2011 YAMAHA YFZ450R clutch

6-1
6
EBU19881
OPERATION
EBU19901Read the Owner’s Manual carefully before riding
the ATV. If there is a control or function you do not
understand, ask your Yamaha dealer.
WARNING
EWB00631Read 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.EBU29951Starting the engine NOTICEECB00150See 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“” and the engine stop
switch to“”.
The following warning lights should come on
for a few seconds, then go off.

Coolant temperature warning light
Fuel level warning light
Engine trouble warning light
NOTICEECB00824If a warning light does not go off, see page 4-2
for the corresponding warning light circuit
check. To avoid possible damage, do not oper-
ate the ATV if a warning light stays on.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.TIPThis 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.
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6-2
64. Completely close the throttle lever and start
the engine by pushing the start switch.
TIPIf 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.NOTICEECB00163For maximum engine life, never accelerate
hard when the engine is cold!EBU20522Shifting 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, release the throttle lever, ap-
ply the clutch, and then repeatedly 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, and then re-
lease the clutch.
EBU20592To start out and accelerate
1. Release the throttle lever, apply the front or
rear brake, and then release the parking
brake.1. Shift pedal
2. Neutral position
1 22 3
4 5
N1
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6-3
6
NOTICEECB00200Always 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, and then release the
brake.
4. Open the throttle gradually and at the same
time, release the clutch lever slowly.
WARNING! Opening the throttle abruptly
or releasing the clutch lever too quickly
could make the ATV wheelie, which would
increase the chance of an accident, includ-
ing an overturn.
[EWB00731]
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.
EBU20650To 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
EWB00710Make 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.NOTICEECB00180
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-
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6-4
6erly 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.EBU20672Engine 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.
NOTICEECB00220If any engine trouble should occur during the
engine break-in period, immediately have a
Yamaha dealer check the ATV.EBU26761Parking When parking the ATV, shift into first gear, stop the
engine, and then apply the parking brake.
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7-11
7Do 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.
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. With the engine idling, pull the
clutch lever to disengage the clutch and shift into
1st gear, and then release the parking brake. Open
the throttle gradually, and at the same time, re-
lease the clutch lever slowly. Once the ATV has at-
tained adequate speed, release the throttle lever
and at the same time, quickly pull in the clutch le-
ver and shift into 2nd gear. Open the throttle part
way and gradually release the clutch. WARNING!
If the throttle is applied too abruptly or if the
throttle is not released during shifting, or if the
shift pedal is not released before applying the
throttle, the front wheels may lift off the
ground, resulting in a loss of directional con-
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8-5
8
EBU21865General maintenance and lubrication chart TIP
For ATVs not equipped with an odometer or an hour meter, follow the month maintenance intervals.
For ATVs equipped with an odometer or an hour meter, follow the km (mi) or hours maintenance inter-
vals. However, keep in mind that if the ATV isn’t used for a long period of time, the month maintenance
intervals should be followed.
Items marked with an asterisk should be performed by a Yamaha dealer as they require special tools,
data and technical skills.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
1 Air filter elementClean and replace if necessary.Every 20–40 hours (more often in wet or
dusty areas)
2*ClutchCheck operation and adjust if necessary.√ √√√
3*Front brakeCheck operation and correct if necessary.
Check fluid level and ATV for fluid leakage, and
correct if necessary.√√√√√
Replace brake pads. Whenever worn to the limit
4*Rear brakeCheck operation and correct if necessary.
Check fluid level and ATV for fluid leakage, and
correct if necessary.√√√√√
Replace brake pads. Whenever worn to the limit
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8-18
811. Install the crankcase engine oil drain bolt, the
engine oil tank drain bolt and their new gasket,
and then tighten the bolts to their specified
torques.
12. Refill with the specified amount of the recom-
mended engine oil through the engine oil tank
filler hole, and then install and tighten the en-
gine oil tank filler cap.
TIPBe sure to wipe off spilled oil on any parts after the
engine and exhaust system have cooled down.NOTICEECB00300
In order to prevent clutch slippage (since the
engine oil also lubricates the clutch), do not
mix any chemical additives. Do not use oils
with a diesel specification of “CD” or oils of
a higher quality than specified. In addition,
do not use oils labeled “ENERGY CONSERV-
ING II” or higher.
Make sure that no foreign material enters the
crankcase.13. Start the engine, and then let it idle for several
minutes while checking it for oil leakage. If oil
is leaking, immediately turn the engine off and
check for the cause.
14. Turn the engine off, and then check the oil lev-
el and correct it if necessary. Tightening torques:
Crankcase engine oil drain bolt:
20 Nm (2.0 m·kgf, 14 ft·lbf)
Engine oil tank drain bolt:
20 Nm (2.0 m·kgf, 14 ft·lbf)
Recommended oil:
See page 10-1.
Oil quantity:
Without oil filter element replacement:
1.40 L (1.48 US qt, 1.23 Imp.qt)
With oil filter element replacement:
1.45 L (1.53 US qt, 1.28 Imp.qt)
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8-33
8 The brake light switch for the brake pedal can be
adjusted as follows, but the front brake light switch
should be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer.
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).
EBU30151Adjusting 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. Slide the rubber cover back.
4. Loosen the clutch cable locknut, located to-
wards the center of the cable.1. Rear brake light switch
2. Rear brake light switch adjusting nut
1
2(a)(b)
1. Clutch lever free play
2. Clutch lever free play adjusting nut (clutch lever)
1
(a)
(b)
2
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