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4-22
4
EBU18963Front carrierDo not exceed the load limit of 40.0 kg (88 lb) for
the front carrier.
Do not exceed the maximum load of 210.0 kg
(463 lb) for the ATV.EBU18973Rear carrierDo not exceed the load limit of 80.0 kg (176 lb)
for the rear carrier.
Do not exceed the maximum load of 210.0 kg
(463 lb) for the ATV.EBU19147Adjusting the front and rear shock ab-
sorber assembliesThe spring preload can be adjusted to suit the rid-
er’s weight and the riding conditions.
WARNING
EWB00401Always 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.
1. Storage compartment drain plug
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5
EBU19202
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
EBU19225Inspect your vehicle each time you use it to make sure the vehicle is in safe operating condition. Always
follow the inspection and maintenance procedures and schedules described in the Owner’s Manual.
WARNING
EWB00482Failure to inspect or maintain the vehicle properly increases the possibility of an accident or equip-
ment damage. Do not operate the vehicle if you find any problem. If a problem cannot be corrected
by the procedures provided in this manual, have the vehicle inspected by a Yamaha dealer. Before using this vehicle, check the following points:
ITEMROUTINE PAGE
Fuel • Check fuel level in fuel tank,
and add recommended fuel if neces-
sary.
• Check fuel line for leakage. Correct if necessary. 4-15, 5-3
Engine oil • Check oil level in engine, and add recommended oil to specified
level if necessary.
• Check ATV for oil leakage. Correct if necessary. 5-3, 8-16
Final gear oil • Check ATV for oil leakage. Correct if necessary. 5-3, 8-21
Differential gear oil • Check ATV for oil leakage. Correct if necessary. 5-3, 8-24
Coolant • Check coolant level in reservoir, and add recommended coolant to
specified level if necessary.
• Check cooling system for leakage. Correct if necessary. 5-3, 8-26
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5-4
5Brake fluid leakage (front brake)
Check to see if any brake fluid is leaking out of the
hose, joint or brake fluid reservoir of the front
brake. Apply the brake firmly for one minute. If the
lever moves slowly inward, there may be a leak in
the brake system. If there is any leakage, the brake
system should be checked by a Yamaha dealer.
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 and friction plates for wear.
(See page 8-38.)
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.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:
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5-6
5Tire 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.1. Tire wear limit
Front:Manufacturer/model:YFM450DF CHENG SHIN/C-828
(AUS)(NZL)
YFM450DF MAXXIS/MU13
(EUR)(FRA)(GBR)
YFM450PF CHENG SHIN/C-828
(AUS)(NZL)
YFM450PF MAXXIS/MU13
(EUR)(FRA)(GBR)
YFM450PHF MAXXIS/MU13
Size: AT25 x 8-12
Ty p e : Tu b e l e s s
Rear: Manufacturer/model:YFM450DF CHENG SHIN/C-828
(AUS)(NZL)
YFM450DF MAXXIS/MU14
(EUR)(FRA)(GBR)
YFM450PF CHENG SHIN/C-828
(AUS)(NZL)
YFM450PF MAXXIS/MU14
(EUR)(FRA)(GBR)
YFM450PHF MAXXIS/MU14
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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. EBU26546Starting a cold engineNOTICEECB00151See the “Engine break-in” section on page 6-5
prior to operating the engine for the first time. 1. Turn the fuel cock to “ON”.
2. Turn the key to “ON” and the engine stopswitch to “ ”. 3. Shift the drive select lever into the neutral or
park position. The corresponding indicator
light should come on, if it does not come on,
have a Yamaha dealer check the electrical
circuit.
TIPThe engine can be started under the following
conditions:
The drive select lever is in the neutral or park po-
sition.
The rear brake lever is applied with the drive se-
lect lever in any position. However, it is recom-
mended to shift into the neutral or park position
before starting the engine. 4. Use the starter (choke) in reference to the fig-
ure:
Position (1):
Cold engine start with ambient temperature
below 5 °C (40 °F).
Position (2):
Cold engine start with ambient temperature
between 0 °C (30 °F) and 30 °C (90 °F).
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6-3
6
EBU20292Starting a warm engineFollow the same procedure as for starting a cold
engine, with the exception that the starter (choke)
is not required when the engine is warm. Instead,
start the engine with the throttle slightly open.EBU20442Operating the drive select lever and
driving in reverseNOTICEECB00171Before shifting, stop the ATV, otherwise the
transmission may be damaged. Shifting: Neutral to High-range and High-range
to Low-range1. Bring the ATV to a complete stop.
2. Apply the brake pedal, and then shift by mov- ing the drive select lever along the shift guide.TIPMake sure that the drive select lever is completely
shifted into position.
3. Release the brake pedal, and then open thethrottle lever gradually.
Shifting: Neutral to Reverse and Reverse to
Park
WARNING
EWB00721Improper operation in reverse could make you
hit an obstacle or even a person behind you,
resulting in serious injury. When you shift into1. Drive select lever
2. L (Low-range)
3. H (High-range)
4. N (Neutral)
5. R (Reverse)
6. P (Park)
1
2L3H4N5R6P
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6-6
6
EBU20822Parking on a slope
WARNING
EWB00861Avoid parking on hills or other inclines. Parking
on a hill or other incline could cause the ATV to
roll out of control, increasing the chance of an
accident. If you must park on an incline, place
the ATV transversely across the incline, stop
the engine, shift the drive select lever to the
park position, and then block the front and rear
wheels with rocks or other objects.
Do not park the ATV at all on hills that are so
steep you could not walk up them easily. 1. Bring the ATV to a stop by applying thebrakes.
2. Stop the engine.
3. With the brake pedal applied, shift the drive select lever to the park position.
4. Turn the fuel cock to “OFF”.
EBU20911Accessories and loadingEBU20922Genuine Yamaha Accessories
Choosing accessories for your ATV is an impor-
tant 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 connection to Yamaha manufacture parts
and accessories or offer other modifications for
Yamaha vehicles. Yamaha is not in a position to test the products that these aftermarket compa-
nies produce. Therefore, Yamaha can neither en-
dorse nor recommend the use of accessories not
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6-7
6sold by Yamaha or modifications not specifically
recommended by Yamaha, even if sold and in-
stalled 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 po-
tential safety hazards to you or others. Installing
aftermarket products or having other modifica-
tions performed to your ATV that change any of
the vehicle’s design or operation characteristics
can put you and others at greater risk of serious
injury or death. You are responsible for injuries re-
lated 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.
EBU27572Loading
WARNING
EWB00821Never 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. Cargo or a trailer can change the stability and han-
dling of an ATV.
You must use common sense and good judgment
when carrying cargo or towing a trailer. Keep the
following points in mind:
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