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:

Relay Circuit Inspection
Remove the relay box (see Relay Box Removal). Check conductivity of the following numbered terminals by connecting the hand tester and one 12 V battery to the relay box as shown in the figure (see Relay Box Internal Circuit in this section). If the tester does not read as specified, re ...

Connecting Rod Installation
NOTICE To minimize vibration, the connecting rods should have the same weight mark. Big End Cap [A] Connecting Rod [B] Weight Mark, Alphabet [C] Diameter Mark [D] (“� or No Mark) NOTICE If the connecting rods, big end bearing inserts, or crankshaft are replaced with new ones, select ...

Drive Chain Slack Inspection
Refer to the Drive Chain Slack Inspection in the Periodic Maintenance chapter. Drive Chain Slack Adjustment Refer to the Drive Chain Slack Adjustment in the Periodic Maintenance chapter. Wheel Alignment Inspection/Adjustment Refer to the Wheel Alignment Inspection in the Periodic Maintenance ...