2018 YAMAHA YFZ450R tires

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

1-6
1
E10
**.* kPa
*.** kgf/cm²
*.* psi **.* kPa
*.** kgf/cm²
*.* psi
This pictogram sho
ws trailer Hitch To w
w eight limit. (Combined weight of the trailer
and all cargo in the trailer.)
Ov erloading can cause loss of control.
Loss of control can result in se vere injury or
death.
EN228 fuel identification mark.
Gasoline of ethanol 10% or less can be
used.
Use unleaded gasoline only.
Measure the tire pressure when the tires are
cold.
Adjust the tire pressure.
Improper tire pressu re can cause loss of
control.
Loss of control can result in se vere injury or
death. This pictogram sho
ws the loading limits
and/or maxim um load capacity for this AT V.
Follo w all load limits and other loading
guidelines in this man ual.
Load may inclu de the driver, passenger,
human protectiv e gear, accessories, goods,
luggage, and all other load related items.
Make sure you do not exceed the load limits.
Ov erloading can cau se loss of control.
Loss of control can result in se vere injur

y or
death.
This pictogram sho ws trailer Hitch Tongue
w eight limit. (Weight on the trailer tongue.)
Ov erloading can cause loss of control.
Loss of control can result in se vere injury or
death.
UBW261E0.book Page 6 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM

2-3
2
technique described in this manual on level
ground. Avoid crossing the side of a steep hill if
possible.
 Always use proper procedures if you stall or roll
backwards when climbing a hill. To avoid stall-
ing, use the proper gear and maintain a steady
speed when climbing a hill. If you stall or roll
backwards, follow the special procedure for
braking described in this manual. Dismount on
the uphill side or to a side if pointed straight up-
hill. Turn the ATV around and remount, following
the procedure described in this manual.
 Always check for obstacles before operating in
a new area.
 Never attempt to operate over large obstacles,
such as large rocks or fallen trees. Always follow
proper procedures when operating over obsta-
cles as described in this manual.
 Always be careful when skidding or sliding.
Learn to safely control skidding or sliding by
practicing at low speeds and on level, smooth
terrain. On extremely slippery surfaces, such as
ice, go slowly and be very cautious in order to
reduce the chance of skidding or sliding out of
control. 
Never operate an ATV in fast flowing water or in
water deeper than that recommended in this
manual. Remember that wet brakes may have
reduced stopping ability. Test your brakes after
leaving water. If necessary, apply them several
times to let friction dry out the linings.
 Always use the size and type of tires specified in
this manual.
 Always maintain proper tire pressure as de-
scribed in this manual.
 Never exceed the stated load capacity for an
ATV. Cargo should be properly distributed and
securely attached. Reduce speed and follow in-
structions in this manual for carrying cargo or
pulling a trailer. Allow greater distance for brak-
ing.
 Do not operate your ATV during darkness un-
less it is equipped with a properly functioning
headlight. Off-road riding is inherently danger-
ous and additionally, off-road trails do not have
streetlights to guide you.
 Never maintain an ATV without proper knowl-
edge. Contact an authorized ATV dealer to in-
form you on basic ATV maintenance. Certain
maintenance can only be carried out by certified
staff.
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5-2
5
Front brake• Check operation. If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed hy-
draulic system.
• Check brake pads for wear, and replace if necessary.
• Check brake fluid level in reservoir, and add specified brake fluid to specified level if necessary.
• Check hydraulic system for leakage. Correct if necessary. 5-4, 8-28, 8-29, 8-31
Rear brake • Check operation. If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed hy-
draulic system.
• Check brake pads for wear, and replace if necessary.
• Check brake fluid level in reservoir, and add specified brake fluid to specified level if necessary.
• Check hydraulic system for leakage. Correct if necessary. 5-4, 8-28, 8-29, 8-32
Clutch • Check operation, and correct if necessary.
• Lubricate cable if necessary.
• Check lever free play, and adjust if necessary. 8-34
Throttle lever • Make sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate cable and lever
housing if necessary.
• Check lever free play, and adjust if necessary. 5-5, 8-27
Control cables • Make sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate if necessary. 8-38
Drive chain • Check chain slack, and adjust if necessary.
• Check chain condition. Lubricate if necessary. 5-5, 8-35, 8-37
Wheels and tires • Check wheel condition, and replace if damaged.
• Check tire condition and tread depth. Replace if necessary.
• Check air pressure. Correct if necessary. 5-5
Shift pedal • Make sure that operation is smooth.
• Correct if necessary.
8-39
Brake pedal • Make sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate pedal pivoting point
if necessary. 8-39
ITEM ROUTINE PAGEUBW261E0.book Page 2 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM

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.)EBU19816TiresCheck tire pressure regularly to make sure it is at
the recommended specifications. Also check for
wear and damage. Tire pressure
Use a tire pressure gauge to check and adjust tire
air pressure when the tires are cold. The tire air
pressure 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]
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)
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5-6
5Tire pressure gauge
A low-pressure tire gauge is included as standard
equipment with your vehicle. (See page 8-2.)
When using the tire pressure gauge, make two
measurements and use the second reading as grit
in the gauge or tire valve could have caused the
first reading to be incorrect.
Tire wear
If the tire is damaged or the tire tread depth de-
creases to 3 mm (0.12 in) or less, replace the tire.
Tire information
This ATV is equipped with tubeless tires and tire
air valves. After extensive tests, only the tires list-
ed below are approved for this model by Yamaha.
WARNING
EWB02552Use of improper tires on this ATV may cause
loss of control, increasing your risk of an acci-
dent.
1. Low-pressure tire gauge
1
1. Tire wear limit
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5-7
5
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.
EBU19851Instruments, lights and switchesCheck that all instruments, lights and switches are
working properly. Correct if necessary.
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
UBW261E0.book Page 7 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM

6-3
64. 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.EBU20653To 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
EWB00712Make 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 drivetrain 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-
erly lubricated only when the engine is run-
ning. Inadequate lubrication may damage
the transmission.
UBW261E0.book Page 3 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM