2018 YAMAHA YFZ450R parking brake

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

RIDING YOUR ATV ........................................ 7-1GETTING TO KNOW YOUR ATV ................ 7-2
RIDE WITH CARE AND GOOD JUDGMENT .............................................. 7-2
BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU RIDE ............... 7-8
TURNING YOUR ATV................................ 7-11
CLIMBING UPHILL ................................... 7-13
RIDING DOWNHILL .................................. 7-16
CROSSING A SLOPE................................ 7-17
CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW WATER .................................................... 7-18
RIDING OVER ROUGH TERRAIN ............. 7-20
SLIDING AND SKIDDING.......................... 7-20
WHAT TO DO IF... ..................................... 7-21
WHAT TO DO... ......................................... 7-22
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND
ADJUSTMENT................................................ 8-1 Owner’s manual and tool kit ....................... 8-2
Periodic maintenance chart: Emission control system .......................................... 8-3
Periodic maintenance chart: General maintenance and lubrication..................... 8-5
Removing and installing the cowling and panels...................................................... 8-10
Checking the spark plug ........................... 8-13
Engine oil and oil filter element ................. 8-14 Coolant ..................................................... 8-20
Cleaning the air filter element ................... 8-21
Cleaning the spark arrester ...................... 8-25
Adjusting the throttle lever free play ......... 8-27
Valve clearance......................................... 8-28
Brakes....................................................... 8-28
Checking the front and rear brake pads... 8-28
Checking the brake fluid level .................. 8-29
Changing the brake fluid .......................... 8-31
Checking the front brake lever free play... 8-31
Checking the brake pedal height.............. 8-32
Adjusting the parking brake free play ....... 8-32
Brake light switches ................................. 8-34
Adjusting the clutch lever free play .......... 8-34
Drive chain slack....................................... 8-35
Lubricating the drive chain ....................... 8-37
Checking and lubricating the cables ........ 8-38
Checking and lubricating the brake and
clutch levers ........................................... 8-39
Checking the shift pedal ........................... 8-39
Checking and lubricating the brake pedal ....................................................... 8-39
Checking the wheel hub bearings ............ 8-40
Lubricating the swingarm pivots .............. 8-40
Lubricating the upper and lower arm pivots ...................................................... 8-41
Lubricating the steering shaft ................... 8-42UBW261E0.book Page 2 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM

3-2
3
EBU17715Controls and instruments1. Clutch lever
2. Parking brake lever
3. Handlebar switches
4. Main switch
5. Front brake fluid reservoir
6. Throttle lever
7. Brake lever
2
1
3
6
5
4
7
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4-6
4The brake lever is located on the right handlebar.
To apply the front brake, pull the brake lever to-
ward the handlebar grip.
The brake lever is equipped with a position adjust-
ing bolt. To adjust the distance between the brake
lever and the handlebar grip, hold the brake lever
away from the handlebar so it does not contact
the adjusting bolt, loosen the locknut, turn the ad-
justing bolt, and then tighten the locknut.
EBU18434Brake pedal
The brake pedal is located on the right side of the
ATV. To apply the rear brake, push down on the
brake pedal.EBU18521Parking brake leverUse the parking brake before starting the engine
or parking the ATV, especially on a slope. To apply
the parking brake, move the parking brake lever in
direction (a). To release the parking brake, move
the parking brake lever in direction (b).
1. Brake pedal
1
1. Parking brake lever (locked position)
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4-7
4
WARNING
EWB00221Always set the parking brake before starting
the engine. The ATV could start moving un-
expectedly if the parking brake is not ap-
plied. This could cause loss of control or a
collision.
 Always be sure you have released the park-
ing brake before you begin to ride. The brake
could overheat if you ride the ATV without re-
leasing the parking brake. You could lose braking performance which could cause an
accident. You could also wear out the brakes
prematurely.
EBU18532Shift pedalThe shift pedal is located on the left side of the en-
gine and is used in combination with the clutch
when shifting. (See page 6-2.)
1. Parking brake lever (unlocked position)
1. Shift pedal
1
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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. EBU29954Starting 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
NOTICEECB00826To avoid possible damage, do not operate the
ATV if a warning light does not work as de-
scribed above. 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. 4. Completely close the throttle lever and start
the engine by pushing the start switch.
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6-2
6
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 accelerate1. 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.
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]
1. Shift pedal
2. Neutral position
1
1
N
2 3
4
5
2
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6-4
6

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.
EBU20674Engine break-inThere is never a more important period in the life
of your engine than the first 320 km (200 mi) or 20
hours of operation. For this reason, you should fol-
low the engine break-in instructions 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. During this period the various parts in
the engine wear and polish themselves to the cor-
rect operating clearances. Avoid prolonged full-
throttle operation or any condition that might re-
sult in engine overheating.
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.
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