Check the following items each day before you ride. The time required is minimal, and habitual performance of these checks will help ensure you a safe, reliable ride.
If any irregularities are found during these checks, refer to the Maintenance and Adjustment chapter or see your dealer for the action required to return the motorcycle to a safe operating condition.
| WARNING Failure to perform these checks before operation may result in serious damage or an accident. Always perform daily checks before operation. |
DANGER
Exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless poisonous gas.
Inhaling carbon monoxide can cause serious brain injury or death.
Do not run the engine in enclosed areas. Operate only in a well-ventilated area.
Fuel ............................. Adequate supply in tank, no leaks.
Engine oil .................... Oil level between level lines.
Tires ............................ Air pressure (when cold):

Install the air valve cap.
Drive chain .................. Slack 25 ∼ 35 mm (1.0 ∼ 1.4 in.).
Lubricate when chain is dry.
Nuts, bolts, fasteners .. Check that steering and suspension components, axles, and all controls are properly tightened or fastened.
Steering ...................... Action smooth but not loose from lock to lock.
No binding of control cables.
Electronic Steering Damper Unit: No oil leakage.
Brakes ........................ Brake pad wear: Lining thickness more than 1 mm (0.04 in.) left.
No brake fluid leakage.
Throttle ....................... Throttle grip play 2 ∼ 3 mm (0.08 ∼ 0.12 in.).
Clutch ......................... Clutch lever play 2 ∼ 3 mm (0.08 ∼ 0.12 in.).
Clutch lever operates smoothly.
Coolant ....................... No coolant leakage.
Coolant level between level lines (when engine is cold).
Electrical equipment ... All lights (Headlight, Tail/Brake Lights, Turn Signal Lights, Warning/Indicator Lights) and horn work.
Engine stop switch ...... Stops engine.
Side stand ................... Return to its fully up position by spring tension.
Return spring not weak or not damaged.
Safe riding technique
Additional Considerations for High Speed OperationCompression Damping Force Adjustment
To adjust the compression damping force, turn the compression
damping adjuster [A].
The standard adjuster setting is the 4 1/2 turns out from
the fully clockwise position.
WARNINGIf both adjusters are not adjusted
equally, handling
may be impaired and a hazardous condition ma ...
Coolant Deterioration Inspection
Remove the right lower fairing (see Lower Fairing Removal
in the Frame chapter).
Visually inspect the coolant in the reserve tank [A].
If whitish cotton-like wafts are observed, aluminum parts
in the cooling system are corroded. If the coolant is
brown, iron or steel parts are rusting. I ...
Replacement Parts
Replacement parts must be KAWASAKI genuine or
recommended by KAWASAKI. Gaskets, O-rings, oil seals,
grease seals, circlips, cotter pins or self-locking nuts must
be replaced with new ones whenever disassembled.
Assembly Order
In most cases assembly order is the reverse of disassembly,
howe ...