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:

Drive Chain Lubrication Condition Inspection
If a special lubricant is not available, a heavy oil such as SAE 90 is preferred to a lighter oil because it will stay on the chain longer and provide better lubrication. If the chain appears especially dirty, clean it before lubrication. NOTICE The O-rings between the side plates seal ...

Brake Pedal Position Adjustment
NOTE Usually it is not necessary to adjust the pedal position, but always adjust it when push rod locknut has been loosened. Loosen the locknut [A] and turn the push rod with the hex head [B] to achieve the correct pedal position. If the length [C] shown is 69 ±1 mm (2.7 ±0.04 in.), th ...

Piston Installation
Apply molybdenum disulfide oil solution to the oil ring expander, and install the oil ring expander [A] in the bottom piston ring groove so the ends [B] not butt together Applymolybdenum disulfide oil solution to the oil ring steel rails, and install the oil ring steel rails, one above th ...