2018 YAMAHA YFZ450R ABS

EBU17421
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LOCATION OF THE WARNING AND
SPECIFICATION LABELS .............................. 1-1
SAFETY INFORMATION ................................ 2-1
DESCRIPTION................................................ 3-1Left view ...................................................... 3-1
Right view.................................................... 3-1
Controls and instruments............................ 3-2
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL
FUNCTIONS ................................................... 4-1 Main switch ................................................. 4-1
Indicator light and warning lights ................ 4-1
Handlebar switches .................................... 4-3
Throttle lever ............................................... 4-4
Speed limiter ............................................... 4-4
Clutch lever ................................................. 4-5
Brake lever .................................................. 4-5
Brake pedal ................................................. 4-6
Parking brake lever ..................................... 4-6
Shift pedal ................................................... 4-7
Fuel tank cap............................................... 4-8
Fuel ............................................................. 4-8 Seat .......................................................... 4-10
Front shock absorbers ............................. 4-11
Rear shock absorbers .............................. 4-16
Handlebar position ................................... 4-23
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS .......................... 5-1 Fuel ............................................................. 5-4
Engine oil .................................................... 5-4
Coolant ....................................................... 5-4
Front and rear brakes ................................. 5-4
Throttle lever ............................................... 5-5
Drive chain .................................................. 5-5
Tires ............................................................ 5-5
Chassis fasteners ....................................... 5-7
Instruments, lights and switches ................ 5-7
OPERATION .................................................. 6-1 Starting the engine ..................................... 6-1
Shifting........................................................ 6-2
Engine break-in........................................... 6-4
Parking........................................................ 6-4
Parking on a slope ...................................... 6-5
Accessories and loading ............................ 6-5UBW261E0.book Page 1 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM

3-1
3
EBU17681
DESCRIPTION
EBU17691Left view
EBU17701Right view
1. Front shock absorber
2. Engine oil tank filler cap
3. Rear brake fluid reservoir
4. Battery
5. Shift pedal
6. Coolant reservoir
563
1
4
2
1. Spark arrester
2. Fuse
3. Fuel tank cap
4. Oil filter element
5. Brake pedal
6. Rear brake light switch
7. Rear shock absorber
456
1
2
7
3
UBW261E0.book Page 1 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM

4-11
4
To install the seat
Insert the projections on the front of the seat into
the seat holders and push down on the seat at the
rear. Make sure that the seat is securely fitted.
EBU30052Front shock absorbersThese shock absorber assemblies are equipped
with a spring preload adjusting nut, a rebound
damping force adjusting screw, with a compres-
sion damping force adjusting bolt (for fast com- pression damping), and a compression damping
force adjusting screw (for slow compression
damping).
WARNING
EWB02492
Suspension components become hot during
operation. Never touch the compression
damping force adjusting bolt and screw, the
rebound damping force adjusting screw or
the oil reservoir with your bare hand or skin
until suspension components have cooled.
 Always adjust the shock absorber assem-
blies 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 accident. NOTICEECB00091Never turn an adjusting mechanism beyond
the minimum and maximum settings. TIPAlthough the total number of clicks or turns of a
damping force adjusting mechanism may not ex-
actly match the following specifications due to
1. Projection
2. Seat holder
1
2
UBW261E0.book Page 11 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM

4-15
4
Slow compression damping force
To increase the slow compression damping force
and thereby harden the compression damping,
turn the slow compression damping force adjust-
ing screw in direction (a). To decrease the slow
compression damping force and thereby soften
the compression damping, turn the adjusting
screw in direction (b).
WARNING
EWB00411These shock absorber assemblies contain
highly pressurized nitrogen gas. Read and un-
derstand the following information before han-
dling the shock absorber assemblies.

Do not tamper with or attempt to open the
cylinder assemblies.
 Do not subject the shock absorber assem-
blies to an open flame or other high heat
source. This may cause the unit to explode
due to excessive gas pressure.
 Do not deform or damage the cylinders in
any way. Cylinder damage will result in poor
damping performance.
1. Slow compression damping force adjusting screw
(a)
(b)
1
Slow compression damping setting:
Minimum (soft):20 click(s) in direction (b)*
Standard: 7 click(s) in direction (b)*
Maximum (hard): 1 click(s) in direction (b)*
* With the adjusting screw fully turned in di- rection (a)
UBW261E0.book Page 15 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM

