2012 YAMAHA YFZ450R light

4-4
4
to stop the engine in an emergency situation. The
engine will not start or run when this switch is set
to
“” .
EBU18101Start switch “”
Push this switch to crank the engine with the start-
er. See the starting instructions on page 6-1 prior
to starting the engine.EBU18154Light switch “//OFF ”
Set this switch to “” to turn on the low beams
and the taillight. Set the switch to “” to turn on
the high beams and the taillight. Set the switch to
“ OFF ” to turn off all the lights.NOTICEECB00043Do not use the headlights with the engine
turned off for an extended period of time, oth-
erwise the battery may discharge to the point
that the starter motor will not operate properly.
If this should happen, remove the battery and
recharge it. (See page 8-45.)
EBU18282Throttle lever Once the engine is running, pushing the throttle le-
ver will increase the engine speed.
Regulate the speed of the ATV by varying the
throttle position. Because the throttle is spring-
loaded, the ATV will decelerate, and the engine will
return to an idle any time the throttle lever is re-
leased.
Before starting the engine, check the throttle to be
sure it is operating smoothly. Make sure it returns
to the idle position as soon as the lever is released.1. Throttle lever
1
U18P66E0.book Page 4 Monday, May 16, 2011 4:23 PM

4-9
4
EBU18814Fuel Make sure there is sufficient gasoline in the tank.
WARNING
EWB02521Gasoline and gasoline vapors are extremely
flammable. To avoid fires and explosions and
to reduce the risk of injury when refueling, fol-
low these instructions.1. Before refueling, turn off the engine and besure that no one is sitting on the vehicle. Nev-
er refuel while smoking, or while in the vicinity of sparks, open flames, or other sources of ig-
nition such as the pilot lights of water heaters
and clothes dryers.
2. Do not overfill the fuel tank. When refueling, be sure to insert the pump nozzle into the fuel
tank filler hole. Stop filling when the fuel reach-
es the bottom of the filler tube. Because fuel
expands when it heats up, heat from the en-
gine or the sun can cause fuel to spill out of
the fuel tank.1. Fuel tank cap
1
1. Maximum fuel level
2. Fuel tank filler tube
2
1
U18P66E0.book Page 9 Monday, May 16, 2011 4:23 PM

5-3
5
Brake and clutch levers
Make sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate lever pivoting points if
necessary. 8-41
Chassis fasteners Make sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are properly tightened. 5-7
Instruments, lights and
switches 
Check operation, and correct if necessary. 5-7
ITEM ROUTINE PAGEU18P66E0.book Page 3 Monday, May 16, 2011 4:23 PM

5-7
5Aftermarket tires and rims
The tires and rims that came with your ATV were
designed to match the performance capabilities
and to provide the best combination of handling,
braking, and comfort. Other tires, rims, sizes, and
combinations may not be appropriate.
EBU19840Chassis fasteners Make sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are prop-
erly tightened.
EBU19850Instruments, lights and switches Check that all instruments, lights and switches are
working properly. Correct if necessary.
Front:
Manufacturer/model:DUNLOP/KT352 Radial
Size: AT21 x 7R10
Ty p e : Tu b e l e s s
Rear: Manufacturer/model:DUNLOP/KT357 Radial
Size: AT 2 0 x 1 0 R 9
Ty p e : Tu b e l e s s
U18P66E0.book Page 7 Monday, May 16, 2011 4:23 PM

6-1
6
EBU19881
OPERATION
EBU19901Read the Owner’s Manual carefully before riding
the ATV. If there is a control or function you do not
understand, ask your Yamaha dealer.
WARNING
EWB00631Read the Owner ’s Manual carefully to become
familiar with all controls in order to help pre-
vent any loss of control, which could cause an
accident or injury.EBU29952Starting the engine NOTICEECB00150See the “Engine break-in ” section on page 6-4
prior to operating the engine for the first time.1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the key to “” (on) and the engine stop
switch to “”.
The following warning lights should come on
for a few seconds, then go off.

Coolant temperature warning light
Fuel level warning light
Engine trouble warning light
NOTICEECB00824If a warning light does not go off, see page 4-2
for the corresponding warning light circuit
check. To avoid possible damage, do not oper-
ate the ATV if a warning light stays on.3. Shift the transmission into neutral. The neutral indicator light should come on, if it does not
come on, have a Yamaha dealer check the
electrical circuit.TIPThis model is equipped with an ignition circuit cut-
off system. The engine can be started under the
following conditions.
The transmission is in neutral.
The clutch is disengaged with the transmission
in gear. However, it is recommended to shift into
neutral before starting the engine.
U18P66E0.book Page 1 Monday, May 16, 2011 4:23 PM

6-2
64. Completely close the throttle lever and start
the engine by pushing the start switch.
TIPIf the engine fails to start, release the start switch,
then push it again. Pause a few seconds before
the next attempt. Each cranking should be as short
as possible to preserve battery energy. Do not
crank the engine more than 10 seconds on each
attempt.NOTICEECB00163For maximum engine life, never accelerate
hard when the engine is cold!EBU20522Shifting This ATV has a 5-speed forward transmission. The
transmission allows you to control the amount of
power you have available at a given speed or for
starting, accelerating, climbing hills, etc.
To shift into neutral, release the throttle lever, ap-
ply the clutch, and then repeatedly depress the
shift pedal until it stops. When it stops, it will be in first gear. Raise the pedal
slightly to reach the neutral position, and then re-
lease the clutch.
EBU20592To start out and accelerate
1. Release the throttle lever, apply the front or rear brake, and then release the parking
brake.1. Shift pedal
2. Neutral position
1
2 2 3
4 5
N1
U18P66E0.book Page 2 Monday, May 16, 2011 4:23 PM

7-12
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.
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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.U18P66E0.book Page 18 Monday, May 16, 2011 4:23 PM