2012 YAMAHA YFZ450 weight

1-6
1
******
*** kW *** kg1
23
YAMAHA MOTOR CO., LTD.
2500 SHINGAI, IWATA, JAPAN
****1 This pictogram shows trailer Hitch Tow
weight limit. (Combined weight of the trailer
and all cargo in the trailer.)
Overloading can cause loss of control.
Loss of control can result in severe injury or
death.
This pictogram shows trailer Hitch Tongue
weight limit. (Weight on the trailer tongue.)
Overloading can cause loss of control.
Loss of control can result in severe injury or
death.
1
2
3
Model Name
Max. Power
Mass In Running Order
1 Year of construction
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1-9
1
4AA-22259-40WARNING
OPERATING TIRE PRESSURE : Set with tires cold
Recommended
: Front
: 25.0
kPa
Rear
: 30.0
kPa

Minimum
: Front
: 22.0
kPa
Rear
: 27.0
kPa

Never set tire pressure below minimum.
It could cause the tire to dislodge from the rim.LOADINGMaximum weight capacity :
100 kg (220 lbs.)
Includes weight of operator, cargo and accessories.Improper tire pressure or overloading can cause
loss of control.
Loss of control can result in severe injury or
death.
3.6 psi
4.4 psi 3.2 psi
4.0 psi(
( )
() () )
2PA-2816M-00
WARNINGNEVER ride as a
passenger.Passengers can causea loss of control,resulting in SEVEREINJURY or DEATH.5FE-2151H-01
Use
97 octane
5TG-2415E-10
PREMIUM unleaded gasoline with min. (RON).
3
4 5
6
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2

Always inspect your ATV each time you use it to
make sure it is in safe operating condition. Al-
ways follow the inspection and maintenance
procedures and schedules described in this
manual.
Always keep both hands on the handlebars and
both feet on the footrests of the ATV during op-
eration.
Always go slowly and be extra careful when op-
erating on unfamiliar terrain. Always be alert to
changing terrain conditions when operating the
ATV.
Never operate on excessively rough, slippery or
loose terrain until you have learned and prac-
ticed the skills necessary to control the ATV on
such terrain. Always be especially cautious on
these kinds of terrain.
Always follow proper procedures for turning as
described in this manual. Practice turning at low
speeds before attempting to turn at faster
speeds and never turn at excessive speeds.
Never operate the ATV on hills too steep for the
ATV or for your abilities. Practice on smaller hills
before attempting larger hills.

Always follow proper procedures for climbing
hills as described in this manual. Check the ter-
rain carefully before you start up any hill. Never
climb hills with excessively slippery or loose sur-
faces. Shift your weight forward. Never open the
throttle suddenly or make sudden gear changes.
Never go over the top of a hill at high speed.
Always follow proper procedures for going down
hills and for braking on hills as described in this
manual. Check the terrain carefully before you
start down any hill. Shift your weight backward.
Never go down a hill at high speed. Avoid going
down a hill at an angle that would cause the ve-
hicle to lean sharply to one side. Go straight
down the hill where possible.
Always follow proper procedures for crossing
the side of a hill as described in this manual.
Avoid hills with excessively slippery or loose sur-
faces. 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 described in this manual on level ground.
Avoid crossing the side of a steep hill if possible.
Always use proper procedures if you stall or roll
backwards when climbing a hill. To avoid stall-
ing, use the proper gear and maintain a steady
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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
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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
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6
EBU20941Loading
WARNING
EWB00820Never exceed the stated load capacity for this
ATV. Overloading this ATV or carrying or tow-
ing cargo improperly could cause changes in
ATV handling which could lead to an accident.
Cargo should be properly distributed and se-
curely attached. Reduce speed when carrying
cargo or pulling a trailer. Allow greater dis-
tance for braking.As originally equipped, this ATV is not designed to
carry cargo or tow a trailer. If you choose to add ac-
cessories so that you can carry cargo or tow a trail-
er, you must use common sense and good
judgment as the stability and handling of an ATV
can be changed. When adding accessories, keep
the following points in mind:
Never exceed the weight limits shown. An over-
loaded ATV can be unstable.

