2012 YAMAHA YFZ450 wheel

7-13
7This procedure should be practiced at slow speed
many times in a large unpaved area with no obsta-
cles. If an incorrect technique is used, your ATV
may continue to go straight. If the ATV doesn ’t
turn, come to a stop and then practice the proce-
dure again. If the riding surface is slippery or loose,
it may help to position more of your weight over the
front wheels by moving forward on the seat.
Once you have learned this technique, you should
be able to perform it at higher speeds or in tighter
curves. Improper riding procedures such as abrupt throttle
changes, excessive braking, incorrect body move-
ments, or too much speed for the sharpness of the
turn may cause the ATV to tip. If the ATV begins to
tip over to the outside while negotiating a turn, lean
more to the inside. It may also be necessary to
gradually let off on the throttle and steer to the out-
side of the turn to avoid tipping over.
Remember: Avoid higher speeds until you are
thoroughly familiar with the operation of your ATV.
CLIMBING UPHILL
WARNING
EWB01591Climbing hills improperly can cause overturns
or loss of control. Use proper riding tech-
niques described in this Owner
’s Manual.
Never operate the ATV on hills too steep for
the ATV or for your abilities. The ATV can
overturn more easily on extremely steep hills
than on level surfaces or small hills.
Always check the terrain carefully before
you start up any hill. Never climb hills with
excessively slippery or loose surfaces.
Shift your weight forward.
1. Lean towards inside of turn.
2. Support your weight on the outer footrest.U1PD60E0.book Page 13 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM

7-15
7Do not attempt to climb hills until you have mas-
tered basic maneuvers on flat ground. Always
check the terrain carefully before attempting any
hill. In all cases avoid inclines with slippery or loose
surfaces, or obstacles that might cause you to lose
control.
To climb a hill, you need traction, momentum, and
steady throttle. Travel fast enough to maintain mo-
mentum, but not so fast that you cannot react to
changes in the terrain as you climb. It is important when climbing a hill to make sure
that your weight is transferred forward on the ATV.
This can be accomplished by leaning forward and,
on steeper inclines, standing on the footrests and
leaning forward over the handlebars. Whenever
possible, ride straight up hills.
Slow down when you reach the crest of the hill if
you cannot see clearly what is on the other side
–
there could be another person, an obstacle, or a
sharp drop-off. Use common sense and remember
that some hills are too steep for you to climb or de-
scend.
If you are climbing a hill and you find that you have
not properly judged your ability to make it to the
top, you should turn the ATV around while you still
have forward motion (provided you have the room
to do so) and go down the hill.
If your ATV has stalled or stopped and you believe
you can continue up the hill, restart carefully to
make sure you do not lift the front wheels which
could cause you to lose control. If you are unable
to continue up the hill, dismount the ATV on the up-
hill side. Physically turn the ATV around and then
descend the hill.
U1PD60E0.book Page 15 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM

7-17
7

Never operate the ATV on hills too steep for
the ATV or for your abilities. The ATV can
overturn more easily on extremely steep hills
than on level surfaces or small hills.
Shift your weight backward and to the up
side of the hill.
Never go down a hill at high speed.
Avoid going down a hill at an angle that
would cause the ATV to lean sharply to one
side. Go straight down the hill where possi-
ble.
Improper braking can cause the wheels on
the uphill side to come off the ground or
cause loss of traction. Gradually apply only
the rear brake when going downhill.When riding your ATV downhill, shift your weight
as far to the rear and uphill side of the ATV as pos-
sible. Move back on the seat and sit with your arms
straight. Choose a low gear which will allow the en-
gine compression to do most of the braking for you.
Use caution while descending a hill with loose or
slippery surfaces. Braking ability and traction may
be adversely affected by these surfaces. Improper
braking may also cause a loss of traction. Gradual-
ly apply only the rear brake.Whenever possible, ride your ATV straight down-
hill. Avoid sharp angles which could allow the ATV
to tip or roll over. Carefully choose your path and
ride no faster than you will be able to react to ob-
stacles which may appear.U1PD60E0.book Page 17 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM

7-18
7
CROSSING A SLOPE
WARNING
EWB01632Improperly crossing hills or turning on hills
could cause loss of control or cause the ATV to
overturn.
Always follow proper procedures as de-
scribed in the Owner
’s Manual.
Avoid hills with excessively slippery or loose
surfaces.
Avoid crossing the side of a steep hill.
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 as described in the Owner ’s Manual on
level ground. Be very careful when turning
on any hill.Traversing a sloping surface on your ATV requires
you to properly position your weight to maintain
proper balance. Be sure that you have learned the
basic riding skills on flat ground before attempting
to cross a sloping surface. Avoid slopes with slip-
pery surfaces or rough terrain that may upset your
balance. As you travel across a slope, lean your body in the
uphill direction. It may be necessary to correct the
steering when riding on loose surfaces by pointing
the front wheels slightly uphill. When riding on
slopes, be sure not to make sharp turns either up
or down hill.
If your ATV does begin to tip over, gradually steer
in the downhill direction if there are no obstacles in
your path. As you regain proper balance, gradually
steer again in the direction you wish to travel.U1PD60E0.book Page 18 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM

