2012 YAMAHA YFZ450 ABS

EBU17420
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LOCATION OF THE WARNING AND
SPECIFICATION LABELS ............................ 1-1
SAFETY INFORMATION .............................. 2-1
DESCRIPTION .............................................. 3-1Left view ...................................................... 3-1
Right view.................................................... 3-1
Controls and instruments ............................ 3-2
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL
FUNCTIONS .................................................. 4-1 Main switch ................................................ 4-1
Indicator light and warning light .................. 4-2
Handlebar switches .................................... 4-3
Throttle lever .............................................. 4-3
Speed limiter .............................................. 4-4
Clutch lever ................................................ 4-5
Brake lever ................................................. 4-5
Brake pedal ................................................ 4-6
Parking brake lever .................................... 4-6
Shift pedal .................................................. 4-7
Fuel tank cap .............................................. 4-8
Fuel ............................................................ 4-8 Fuel cock ..................................................4-10
Starter (choke) ..........................................4-11
Seat ..........................................................4-12
Adjusting the front shock absorber
assemblies ..............................................4-13
Adjusting the rear shock absorber assembly .................................................4-14
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS ..........................5-1 Fuel .............................................................5-4
Engine oil ....................................................5-4
Coolant .......................................................5-4
Front and rear brakes .................................5-4
Throttle lever ...............................................5-5
Drive chain ..................................................5-5
Tires ............................................................5-5
Chassis fasteners .......................................5-7
Instruments, lights and switches .................5-7
OPERATION...................................................6-1 Starting a cold engine .................................6-1
Starting a warm engine ...............................6-3
Shifting ........................................................6-3
Engine break-in ...........................................6-5U1PD60E0.book Page 1 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM

4-13
4
EBU18993Adjusting the front shock absorber as-
semblies The spring preload can be adjusted to suit the rid-
er’s weight and the riding conditions.
WARNING
EWB00400Always adjust the shock absorber assemblies
on the left and right side to the same setting.
Uneven adjustment can cause poor handling
and loss of stability, which could lead to an ac-
cident.
Adjust the spring preload as follows.
Turn the spring preload adjusting ring in direction
(a) to increase the spring preload and thereby
harden the suspension, and in direction (b) to de-
crease the spring preload and thereby soften the
suspension.
Align the appropriate notch in the adjusting ring
with the position indicator on the shock absorber.TIPA special wrench can be obtained at a Yamaha
dealer to make this adjustment.
1. Projection
2. Seat holder
1
2
1. Spring preload adjusting ring
2. Special wrench
3. Position indicator
1 2 3
4 5
(a)
(b) 1
2
3
U1PD60E0.book Page 13 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM

4-14
4
EBU30620Adjusting the rear shock absorber as-
sembly The spring preload can be adjusted to suit the rid-
er’s weight and the riding conditions.NOTICEECB01090Never turn the adjusting mechanism beyond
the minimum and maximum settings.Adjust the spring preload as follows.
1. Remove the seat. (See page 4-12.)
2. Disconnect the hose, and then remove the hose joint from the air filter case. 3. Disconnect the hose from the air intake duct,
and then loosen the clamp screw at the carbu-
retor side.
Spring preload setting:
Minimum (soft):1
Standard: 2
Maximum (hard): 5
1. Hose
2. Hose joint
1
2
U1PD60E0.book Page 14 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM

4-17
48. Place the air filter case in the original position,
connect the air intake duct, and then tighten
the clamp screw at the carburetor side.
NOTICE: Make sure that the air intake duct
is properly connected to the carburetor,
and that the clamp screw is tightened se-
curely.
[ECB01170]
9. Install the bolts, install the hose joint, and then connect the hoses.
10. Install the seat.
WARNING
EWB00450This shock absorber assembly contains highly
pressurized nitrogen gas. If the shock absorb-
er assembly is damaged, it could explode
causing injury or property damage. Shock ab-
sorber cylinder damage could also result in
poor handling which could cause an accident.
Do not tamper with or attempt to open the
cylinder assembly.
Do not subject the shock absorber assembly
to an open flame or other high heat.

Do not deform or damage the cylinder in any
way.
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.
Tightening torque: Locknut:44 Nm (4.4 m ·kgf, 32 ft· lbf)
U1PD60E0.book Page 17 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM

8-7
8
14*Chassis fasteners 
Make sure that all nuts, bolts, and screws are
properly tightened. √√√√√
15 *Shock absorber as-
semblies 
Check operation and correct if necessary.
 Check for oil leakage and replace if necessary. √√√
16 *Rear suspension re-
lay arm and con-
necting arm
pivoting points 
Check operation and correct if necessary. √√√√
17 *Steering shaft Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. √√√
18 *Steering system 
Check operation and repair or replace if damaged.
 Check toe-in and adjust if necessary. √√√√√
19 *Engine mount 
Check for cracks or other damage, and replace if
necessary. √√√
20 Engine oil 
Change.
 Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary. √ √√√
21 Engine oil filter ele-
ment

Replace. √√√
22 Cooling system 
Check coolant level and ATV for coolant leakage,
and correct if necessary. √√√√√
 Replace coolant. Every 2 years
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 7 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM

