Kawasaki Ninja Owners Manual: Fuels Containing Oxygenates

Kawasaki Ninja Owners Manual / General information / Fuel Tank / Fuels Containing Oxygenates

Gasoline frequently contains oxygenates (alcohols and ethers) especially in areas of the U.S. and Canada which are required to sell such reformulated fuels as part of a strategy to reduce exhaust emissions.

The types and volume of fuel oxygenates approved for use in unleaded gasoline by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency include a broad range of alcohols and ethers, but only two components have seen any significant level of commercial use.

Gasoline/Alcohol Blends - Gasoline containing up to 10% ethanol (alcohol produced from agricultural products such as corn), also known as “gasohol” is approved for use.

NOTICE

Avoid using blends of unleaded gasoline and methanol (wood alcohol) whenever possible, and never use “gasohol” containing more than 5% methanol.

Fuel system damage and performance problems may result.

Gasoline/Ether Blends - The most common ether is methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE). You may use gasoline containing up to 15% MTBE.

NOTE

Other oxygenates approved for use in unleaded gasoline include TAME (up to 16.7%) and ETBE (up to 17.2%). Fuel containing these oxygenates can also be used in your Kawasaki.

NOTICE

Never use gasoline with an octane rating lower than the minimum specified by Kawasaki.

Never use “gasohol” with more than 10% ethanol, or more than 5% methanol. Gasoline containing methanol must also be blended with cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors.

Certain ingredients of gasoline may cause paint fading or damage.

Be extra careful not to spill gasoline or gasoline oxygenate blends during refueling.

When not operating your Kawasaki for 30 to 60 days, mix a fuel stabilizer (such as STA-BIL) with the gasoline in the fuel tank.

Fuel stabilizer additives inhibit oxidation of the fuel which minimizes gummy deposits.

NOTICE

Never store this product with “gasohol” in the fuel system.

Before storage it is recommended that you drain all fuel from the fuel system. See the Storage section in this manual.

Fuel Type
Use clean, fresh unleaded gasoline with a minimum Antiknock Index of 90. The Antiknock Index is posted on service station pumps. The octane rating of a gasoline is a measure of its resistance t ...

Side Stand
The motorcycle is equipped with a side stand. A. Side Stand NOTE When using the side stand, turn the handlebar to the left. Do not sit on the motorcycle while it is on its side stand or cen ...

Other materials:

Crankshaft Removal
Split the crankcase (see Crankcase Splitting). Remove: Connecting Rod Big End Nuts [A] Connecting Rod Big End Caps [B] NOTE Mark and record the locations of the connecting rods and their big end caps so that they can be reassembled in their original positions. Remove the crank ...

Seat Cover Removal
Remove: Rear Seat (see Rear Seat Removal) Remove the bolts [A]. Remove the upper seat cover backward [B] to clear the hook portions. Remove: Front Seat (see Front Seat Removal) Quick Rivets [A] Bolts [B] Seat Covers [C] ...

Payload and Tire Pressure
Failure to maintain proper inflation pressures or observe payload limits for your tires may adversely affect handling and performance of yourmotorcycle and can result in loss of control. The maximum recommended load in addition to vehicle weight is 180 kg (397 lb), including rider, passenger, ...