7-21
7cident. Be sure to keep your feet firmly mounted on
the footrests at all times. Avoid jumping the ATV as
loss of control and damage to the ATV may result.
SLIDING AND SKIDDING
WARNING
EWB01662Skidding or sliding improperly may cause you
to lose control of this ATV. You may also re-
gain traction unexpectedly, which may cause
the ATV to overturn.
Learn to safely control skidding or sliding by
practicing at low speeds and on level,
smooth terrain.
On extremely slippery surfaces, such as ice,
go slowly and be very cautious in order to re-
duce the chance of skidding or sliding out of
control.Care should be used when riding on loose or slip-
pery surfaces since the ATV may slide. If unex-
pected and uncorrected, sliding could lead to an
accident.
To reduce the tendency for the front wheels to slide
in loose or slippery conditions, positioning your
weight over the front wheels will sometimes help.
If the rear wheels of your ATV start to slide side-
ways, control can usually be regained (if there is
room to do so) by steering in the direction of the
slide. Applying the brakes or accelerating is not
recommended until you have corrected the slide.U1PD60E0.book Page 21 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM

7-22
7
With practice, over a period of time, skill at con-
trolled sliding can be developed. The terrain
should be chosen carefully before attempting such
maneuvers, since both stability and control are re-
duced. Bear in mind that sliding maneuvers should
always be avoided on extremely slippery surfaces
such as ice, since all control may be lost.
WHAT TO DO IF...
This section is designed to be a reference guide
only. Be sure to read each section on riding tech-
niques completely. WHAT TO DO...

If your ATV doesn
’t turn when you want it to:
Bring the ATV to a stop and practice the turning
maneuvers again. Be sure you are putting your
weight on the footrest to the outside of the turn.
Position your weight over the front wheels for
better control. (See page 7-12.)
If your ATV begins to tip while turning:
Lean more into the turn to regain balance. If nec-
essary, gradually let off the throttle and/or steer
to the outside of the turn. (See page 7-12.)
If your ATV starts to slide sideways:
Steer in the direction of the slide if you have the
room. Applying the brakes or accelerating is not
recommended until you have corrected the
slide. (See page 7-21.)
If your ATV can’ t make it up a hill you are trying
to climb:
Turn the ATV around if you still have forward
speed. If not, stop, dismount on the uphill side of
the ATV and physically turn the ATV around. If
the ATV starts to slip backwards, DO NOT USE
THE REAR BRAKE – the ATV may tip over on
top of you. Dismount the ATV on the uphill side.
(See page 7-13.)
U1PD60E0.book Page 22 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM

8-6
8
5*Brake hoses 
Check for cracks or other damage, and replace if
necessary. √√√√
 Replace. Every 4 years
6 *Parking brake Check operation and adjust if necessary. √√√√√
7 *Wheels 
Check runout and for damage, and replace if nec-
essary. √ √√√
8 *Tires 
Check tread depth and for damage, and replace if
necessary.
 Check air pressure and balance, and correct if
necessary. √ √√√
9 *Wheel hub bearings 
Check for looseness or damage, and replace if
necessary. √ √√√
10 *Swingarm pivots 
Check operation and for excessive play, and re-
place bearings if necessary.
 Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. √√√
11 *Upper and lower
arm pivots

Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. √√√
12 Drive chain 
Check chain slack and adjust if necessary.
 Check rear wheel alignment and correct if neces-
sary.
 Clean and lubricate. √√√√√
13 *Drive chain rollers Check for wear and replace if necessary. √√√
NO. ITEM
CHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOB INITIAL EVERY
Whichev- er comes first month136612
km
(mi) 320
(200) 1300
(800) 2500
(1600) 2500
(1600) 5000
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320U1PD60E0.book Page 6 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM

8-32
8
EBU29601Brakes Replacement of brake components requires pro-
fessional knowledge. Brake service should be per-
formed by a Yamaha dealer.
WARNING
EWB02571Operating with improperly serviced or adjust-
ed brakes could lead to a loss in braking ability
and an accident.EBU24130Checking the front and rear brake pads The front and rear brake pads must be checked for
wear at the intervals specified in the periodic main-
tenance and lubrication chart.EBU27711Front brake pads
Each brake pad is provided with wear indicator
grooves, which allow you to check the brake pad
wear without having to disassemble the brake. To
check the brake pad wear, check the wear indica-
tor grooves. If a brake pad has worn to the point
that the wear indicator grooves are almost in con-
tact with the disc plate, have a Yamaha dealer re-
place the brake pads as a set.
TIPThe wheels need to be removed to check the
brake pads. (See page 8-54.)EBU29831Rear brake pads
Each brake pad is provided with wear indicator
grooves, which allow you to check the brake pad
wear without having to disassemble the brake. To
check the brake pad wear, check the wear indica-
tor grooves. If a brake pad has worn to the point
that the wear indicator grooves have almost disap-
peared, have a Yamaha dealer replace the brake
pads as a set.1. Wear indicator groove
U1PD60E0.book Page 32 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM