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:

Water Pump Impeller Disassembly/Assembly
Remove the water pump impeller (see Oil Pump Removal in the Engine Lubrication System chapter). The sealing seat and rubber seal may be removed easily by hand. Apply coolant around the surfaces of the rubber seal and sealing seat. Install the rubber seal [A] and sealing seat [B] into ...

Coolant Level Inspection
NOTE Check the level when the engine is cold (room or ambient temperature). Check the coolant level in the reserve tank [A] with the motorcycle held perpendicular (Do not use the sidestand). If the coolant level is lower than the “L” level line [B], remove the upper fairing assembly (s ...

Fuel Reserve Switch Inspection
Fill the fuel tank with fuel and close the fuel tank cap. Remove the front seat (see Front Seat Removal in the Frame chapter). Disconnect the fuel pump lead connector [A]. Connect the test light [A] (12 V 3.4 W bulb in a socket with leads) and the 12 V battery [B] to the fuel pu ...