2013 YAMAHA YFZ450R light

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.
EBU20593To start out and accelerate
1. Release the throttle lever, apply the front or rear brake, and then release the parking
brake.
2. Pull the clutch lever to disengage the clutch.1. Shift pedal
2. Neutral position
1
2 2 3
4 5
N1
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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.U18P67E0.book Page 18 Wednesday, May 9, 2012 3:30 PM

8-8
8
EBU29430TIP●Some maintenance items need more frequent service if you are riding in unusually wet, dusty, sandy or
muddy areas, or at full-throttle.●Replace the fuel hose every five years and if cracked or damaged.●Hydraulic brake service
Regularly check and, if necessary, correct the brake fluid level.
Every two years replace the internal components of the brake master cylinders and calipers, andchange the brake fluid.
Replace the brake hoses every four years and if cracked or damaged.23 *Throttle lever Check operation.
Check throttle lever free play, and adjust if neces-
sary.
Lubricate cable and lever housing. √√√√√
24 *Front and rear brake
switches
Check operation and correct if necessary.
√√√√√
25 *Lights and switches Check operation and correct if necessary.
Adjust headlight beams. √√√√√
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 320U18P67E0.book Page 8 Wednesday, May 9, 2012 3:30 PM

8-15
8
To install the cowling
1. Place the cowling in the original position, and
then tighten the quick fasteners.
2. Install panels C, B and A.EBU29441Checking the spark plug The spark plug is an important engine component,
which should be checked periodically, preferably
by a Yamaha dealer. Since heat and deposits will
cause any spark plug to slowly erode, the spark
plug should be removed and checked in accor-
dance with the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart. In addition, the condition of the spark
plug can reveal the condition of the engine.
The porcelain insulator around the center elec-
trode of the spark plug should be a medium-to-light
tan (the ideal color when the vehicle is ridden nor-
mally). If the spark plug shows a distinctly different
color, the engine could be operating improperly.
Do not attempt to diagnose such problems your-
self. Instead, have a Yamaha dealer check the ve-
hicle.
If the spark plug shows signs of electrode erosion
and excessive carbon or other deposits, it should
be replaced.
1. Quick fastener
1. Quick fastener
11
1
1
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8-28
82. Remove the tailpipe by pulling it out of the
muffler.
3. Tap the tailpipe lightly, and then use a wire brush to remove any carbon deposits from the
spark arrester portion of the tailpipe and inside
of the tailpipe housing. 4. Insert the tailpipe into the muffler and align the
bolt holes.
5. Install the bolt and tighten it to the specified torque.
6. Remove the purging bolt and the gasket.
1. Tailpipe bolt
2. Tailpipe
1
2
1. Tailpipe
2. Spark arresterTightening torque: Tailpipe bolt:8 Nm (0.8 m·kgf, 5.8 ft·lbf)
1
2
U18P67E0.book Page 28 Wednesday, May 9, 2012 3:30 PM

8-36
8hold the adjusting bolt with a wrench so
that it does not turn together with the lock-
nut.
[ECB00521]
WARNING
EWB02090Operating with improperly serviced or adjust-
ed brakes could cause the brakes to malfunc-
tion, resulting in reduced braking
performance. This could increase the chance
of a collision or accident. After adjusting the
parking brake free play, block the rear of the
ATV off the ground and spin the rear wheels.
Check to make sure there is no brake drag. If
brake drag is noticed, perform the adjustment
again.EBU24743Brake light switches The brake light, which is activated by the brake
pedal and brake lever, should come on just before
braking takes effect. The brake light switch for the brake pedal can be
adjusted as follows, but the front brake light switch
should be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer.
Turn the rear brake light switch adjusting nut while
holding the brake light switch in place. To make the
brake light come on earlier, turn the adjusting nut
in direction (a). To make the brake light come on
later, turn the adjusting nut in direction (b).
EBU30152Adjusting the clutch lever free play The clutch lever free play must be checked and, if
necessary, adjusted at the intervals specified in the
periodic maintenance and lubrication chart.
Tightening torque:
Locknut (rear brake caliper):16 Nm (1.6 m·kgf, 12 ft·lbf)1. Rear brake light switch
2. Rear brake light switch adjusting nut
1
2(a) (b)
U18P67E0.book Page 36 Wednesday, May 9, 2012 3:30 PM

8-48
82. Remove the blown fuse, and then install a
new fuse of the specified amperage.
WARNING! Always use a fuse of the spec-
ified rating, and never use a substitute ob-
ject in place of the proper fuse. An
improper fuse or a substitute object can
cause damage to the electrical system,
which could lead to a fire.
[EWB02172]
3. Turn the key to “ ” (on) and turn on the elec-trical circuits to check if the devices operate.
4. If the fuse immediately blows again, have a Yamaha dealer check the electrical system.EBU30161Replacing a headlight bulb If a headlight bulb burns out, replace it as follows.1. Remove the headlight unit by removing the bolt, and then pulling the headlight unit out-
ward as shown. 2. Remove the headlight bulb holder cover.
Specified fuse:
20.0 A
1. Headlight unit
2. Bolt
1. Headlight bulb holder cover
1
2
1
U18P67E0.book Page 48 Wednesday, May 9, 2012 3:30 PM