2012 YAMAHA YFZ450 steering

Checking the wheel hub bearings ............ 8-45
Lubricating the swingarm pivots ............... 8-46
Lubricating the upper and lower arm pivots ...................................................... 8-46
Lubricating the steering shaft ................... 8-47
Battery ...................................................... 8-48
Replacing the fuse ................................... 8-50
Replacing a headlight bulb ....................... 8-51
Adjusting a headlight beam ...................... 8-53
Replacing the tail/brake light bulb ............ 8-53
Removing a wheel .................................... 8-54
Installing a wheel ...................................... 8-55
Troubleshooting ....................................... 8-55
Troubleshooting charts ............................. 8-57
CLEANING AND STORAGE .......................... 9-1 Cleaning ..................................................... 9-1
Storage ....................................................... 9-2
SPECIFICATIONS ...................................... 10-1
CONSUMER INFORMATION ...................... 11-1 Identification numbers .............................. 11-1
U1PD60E0.book Page 3 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM

6-7
6
EBU20910Accessories and loading EBU20921Genuine Yamaha Accessories
Choosing accessories for your ATV is an important
decision. Genuine Yamaha Accessories, which
are available only from a Yamaha dealer, have
been designed, tested, and approved by Yamaha
for use on your ATV. Many companies with no con-
nection to Yamaha manufacture parts and acces-
sories or offer other modifications for Yamaha
vehicles. Yamaha is not in a position to test the
products that these aftermarket companies pro-
duce. Therefore, Yamaha can neither endorse nor
recommend the use of accessories not sold by
Yamaha or modifications not specifically recom- mended by Yamaha, even if sold and installed by
a Yamaha dealer.
Aftermarket parts, accessories, and modifica-
tions
While you may find aftermarket products similar in
design and quality to genuine Yamaha Accesso-
ries, recognize that some aftermarket accessories
or modifications are not suitable because of poten-
tial safety hazards to you or others. Installing after- market products or having other modifications
performed to your ATV that change any of the ve-
hicle
’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 in mind when considering an
accessory or operating an ATV which has acces-
sories.

Accessories should be rigidly and securely
mounted. An accessory which can shift position
or come off while you are riding could affect your
ability to control the ATV.
Do not mount an accessory where it could inter-
fere with your ability to control the ATV. Exam-
ples include (but are not limited to) a heavy or
bulky object attached to the handlebars which
could make steering difficult, an accessory that
limits your ability to move around on the seat, or
one that limits your view.
Use extra caution when riding an ATV with ac-
cessories. The ATV may handle differently than
it does without accessories.
U1PD60E0.book Page 7 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

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

8-47
8
Left side Right side
EBU25092Lubricating the steering shaft The steering shaft must be lubricated by a Yamaha
dealer at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.TIPFor parts equipped with a grease nipple, use a
grease gun.
1. Upper grease nipple
2. Lower grease nipple
2
1
1. Upper grease nipple
2. Lower grease nippleRecommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
2
1
U1PD60E0.book Page 47 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