2014 YAMAHA YFZ450R Owners Manual

5-5
5
Brake operation
Test the brakes at slow speed after starting out to
make sure they are working properly. If the brakes
do not provide proper braking performance,
check the brake pads for wear. (See page 8-28.)
EBU19762Throttle leverCheck the operation of the throttle lever. It must
open smoothly and spring back to the idle position
when released. Have a Yamaha dealer correct if
necessary.EBU19771Drive chainCheck the condition of the drive chain and check
the drive chain slack. Lubricate and adjust the
drive chain as necessary. (See page 8-35.)EBU19815TiresCheck tire pressure regularly to make sure it is at
the recommended specifications. Also check for
wear and damage. Tire pressure
Use the low-pressure tire gauge to check and ad-
just tire pressures when the tires are cold. Tire
pressures must be equal on both sides.
WARNING! Operation of this vehicle with im- proper tire pressure may cause severe injury or
death from loss of control or rollover. Tire
pressure below the minimum specified could
also cause the tire to dislodge from the rim un-
der severe riding conditions.
[EWB02542]
Set tire
pressures to the following specifications:
U1TD6AE0.book Page 5 Wednesday, January 8, 2014 8:46 AM

5-6
5The low-pressure tire gauge is included as stan-
dard equipment. Make two measurements of the
tire pressure and use the second reading. Dust or
dirt in the gauge could cause the first reading to be
incorrect. Tire wear limit
When the tire groove decreases to 3 mm (0.12 in)
due to wear, replace the tire.
Recommended tire pressure:
Front35.0 kPa (0.350 kgf/cm², 5.0 psi)
Rear 35.0 kPa (0.350 kgf/cm², 5.0 psi)
Minimum tire pressure: Front32.0 kPa (0.320 kgf/cm², 4.6 psi)
Rear 32.0 kPa (0.320 kgf/cm², 4.6 psi)
Maximum tire seating pressure: Front250 kPa (2.5 kgf/cm², 36 psi)
Rear 250 kPa (2.5 kgf/cm², 36 psi)
1. Low-pressure tire gauge
1
U1TD6AE0.book Page 6 Wednesday, January 8, 2014 8:46 AM

5-7
5
Tire information
This ATV is equipped with tubeless tires with
valves.
WARNING
EWB02552Use of improper tires on this ATV may cause
loss of control, increasing your risk of an acci-
dent. After extensive tests, only the tires listed below
have been approved for this model by Yamaha
Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America. Aftermarket 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.
EBU19841Chassis fastenersMake sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are
properly tightened.
1. Tire wear limit
Front:
Manufacturer/model:MAXXIS/MS21
Size: AT21 x 7R10
Ty p e : Tu b e l e s s
Rear: Manufacturer/model:MAXXIS/MS22
Size: AT20 x 10R9
Ty p e : Tu b e l e s s
U1TD6AE0.book Page 7 Wednesday, January 8, 2014 8:46 AM

5-8
5
EBU19851Instruments, lights and switchesCheck that all instruments, lights and switches are
working properly. Correct if necessary.U1TD6AE0.book Page 8 Wednesday, January 8, 2014 8:46 AM

6-1
6
EBU19882
OPERATION
EBU19902Read 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
EWB00632Read 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. EBU29953Starting the engineNOTICEECB00151See 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 stopswitch 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
NOTICEECB00825If 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.
U1TD6AE0.book Page 1 Wednesday, January 8, 2014 8:46 AM

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. NOTICEECB00164For maximum engine life, never accelerate
hard when the engine is cold! EBU20525ShiftingThis 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 ped-
al slightly to reach the neutral position, and then
release the clutch.
EBU20595To 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
U1TD6AE0.book Page 2 Wednesday, January 8, 2014 8:46 AM

6-3
6
3. Shift into first gear, and then release the
brake. NOTICE: Always close the throttle
before shifting gears, otherwise damage
to the engine and drive train may result.
[ECB01220]
4. Open the throttle gradually and at the same time, release the clutch lever slowly.
WARNING! Opening the throttle abruptly or releasing the clutch lever too quickly
could make the ATV wheelie, which would
increase the chance of an accident, in-
cluding an overturn.
[EWB00732]
5. Once the ATV has attained adequate speed, release the throttle, and at the same time,
quickly pull in the clutch lever.
6. Shift the transmission into second gear. (Make sure not to shift the transmission into
neutral.)
7. Open the throttle part way and gradually re- lease the clutch lever.
8. Follow the same procedure when shifting to the next higher gear.
EBU20652To decelerate
When slowing down or stopping, release the
throttle 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 en-
gaging a lower gear. Improper use of the brakes or
shifting can cause the tires to lose traction, reduc-
ing control and increasing the possibility of an ac-
cident.
WARNING
EWB00711Make sure the engine has sufficiently slowed
before shifting to a lower gear. Engaging a low-
er gear when the engine speed is too high
could make the wheels stop rotating and lose
traction. This could cause loss of control, an
accident and injury. It could also cause engine
or drive train damage. NOTICEECB00181Even with the transmission in the neutral po-
sition, do not coast for long periods of time
with the engine off, and do not tow the ATV
for long distances. The transmission is prop-
U1TD6AE0.book Page 3 Wednesday, January 8, 2014 8:46 AM

6-4
6erly lubricated only when the engine is run-
ning. Inadequate lubrication may damage
the transmission.
 Always use the clutch when changing gears.
The engine, transmission and drive train are
not designed to withstand the shock of
forced shifting and can be damaged by shift-
ing without using the clutch.
EBU20673Engine break-inTIPFor ATVs equipped with an odometer or an hour
meter, follow the figures given in km (mi) or the
figures given in hours.
 For ATVs not equipped with an odometer or
hour meter, follow the figures given in hours. There is never a more important period in the life
of your engine than the first 320 km (200 mi) or 20
hours of riding. For this reason, you should read
the following material carefully.
Since the engine is brand new, do not put an ex-
cessive load on it for the first 320 km (200 mi) or
20 hours. The various parts in the engine wear and
polish themselves to the correct operating clear- ances. During this period, prolonged full-throttle
operation or any condition that might result in en-
gine overheating must be avoided.
0–160 km (0–100 mi) or 0–10 hours
Avoid prolonged operation above 1/2 throttle.
Vary the speed of the ATV regularly. Do not oper-
ate it at one set throttle position.
160–320 km (100–200 mi) or 10–20 hours
Avoid prolonged operation above 3/4 throttle. Rev
the engine through the gears freely, but do not use
full throttle at any time.
320 km (200 mi) or 20 hours and beyond
The ATV can now be operated normally.
NOTICEECB00221If any engine trouble should occur during the
engine break-in period, immediately have a
Yamaha dealer check the ATV. EBU26762ParkingWhen parking the ATV, shift into first gear, stop
the engine, and then apply the parking brake.
U1TD6AE0.book Page 4 Wednesday, January 8, 2014 8:46 AM