Kawasaki Ninja Owners Manual: Shifting Gears

Kawasaki Ninja Owners Manual / How to ride the motorcycle / Shifting Gears

Close the throttle while pulling in the clutch lever.
Shift into the next higher or lower gear.
Open the throttle part way, while releasing the clutch lever.
For smooth riding, each gear position should cover the proper rate of speed shown in the table.

WARNING

Downshifting to a lower gear at high speed causes engine rpm to increase excessively, potentially damaging the engine and it may also cause the rear wheel to skid and cause an accident.

Vehicle speed when shifting

NOTE

The transmission is equipped with a positive neutral finder. When the motorcycle is standing still, the transmission cannot be shifted past neutral from 1st gear. To use the positive neutral finder, shift down to 1st gear, then lift up on the shift pedal while standing still. The transmission will shift only into neutral.

Moving Off

Check that the side stand is up. Pull in the clutch lever. Shift into 1st gear. Open the throttle a little, and start to let out the clutch lever very slowly. As the clutch starts to enga ...

Braking

Close the throttle completely, leaving the clutch engaged (except when shifting gears) so that the engine will help slow down the motorcycle. Shift down one gear at a time so that you are ...

Other materials:

Rear Fender Front Removal
Remove: Flap and Rear Fender Rear (see Flap and Rear Fender Rear Removal) Fuel Tank (see Fuel Tank Removal in the Fuel System (DFI) chapter) Battery (see Battery Removal in the Electrical System chapter) Exhaust Butterfly Valve Actuator (see Exhaust Butterfly Valve Actuator Remova ...

Air Switching Valve Removal
NOTICE Never drop the air switching valve especially on a hard surface. Such a shock to the air switching valve can damaged it. Remove the air cleaner housing (see Air Cleaner Housing Removal in the Fuel System (DFI) chapter). Disconnect the connector [A]. Disconnect the hoses [B] from ...

Fluid Level Inspection
With the brake fluid reservoirs held horizontal, the brake fluid level must be kept between the upper and lower level lines. A. Front Brake Fluid Reservoir B. Upper Level Line C. Lower Level Line A. Rear Brake Fluid Reservoir B. Upper Level Line C. Lower Level Line If th ...