Kawasaki Ninja Owners Manual: Tire Wear, Damage

Kawasaki Ninja Owners Manual / Maintenance and adjustment / Wheels / Tire Wear, Damage

As the tire tread wears down, the tire becomes more susceptible to puncture and failure. An accepted estimate is that 90% of all tire failures occur during the last 10% of tread life (90% worn).

So it is false economy and unsafe to use the tires until they are bald

In accordance with the Periodic Maintenance Chart, measure the depth of the tread with a depth gauge, and replace any tire that has worn down to the minimum allowable tread depth.

A. Tire Depth Gauge

Minimum Tread Depth

Visually inspect the tire for cracks and cuts, replacing the tire in case of bad damage. Swelling or high spots indicate internal damage, requiring tire replacement.
Remove any imbedded stones or other foreign particles from the tread.

NOTE

Have the wheel balance inspected whenever a new tire is installed.

WARNING

Tires that have been punctured and repaired do not have the same capabilities as undamaged tires and can suddenly fail, causing an accident resulting in serious injury or death. Replace damaged tires as soon as possible. To ensure safe handling and stability, use only the recommended standard tires for replacement, inflated to the standard pressure. If it is necessary to ride on a repaired tire, do not exceed 100 km/h (60 mph) until the tire is replaced.

NOTE

When operating on public roadways, keep maximum speed under traffic law limits.

Standard Tire (Tubeless)

WARNING

Some replacement tires may adversely affect handling and cause an accident resulting in serious injury or death. To ensure proper handling and stability, use only the recommended standard tires for replacement, inflated to the standard pressure.

New tires are slippery and may cause loss of control and injury.

A break-in period of 160 km (100 miles) is necessary to establish normal tire traction. During break-in, avoid sudden and maximum braking and acceleration, and hard cornering.

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 maxi ...

Battery

The battery installed in this motorcycle is a sealed type, so it is not necessary to check the battery electrolyte level or add distilled water. The sealing strip should not be pulled off once ...

Other materials:

Starter Clutch Inspection
Remove: Torque Limiter Cover (see Torque limiter Removal) Turn the torque limiter [A] by hand. The torque limiter should turn forward freely [B], but should not turn backward. If the starter clutch does not operate as it should or if it makes noise, go to the next step. Disassem ...

Balancer Installation
Position the crankshaft at #2, 3 positions TDC or at #1, 4 positions TDC. Install the balancer assembly as follows. Align the punch mark [A] on the weight and the projection [B] on the crankcase. Engage the balancer gear and the crankshaft gear. Insert the balancer shaft until it is bot ...

Wheel Rotation Sensor Rotor Inspection
Remove: Wheels (see Front/Rear Wheel Removal in the Wheels/Tires chapter) Brake Disc Mounting Bolts [A] Sensor Rotor [B] Front Wheel [C] Rear Wheel [D] Visually inspect the wheel rotation sensor rotor. If the rotor is deformed or damaged (chipped teeth [A]), replace the ...