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:

Engine Removal
Support the rear part of the swingarm with a stand. Squeeze the brake lever slowly and hold it with a band [A]. WARNINGMotorcycle may fall over unexpectedly resulting in an accident or injury. Be sure to hold the front brake when removing the engine. NOTICE Be sure ...

Water Pump Housing Assembly
NOTICE Do not reuse the mechanical seal and oil seal. Apply high-temperature grease to the new oil seal lips [A]. Press the new oil seal into the housing with a bearing driver [B] until it stops at the bottom surface [C] of the housing. Special Tool - Bearing Driver Set: 57001-1129 ...

Radiator Hose and O-ring Replacement
Drain the coolant (see Coolant Change). Remove: Upper Fairing Assembly (see Upper Fairing Assembly Removal in the Frame chapter) Thermostat Housing [A] (see Thermostat Removal in the Cooling System chapter) Oil Cooler [B] (see Oil Cooler Removal in the Engine Lubrication System chap ...