If you are carrying cargo and towing a trailer, in-
clude the tongue weight in the maximum ATV
load limit.
Load cargo on the carriers as close to the center
of the ATV as possible. Put cargo at the rear of
the front carrier, at the front of the rear carrier,
and center it.
Tie down cargo securely to the carriers. Make
sure cargo in the trailer cannot move around. A
shifting load can cause an accident.
Make sure the load does not interfere with con-
trols or your ability to see where you are going.
Ride more slowly than you would without a load.
The more weight you carry, the slower you
should go. Although conditions vary, it is good
practice not to exceed 2nd gear whenever you
are carrying heavier loads or when towing a trail-
er.
Allow more braking distance. A heavier ATV
takes longer to stop.
Avoid making sharp turns unless at very slow
speeds.
Avoid hills and rough terrain. Choose terrain
carefully. Added weight affects the stability and
handling of the ATV.
MAXIMUM LOADING LIMIT
ATV loading limit (total weight of rider, cargo,
accessories, and tongue):100.0 kg (220 lb)
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7-6
7
opening, even when the throttle lever is pushed to
the maximum. Turning in the adjusting screw limits
the maximum engine power available and de-
creases the maximum speed of the ATV. Turning
in the adjusting screw decreases top speed, and
turning it out increases top speed. (See page 4-4.)
Loading and accessories
WARNING
EWB00972Improper loading or towing can increase the
risk of loss of control, an overturn, or other ac-
cident. To reduce the risk of an accident:

Do not exceed the maximum loading limits
for the vehicle (see “
MAXIMUM LOADING
LIMIT” below or vehicle labeling).
Make sure the load does not interfere with
your control or ability to see where you are
going.
Reduce speed and allow more room to stop.
A heavier vehicle takes longer to stop.
Avoid hills and rough terrain. Choose terrain
carefully. Use extreme caution when towing
or carrying a load on inclines.
Turn gradually and go slowly.As originally equipped, this ATV is not designed to
carry cargo or tow a trailer. If you choose to add ac-
cessories to carry cargo, you must use common
sense and good judgment.
Use extra caution when riding the ATV with addi-
tional loads, such as accessories or cargo. The
ATV’s handling may be adversely affected. Re-
duce your speed when adding additional loads.
1. Adjusting screw
2. Locknut
2 1
MAXIMUM LOADING LIMIT
ATV loading limit (total weight of cargo, rider,
accessories, and tongue):100.0 kg (220 lb)
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7
trol.
[EWB02631]

NOTICE: Do not shift gears without
releasing the throttle. Damage to the engine or
drive train may occur.
[ECB01071]
Use this same procedure as you move into the
higher gears. Be sure to coordinate the use of the
throttle and shift pedal properly.
Avoid higher speeds until you are thoroughly famil-
iar with the operation of your ATV.
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.
TURNING YOUR ATV
WARNING
EWB01771Always follow proper procedures for turning
as described in this Owner ’s Manual. Practice
turning at low speeds before attempting to turn
at faster speeds. Do not turn at speeds too fast
for your skills or the conditions. ATV could go
out of control, causing a collision or overturn.
To achieve maximum traction on unpaved surfac-
es, the two rear wheels turn together at the same
speed. Therefore, unless the wheel on the inside
of the turn is allowed to slip or lose some traction,
the ATV will resist turning. A special turning tech-
nique must be used to allow the ATV to make turns
quickly and easily. It is essential that this skill be
learned first at low speed.
As you approach a curve, slow down and begin to
turn the handlebars in the desired direction. As you
do so, put your weight on the footrest to the outside
of the turn (opposite your desired direction) and
lean your upper body into the turn. Use the throttle
to maintain an even speed through the turn. This
maneuver will let the wheel on the inside of the turn
slip slightly, allowing the ATV to make the turn
properly.
U1PD60E0.book Page 12 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM