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:

Lower Crankcase Assembly
Install the ball bearing [A] and the oil level inspection window [B] until they are bottomed Apply soap and water solution to the oil level inspection window before installation. Install the new circlip [C]. Apply a non-permanent locking agent to the oil passage plug [D]. Tighten: ...

Tachometer
The tachometer shows the engine speed in revolutions per minute (r/min, rpm). On the right side of the tachometer face is a portion called the “red zone”. Engine r/min (rpm) in the red zone is above maximum recommended engine speed and is also above the range for good performance. ...

Relay Box Removal
Remove the left fuel tank cover (see Fuel Tank Removal in the Fuel System (DFI) chapter). Disconnect the connectors [A]. Pull out the relay box [B] from the rubber protector [C]. NOTE The relay box has relays and diodes. The relays and diodes can not be removed. Relay Box Installa ...