9-1
9
EBU25860
CLEANING AND STORAGE
EBU25902Cleaning Frequent, thorough cleaning of your ATV will not
only enhance its appearance but will improve its
general performance and extend the useful life of
many components.1. Before cleaning the ATV: a. Block off the end of the exhaust pipe toprevent water entry. A plastic bag and
strong rubber band may be used.
b. Make sure the spark plug and all filler caps are properly installed.
2. If the engine case is excessively greasy, apply degreaser with a paint brush. Do not apply de-
greaser to the chain, sprockets or wheel ax-
les.
3. Rinse the dirt and degreaser off with a garden hose. Use only enough pressure to do the job.
WARNING! Wet brakes may have reduced stopping ability, increasing the chance of
an accident. Test the brakes after washing.
Apply the brakes several times at slow
speeds to let friction dry out the linings.
[EWB02311]
NOTICE: Excessive water pressure may cause water seepage and deteriora-
tion of wheel bearings, brakes, transmis-
sion seals and electrical devices. Many
expensive repair bills have resulted from
improper high-pressure detergent applica-
tions such as those available in coin-oper-
ated car washers.
[ECB00711]
4. Once most of the dirt has been hosed off,
wash all surfaces with warm water and mild,
detergent-type soap. An old toothbrush or bot-
tle brush is handy for hard-to-reach places.
5. Rinse the ATV off immediately with clean wa- ter and dry all surfaces with a chamois, clean
towel or soft absorbing cloth.
6. Dry the chain and lubricate it to prevent it from rusting.
7. Clean the seat with a vinyl upholstery cleaner to keep the cover pliable and glossy.
8. Automotive type wax may be applied to all painted and chrome plated surfaces. Avoid
combination cleaner-waxes. Many contain
abrasives which may mar the paint or protec-
tive finish. When finished cleaning, start the
engine and let it idle for several minutes.
U1PD60E0.book Page 1 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM

10-4
10
Rim size:9 x 8.0ATFront brake:Type:
Disc brake
Operation: Right hand operation
Specified brake fluid: DOT 4Rear brake:Type:Disc brake
Operation: Right foot operation
Specified brake fluid:
DOT 4Front suspension:Type:Double wishbone
Spring/shock absorber type:
Coil spring/oil damper
Wheel travel: 230 mm (9.1 in)Rear suspension:Type:
Swingarm (link suspension)
Spring/shock absorber type: Coil spring/gas-oil damper
Wheel travel: 270 mm (10.6 in)
Electrical system:Ignition system:DC CDI
Charging system:
AC magnetoBattery:Model:GT7B-4
Voltage, capacity:
12 V, 6.5 AhHeadlight:Bulb type:Krypton bulbBulb voltage, wattage × quantity:Headlight:
12 V, 30.0/30.0 W × 2
Tail/brake light: 12 V, 5.0/21.0 W × 1
Neutral indicator light:
12 V, 1.7 W × 1
Coolant temperature warning light: 12 V, 1.7 W × 1Fuses:Main fuse:
15.0 A
U1PD60E0.book Page 4 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM

Maintenance and lubrication chart ................................. 8-5
Maintenance chart, emission control system ................. 8-3
Model label ................................................................... 11-2NNeutral indicator light ..................................................... 4-2OOwner’s manual and tool kit ........................................... 8-2PPanel, removing and installing ....................................... 8-9
Parking ........................................................................... 6-5
Parking brake free play, adjusting ................................ 8-37
Parking brake lever ........................................................ 4-6
Parking on a slope ......................................................... 6-6
Part locations ................................................................. 3-1RRiding your ATV ............................................................. 7-1SSafety information .......................................................... 2-1
Seat .............................................................................. 4-12
Shifting ........................................................................... 6-3
Shift pedal ...................................................................... 4-7
Shift pedal, checking .................................................... 8-45
Shock absorber assemblies, adjusting the front .......... 4-13
Shock absorber assembly, adjusting the rear .............. 4-14
Spark arrester, cleaning ............................................... 8-28
Spark plug, checking .................................................... 8-10
Specifications ............................................................... 10-1
Speed limiter .................................................................. 4-4
Starter (choke) ............................................................. 4-11
Start switch ..................................................................... 4-3
Steering shaft, lubricating ............................................. 8-47
Storage ........................................................................... 9-2 Suspension, lubricating the upper and lower arm
pivots ......................................................................... 8-46
Swingarm pivots, lubricating ........................................ 8-46
TTail/brake light bulb, replacing ..................................... 8-53
Throttle lever ........................................................... 4-3, 5-5
Throttle lever free play, adjusting ................................. 8-31
Tires ............................................................................... 5-5
Troubleshooting ........................................................... 8-55
Troubleshooting charts ................................................. 8-57VValve clearance ............................................................ 8-31
Vehicle identification number ....................................... 11-1WWheel hub bearings, checking ..................................... 8-45
Wheel, installing ........................................................... 8-55
Wheel, removing .......................................................... 8-54
U1PD60E0.book Page 2 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM