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:

Air Suction System Damage Inspection
Separate the air switching valve hose [A] from the lower air cleaner housing [B] (see Air Cleaner Housing Removal in the Fuel System (DFI) chapter). Connect the following parts temporarily. Fuel Pump Lead Connector [A] Extension Tube [B] Air Cleaner Housing (see Air Cleaner Hou ...

Axle Inspection
Remove the front and rear axles (see Front/Rear Wheel Removal). Visually inspect the front and rear axle for damages. If the axle is damaged or bent, replace it. Place the axle in V blocks that are 100 mm (3.94 in.) [A] apart, and set a dial gauge [B] on the axle at a point halfway ...

Caliper Rubber Parts Replacement
Front Caliper Disassembly Remove: Front Caliper (see Front Caliper Removal in the Brakes chapter) Brake Pads (see Front Brake Pad Removal in the Brakes chapter) Remove: Front Caliper Assembly Bolts [A] Split the front caliper. Remove: Pad Spring O-ring [A] U ...