Checking the wheel hub bearings ............ 8-43
Lubricating the swingarm pivots .............. 8-43
Lubricating the upper and lower arm
pivots ..................................................... 8-44
Battery ..................................................... 8-45
Replacing the fuse ................................... 8-46

Replacing a headlight bulb ...................... 8-47
Adjusting a headlight beam ..................... 8-49
Replacing the tail/brake light bulb ........... 8-50
Removing a wheel ................................... 8-50
Installing a wheel ..................................... 8-50
Troubleshooting ...................................... 8-51
Troubleshooting charts ............................ 8-52
CLEANING AND STORAGE .......................... 9-1
Cleaning .................................................... 9-1
Storage ...................................................... 9-2
SPECIFICATIONS ...................................... 10-1
CONSUMER INFORMATION ...................... 11-1
Identification numbers ............................. 11-1

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that is proper for the terrain, visibility, operating
conditions, and your experience.

Never attempt wheelies, jumps, or other stunts.

Always inspect your ATV each time you use it to
make sure it is in safe operating condition. Al-
ways follow the inspection and maintenance
procedures and schedules described in this
manual.

Always keep both hands on the handlebars and
both feet on the footrests of the ATV during op-
eration.

Always go slowly and be extra careful when op-
erating on unfamiliar terrain. Always be alert to
changing terrain conditions when operating the
ATV.

Never operate on excessively rough, slippery or
loose terrain until you have learned and prac-
ticed the skills necessary to control the ATV on
such terrain. Always be especially cautious 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 and never turn at excessive speeds.

Never operate the ATV on hills too steep for the
ATV or for your abilities. Practice on smaller hillsbefore 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 sur-
faces. 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.

Always follow proper procedures for going down
hills and for braking on hills as described in this
manual. Check the terrain carefully before 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 ve-
hicle 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 sur-
faces. 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 tech-
nique described in this manual on level ground.
Avoid crossing the side of a steep hill if possible.

Always use proper procedures if you stall or roll
backwards when climbing a hill. To avoid stall-

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Rear brake

Check operation. If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed
hydraulic system.

Check brake pads for wear, and replace if necessary.

Check brake fluid level in reservoir, and add recommended brake
fluid to specified level if necessary.

Check hydraulic system for leakage. Correct if necessary.5-4, 8-31, 8-32, 8-36
Clutch

Check operation, and correct if necessary.

Lubricate cable if necessary.

Check lever free play, and adjust if necessary.8-39
Throttle lever

Make sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate cable and lever hous-
ing if necessary.

Check cable free play, and adjust if necessary.5-5, 8-30
Control cables

Make sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate if necessary. 8-41
Drive chain

Check chain slack, and adjust if necessary.

Check chain condition. Lubricate if necessary.5-5, , 8-41
Wheels and tires

Check wheel condition, and replace if damaged.

Check tire condition and tread depth. Replace if necessary.

Check air pressure. Correct if necessary.5-5, 5-6, 5-7
Brake and shift pedals

Make sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate pedal pivoting points
if necessary.8-43
Brake and clutch levers

Make sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate lever pivoting points
if necessary.8-42
Chassis fasteners

Make sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are properly tightened. 5-8
Instruments, lights and
switches

Check operation, and correct if necessary. 5-8
ITEM ROUTINE PAGE

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CAUTION:

ECB00200
Always close the throttle before shifting gears,
otherwise damage to the engine and drive train
may result.
2. Pull the clutch lever to disengage the clutch.
3. Shift into first gear.
4. Open the throttle gradually and at the same
time, release the clutch lever slowly.
5. Once the ATV has attained adequate speed,
release the throttle, and at the same time,
quickly pull in the clutch lever.
6. Shift the transmission into second gear.
(Make sure not to shift the transmission into
neutral)
7. Open the throttle part way and gradually re-
lease the clutch lever.
8. Follow the same procedure when shifting to
the next higher gear.
WARNING

EWB00730
Opening the throttle abruptly or releasing the
clutch lever too quickly could make the ATV
wheelie, which would increase the chance of
an accident, including an overturn.
EBU20650
To decelerate
When slowing down or stopping, release the throt-
tle and apply the brakes smoothly and evenly. As
you slow down, shift to a lower gear. Be sure that
the engine has sufficiently slowed before engaging
a lower gear. Improper use of the brakes or shifting
can cause the tires to lose traction, reducing con-
trol and increasing the possibility of an accident.WARNING
EWB00710
Make sure the engine has sufficiently slowed
before shifting to a lower gear. Engaging a low-
er gear when the engine speed is too high
could make the wheels stop rotating and lose
traction. This could cause loss of control, an
accident and injury. It could also cause engine
or drive train damage.
CAUTION:

ECB00180

Even with the transmission in the neutral po-
sition, do not coast for long periods of time
with the engine off, and do not tow the ATV
for long distances. The transmission is prop-
erly lubricated only when the engine is run-
ning. Inadequate lubrication may damage

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EBU20860
Parking on a slope
WARNING

EWB00850
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.
EBU20910
Accessories and loading
EBU20920
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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Loading and accessories
As originally equipped, this ATV is not designed to
carry cargo or tow a trailer. If you choose to add ac-
cessories so that you can carry cargo or tow a trail-
er, you must use common sense and good
judgment.
Use extra caution when riding the ATV with addi-
tional loads, such as accessories or cargo. The
ATV’s handling may be adversely affected. Re-
duce your speed when adding additional loads.
WARNING

EWB01460

Never exceed the stated load capacity for
this ATV.

Cargo should be properly distributed and se-
curely attached.

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

Always follow the instructions in your Own-
er’s Manual for carrying cargo or pulling a
trailer.
During operation
Always keep your feet on the footboards during op-
eration, otherwise they may contact the rear
wheels.
1. Adjusting screw
2. Locknut
2
1

MAXIMUM LOADING LIMIT
ATV loading limit (total weight of cargo, rider,
accessories, and tongue):
100.0 kg (220 lb)

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WARNING

EWB01470
Always keep both hands on the handlebars
and both feet on the footboards of your ATV
during operation. Removing even one hand or
foot can reduce your ability to control the ATV
or could cause you to lose your balance and
fall off of the ATV. If you remove a foot from a
footboard, your foot or leg may come into con-
tact with the rear wheels, which could injure
you or cause an accident.
Avoid wheelies and jumping. You may lose control
of the ATV or overturn.
WARNING
EWB01480
Never attempt stunts, such as wheelies or
jumps. Don’t try to show off.
ModificationsWARNING
EWB01490
Never modify this ATV through improper in-
stallation or use of accessories. All parts and
accessories added to this ATV should be gen-
uine Yamaha or equivalent components de-