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:

Clutch
Due to friction plate wear and clutch cable stretch over a long period of use, the clutch operation should be checked each day before riding the motorcycle, and must be adjusted in accordance with the Periodic Maintenance Chart. Inspection Check that the clutch lever operates properly an ...

Valve Clearance
Valve and valve seat wear decreases valve clearance, upsetting valve timing. NOTICE If valve clearance is left unadjusted, wear will eventually cause the valves to remain partly open; which lowers performance, burns the valves and valve seats, and may cause serious engine damage. Valve cle ...

Steering Play Adjustment
Remove: Steering Stem Head with Handlebars (see Handlebar Removal in the Steering chapter). Bend the claws [A] of the claw washer [B] straighten. Remove: Steering Stem Locknut [C] Claw Washer Adjust the steering using the steering stem nut wrench [A]. Special Tool - Ste ...