2012 YAMAHA WR 450F ESP

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SAFETY INFORMATION
EAU53003
Be a Responsible Owner
As the vehicle’s owner, you are respon-
sible for the safe and proper operation
of your motorcycle.
Motorcycles are single-track vehicles.
Their safe use and operation are de-
pendent upon the use of proper riding
techniques as well as the expertise of
the operator. Every operator should
know the following requirements before
riding this motorcycle.
He or she should:
Obtain thorough instructions from
a competent source on all aspects
of motorcycle operation.

Observe the warnings and mainte-
nance requirements in this Own-
er’s Manual.

Obtain qualified training in safe
and proper riding techniques.

Obtain professional technical ser-
vice as indicated in this Owner’s
Manual and/or when made neces-
sary by mechanical conditions.Safe Riding
Perform the pre-operation checks each
time you use the vehicle to make sure it
is in safe operating condition. Failure to
inspect or maintain the vehicle properly
increases the possibility of an accident
or equipment damage. See page 4-1
for a list of pre-operation checks.

This motorcycle is designed to car-
ry the operator only.

No passengers.

This motorcycle is intended to use
as a competition model including
enduro usage.

This motorcycle is not designed
nor intended for continuous
“Paved Road” use. Never use this
motorcycle on highway (motor-
way)/expressway.

If any of the components that are
necessary for the vehicle to com-
ply with regulations are modified or
replaced with non-specified com-
ponents, the vehicle will no longer
meet the regulations.

Watch carefully for other vehicles
when operating on unpaved public
streets or roads. Make sure you
know your country’s laws and reg- ulations before you ride on un-
paved public streets or roads.

The failure of motorists to detect
and recognize motorcycles in traf-
fic is the predominating cause of
automobile/motorcycle accidents.
Many accidents have been caused
by an automobile driver who did
not see the motorcycle. Making
yourself conspicuous appears to
be very effective in reducing the
chance of this type of accident.
Therefore:
Wear a brightly colored jacket.
Use extra caution when you are
approaching and passing
through intersections, since in-
tersections are the most likely
places for motorcycle accidents
to occur.
Ride where other motorists can see you. Avoid riding in another
motorist’s blind spot.

Many accidents involve inexperi-
enced operators.
Make sure that you are qualifiedand that you only lend your mo-
torcycle to other qualified opera-
tors.
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SAFETY INFORMATION
ucts or having other modifications per-
formed to your vehicle that change any
of the vehicle’s design or operation
characteristics can put you and others
at greater risk of serious injury or death.
You are responsible for injuries related
to changes in the vehicle.
Keep the following guidelines in mind,
as well as those provided under “Load-
ing” when mounting accessories.
Never install accessories that
would impair the performance of
your motorcycle. Carefully inspect
the accessory before using it to
make sure that it does not in any
way reduce ground clearance or
cornering clearance, limit suspen-
sion travel, steering travel or con-
trol operation, or obscure lights or
reflectors.
Accessories fitted to the handle-bar or the front fork area can
create instability due to improper
weight distribution. If accesso-
ries are added to the handlebar
or front fork area, they must be
as lightweight as possible and
should be kept to a minimum.
Bulky or large accessories may seriously affect the stability of
the motorcycle. Wind may at-
tempt to lift the motorcycle, or
the motorcycle may become un-
stable in cross winds.
Certain accessories can dis- place the operator from his or
her normal riding position. This
improper position limits the free-
dom of movement of the opera-
tor and may limit control ability,
therefore, such accessories are
not recommended.

Use caution when adding electri-
cal accessories. If electrical acces-
sories exceed the capacity of the
motorcycle’s electr ical system, an
electric failure could result, which
could cause a dangerous loss of
lights or engine power.
Aftermarket Ti res and Rims
The tires and rims that came with your
motorcycle were designed to match the
performance capabilities and to provide
the best combination of handling, brak-
ing, and comfort. Other tires, rims, siz-
es, and combinations may not be
appropriate. Refer to page 6-18 for tire specifications and more information on
replacing your tires.
Transporting the Motorcycle
Be sure to observe following instruc-
tions before transporting the motorcy-
cle in another vehicle.

Remove all loose items from the
motorcycle.

Point the front wheel straight
ahead on the trailer or in the truck
bed, and choke it in a rail to pre-
vent movement.

Shift the transmission in gear (for
models with a manual transmis-
sion).

Secure the motorcycle with
tie-downs or suitable straps that
are attached to solid parts of the
motorcycle, such as the frame or
upper front fork triple clamp (and
not, for example, to rubber-mount-
ed handlebars or turn signals, or
parts that could break). Choose
the location for the straps carefully
so the straps will not rub against
painted surfaces during transport.