4-16
4
Do not dispose of a damaged or worn out
shock absorber assembly yourself. Take the
shock absorber assembly to a Yamaha deal-
er for any service.
EBU30143Rear shock absorbersThis shock absorber assembly is equipped with a
spring preload adjusting nut, a rebound damping
force adjusting screw, a compression damping
force adjusting bolt (for fast compression damp-
ing), and a compression damping force adjusting
screw (for slow compression damping).
WARNING
EWB02681Suspension components become hot during
operation. Never touch the compression
damping force adjusting bolt and screw, the
rebound damping force adjusting screw or the
oil reservoir with your bare hand or skin until
the suspension components have cooled. NOTICEECB00091Never turn an adjusting mechanism beyond
the minimum and maximum settings.
TIPAlthough the total number of clicks or turns of a
damping force adjusting mechanism may not ex-
actly match the following specifications due to
small differences in production, the actual number
of clicks or turns always represents the entire ad-
justing range. To obtain a precise adjustment, it
would be advisable to check the number of clicks
or turns of each damping force adjusting mecha-
nism and to modify the specifications as neces-
sary. Spring preload
1. Remove the cowling. (See page 8-10.)
2. Remove the clip from the hose holder, re- move the bolt, and then move the blow-by
gas chamber away from the vehicle.
UBW261E0.book Page 16 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM

4-23
4
WARNING
EWB00431This shock absorber assembly contains highly
pressurized nitrogen gas. Read and under-
stand the following information before han-
dling the shock absorber assembly.
Do not tamper with or attempt to open the
cylinder assembly.
 Do not subject the shock absorber assembly
to an open flame or other high heat source.
This may cause the unit to explode due to ex-
cessive gas pressure.
 Do not deform or damage the cylinder in any
way. Cylinder damage will result in poor
damping performance.
 Do not dispose of a damaged or worn out
shock absorber assembly yourself. Take the
shock absorber assembly to a Yamaha deal-
er for any service. EBU29403Handlebar positionThe handlebar can be adjusted to one of two po-
sitions to suit the rider’s preference. Have a
Yamaha dealer adjust the position of the handle- bar.
1. Slow compression damping force adjusting screwSlow compression damping setting: Minimum (soft):20 click(s) in direction (b)*
Standard: 8 click(s) in direction (b)*
Maximum (hard): 1 click(s) in direction (b)*
* With the adjusting screw fully turned in di- rection (a)
(a)
(b)
1
UBW261E0.book Page 23 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM

8-7
8
14*Drive chain roller • Check for wear and replace if necessary. √√√
15 *Chassis fasteners • Make sure that all nuts, bolts, and screws are
properly tightened. √√√√√
16 *Shock absorber as-
semblies • Check operation and correct if necessary.
• Check for oil leakage and replace if necessary.
√√√
17 *Rear suspension re-
lay arm and con-
necting arm
pivoting points • Check operation and correct if necessary.
√√√√
18 *Steering shaft • Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. √√√
19 *Steering system • Check operation and repair or replace if dam-
aged.
• Check toe-in and adjust if necessary. √√√√√
20 Engine oil • Change.
• Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary. √ √√√
21 Engine oil filter ele-
ment
• Replace.
√√√
22 *Cooling system • Check coolant level and ATV for coolant leakage,
and correct if necessary. √√√√√
• Replace coolant. Every 2 years
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 320UBW261E0.book Page 7 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM

9-1
9
EBU25861
CLEANING AND STORAGE
EBU25903CleaningFrequent, thorough cleaning of your ATV will not
only enhance its appearance but will improve its
general performance and extend the useful life of
many components.1. Before cleaning the ATV: a. Block off the end of the exhaust pipe toprevent water entry. A plastic bag and
strong rubber band may be used.
b. Make sure the spark plug and all filler caps are properly installed.
2. If the engine case is excessively greasy, apply degreaser with a paint brush. Do not apply
degreaser to the chain, sprockets or wheel
axles.
3. Rinse the dirt and degreaser off with a garden hose. Use only enough pressure to do the
job. WARNING! Wet brakes may have re-
duced stopping ability, increasing the
chance of an accident. Test the brakes af-
ter washing. Apply the brakes several
times at slow speeds to let friction dry out
the linings.
[EWB02312]
NOTICE: Excessive wa- ter pressure may cause water seepage
and deterioration of wheel bearings,
brakes, transmission seals and electrical
devices. Many expensive repair bills have
resulted from improper high-pressure de-
tergent applications such as those avail-
able in coin-operated car washers.
[ECB00712]
4. Once most of the dirt has been hosed off,
wash all surfaces with warm water and mild,
detergent-type soap. An old toothbrush or
bottle brush is handy for hard-to-reach pla-
ces.
5. Rinse the ATV off immediately with clean wa- ter and dry all surfaces with a chamois, clean
towel or soft absorbing cloth.
6. Dry the chain and lubricate it to prevent it from rusting.
7. Clean the seat with a vinyl upholstery cleaner to keep the cover pliable and glossy.
8. Automotive type wax may be applied to all painted and chrome plated surfaces. Avoid
combination cleaner-waxes. Many contain
UBW261E0.book Page 1 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM