2022 YAMAHA KODIAK 450 ESP

3-2
3
Never operate at speeds too fast for your skills
or the riding conditions. Always go at a speed
that is proper for the terrain, visibility, operating
conditions, and your experience.
 Never attempt wheelies, jumps, or other stunts.
 Always inspect your ATV each time you use it to
make sure it is in safe operating condition. Al-
ways follow the inspection and maintenance
procedures and schedules described in this
manual.
 Always keep both hands on the handlebars and
both feet on the footboards of the ATV during
operation.
 Always go slowly and be extra careful when op-
erating on unfamiliar terrain. Always be alert to
changing terrain conditions when operating the
ATV.
 Never operate on excessively rough, slippery or
loose terrain until you have learned and prac-
ticed the skills necessary to control the ATV on
such terrain. Always be especially cautious on
these kinds of terrain.
 Always follow proper procedures for turning as
described in this manual. Practice turning at low
speeds before attempting to turn at faster
speeds and never turn at excessive speeds. 
Never operate the ATV on hills too steep for the
ATV or for your abilities. Practice on smaller hills
before attempting larger hills.
 Always follow proper procedures for climbing
hills as described in this manual. Check the ter-
rain carefully before you start up any hill. Never
climb hills with excessively slippery or loose
surfaces. Shift your weight forward. Never open
the throttle suddenly. Never go over the top of a
hill at high speed.
 Always follow proper procedures for going
down hills and for braking on hills as described
in this manual. Check the terrain carefully before
you start down any hill. Shift your weight back-
ward. Never go down a hill at high speed. Avoid
going down a hill at an angle that would cause
the vehicle to lean sharply to one side. Go
straight down the hill where possible.
 Always follow proper procedures for crossing
the side of a hill as described in this manual.
Avoid hills with excessively slippery or loose
surfaces. Shift your weight to the uphill side of
the ATV. Never attempt to turn the ATV around
on any hill until you have mastered the turning
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3
ungrounded or broken wiring. Visually check
for broken wiring and leaking fuel. Leaking
fuel can be confirmed by the odor of gasoline.
4. Once immediate safety hazards are con- firmed not to exist, you may remove your hel-
met to more closely inspect your vehicle.
Check for external signs of wear, broken
parts, fluid leaks, cracks in the frame, sus-
pension damage, wheel damage, and so on.
Fuel, oil, and coolant usually give off a notice-
able odor.
5. If your vehicle will not restart or if it is unsafe to ride, then turn off all vehicle systems (en-
gine stop switch, main switch, and fuel cock),
and then signal or go for help.
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 vehicle 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
guidelines in mind, as well as those found in the
Loading section (page 7-6) when mounting acces-
sories.

Never install accessories that would impair the
performance of your ATV. Carefully inspect the
accessory before using it to make sure that it
does not in any way reduce ground clearance,
limit suspension travel, steering travel or control
operation.
 Accessories fitted to the ATV can create insta-
bility due to improper weight distribution.
 Bulky or large accessories may seriously affect
the stability of the ATV.
 Certain accessories can displace the operator
from his or her normal riding position. This im-
proper position limits the freedom of movement
of the operator and may limit control ability,
therefore, such accessories are not recom-
mended.
 Use caution when adding electrical accesso-
ries. If electrical accessories exceed the capac-
ity of the ATV’s electrical system, an electric
failure could result, which could cause a dan-
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7
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. EBU30564Starting the engineThis model is equipped with an ignition circuit cut-
off system. To enable starting one of the following
conditions must be met:
The drive select lever is in the neutral or park po-
sition.
 The rear brake lever or brake pedal is applied.TIPIt is recommended to shift into neutral or park and
apply the rear brake when starting the engine.
NOTICEECB00151See the “Engine break-in” section on page 7-4
prior to operating the engine for the first time. To start the engine
1. Turn the key to “ ” (on) and the engine stop switch to “ ” (run).
The coolant temperature warning light and
the engine trouble warning light should
come on for a few seconds, then go off.
 For EPS-equipped models, the electric
power steering warning light should come
on and stay on until the engine is started.NOTICEECB00826To avoid possible damage, do not operate the
ATV if a warning light does not work as de-
scribed above. 2. Apply the brake pedal, then shift the drive se-
lect lever into the neutral or park position. The
corresponding indicator light should come
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7-6
7sold 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.
EBU21043Loading
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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know your country’s laws and regulations before
you ride on unpaved public streets or roads. Do
not ride on any paved public street, road or motor-
way.
WARNING! Never operate this ATV on any
paved street, paved road or motorway. You
can collide with another vehicle.
[EWB01522]
Know the terrain where you ride. Ride cautiously in
unfamiliar areas. Stay alert for holes, rocks, or
roots in the terrain, and other hidden hazards
which may cause the ATV to upset. WARNING!
The ATV could go out of control if you do not
have enough time to react to hidden rocks,
bumps, or holes. Go slowly and be extra care- ful when operating on unfamiliar terrain. Al-
ways be alert to changing terrain conditions
when operating the ATV.
[EWB01532]
Do not operate on rough, slippery, or loose terrain
until you have learned and practiced the skills nec-
essary to control the ATV on such terrain. Always
be especially cautious on these kinds of terrain.
WARNING! Failure to use extra care when op- erating on excessively rough, slippery, or loose
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8-11
8terrain could cause loss of traction or ATV con-
trol, which could result in an accident, includ-
ing an overturn.
[EWB01542]
When riding in an area where you might not easily
be seen, such as desert terrain, mount a caution
flag on the ATV. DO NOT use the flag pole bracket
as a trailer hitch.
WARNING! You could collide
with another vehicle if operating in areas
where you cannot easily be seen. Mount a cau-
tion flag on the ATV to make you more visible.
Watch carefully for other vehicles.
[EWB01552]
Do not ride in areas posted “no trespassing”.
Do not ride on private property without getting
permission.
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