2009 YAMAHA YFZ450 Owners Manual

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dard equipment. Make two measurements of the
tire pressure and use the second reading. Dust or
dirt in the gauge could cause the first reading to be
incorrect.
Set the tire pressure when the tires are cold. Set
the tire pressures to the following specifications:
EBU19830
Tire wear limit
Replace the tire when the tire groove decreases to
3 mm (0.12 in).
1. Low-pressure tire gauge
Recommended pressure:
Front
27.5 kPa (0.275 kgf/cm
2
, 4.0 psi)
Rear
30.0 kPa (0.300 kgf/cm
2
, 4.4 psi)
Minimum:
Front
24.5 kPa (0.245 kgf/cm
2
, 3.6 psi)
Rear
27.0 kPa (0.270 kgf/cm
2
, 4.0 psi)

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

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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.
EBU20181
Starting a cold 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 6-5
prior to operating the engine for the first time.
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the fuel cock to “ON”.
3. Turn the main switch to “ON” and the engine
stop switch to “”.
4. Shift the transmission into neutral. The neutral
indicator light should come on. If the indicator
light does not come on, have a Yamaha deal-
er check the electrical circuit.
TIP

This model is equipped with an ignition circuit cut-
off system. The engine can be started under the
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.
5. Use the starter (choke) in reference to the fig-
ure:

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Position (1):

Cold engine start with ambient temperature be-
low 5 °C (40 °F).
Position (2):

Cold engine start with ambient temperature be-
tween 0 °C (30 °F) and 30 °C (90 °F).
Position (3):

Cold engine start with ambient temperature
above 25 °C (80 °F).
Ambient temp./starter (choke) position
6. 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
1. Fully open
2. Half open
3. Closed
4. Starter (choke)1
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4

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crank the engine more than 10 seconds on each
attempt.
7. If the engine is started with the starter (choke)
in position (1), the starter (choke) should be
returned to position (2) to warm up the engine.
If the engine is started with the starter (choke)
in position (2), keep the starter (choke) in this
position to warm up the engine.
NOTICE

ECB00160
For maximum engine life, always warm the en-
gine up before starting off. Never accelerate
hard when the engine is cold!
8. Continue warming up the engine until it idles
smoothly, then return the starter (choke) to
position (3) before riding.
TIP

The engine is warm when it responds normally to
the throttle with the starter (choke) turned off.
EBU20291
Starting a warm engine
Follow the same procedure as for starting a cold
engine, with the exception that the starter (choke)
is not required when the engine is warm. Instead,start the engine with the throttle slightly open.
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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.
1. Shift pedal
2. Neutral position
1
2

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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,
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 theclutch lever too quickly could make the ATV
wheelie, which would increase the chance of
an accident, including an overturn.
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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.
NOTICE

ECB00180

Even with the transmission in the neutral po-
sition, do not coast for long periods of time

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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
the transmission.

Always use the clutch when changing gears.
The engine, transmission and drive train are
not designed to withstand the shock of
forced shifting and can be damaged by shift-
ing without using the clutch.
EBU20672
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 20hours. 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

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first gear, apply the parking brake, and then turn
the fuel cock to “OFF”.
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 frontand 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-
1. Locked position
1