2009 YAMAHA YFZ450 Owners Manual

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(See page 8-30.)
EBU18382
Clutch 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.)
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Brake lever
The brake lever is located on the right handlebar.
To apply the front brake, pull the brake lever to-
ward the handlebar grip.
The brake lever is equipped with a position adjust-
ing bolt. To adjust the distance between the brake
lever and the handlebar grip, hold the brake lever
away from the handlebar so it does not contact the
adjusting bolt, loosen the locknut, turn the adjust-
ing bolt, and then tighten the locknut.
1. Clutch lever
1. Brake lever
2. Locknut
3. Brake lever position adjusting bolt
4. Distance between brake lever and handlebar grip
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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)

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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.
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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
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Fuel
Make sure that there is sufficient fuel in the tank.
Fill the fuel tank to the bottom of the filler tube as
shown.
TIP

If knocking or pinging occurs, use a different brand
1. Fuel tank cap
1

1. Fuel level
2. 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)

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of gasoline or higher octane grade.
NOTICE

ECB00070
Use 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.
WARNING

EWB00310

Do not overfill the fuel tank. Fuel expands
when it heats up. If the fuel tank is overfilled,
fuel could spill out due to heat from the en-
gine or the sun.

Be careful not to spill fuel, especially on the
engine or exhaust pipe which can cause a
fire and severe injury. Wipe up any spilled
fuel immediately.

Do not refuel right after the engine has been
running and is still very hot.

Be sure the fuel tank cap is closed securely.
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Fuel 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”
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ON
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”!

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Starter (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
1. Arrow mark positioned over “ON”
1

1. Arrow mark positioned over “RES”
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the starter (choke).
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.
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Seat
To remove the seat
Insert your hand between the rear of the seat and
the rear fender, pull the seat lock lever upward 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.
TIP

Make sure that the seat is securely fitted.
1. Starter (choke) “”
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(a)(b)

1. Seat lock lever
1

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EBU27903
Adjusting the front shock absorber
assemblies
These shock absorber assemblies are equipped
with a spring preload adjusting nut, a rebound
damping force adjusting screw, with a compres-
sion damping force adjusting bolt (for fast com-
pression damping), and a compression damping
force adjusting screw (for slow compression damp-
ing).WARNING
EWB00410
These shock absorber assemblies contain
highly pressurized nitrogen gas. Read and un-
derstand the following information before han-
dling the shock absorber assemblies.

Do not tamper with or attempt to open the
cylinder assemblies.

Do not subject the shock absorber assem-
blies to an open flame or other high heat
source. This may cause the unit to explode
due to excessive gas pressure.

Do not deform or damage the cylinders in
any way. Cylinder damage will result in poor
damping performance.

Do not dispose of a damaged or worn out
shock absorber assembly yourself. Take the
shock absorber assembly to a Yamaha deal-
er for any service.
Spring preload
1. Loosen the locknut.
2. Turn the adjusting nut in direction (a) to in-
crease the spring preload and thereby harden
the suspension, and in direction (b) to de-
crease the spring preload and thereby soften
1. Projection
2. Seat holder
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