Kawasaki Ninja

Kawasaki Ninja Owners Manual: Shifting Gears

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

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:

Jump starting
If your motorcycle battery is “run down”, it should be removed and charged. If this is not practical, a 12 volt booster battery and jumper cables may be used to start the engine. DANGER Battery acid generates hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosive under certain conditions. It i ...

Oxygen Sensor - not activated (Service Code 33, Equipped Models)
Oxygen Sensor Removal/Installation Refer to the Oxygen Sensor Removal/Installation (Equipped Models) in the Electrical System chapter. Oxygen Sensor Inspection Remove: Fuel Tank (see Fuel Tank Removal in the Fuel System (DFI) chapter) Oxygen Sensor Lead Connector [A] Connect t ...

Spring Plate Free Play Measurement
Insufficient clutch free play will cause the engine braking effect to be more sudden, resulting in rear wheel hop. On the other hand, if the free play is excessive, the clutch lever may feel “spongy” or pulsate when pulled. Hold an extra drive shaft in a vise and install the following c ...