The suspension should be com-
pressed somewhat by the
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
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visable to check the actual total number
of clicks or turns of each damping force
adjusting mechanism. This adjustment
range may not exactly match the spec-
ifications listed due to small differences
in production.
WARNING
EWA10221
This shock absorber assembly con-
tains highly pressurized nitrogen
gas. Read and understand the fol-
lowing information before handling
the shock absorber assembly.
Do not tamper with or attempt to
open the cylinder assembly.

Do not subject the shock ab-
sorber assembly to an open
flame or other high heat source.
This may cause the unit to ex-
plode due to excessive gas
pressure.

Do not deform or damage the
cylinder in any way. Cylinder
damage will result in poor
damping performance.

Do not dispose of a damaged or
worn-out shock absorber as-
sembly yourself. Take the shock absorber assembly to a Yamaha
dealer for any service.
EAU15305
Sidestand The sidestand is located on the left side
of the frame. Raise the sidestand or
lower it with your foot while holding the
vehicle upright.TIPThe built-in sidestand switch is part of
the ignition circuit cut-off system, which
cuts the ignition in certain situations.
(See the following section for an expla-
nation of the ignition circuit cut-off sys-tem.)
WARNING
EWA10241
The vehicle must not be ridden with
the sidestand down, or if the side-
stand cannot be properly moved up
(or does not stay up), otherwise the
sidestand could contact the ground
and distract the operator, resulting
in a possible loss of control.
Yamaha’s ignition circuit cut-off
system has been designed to assist
the operator in fulfilling the respon-
sibility of raising the sidestand be-
fore starting off. Therefore, check
this system regularly and have a
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OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
EAU15951
Read the Owner’s Manual carefully to
become familiar with all controls. If
there is a control or function you do not
understand, ask your Yamaha dealer.
WARNING
EWA10271
Failure to familiarize yourself with
the controls can lead to loss of con-
trol, which could cause an accidentor injury.
EAU53110
TIPThis model is equipped with a lean an-
gle sensor to stop the engine in case of
a turnover. To start the engine after a
turnover, be sure to push the main
switch to “OFF” and then to “ON”. Fail-
ing to do so will prevent the engine from
starting even though the engine willcrank when pushing the start switch.
EAU52903
Starting a cold engine In order for the ignition circuit cut-off
system to enable starting, one of the
following conditions must be met:
The transmission is in the neutral
position.

The transmission is in gear with
the clutch lever pulled and the sid-
estand up.
See page 3-19 for more informa-
tion.
1. Push the main swtch to “ON” and make sure that the engine stop
switch is set to “ ”.
The following warning light should
come on for a few seconds, then
go off.
Fuel level warning light

Engine trouble warning light
NOTICE
ECA17781
If a warning light does not come on
initially when the main switch is
pushed to “ON”, or if a warning light
remains on, see page 3-1 for the cor-
responding warning light circuitcheck.
2. Shift the transmission into the neu-
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OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
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9tral position. The neutral indicator
light should come on. If not, ask a
Yamaha dealer to check the elec-
trical circuit.
3. Turn the starter on and completely close the throttle. (See page 3-12.)
4. Start the engine by pushing the start switch or by pushing the kick-
starter lever down.
NOTICE
ECA17800
If the starter motor will not turn when
pushing the start switch, stop push-
ing it immediately and start the en-
gine by pushing the kickstarter lever
down in order to avoid the load onthe motor.TIPUse the kickstarter in a condition with
ambient temperature below –5 C (40F) or high altitude.
If the engine fails to start when us-
ing the start switch, release it, wait
a few seconds, and then try again.
Each starting attempt should be as
short as possible to preserve the
battery. Do not crank the engine more than 10 seconds on any one
attempt. If the engine does not
start with the starter motor, try us-
ing the kickstarter.
5. When the engine is warm, turn the starter off.
TIPThe engine is warm when it responds
quickly to the throttle with the starterturned off.NOTICE
ECA11042
For maximum engine life, never ac-
celerate hard when the engine iscold!
EAU52971
Starting a warm engine Follow the same procedure as for start-
ing a cold engine with the exception
that the starter is not required when the
engine is warm.TIP
If the engine does not start at high
altitude, start the engine with the
throttle grip opened by one degree
or two degrees.

