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:

Air Intake Duct Assembly (Other than US, CA and CAL Models)
Install the seals [A] as shown in the figure. Fit the projections [A] of the air intake valve to the hole [B] of the air intake ducts. Tighten: Torque - Air Intake Duct Assembly Screws: 1.5 N·m (0.15 kgf·m, 13 in·lb) Hang the shaft [A] to the air intake valve securely ...

Warning/Indicator Lights
: When the transmission is in neutral, the neutral indicator light goes on. : When the headlight is on high beam, the high beam indicator light goes on. : When the turn signal switch is pushed to the left or right, the turn signal indicator light blinks. ...

Axle Inspection
Remove the front and rear axles (see Front/Rear Wheel Removal). Visually inspect the front and rear axle for damages. If the axle is damaged or bent, replace it. Place the axle in V blocks that are 100 mm (3.94 in.) [A] apart, and set a dial gauge [B] on the axle at a point halfway ...