The mark on the throttle housing
indicates five degrees. Use the
mark for your reference whenopening the throttle grip.
1. Mark
1
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OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
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EAU52940
Engine break-in
WARNING
EWA10321
Failure to properly maintain the ve-
hicle or performing maintenance ac-
tivities incorrectly may increase
your risk of injury or death during
service or while using the vehicle. If
you are not familiar with vehicle ser-
vice, have a Yamaha dealer performservice.1. Before starting the engine, fill the fuel tank with the fuel.
2. Start and warm up the engine. Check the operation of the controls
and the engine stop switch. (See
page 3-7.) Then, restart the engine
and check its operation within no
more than 5 minutes after it is re-
started.
3. Operate the motorcycle in the low- er gears at moderate throttle open-
ings for five to eight minutes. Stop
the engine.
4. Check how the engine runs when the motorcycle is ridden with the
throttle 1/4 to 1/2 open (low to me-
dium speed) for about one hour. 5. Start the engine and check the op-
eration of the motorcycle through-
out its entire operating range.
Restart the motorcycle and ride it
for about 10 to 15 more minutes.
The motorcycle will now be ready
to ride normally.
After the engine break-in period, thor-
oughly check the motorcycle for loose
parts, oil leakage and any other prob-
lems. Be sure to inspect and make ad-
justments thoroughly, especially cable
and drive chain slack and loose
spokes. In addition, check all fittings
and fasteners for looseness, and tight-
en if necessary.
NOTICE
ECA15560

When any of the following parts
have been replaced, they must
be broken in.
Cylinder or crankshaft:
About one hour of break-in op-
eration is necessary.
Piston, rings or transmission
gears:
These parts require about 30
minutes of break-in operation at
half-throttle or less. Observe the condition of the engine carefully
during operation.

If any engine trouble should oc-
cur during the engine break-in
period, immediately have a
Yamaha dealer check the vehi-cle.
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
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it for oil leakage. If oil is leaking, im-
mediately turn the engine off and
check for the cause.
13. Turn the engine off, wait a few min- utes until the oil settles, and then
check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
14. Install the engine guard.
NOTICE
ECA11231
After changing the engine oil, make
sure to check the oil pressure as de-
scribed below.
Loosen the bleed bolt.

Start the engine and keep it
idling until oil flows out. If no oil
comes out after one minute,
turn the engine off immediately
so it will not seize. If this occurs,
have a Yamaha dealer repair the
vehicle.

After checking the oil pressure,
tighten the bleed bolt to thespecified torque.
EAU20070
Coolant The coolant level should be checked
before each ride. In addition, the cool-
ant must be changed at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
EAUM1295
To check the coolant level 1. Place the vehicle on a level sur- face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion.TIP
The coolant level must be checked
on a cold engine since the level
varies with engine temperature.

Make sure that the vehicle is posi-
tioned straight up when checking
the coolant level. A slight tilt to theside can result in a false reading.
2. Remove the radiator cap and check the coolant level in the radi-
ator. WARNING! Never attempt
to remove the radiator cap when
the engine is hot.
[EWA10381]

Tightening torque: Engine guard: 7 Nm (0.7 m·kgf, 5.1 ft·lbf)
1. Bleed bolt
2. GasketTightening torque:Bleed bolt:
10 Nm (1.0 m·kgf, 7.2 ft·lbf)
21
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
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EAU23025
Cleaning and lubricating the
drive chain The drive chain must be cleaned and
lubricated at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart, otherwise it will quickly wear
out, especially when riding in dusty or
wet areas. Service the drive chain as
follows.NOTICE
ECA10583
The drive chain must be lubricated
after washing the motorcycle, ridingin the rain or riding in wet areas.
1. Clean the drive chain with kero- sene and a small soft brush.
NOTICE: To prevent damaging
the O-rings, do not clean the
drive chain with steam cleaners,
high-pressure washers or inap-
propriate solvents.
[ECA11121]

2. Wipe the drive chain dry.
3. Thoroughly lubricate the drive chain with a special O-ring chain
lubricant. NOTICE: Do not use
engine oil or any other lubri-
cants for the drive chain, as they may contain substances that
could damage the O-rings.
[ECA11111]

EAU23095
Checking and lubricating the
cables The operation of all control cables and
the condition of the cables should be
checked before each ride, and the ca-
bles and cable ends should be lubricat-
ed if necessary. If a cable is damaged
or does not move smoothly, have a
Yamaha dealer check or replace it.
WARNING! Damage to the outer
housing of cables may result in in-
ternal rusting and cause interfer-
ence with cable movement. Replace
damaged cables as soon as possi-
ble to prevent unsafe condi-
tions.
[EWA10711]

Recommended lubricant:
Yamaha Chain and Cable Lube or
engine oil
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